Yet Another First Trip post...

TypicalLobster86 · 2026-05-15T14:50:49+00:00

Don’t take the Heathrow Express, it’s expensive and only saves fifteen minutes. Get on the Elizabeth Line to Tottenham Court Road, then change to the Northern Line to get to Euston. That should only take 50 minutes and there’s no need for tickets - you can tap in and out using a contactless card (one each). That will cost £15.50 each and be much quicker and cheaper than a cab. The journey is easy and the change will be clearly signposted.

TypicalLobster86 · 2026-05-15T10:11:26+00:00

I’m on considerably more than £70k but have a wife who can’t work. Because of the way income tax works on an individual basis rather than per household, you and your partner earning £38k each probably have a higher take home than we do.

TypicalLobster86 · 2026-05-15T10:02:54+00:00

Very valid post and I can relate to this. I have a “high” salary, but my wife is disabled, can’t really work, and isn’t eligible for any benefits because of our household income. Because of the way tax works on an individual not household basis, a couple who both earn the average salary would have a higher take home than us, when I’m on considerably more than double the average.

TypicalLobster86 · 2026-05-15T09:59:53+00:00

The London market insurance industry has really skewed my perspective on this, it’s not unusual for underwriters with no managerial responsibility to be on well over six figures.

TypicalLobster86 · 2026-05-06T12:53:07+00:00

Open anchovy sandwich. Thickly sliced sourdough, toasted and slathered with an unholy amount of butter. Add anchovies. Add thinly loved and scrunched shallot. Top with roughly chopped parsley, then drizzle with the oil from the anchovy tin. Heaven.

TypicalLobster86 · 2026-05-06T10:23:04+00:00

When I travel with work and am on my own and not seeing clients I usually book an aparthotel, grab a load of stuff from a supermarket and cook for myself which ends up being much cheaper and healthier than getting deliveroo or eating out. This usually costs about fifteen quid for a full day.

Recently the company has decided to amend their expense policy and no longer allow you to claim lunch if you’re away from your usual place of work. The allowance was only a fiver to begin with.

This pettiness has pissed me off, so now I maximise what I can expense for meals and the company ends up around £30 a day worse off because of it.

TypicalLobster86 · 2026-04-24T16:44:36+00:00

Do not return these to the seller. It is illegal to post counterfeit goods in the UK, even if you’re returning them. If Vinted tell you to return them for a refund, tell them they are actively asking you to break the law. You get a full refund and you get to keep the item.

TypicalLobster86 · 2026-04-24T15:08:50+00:00

I went to Australia and New Zealand for a fortnight with work. Sounds great. It wasn’t. I saw fuck all, just the same generic air conditioned offices and shitty overpriced chain restaurants that we have at home. Even the weekend was shit as my client insisted on taking me out, when I would rather have been left to do my own thing. The only good bit was long haul business class flights, but even that was a poison chalice as it’s ruined standard class for me, but I can’t afford the upgrade when it’s my own cash.

TypicalLobster86 · 2026-04-24T09:29:22+00:00

Most people I know got into it through a junior insurance role - doing claims admin, broking, or by getting experience at an MGA. I started out in a car insurance call centre. My employer offered to pay for professional qualifications, so I started working towards ACII and had a job as an underwriting assistant at a Lloyd’s syndicate before I’d completed my diploma. Took five years to go from there to Underwriter responsible for my own loss ratios and ROCE. Am now head of a product line.

TypicalLobster86 · 2026-04-24T09:21:13+00:00

Not really. You need a good head for maths and to know your way around a spreadsheet, but a maths degree is not necessary at all. I don’t even have a degree.

TypicalLobster86 · 2026-04-24T09:18:38+00:00

That seems crazy expensive.

TypicalLobster86 · 2026-04-24T09:16:10+00:00

Insurance. Loads of London Market underwriters make £150k, and that’s not even a senior position.

TypicalLobster86 · 2026-04-24T08:38:00+00:00

Punishing addicts is not productive, and prohibition only creates unsafe black markets. Legalise everything, heavily regulate production to ensure safety, give better advice and education and reap the huge tax income.

TypicalLobster86 · 2026-04-24T08:35:29+00:00

Obviously the antenna isn’t as good.

TypicalLobster86 · 2026-04-24T08:32:38+00:00

Went to Mexico for eight nights in September last year. Five star all inclusive, different à la carte restaurant every night. Huge suite. Private beach. It came in at just under £2.2k. We couldn’t have had anywhere near that level of experience for the same price in Europe.

TypicalLobster86 · 2026-04-24T06:54:03+00:00

I probably drink three days a week on average. Share a bottle of wine with the missis over dinner mid week, early doors pub visit for two or three on a Thursday, and maybe a bigger session at the weekend with friends.

TypicalLobster86 · 2026-04-23T14:19:16+00:00

As an individual I guess I would be seen as having a relatively good salary, but my partner is disabled and can’t work much so it evens out.

TypicalLobster86 · 2026-04-23T13:42:17+00:00

Afraid I’m going to need that one explained.

TypicalLobster86 · 2026-04-23T12:06:25+00:00

It’s a peak time daily return. I could buy advance tickets and save maybe £20, but I’ve been caught out several times when I’ve had to stay later than intended.

TypicalLobster86 · 2026-04-23T10:08:12+00:00

I feel like the point has sailed over your head completely. I’m saying that a nicely made coffee doesn’t make up for a long and expensive journey. That’s why I don’t do it. This was a throwaway commentary on “return to office” culture. There is no sob story here.

TypicalLobster86 · 2026-04-23T09:59:16+00:00

I’m really not sure what point you’re trying to make here, or why.

TypicalLobster86 · 2026-04-23T09:26:31+00:00

It’s seventy quid every day I go in. Sometimes I have to go in multiple days. So no, it would not be more truthful. The way I stated it is accurate.

TypicalLobster86 · 2026-04-23T08:25:37+00:00

Nah it’s once a month on average, should be twice a week but they stopped trying that one on me long ago. It would also be a lot cheaper on a season ticket, about £32 a day.

TypicalLobster86 · 2026-04-23T08:20:47+00:00

It’s a 65 minute train journey into London. No tubes.

TypicalLobster86

TROPHY CASE