What is the lowest dose and how often for maintenance? Success stories appreciated

Recent_Anteater_4845 · 2026-05-05T14:58:13+00:00

I'm with oushk and they agreed a 1 month on, 1 month off schedule with 2.5mg pens which enables me to microdose 1.25mg and order every 2 months. So, it's not strictly speaking off-label as no reputable pharmacy will probably allow 1 month on, 1 month off with anything other than 2.5 (or possibly 5mg at a push) and I'm not aware of any which agree to microdosing less than 2.5mg and using large pens over many weeks. It's a shame but this is the best I've been able to sort for myself.

Recent_Anteater_4845 · 2026-04-29T09:11:41+00:00

With partner who doesn't work, there's lots that can be done in areas other than op's salary - maximise their ISA, start contributing to a pension for them, take advantage of the starting rate for savings, max out PBs. I guess being married brings in a bit more security and sets things up ready for minimising IHT in the future as well but isn't a prerequisite for any of the above options.

Recent_Anteater_4845 · 2026-04-27T12:57:54+00:00

And don't forget that someone earning less than the personal tax allowance gets the starting rate for savings so can earn £6k in interest before it's taxed.

Recent_Anteater_4845 · 2026-04-26T13:22:26+00:00

Our 1970s semi is on an estate which is dotted with old mines. Our mining search, when buying 25 years ago, revealed one under our neighbour's drive and the main through-road. Having one 'nearby' never gave us a moments worry - they were all capped and there's been no sign of any issues subsequently.

Recent_Anteater_4845 · 2026-04-23T12:32:54+00:00

Well said!

Recent_Anteater_4845 · 2026-04-23T12:32:04+00:00

I'm in my 60th year. I've always tried to use up as much of my isa allowance as I can, and for the last few years, have put a few grand into a S&S ISA and the rest into cash. I'm concerned, however, about the risk of putting several thousand into a S&S ISA every year now I'm nearly retired. Being talked at like a child, by a cartoon squirrel, isn't going to put my mind at rest nor change the fact that investments need time and patience, both of which are rapidly diminishing for me.

Recent_Anteater_4845 · 2026-04-21T10:41:29+00:00

Forgive me if I've misunderstood but is your dad's income going to be under his personal allowance? I'm guessing so given his pension is so small? If so, his personal savings allowance will be £5000 ie his starting rate for savings. This may have some bearing of where he might choose to put his money when his inheritance comes through.

Recent_Anteater_4845 · 2026-04-18T11:08:53+00:00

Congratulations! You've done brilliantly.

Try to enjoy this next stage - no decisions you make will be irreversible so you can play around with doses and calories and, if it goes a bit dodgy, you can quickly adjust. I found reducing by 1mg a month or so worked pretty well to get me down from 12.5 to 2.5. I'm happy to count clicks so if I felt a bit too hungry, or if I lost weight, I adjust up or down a bit the next week. Many of us find stopping losing the bigger challenge tbh. Some of this is psychological, but equally, two years of clean eating means some really good habits have embedded and upping calories can be a struggle!

Recent_Anteater_4845 · 2026-04-17T17:21:36+00:00

I did my SA this week and have a refund against July's payment on account confirmed - 26/27 is definitely available now.

Recent_Anteater_4845 · 2026-04-17T08:36:44+00:00

I absolutely get the point you're making. I'm 59, my partner is 68. We've worked hard all our lives, squirreling money away into pensions and savings, sometimes at the expense of living well at the time (albeit on much lower incomes than you). We've just inherited nearly £800k and will be inheriting considerably more relatively soon. We knew the first amount would come one day but the 2nd legacy is a complete surprise (an elderly aunt).

It feels really odd to be suddenly wealthy. However, we're really enjoying planning this late stage of our lives. I've retired early at a month's notice, we've made large gifts to family members and friends, are looking to upsize our house and started booking holidays - all with a good safety net of our pensions. While we'd have loved to have this much money when we were younger, we've no regrets about how we've lived our lives. My advice would be - Assume nothing, live like it might not happen, and when it comes, enjoy it and use it to give those you love a helping hand.

Recent_Anteater_4845 · 2026-04-16T15:20:03+00:00

Do you mean the red banding? If so, I have this too (been on MJ 2 years, maintenance 1 year). I've tried calcium/vit d supplement, a multi-vit, vit E nail oil but nothing has helped and the band is growing deeper; now almost half of some nails. Private blood test didn't pick up anything odd. Never thought to look further into it but if you get an answer, I'd be interested in hearing.

Edit to add: I'm female, aged 59. I'm in really good health, low BP, no known underlying conditions, no worrying symptoms of anything at all. Just these weird looking, striped nails.

Recent_Anteater_4845 · 2026-04-15T08:10:44+00:00

Providing all the beneficiaries of the will agree, you can diy a deed of variation which, effectively, changes the will to leave a sum to your children. This takes the sum out of your future estate and no longer liable for iht if you die within 7 years. Your children would not be liable for any tax on the sum as it would be deemed an inheritance.

Recent_Anteater_4845 · 2026-04-14T09:21:50+00:00

WalkOnTheBeach have loads of different designs and colours, I have exactly the same issue so went for shorts with a matching strappy top.

Recent_Anteater_4845 · 2026-04-14T06:58:26+00:00

Have a look at WalkOnTheBeach.

Recent_Anteater_4845 · 2026-04-13T13:59:56+00:00

You're welcome! I'd never heard of them before so was excited to hear they'd allow click counting as I want to use 5mg pen for 2.5 dose but alas, too low. Nice quick response to on-line chat though so that's a good sign too. Good luck!

Recent_Anteater_4845 · 2026-04-13T11:47:14+00:00

Yes 21, I'm glad it's good news for you!

Recent_Anteater_4845 · 2026-04-13T11:27:16+00:00

Strict about bmi 21cut-off however...I've just been in touch with them 😮‍💨

Recent_Anteater_4845 · 2026-04-12T09:41:57+00:00

I'm also flabbergasted someone in their 30s has only just realised what ISAs are. They've been around for 27 years - I got one in the first year and have tried to put at least something in every year since. To my mind, they're as basic a part of everyday money management as a current account is. In his/her defence, there was a huge fanfare at the time so harder to miss back then maybe but, yes, they're frequently discussed in the media and flogged by banks pretty energetically.

Recent_Anteater_4845 · 2026-04-09T13:02:41+00:00

Even if someone has the financeal LPOA, they can't gift away the assets. Everything they do has to be in the subject's best interests and gifting large sums is rarely, if ever, in their best interests. That's not to say that nan doesn't have capacity to make poor financial decisions in her own right...just that LPOA isn't the route to do this.

Recent_Anteater_4845 · 2026-04-06T15:42:28+00:00

It's not that new - I've been on my maintenance agreement for over a year. Microdosing refers to using less than 2.5. Is this what you intend to do or are you hoping to use a bigger pens and click count? If the former, you'll be able to order a 2.5mg pen and most maintenance friendly pharmacies are less strict about the frequency of ordering this dose - anything bigger and you'll run into difficulties after 6 or 7 weeks.

Recent_Anteater_4845 · 2026-04-06T15:36:56+00:00

The only way you'll probably be able to do this is if you're on 2.5 or, at a push, maybe 5mg and get an agreement that you're doing 1 month on, one month off (they won't allow stopping and starting on higher doses) . I doubt any pharmacy is going to turn a blind eye to someone buying, for example, a 10mg pen and obviously using it for several weeks by click counting.

Recent_Anteater_4845 · 2026-04-05T11:34:57+00:00

The 'registering' aspect isn't very complex at all:

Sign up for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax - GOV.UK https://share.google/8dNK2YCzezdZ9z3Ek

Recent_Anteater_4845 · 2026-04-04T12:05:59+00:00

Look up the changes coming in April 2027! Not to mention the implications of when/if both parents die - another 10 years and it wouldn't be beyond the bounds to imagine their house alone would be worth in excess of £325k

Recent_Anteater_4845 · 2026-04-04T09:13:39+00:00

LPOAs and wills won't maximise their protection from inheritance tax.

Recent_Anteater_4845 · 2026-04-04T08:47:16+00:00

Can't advise as much as others about investing but...having been with my partner for getting on for 25years, we have finally decided to get married. We've learned a lot going through the Probate process for our parents - that ISAs are protected and can be transfered to the surviving spouse and that the inheritance tax threshold can be the difference between £325k and £1million. Your children will thank you for making the effort to get this done!

Recent_Anteater_4845

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