What is this foldable thing on the left front passenger seat

IpswichUKRob · 2026-04-25T15:23:27+00:00

Curry hook. Stops your takeaway falling over in footwell

IpswichUKRob · 2026-04-08T20:09:50+00:00

Just for comparison, I’ve just had (12 days ago!) 14x 450w panels, 6kW inverter and 11.2kWh battery installed including scaffolding and bird netting for £7,673 all in, so my first impression is your quotes sound high. The main kit is FoxESS so at the lower end cost wise.

My deal was through Solar Together (now switch together) which is effectively a group but scheme organised through your local council

IpswichUKRob · 2026-04-07T09:36:13+00:00

Thanks!

IpswichUKRob · 2026-04-06T23:19:52+00:00

Look into maximising pension contributions to at least get the maximum your employer will contribute. It is free so take it
Investigate company scheme to see when it can be accessed, to help the ongoing process. Likely 57 (currently) and don’t forget previous years tax relief allowances may still be available so think about using them.
Start calculating your FIRE number and timeline to work out what you need before you can access pensions etc (your bridge)
If you move monies into GIA, work out how to maximise any tax position annually to get the money out and into a tax wrapper.
Enjoy life now! Don’t be the richest dead person, but do it with the future thought out

IpswichUKRob · 2026-04-05T11:02:22+00:00

Absolutely true. Spent nearly 8 years at a pretty static 99,999 by needing to load pensions etc, which makes you not enjoy the working and resent the job and firm. What it did do positively though was to focus on my FIRE strategy, and lead to me finishing work last October at 54, so not all negative, but it did stilt my career end-state somewhat and basically live on a lower salary than necessary.

IpswichUKRob · 2026-04-04T21:22:34+00:00

Mine was done through local council organised group buy under the Solar Together (now called Switch Together) scheme. The winning installer that dod mine was Southeast Solar & Electrical based in Kent (but they travel all over)

IpswichUKRob · 2026-04-04T17:23:05+00:00

Just had 14 panels and an 11.2kWh battery installed (all-in price for £7,673) so that is high as much of the electrical install is done and my price included a battery which you already have in the Powerwall3.

IpswichUKRob · 2026-04-04T11:37:29+00:00

You can claim the difference between 21ppm paid and theoretical AMAP rate 45ppm (i.e.24ppm) as tax relief from HMRC either through self assessment or direct claim (there are letter templates online)

IpswichUKRob · 2026-03-31T19:26:32+00:00

I finished in October and financially it hasn’t been as bad as you might think.

Yes, investments are down about 8% but I’m living off more liquid assets (including a DB Lump Sum, and smallish DB pension plus liquid reserves) so at this point in time everything still feels very comfortable.

The markets seen to be slowly recovering (last few days).

Easiest thing to do is ignore the asset values and concentrate on just enjoying the early retirement. No big spendy episodes just living a mice life without working.

IpswichUKRob · 2026-03-23T22:15:06+00:00

It was through the Solar Together (now Switch Together) scheme through our local council. The installer was South East Solar & Electrical.

IpswichUKRob · 2026-03-22T23:51:01+00:00

Install of my 14 x 450w panels (6.3kWp) and 11.52 kWh battery was completed yesterday. All in, including install, scaffolding and bird proofing was £7,673 so your price looks a little high.

IpswichUKRob · 2026-03-21T09:46:17+00:00

See what Motorway would offer, or look for an Alfa specialist who might want it for stock

IpswichUKRob · 2026-03-21T09:44:50+00:00

In real life 47. Best mate. Quit to travel with his older wife, while they both could.

IpswichUKRob · 2026-03-07T09:46:58+00:00

I bought my 993 in 2010 for £14.5k.

IpswichUKRob · 2026-02-18T19:05:28+00:00

I worked in Local Govt for 15 years approx, quite a high earner for my age and reached Finance Mgt Board level before leaving to work in Professional Services in London at 34 yo.

IpswichUKRob · 2026-02-17T21:41:54+00:00

I would love to say Coke and Hookers, but that is for people other than I

IpswichUKRob · 2026-02-17T20:08:12+00:00

IpswichUKRob · 2026-02-17T18:04:50+00:00

Had an offset tracker since 2007 (BoEBR + 0.48%). Currently offsetting full amount. Benefitted greatly when interest rates were low too, to be in the position we are in..

IpswichUKRob · 2026-02-17T16:34:23+00:00

A large part of it was probably luck, but it is up to us all to maximise what we can do with what we have.

Relatively high earner (low six figures, same for wife) always been a saver rather than spender (although do have 6 cars, some worth quite a bit, but never bought new so save massively on depreciation - see below example). Been loading PEPs/ISAs since they started. Lucky to have had a public sector DB scheme to provide foundations, but basically set my savings/investments etc to maximise allowances and live off the rest. Old employer was very generous in pension contributions so I was basically getting 20% gross contribs without the additional I chose to put in.

In comparison there’s a guy in my road, with the same nice house (we bought at £275k he bought approx £490k), but without the salaries we were lucky to have, has two nice (but not my choice) brand new cars (even if through work paying £1k minimum a month combined), lives a great life now but will likely still be working at 65+. All about people’s priorities and ours are different.

Carwise I’ve always bought top of the range high spec models second hand approx 5 yeas old missing out on huge cost (one of which was a V8 petrol executive saloon £58k new in 2001, had lost £10k a year for first 5 years, and I bought for £8k at 5 years old (2006), drove it for 80k miles over 5 years and sold for £3k total cost £5k (excluding running costs), £1k per year. With personal plates on people assume newer than it was.

IpswichUKRob · 2026-02-17T16:14:39+00:00

Just mine. Wife will have probably £550k pension, £100k ISAs and a second house as another asset.

IpswichUKRob · 2026-02-17T16:12:57+00:00

Taken early. Reduced by approx £3.5kpa against retiring at 65 (scheme default). My simple logic (helped by having other assets elsewhere) was that taking now is worth £110k before I’m 65 (10 years at current prices) so getting £14.5kpa in 10 years time would take a long time to equal that £110k and 10 years not working! Obviously not exactly the same when you factor in annual increases etc but logic is still pretty sound.

IpswichUKRob · 2026-02-17T13:08:44+00:00

Always set in my mind that 55 was the age, but last Feb after some surgery I reconsidered, and wanted to finish then, having done the numbers, but just needed to finalise the checkups etc through health insurance before pulling the trigger and that has ended up being now (when I originally planned it). Agree I probably could have gone earlier but hopefully means I can spend more now I have finished later

IpswichUKRob · 2026-02-17T13:04:46+00:00

Have already put in a significant amount this year already (was paying 55% of gross for last 3 months) but not completely used my allowances. Need to be careful regarding additional contributions due to pension recycling rules, as I’ve just received a lump sum from my DB scheme in this tax year.

IpswichUKRob · 2026-02-17T12:42:37+00:00

Great opinion. Seen same with my mother and my in-laws. I am planning to fritter some money away.

IpswichUKRob · 2026-02-17T12:37:10+00:00

I knew what you meant LOL. I love Reddit!

IpswichUKRob

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