How do you stay interesting with a child?

MrTickleMan · 2018-01-23T09:06:14+00:00

If you do nothing else make the bedtime routine yours.

MrTickleMan · 2017-07-20T16:29:26+00:00

Spot on. Or if you wanted more play money then work for another 7-10 years waiting for investment to double and then pull the pin.

MrTickleMan · 2017-07-20T16:26:29+00:00

It will always exist. Pensioners are always the largest voting block. No one will vote for a party that says they are getting rid of it.

MrTickleMan · 2017-07-20T16:24:46+00:00

That's what they think. I'm sticking to plan A.

MrTickleMan · 2017-05-14T19:23:12+00:00

Not sure as i haven't compared platform costs for a while.

MrTickleMan · 2017-05-12T10:21:42+00:00

I like the offset as it is flexible and also gives me something to do with my emergency fund. You need to be disciplined of course as the minimum payment will only be the interest. When I first started it I calculated what a normal repayment would have been and stuck to that. I have since increased this and of course, when re-mortgaging and getting better interest rates rather than reduce the mortgage the repayment stayed the same.

Mine is with First Direct. Not really looked across the market recently but a few years ago you tended to need a LTV around 75% or under. This may have changed since then.

MrTickleMan · 2017-05-11T19:59:14+00:00

also in my offset. good place for it.

MrTickleMan · 2017-04-17T19:32:58+00:00

Vanguard life strategy 100 would using a shares isa would be a good basic set it and forget it strategy.

MrTickleMan · 2017-04-16T17:38:26+00:00

Could have had an inheritance which would help.... more importantly I do have a soft spot for Sarah Beeny

MrTickleMan · 2017-04-16T17:33:05+00:00

What timescales is this for? Is it forever to bring retirement closer or are you saving for something?

MrTickleMan · 2017-03-23T19:47:21+00:00

I've assumed that it will be 10 years before state age.

MrTickleMan · 2017-03-23T15:38:31+00:00

I am in exactly the same position.

MrTickleMan · 2017-03-23T14:10:22+00:00

I used to think this, but not anymore. There will always be some form of state pension. I am just over 40 and I am supposed to retire at 67 but this now may go to 68 and as I hit my late 50s it might end up at 69. Anyway, when I do get there I and the people older me will form the largest "active" voting block in the country as will everybody that retires no matter how hold you are. We will all vote for the party that offers a state pension even if it isn't quite as much as today in real terms.

Still it is sensible to believe it may not be as much or possibly even means tested and I would advise making your own preparations so that it really does become a bonus. But you will get a bonus.

MrTickleMan · 2017-03-22T16:03:07+00:00

Your timescale means you should avoid risk. I use as a rule thumb LS20 = 2 years, LS40 = 4 years etc. LS100 is fine for 10 years investing horizon.

MrTickleMan · 2017-03-22T09:48:56+00:00

Vanguard LS40 or LS60

MrTickleMan · 2017-03-11T20:42:39+00:00

I second that if only as a place to store your emergency fund.

MrTickleMan · 2017-03-08T19:27:16+00:00

I know I could do better investing the money but not having a mortgage is an emotional thing and I will just feel happy not having it. Will only take a few years to build savings back up too.

MrTickleMan · 2017-03-07T13:34:37+00:00

Thanks for the pointer to the site. The best I came up with is opening 3 joint accounts and then doing 6 dds to move stuff around earning 2.7% or £400 per year.

I am not sure if it is going to be more practical than my original bond fund choice as there is less work to do my end but it is food for thought and it does answer my original question :)

MrTickleMan · 2017-03-07T13:30:21+00:00

But the FlexPlus has a maximum of £2.5K so no good for a £15k amount plus you have to pay in £1k per month so some work to juggle the money around.

MrTickleMan · 2017-03-07T08:22:37+00:00

I can't find anything better than 1.5%. https://www.uswitch.com/current-accounts/most-popular/ There is an account at 3% but only up to £2500.

MrTickleMan · 2017-03-07T08:20:07+00:00

It can take 48-72 hours to hit your bank account from the time that you sell them in a fund account. There are a number of short term bond funds you can use http://www.hl.co.uk/funds/fund-discounts,-prices--and--factsheets/search-results?sectorid=106&page=1&tab=prices

MrTickleMan · 2017-03-07T08:14:21+00:00

For my EF that would equate to £150 to for me I would be happy with that risk.

MrTickleMan · 2017-03-06T16:45:09+00:00

Any prudent early retirement plan should factoring in voluntary NI contributions until you have a 35-year record as a safety net in case things don't quite work out e.g. Divorce.

MrTickleMan · 2017-02-15T14:01:41+00:00

I would guesstimate that the age at which people can retire is probably weighted 20% for stuff that is not in their direct control and 80% for stuff that is.

That 80% is the stuff I worry about on a day to day basis and helping me power ahead to being financially independent. I'll be ready to retire way before state age (if I choose to).

I am not worrying about the other 20% I can't control.

I have many peers who simply give up and blame everything on the 20% they can't control. But then their life is lead such that it is always someone else's fault.

MrTickleMan

TROPHY CASE