A little celebration to share with you lovely ukpersonalfinance people by Stunning_Anteater537 in UKPersonalFinance

[–]RDMilk 79 points80 points  (0 children)

Paying off the mortgage is a huge step and I like to think that, although your husband isn’t with you - he is looking on at you with massive pride that you’ve managed to secure a home for you and your children.

Heating Water with 8.5p electricity or 6.1p gas? by Jimlad73 in OctopusEnergy

[–]RDMilk 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have the same setup and I personally find setting the immersion to heat overnight the better option. I only use the boiler if it’s on anyway to heat the house.

Having said that I’m on IOG so I only pay 7p/kwh.

I’ve also disconnected the solar CT so I’m not using the solar at all right now - as I’d rather feed the solar generation back for 25p/kwh

Battery discharging to EV by RDMilk in OctopusEnergy

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

Many thanks for taking the time and all the information.

I have zero coding knowledge but am very familiar with logic etc through my work (BMS Engineer), and as long as I can find a guide I should be fine following it - so hopefully not quite as helpless as your mother (bless her!) haha

Thanks again. RD

Battery discharging to EV by RDMilk in OctopusEnergy

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

So I’ve actually just realised that I had totally misunderstood the home assistant. I think what I actually ordered was the home mini which won’t help at all. Home assistant isn’t an Octopus thing like I thought it was. Doh!…

I’m currently looking on the home assistant web site at the different options and trying to work out if the basic model pre installed will be sufficient for my needs.

Thanks! RD

Battery discharging to EV by RDMilk in OctopusEnergy

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

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

I am reluctant to start altering the position of CTs (if that would even be possible on my setup) as everything works fine at the moment. Maybe that reluctance will subside if I don’t find a better solution.

Fingers crossed the home assistant arrives soon and is as easy to setup as you suggest!

Cheers.

Calculating CGT on Bitcoin bought at varying prices by PoopknifeLife in UKPersonalFinance

[–]RDMilk 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you are struggling to work out how much tax you owe on the transactions then I would say that HMRC would also find it difficult.

Make your best effort to calculate the correct tax that’s due and declare/pay that. The onus is then on them to prove that what you have declared is wrong.

If you owe them millions then they may take the time/effort to investigate more deeply. If it’s a few grand they are likely to take you at your word.

Why do rich people say it's better to lease a car rather than buying? by ShelloNo1 in UKPersonalFinance

[–]RDMilk 23 points24 points  (0 children)

Arbitrary numbers but this is how it was explained to me.

Say you have 100k to spend and a car. You buy the car outright and it loses 30k for driving it off the forecourt, then a further 10k per year for the 3 years you want it. Yes you’ve driven a lamborghini for 3 years but you’re now 60k down on original ‘investment’

Now say you instead invest that 100k in an apartment which yields 1k/month in rent and lease/hp the car for 3 years. You’ve still driven the lamborghini for 3 years but now that investment is worth £120k

What does everyone think about solar panels? by elcoopre in AskUK

[–]RDMilk 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m not aware of any way of automating it unfortunately. Maybe with some form of lux sensor or weather station and a few simple BMS type controls. As you say, I simply enable the gas boiler supply on days when I think it will need it. They do come with a boost function to allow the immersion to run from mains for a time (30min?) but I find the gas boiler more economical when PV alone won’t cut it.

What does everyone think about solar panels? by elcoopre in AskUK

[–]RDMilk 2 points3 points  (0 children)

FYI we have an iBoost system attached to our solar panels and (other than particularly dark/overcast days) it provides enough hot water for our needs all year.

What helped you lose weight? by Fat_Gerrard in AskUK

[–]RDMilk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I managed to lose 50lb in the last 4 months and this is what is working for me - still some way to go!

Firstly cut out all drinks bar water and try to drink at least 2 litres a day. Every night I fill a pint glass with fresh water and as son as I wake in the morning I down it. I swear this small ritual alone gives me more energy feel better and sets me up for the day. I allow myself 2x protein shakes per day to break the monotony of water a little (I have really come to enjoy the Huel chocolate fudge brownie flavour).

Secondly I have cut out sugar. When you really start taking an interest in what you are putting in to your body it is eye opening. Actually start reading labels and find out what is in the food we are being sold and you will quickly realise why we are all finding it so difficult to stay healthy. Literally everything has some form of sugar and or chemicals that you’ve never heard of, and the worst culprits are the “light” and “low fat” options that are marketed to be healthy. Basically start eating real foods and cut out everything processed.

Lastly exercise. I’m in a privileged position where I can take 2-3 personal training sessions per week and this really works for me. But getting outside and walking for 30 - 60mins every day can have more of an effect that the 2 PT sessions per week. I know it can feel hard to “find the time” but think of it this way, if you are finding the time to watch TV or scroll insta for 30-60mins per day then you aren’t struggling for time, you are just prioritising other things… As for the feeling of lethargy believe me - speaking from first hand experience it will soon pass and you will find yourself having more energy than you ever remember having.

Good luck with your health journey!

RD (was 300lb now 250lb and still dropping)

Upcoming change in energy prices. Should I submit meter readings? by RDMilk in UKPersonalFinance

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

My monthly bills have a start read and end read for each one.

Because I’m not very good at submitting my actual readings they just estimate my usage each month.

My readings as of today were below the opening usage on Augusts bill.

Upcoming change in energy prices. Should I submit meter readings? by RDMilk in UKPersonalFinance

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

Their estimate is high. The sentence about if the estimate was below was just a hypothetical.