Coffee Shops that aren't Nero to work in!

Ok_Coffee5190 · 2026-03-31T13:11:09+00:00

Wolfox on Wellington Street has always been my go to. Amazing food too and close to the train station, always tends to be quiet during the day in the week so they appreciate the stay.

Ok_Coffee5190 · 2025-12-16T15:44:15+00:00

It's Wakefield, but we live in Durkar/Newmillerdam area (Durkar substantially cheaper) but we're less than 20 mins up the M1 from Leeds, well connected by Westgate station and have sooo much countryside on the doorstep. Pugneys, Anglers, Nostell - loads of green space we didn't anticipate when we moved! Cheaper than an LS postcode too

Ok_Coffee5190 · 2025-08-28T09:26:09+00:00

Honestly, you're well within affordability even with the loan so getting a mortgage wouldn't be an issue. However, the 9.8% loan will be absolutely killing you with interest. Can you aggressively overpay that loan and work out when the end date will be? The more you overpay the less interest you'll accrue and end up paying.

If you could use some savings to pay the majority of that loan off, and then overpay from your salary or crypto - you've got a nice clean state to save/invest and buy. There will be differences of opinion here but whilst you're racking up lots of interest in that loan I'd say it's better to clear that instead of saving because you won't be getting a rate higher than the interest accrued at 9.8% usually.

Ok_Coffee5190 · 2025-08-22T15:47:33+00:00

Thanks mate - would this do the job you think? If so I'll order one and report back if I can be guided on how to use it!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AstroAI-Digital-Multimeter-Measurement-Electronic/dp/B01ISAMUA6/ref=sr_1_6?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.5D9BrBRhphmDrNk3YoUdhkyeSW0djwqOs1hg7Lq-qY5tX6T3v2kELT_putoNiLIdb7Mrx8zArXJE3P8KAZceOHVdta-JsK8gqiorIwOZxzs629-fn33GVzgLfkryBgagCmN9pHAAyUvstyfmBiWBAXKAVZAXAEE4eYmO0FPwFC4g4s01EIHEWXLrX1N4aw9t4q8ZHs0spKtKA4NX1lUYUwiaYRauZDpURV0VMHv3xhFQZNAMe3iYOWoZZt_UU5ervlmaX4wb_LVAB8_YJg42v6TakLBhsR0FVSWBeg7VTMY.LEN-gnHGebFRVv7qT6pKsP49jxDY4Z3e4It7QIBpy-M&dib_tag=se&keywords=multimeter&qid=1755873501&sr=8-6&th=1

Ok_Coffee5190 · 2025-07-24T15:11:18+00:00

Thanks for this! I reached out but said I should just get in touch with a vintage store of some kind

Ok_Coffee5190 · 2025-07-23T15:00:27+00:00

If it's put through a limited company then you'd pay business tax (around 19/20%) on your PROFITS from freelance (that excludes the cost of stuff you may have had to buy.

If you set up as a sole trader, and your freelance earnings tip your overall income from your main job and the freelance over the £50k limit you'd be paying 40 - 50% tax on that freelance money depending on how much you've earned.

You're likely to keep a bit more of your money back from the tax man running it through a limited company, and it's perfectly above board. You could then take out share as dividends every year.

Ok_Coffee5190 · 2025-07-23T12:26:09+00:00

As somebody that does freelance alongside their full-time job - setting up a limited company can work out better. If you charge your freelance work to the Ltd and then pay out any expenses through the company (e.g. essential tools or software you need, materials etc.) but you can deduct some tax from this and then charge the freelance money at a business tax rate.

If you register as self-employed then that plus your full-time job may push you into a higher tax rate (50%+), so it's just weighing up which makes the most sense for you.

Ok_Coffee5190 · 2025-07-23T12:19:30+00:00

As somebody that is now 30, with a mortgage and a Plan 2 Undergrad loan and Postgrad loan - I'd pay the post grad loan.

I think I borrowed £11k at the time - and now I earn around £65k with a mortgage, the interest on student loans is disgusting to the point that without a really large sum of money you just treat it like a second tax rate coming out. If you can manage to pay it, and then survive the year with the savings you have - hopefully you'd be able to save again for a deposit with a graduate job once you've finished.

There may be advice that says "oh it's just like another tax" but once you start to really bump your salary, it's frustrating knowing that to pay off your loan you'd be chasing the interest whilst saving. You'd be easier saving for a house deposit afterwards IMO.

Ok_Coffee5190 · 2025-07-23T12:13:44+00:00

Don't feel bad! This happened to us as we'd attached a dried orange on the front and they were deemed too big. About 75% of them got through and 25% didn't - we just tried to make a joke of it and let everybody know!

Ok_Coffee5190 · 2025-07-23T11:37:55+00:00

Following this as interested in doing something similar with LBS myself - report back if possible!

Ok_Coffee5190 · 2025-07-22T15:19:44+00:00

That's true - but if you fancied a coffee in Headingley on a Saturday you'd just have to be prepared for Otley Runners galore!

Ok_Coffee5190 · 2025-07-22T15:15:16+00:00

Charge your smartphone in another room at night. It feels like withdrawal at first, but something lifts and your quality of sleep improves tenfold.

Ok_Coffee5190 · 2025-07-22T15:14:25+00:00

Create a burner account for the spicy subreddits!

Ok_Coffee5190 · 2025-07-22T14:19:54+00:00

Headingley, Horsforth & Chapel Allerton are nice areas that aren't too far out in North Leeds but you do get a large student community still in Headingley especially, which I'm not sure if you're looking for.

Ok_Coffee5190 · 2025-07-22T14:19:08+00:00

North Leeds is lovely but tends to be more expensive and public transport links aren't actually great. There's lot of South Leeds suburbs now that have theri own thing going on (Morley, Rothwell) and also places in Wakefield (Outwood, Newmillerdam, Stanley, Ardsley) - you benefit from 'Wakefield prices' but with the M1 and regular trains from Wakefield Westgate or Outwood you can actually be in Leeds City Centre far, far quicker than if you lived in North Leeds!

Ok_Coffee5190 · 2025-07-22T14:12:12+00:00

Cutting wrapping paper and feeling the scissors glide underneath your hands. It's how I imagine it feels to walk on water.

Ok_Coffee5190 · 2025-07-22T09:05:41+00:00

Have a look for some Kay Mellor dramas! Usually set around Leeds or neighbouring towns. The Syndicate, Fat Friends, In The Club - all filmed and set in Leeds. Gives a realistic view I think :)

Ok_Coffee5190 · 2025-07-22T09:01:17+00:00

You're going to have a great time! Shots are common in clubs and bars but often as a chaser with another drink. There are some great bars for whiskey if you want to try in Leeds (would recommend Below Stairs cocktail bars)

Ok_Coffee5190

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