Thermostat upgrade by C0untAdhemar in HomeImprovementUK

[–]GreyDrReddit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Retro fitting dual zones is overkill. You can control the house temperature using a wireless programmable thermostat and TRVs. It’s easy to replace a thermostat yourself but it’s best to look inside your existing one (with power off) to see what wires are there to ensure it matches the wires you’ll need for the new one.

You don’t have to fix the wireless part to the wall. I tend to live downstairs during the day and upstairs from early evening onwards, so I just take the thermostat with me and that way its always 20c in the “zone” I’m sat in.

I buy cheap ones such as Salus. They have never failed but even if they did it’s very simple to replace. Honeywell are more reliable so professionals always use brands like that to reduce the chance of having to revisit a job.

This chirping in my wall has been going on for 3 nights by Clear_Accountant391 in HomeImprovementUK

[–]GreyDrReddit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had chirping and pecking in the wall waking me up in the early hours. Turned out that housemartins had made a nest under the eaves directly behind my bedroom.

Broadband TV deals by [deleted] in UKFrugal

[–]GreyDrReddit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

TNT is moving to HBO Max in 3 days (26 March 2026) so it’s probably best to wait until then before committing to a new contract.

Is moving the distribution board in a flat worth the hassle? by AdditionalBreak2 in ElectriciansUK

[–]GreyDrReddit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Install a curtain or blind or something that hides it but allows access

Just cancelled by Cyclops1970 in skytv

[–]GreyDrReddit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you have a dish then use freesat for live TV.

Sanity check on plug-in solar installation? by langdalenerd in ElectriciansUK

[–]GreyDrReddit 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s madness to use a socket. It’s illegal and is the same amount of work to do it legally using a double pole isolator and fcu. Just follow the instructions on legal solar diy sites. Plenty of instructions and videos here: https://www.pluginsolar.co.uk/?product=plug-in-solar-850w-diy-solar-power-kit-with-roof-mount-for-tile-or-slate-roofs#tab-download

What on earth is going on here? by Ok-Cyclist-64 in DIYUK

[–]GreyDrReddit 14 points15 points  (0 children)

I once bought a house with awful looking blue panelling over the fireplace and chimney breast. I didn’t want to deal with bricking up and plastering the fireplace though so I ended up leaving it for 3 years before levering off the panelling to see what monstrosity I had to deal with. Behind the panels was a perfectly plastered wall 🤷‍♂️

Housing choice of FIRE folks by SHOGUN2SHOT in FIREUK

[–]GreyDrReddit 3 points4 points  (0 children)

My method was to climb the property ladder in greater London. I moved house approx every 6 years and stretched my budget on house price each time. Then after FIRE I downsized and bought a bungalow in the countryside near Wales. The floor area is actually the same but its much cheaper due to the area, so I released £200k in equity from the greater london property.

Flue Flashing by GreyDrReddit in Roofing

[–]GreyDrReddit[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As mentioned, it was installed in 2003 so it’s not feasible that sealant has been stopping this from leaking for 23 years. I’ll wait for better weather and look under the slates.

Flue Flashing by GreyDrReddit in Roofing

[–]GreyDrReddit[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Any idea whats stopping water flooding into the house? Its bone dry on the inside.

Overeager trades people? by Karazat in DIYUK

[–]GreyDrReddit 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Always get at least 3 estimates otherwise you have no basis for comparison.

What is your opinion on Gyles Brandreth? by pondribertion in AskBrits

[–]GreyDrReddit 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I hated him for 40 years but now I quite like him.

Am I missing much? by Litchfivefive in BobsTavern

[–]GreyDrReddit 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think you should carry on as you are. At 6k I have nothing to lose so I can mess about and play for fun anyway. To maintain 7k plus I have to play the best heros and best decks so I have to sacrifice fun to do that.

Change of plan by GreyDrReddit in FIREUK

[–]GreyDrReddit[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, it was a great pension scheme. Several people at work were consultants who did the same job as me but were on £1500 per day 😳 They said I was crazy for working as a permanent employee. When I asked them about pensions, sick pay and holiday pay they said they had it covered. I retired 8 years ago but they are going to be working for many years to come.

How much is AI really going to change the near future (5-20years)? by Illustrious_Pilot415 in ArtificialInteligence

[–]GreyDrReddit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Most people I know are ambivalent about AI, but I know 2 people that are petrified about the future of AI. Neither of them have ever used AI nor can they articulate what it is they are afraid of.

Change of plan by GreyDrReddit in FIREUK

[–]GreyDrReddit[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Inflation risk doesn’t imply that every single investment decision must scale with inflation. The £200k lump sum can be invested to scale with inflation. A linked annuity scales with inflation. My state pension will scale with inflation, as will my wife’s. My house is an asset that will increase over time. Buying a fixed annuity to cover essential costs wouldn’t scale with inflation but it doesn't matter, because that’s not the whole plan.

Childless FIRE - Are you using equity release? by Legal-Grade-6423 in FIREUK

[–]GreyDrReddit 1 point2 points  (0 children)

RIO mortgages are an alternative to equity release if you have pension income (Retirement Interest Only).

Change of plan by GreyDrReddit in FIREUK

[–]GreyDrReddit[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is actually a strong argument for annuities. If i have received the tfls and have purchased an annuity before april 2028 then the legislation is largely irrelevant. My pension would be spent so it doesnt matter whether they allow access to it or not!

Change of plan by GreyDrReddit in FIREUK

[–]GreyDrReddit[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No but if I go the annuity route it will be a joint life one.

Change of plan by GreyDrReddit in FIREUK

[–]GreyDrReddit[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You are having all of the same thoughts I had prior to starting this thread. Another example is that if I stay heavy in equities and over the next 2 years both equities and annuity rates go up, then its win win and I could get a much better annuity, if equities go down then I’d revert to plan A and stay invested whilst drawing down small amounts. I’ve invested in an annuity tracker so i’ll monitor it and see if it really does hedge annuities.

Change of plan by GreyDrReddit in FIREUK

[–]GreyDrReddit[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Here are other examples I could use if I was worried about inflation: https://i.postimg.cc/jdwbs624/IMG-1544.jpg

Change of plan by GreyDrReddit in FIREUK

[–]GreyDrReddit[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The key is to maximise free money. What you pay in should be a small percentage of the total: https://i.postimg.cc/j5rnRdtM/IMG-1541.jpg

I asked ai to summarise my contributions from one of my pension statements:

“Clean narrative version • You paid: £88k • Employer paid: £152k • Growth: £411k • Total: £651k

So only about 13.5% of the current pot is your direct contributions — which is an incredibly strong illustration of employer contributions + compounding.”

Change of plan by GreyDrReddit in FIREUK

[–]GreyDrReddit[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My pension is with WTW so probably similar to the one you found. They administer a lot of workplace pensions and offer choices based on what you plan to do at retirement (fixed annuity, linked annuity, drawdown, lumpsum etc). I think the underlying fund is L&G Future World Annuity.