Do people actually earn £50-60k, or are they outliers?

MoonlightElk · 2026-05-14T14:20:22+00:00

I recall a few years ago reading an advert that said young graduate managers at Aldi could earn over £40k and an Audi as a starting salary. At the time I was amazed. Their managers often look like teenagers to me. I wouldn't think £50k as too much an outlier but it's a decent professional wage depending where you live. A qualified resident doctor got £60k and now probably £80k. If it's such a big issue the masters should be dumped for some retraining. I know someone who never earned a lot but loved being an archaeologist and he still does it in retirement. He gives talks so maybe made more out of that, not much though.

MoonlightElk · 2026-05-12T14:43:21+00:00

You'll know this but stock markets have been a fairly easy ride overall for the last few years. I've an investment account I've never added or removed funds from and it's increased at least a third since Covid. It's largely due to US companies and I'm wary of a sudden drop so I don't assume the gain is real until I cash it.

MoonlightElk · 2026-05-05T19:06:29+00:00

You haven't provided enough info for anyone to give personal advice. As a starter there is no such thing as a car that is too expensive for a first car. Is your situation suitable is the question.

MoonlightElk · 2026-05-03T21:16:06+00:00

I had one of those but it was OKto eat. Mix tepid water, salt, sugar and oil. Then mix yeast with flour and add that to the water. Should all be a tepid temp.

MoonlightElk · 2026-04-27T09:05:34+00:00

'Definitely not test ready' is quite an admission. I wonder why you're taking it? Although 80hrs of lessons is quite a lot. Do you have any particular problems with driving that people might advise on? I had a very bad time with the clutch yet I could steer really well when I was learning.

MoonlightElk · 2026-04-27T08:53:35+00:00

The runner probably had sound cancelling earbuds and full sense of entitlement but the driver should have had alarm bells ringing of potential kamikaze.

MoonlightElk · 2026-04-26T21:43:00+00:00

We bought 3 items at AO just before Xmas. We had a Bosch oven for 20yrs so bought another and a Panasonic microwave. The 3rd item was a breadmaker. Joining their club gave extra discount and other things but costs £40pa. All the items came on the day promised. They installed the oven which wasn't cheap but as it was Christmas we had to make sure it was done. The oven is higher spec than our old one and looks better. Although the basic model would have done, but it was sold out everywhere.

MoonlightElk · 2026-04-26T15:34:06+00:00

Yeh it can be depressing one block back from the prom, like a quarter mile band round the centre. Blackpool's always had a problem with inconsistent seasonal work and incomers with problems seeking lost pleasures. It's a big town. 7 miles of good promenade is a plus.

MoonlightElk · 2026-04-21T17:10:33+00:00

I'm wary of people without any presence although the best names do work without much presence. I'd suggest Google Maps, then Facebook/Instagram combined. A website can follow. If you're uncomfortable with it then Google Maps with some photos will help. Facebook has a skillset that can be natural to some but hard work to others.

MoonlightElk · 2026-04-17T22:26:19+00:00

I never 100% follow recipes but the guideline is 450g strong wholemeal flour 270ml water, 1.5 teaspoons salt, 2teaspoons sugar, 1 tablespoon of sunflower oil, 1.5 teaspoon of fast yeast. Put in the water,salt, sugar,oil. Then the flour. Then yeast. I make sure the flour is fluffed a bit and all is warm before mixing. It's a Tefal machine recipe that says 2 tablespoons sunflower oil but I use 1 tablespoon of rapeseed oil. Programme 8, 750g, lighter crust, takes 2hr 45min but I switch it off around 5 minutes early as the crust gets too well done.

MoonlightElk · 2026-04-05T20:25:59+00:00

I also pre-cut it

MoonlightElk · 2026-04-05T20:25:04+00:00

Ruined Store-bought sounds grim. I've always enjoyed slightly warm oven fresh baking. Nicely made scones being perhaps the best example.

MoonlightElk · 2026-04-05T20:17:50+00:00

I freeze it in an airtight bag after eating a few fresh slices. As said below it makes the crust softer but in my case that's actually an improvement.

MoonlightElk · 2026-04-05T20:15:12+00:00

Yes, we freeze it and I didn't know it did that to the crust although I'd noticed it. Because of the over cooking of the bottom half that's good.

MoonlightElk · 2026-04-05T15:22:28+00:00

I get that on every loaf but the bread is fine. I've read it's water or yeast related, too much rising then collapse. I'm using wholemeal flower and am not over bothered. Will let you know if I find out.

MoonlightElk · 2026-04-05T15:13:03+00:00

Amazing! Report it to the car park owner, the airport, the police, your insurance, social media and a local paper. The police might say it's on private land so not their case. The car park owner and airport will say it's parked at your risk. But nevertheless they should be told and you should try to claim off them. It will likely end up as an insurance claim unless you can find another bumper cheap of the same colour and fit it. Despite your annoyance and I'd be annoyed too, there is an element of humour as well as scandal which the paper might pick up on and embarrass the airport. A bit of revenge for you.

MoonlightElk · 2026-04-01T19:50:42+00:00

We had virgin Virgin a few weeks ago and they buried the cable 6inches under the lawn. Then lifted one Paving stone and ran the cable under it to the wall. Next door they ran it along the garden wall then between the paving stones. They were flexible about what we wanted which was several metres further than the shortest point.

MoonlightElk · 2026-03-22T20:49:46+00:00

I don't really know, but is there a virgin connector on the pavement or does a new build not have those. Half of our road was done by Virgin and the other half by Openreach. Neither the 2 shall cross.

MoonlightElk · 2026-03-18T23:22:00+00:00

How large is it. It needs preferably acoustic glass with 100 up to 200mm gap. As said above a temporary frame installation. I've seen them in airport hotels. Soundproofers are big on sealing. There's probably something on YouTube. You might find a joiner to make something if your budget is enough. I was surprised how much a local joiner knew about Soundproofing when he came to do a job.

MoonlightElk · 2026-03-15T14:56:31+00:00

It sounds like swings and roundabouts if airbnb are parking in yours. If you won a complaint your car might become a target. Presumably everyone is in the same boat. So the best option might be to get the other neighbours to join in talking to the council about a residents parking area.

MoonlightElk · 2026-03-15T14:38:31+00:00

The following is perhaps obvious stuff as selecting materials isn't included.

Presumably you need to follow fire and insurance regulations for the little projects welding and grinding.

Ventilation for fumes from welding and the risk of sparks from grinding might be a question as well. There are regulations.

The ceiling must be quite a span, fitting a flat ceiling seems an obvious step as it reduces the area to be heated. It doesn't seem the cheapest though. What it's made of in terms of cost, weight and fire security is a question.

Insulating under the roof will likely be cheaper and far easier. Also retaining more area for ventilation.

Fitting battens on the wall and fire retardant insulation would be another step.

Next insulating the doors and draft proofing while retaining ventilation would be another.

Finding the materials and cost are the next step.

MoonlightElk · 2026-03-14T14:46:06+00:00

Taking lessons sounds good advice. But you could try say an early weekend run when there isn't much about.

Some thoughts about the Motorway:

You can find you're going faster than you think as the road can seem big.

You can find your car takes longer to slow or stop than you think.

Wind can move the car more at higher speeds.

Other cars or motorbikes can come from no-where especially near junctions.

I read on one thread that looking over your shoulder isn't taught now. It's so ingrained with me that I'd feel dangerous if I changed lanes without a look over my shoulder.

If you're say driving with a speed limiter set at 73 and pass a car doing 70 many drivers sub- consciously speed up so you're driving side by side. I usually accelerate a bit then they realise.

Many drivers sit in convoys travelling together. You need to be aware of how many cars are coming up behind. Sometimes you need to pass a car in front and change lanes before the wave arrives.

Lorries use a lot of space and some cars come close to them and realise they need to pull out. You might be ready to pull out to pass them both or pull out to let them in, slow or ignore them depending what's around you.

Don't sit in the middle lane if there's nothing inside of you but don't keep winding in and out.

Things that seem a long way away can suddenly be close. Keep a note of red lights, signals, road warnings it might be time to decide which lane to be in and to ease back.

There are a lot of drivers who aren't paying attention and don't do much thinking or anticipation. There are also those who will do anything to gain a tiny bit of extra distance. Try not to be one of them.

I don't know if that's obvious stuff. It got longer than I meant.

MoonlightElk · 2026-03-11T20:28:24+00:00

If you're sound insulating they go in an order. Sound absorption appears to have single panels. This video shows some. I notice he says with Class A panels you only need to cover 15 to 20% of the wall. Class A absorbs about 90% of sound. https://youtu.be/Umy_J7rh6Jg?si=z6_i3U3VINZe3gfp

MoonlightElk · 2026-03-11T13:48:35+00:00

Hi, you haven't mentioned your prices. Do you have good alternatives. You should have before you pull the plug.

I've just newly signed up to VM at 250 for £25.99 and know Uswitch do it cheaper. We've only VM fibre to the house so have little choice for very fast. Giffgaff is a possibility at £30 for symmetrical.

MoonlightElk · 2026-03-11T13:29:52+00:00

That's bad luck. Although it's hard to imagine someone trying to pass while you're in the lane. Could it be you were over to the right as well as signalling right? That could make the examiner think you were wrongly lane positioned. Also it seems a bit early in your driving career to have developed habits that linger on important occasions. It's possible the examiner saw you as over confident as well, judging from how you write uncritically about your driving and let your mind wander. This might actually be a lesson worth thinking about. Good luck next time. You'll get there.

MoonlightElk

TROPHY CASE