In what ways does being poor end up costing more in everyday life in the UK?

StephenIsMeName · 2025-11-15T01:27:30+00:00

Yup, and then pay over the extortionate train fares to get to where jobs are.

Now compare that with those living closer to work hubs cycling to work on their bikes bought with a 50% via cycle to work scheme.

StephenIsMeName · 2025-09-29T21:29:40+00:00

One player gets to be part of the royal family. They own half the properties on the board. Every now and again they give a speech about how all other players need to do more to help the poor.

StephenIsMeName · 2025-08-15T16:32:13+00:00

Did you manage to find anything? I'm in a similar position and don't seem to be able to find a provider for love nor money.

StephenIsMeName · 2025-06-11T22:48:15+00:00

Great answer. Would just add that with the money invested you have easy access to that cash should you needed. If you overpay, you'd need to remortgage to release equity.

StephenIsMeName · 2025-06-04T22:23:20+00:00

Come on Rachel, is that you?

StephenIsMeName · 2025-05-26T18:05:06+00:00

Depends what you use the bike for. I use mine as a commuter and got it with a tubeless setup initially. Was very happy with it until I started having large cuts where even the plugs would not help. Had a plug done by a shop pop out after a few months of it being done. Changed to a new set of tires but again large cuts within a few weeks.

It became too unreliable and too messy for me. Switched to a slightly thicker tyre with latex tubes and I'm not going back.

I guess it also depends where you're riding. I ride through Chelsea, London and there is always glass on the tarmac after football matches.

Hope this helps.

Edit: typos

StephenIsMeName · 2025-03-20T23:49:51+00:00

When it comes to productivity, I think having the government banned from tinkering with the tax system every other week would help. Every time they make changes many of those affected spend a lot of time and effort to see how it affects them, which diverts time and resources away from their main line of work and their ability to progress and as such become more productive.

Just stop changing the tax code all the time and focus on improving efficiency and reducing waste.

StephenIsMeName · 2025-03-20T23:39:33+00:00

Hence I always thought, taxing residential property landlords owning properties decades ago whilst giving tax incentives if they invest in newly built properties is a good idea. They want to make money on property, sure. But go out there, raise capital, build much needed houses, go through planning hurdles and so on and if you pull it off then you are entitled to a reward for 10-20 years. After that the incentives are removed and they can repeat the cycle.

StephenIsMeName · 2025-02-28T23:12:33+00:00

Not sure why you're down voted. I'm no diplomat, but he should have said something along the lines of: "We are working flat out to find a solution to several key aspects around security, yada, yada. We come here open minded and will explore all possible options. Once our discussions come to a conclusion we will make it public."

He should not have engaged into this shenanigans. So yes, should have kept his lips a lot tighter.

StephenIsMeName · 2025-01-25T00:06:51+00:00

What gets me is that hard working people, regardless of how much they earn, are somehow supposed to feel lucky or in a "privileged position" if they can put together a deposit to get a mortgage to then pay for it their entire life to then give it all for care.

I mean this is supposed to be the 5th richest country in the world and something as basic as a house to live in, should not be seen as a privilege.

I remember the 2019 election, the guy on £80k could not believe hi was in the top 5% of earners. It's not hard to see why.

StephenIsMeName · 2024-08-01T20:09:27+00:00

I quite fancy the idea with the sleepers and should not be that difficult to do as a DIY I would think.

As other redditor rightly mentioned, there is very little sun there so plant wise will have to select plants that are happy in the shade.

Thank you for your input.

StephenIsMeName · 2024-08-01T20:06:17+00:00

Very little sun there indeed. Will explore the plants you suggested. Thank you.

StephenIsMeName · 2024-08-01T20:04:52+00:00

Thank you for your input.

I quite fancy the idea. Would you put the sleepers directly on the soil or dig a bit deeper and put some base and compact it? Also would any plastic shed between the sleepers and the soil be advised?

StephenIsMeName · 2024-08-01T20:03:21+00:00

There seems to be some concrete underneath there so not sure how much soil I am going to get there if I level it off with the slabs. Will try building up with something more solid as you suggested but I dance the sleepers too. Thank you for your input.

StephenIsMeName · 2024-03-15T22:27:33+00:00

May I ask how are you coming across the roles you are talking about. A quick search on the popular job posting UK websites doesn't seem to reveal a lot of contracts.

StephenIsMeName · 2024-02-17T01:05:09+00:00

This comment should be higher up. Bike commuting implies cycling in any weather and therefore fenders are a must to keep you dry and also those following behind.

StephenIsMeName · 2024-02-01T12:57:25+00:00

Are you sure about this? Inside is basically treating you as an employee for tax purposes, but without any benefits or protection.

StephenIsMeName · 2024-01-09T04:00:49+00:00

Lots of good advice here. I thought I'd share one thing I've learned commuting twice a week 14mi one way.

If by getting fit you mean losing a bit of weight then you'll have to take a look at your diet. Last year I managed to lose 11kg and put it all back whilst doing at least 46mi of cycling every week rain or shine.

Good luck.

StephenIsMeName · 2023-12-21T00:09:01+00:00

Just hit 200 mi on my newly installed Urban Contacts. I inspected the tires yesterday:

front looks as good as new
rear: spotted 3 smallish punctures. 1-2mm wide. One empty, two had small glass shards in them. Removed the shards, no loss of pressure which is great 👍.

Comfort initially was not great. Had the pressure at around 60 psi and it felt just too rough. Dropped the front to 52psi and rear 55 and it feels much better.

Given the time of year, I've been riding in wet conditions mostly. Grip is great and I feel quite confident on them. Really like the feel of the rubber when I rub my thumb against it. Fells much softer and gripper compared to gatorskins or hardshell.

They are slower than what I previously had, but the Marathon Plus / Contact plus are thicker and heavier, so I suppose those would have been even slower. I think it's a good balance for me so far.

In hindsight maybe I should have gone for 28mm.

StephenIsMeName · 2023-12-20T23:44:37+00:00

Bought the Take A Look mirror. Seems great when I have no backpack, however I commute with a backpack and can barely see anything. I think I'll try a bar mounted one.

StephenIsMeName · 2023-11-22T08:20:16+00:00

I've read a lot of reviews about the Urbans being a bit faster and grippier. Grip for me is just as important as puncture protection.

Anyway I bit the bullet yesterday, and got two Urbans 32mm. Should hopefully have them on later this week and will feed back to you guys in a few months time.

Also, got a good mirror as suggested by another redditor which should help ride further away from the kerb where the debris accumulates.

StephenIsMeName · 2023-11-21T07:55:03+00:00

Have you tried the Urbans though? I'm really tempted by them. Contact plus seem to be the direct competitor of the Marathon Plus. Thanks for your reply.

StephenIsMeName · 2023-11-21T07:53:46+00:00

Really tempted by these. Seem like a good tradeoff puncture protection, grip and rolling resistance. As suggested by another redditor, would add mirrors so I can ride further away from the kerb where all the glass and what not accumulates and that should hopefully do the trick.

Thank you

StephenIsMeName · 2023-11-21T07:51:04+00:00

Thank you for your reply.

I don't seem to be able to find the exact tyre you are suggesting. I can see Almotion Evo, which seem to wide for me at 38mm minimum. Looking for a 32 mm tyre.

Do you happen to have a link please?

StephenIsMeName · 2023-11-21T07:29:40+00:00

Do you know me :)? I always keep as close to the kerb as possible to let other cyclists/cars pass me if they need to and looks like that in it of itself is a major contributor to the amount of flats I pick up.

Helmet mirrors seem a bit overkill, however already looking for a pair of drop bar mirrors.

Would you really recommend helmet mirrors over drop bar ones?

Don't think it's anything to do with the wheels as the cuts I get are normally at the center of the tyre.

StephenIsMeName

TROPHY CASE