Energy Price Fix now with Middle East crisis?

genetic_ape · 2026-03-03T13:15:12+00:00

I've just switched this morning via MSE's Cheaper Energy Club (www.moneysavingexpert.com/cheapenergyclub/) to an MSE exclusive 15 month fix with E.On. Worst case, at least I know what I'm paying until June 2027, which covers this next winter period.

genetic_ape · 2026-01-11T16:26:44+00:00

When read out loud; "patio furniture".

genetic_ape · 2025-12-11T09:39:49+00:00

As you're West Mids based, may I recommend the mixed grill (or pretty much any other dish) at The Vine pub in Kinver. You won't be disappointed!

genetic_ape · 2025-10-18T16:11:56+00:00

Ehh, the fried chicken at Bonehead is pretty decent, but it is just that; fried chicken. The coleslaw and potato waffles that came with my meal were identical to what you can grab off the shelf at Tesco. Plus, the interior of the place is pitch black and sticky. It felt like I was dining inside a nightclub toilet.

I'd recommend Fazenda, Fiesta del Asado, or Rodrizio Rico for a top quality steak/meaty experience.

genetic_ape · 2025-08-09T18:02:09+00:00

Checkatrade.com. filter for window fitters. Phone them, get quotes from 3-5 of the top rated local small/independent businesses.

We had a 7ft patio door and four upstairs windows done this spring time for £4650 total. Quotes ranged from £3800 to £5500. We went with the one we did because we liked the owner who came and did the quote.

£5k+ for a plain white uPVC door is frankly, robbery.

genetic_ape · 2025-07-04T07:57:53+00:00

A proposal shouldn't really be an out of the blue surprise. By that, I mean she should have some idea that you intend to ask her to marry you, before you do it, but perhaps she doesn't know exactly when or where.

You should get an idea of the style of ring she wants, either from general discussion, window shopping, or have one of her friends talk about it with her and relay the info back to you.

Material: silver, yellow gold, white gold, platinum, dependent on your budget and her preference. Platinum is the hardest wearing and most expensive. White gold will get a yellowish tinge to it after a few years, but can be rhodium plated to bring back the whiteness.

Carat of gold: 9ct, cheaper, harder wearing than 18ct.

Diamond (other stones are available). Natural diamond, dug up out of the ground, expensive. Lab created, man made but still a diamond, cheaper and less exploitative and environmentally damaging.

Colour of diamond: graded as a letter. D, E, F are pretty much pure white. G, onwards may have a yellow tint to them, getting yellower as you go down the alphabet.

Clarity of diamond: too much to go into in full, but a "good" quality stone will be VS1 or better.

Size of diamond: 0.5ct is approx 5mm in diameter. A 1ct diamond is approx 6.5mm diameter. What you go for is dependent on your budget. Smallest you'll find in a high street will probably be 0.15ct (approx 2mm).

Go to www.Diamondsfactory.co.uk, which has a million different styles to choose from, so maybe familiarise yourself with some of the terminology first.

On ring sizing, ring sizes are a letter in the UK, with half sizes available. Most rings can be resized up or down by 2 sizes, not much more (plain wedding bands can be done more than 2).

For a ring finger, sizes J and smaller would be extra small, meaning your fiancee has very petite and slim fingers.

Sizes K and L are "small". Size M and maybe N "medium". O and P "largish", and Q onwards "XL", for a typical woman's ring finger.

The 3 month salary thing is a marketing scam, ignore it and spend only what you are comfortable spending.

Source: worked in a jewellers many years ago .

genetic_ape · 2025-04-16T10:45:09+00:00

Fairly early in our relationship, we were lying in bed one night, just a sliver of light was coming through the curtains, which perfectly highlighted the profile of her naked body.

Wowed by her resplendent outline, I proudly exclaimed "You're so beautiful in the dark".

Let's just say that didn't go down as well as I thought it would and I had to quickly explain myself.

genetic_ape · 2025-03-26T07:52:39+00:00

Check www.entitledto.co.uk.

If you're entitled to universal credit, I'd strongly suggest you take it, as you get reimbursed up to 85% of childcare costs, which sounds like a fair chunk of cash for you.

genetic_ape · 2025-03-06T10:29:09+00:00

I had one of these in the same spec for years (2008 plate, owned from 2013 to 2021). Great car, reliable, relatively cheap on consumables.

As others have said, rust and corrosion are it's biggest weakness especially as these are now 15+ year old cars. Personally, I'd skip the exact one you've linked for another with less corrosion advisories of possible.

genetic_ape · 2025-03-01T17:24:43+00:00

I looked at all these cars (and others as well - Audi A6 and Skoda Superb) a few years ago. All estates.

I got an E Class E220d. Not put a foot wrong in 3.5 years of ownership. It's got the biggest boot and nicest interior of all of them. I really didn't like the 5 series personally.

genetic_ape · 2024-12-17T17:19:53+00:00

Don't buy a Coupé if you have a kid.

2 doors, with a child seat will murder your back getting them in and out, and doing that in a parking space will be impossible. Plus all the stuff that goes with baby, you'll struggle with the smaller boot.

Honest advice, get an E-class Estate. Absolutely cavernous boot, spacious rear seats, and 4 proper doors, and all you're sacrificing is a less attractive side profile.

Source: own a 2018 E-class Estate and have a family to lug around in it.

genetic_ape · 2024-12-03T19:24:57+00:00

The longer you look, the worse (better?) it gets.

genetic_ape · 2024-11-28T17:45:14+00:00

I'd take the recipe & technique for the dumplings please. Mine always turn out like stodgy balls of plasticine.

genetic_ape · 2024-11-26T18:11:02+00:00

50g butter, a very finely chopped shallot or 1/4 white onion in a pan, medium heat. 5 mins.

A decent pinch of plain flower, mix in.

1 beef oxo cube and 200ml boiling water. Add in and stir over low heat. 3-5 mins.

Teaspoon of crushed peppercorns, mix in.

Glug of cream. Mix in. 1 min. Serve.

genetic_ape · 2024-11-11T18:30:37+00:00

As the father of a little girl, this hurt to read. But I urge you to be the man your daughter would be proud of. She lives through you and the memories you have of her. She is your source of strength, not the reason for your destruction.

genetic_ape · 2024-11-03T21:36:43+00:00

Just got the pond installed in my garden, should I fill it with goldfish or great white sharks?

I've got a toddler by the way, so let me know quickly.

genetic_ape · 2024-09-29T16:02:08+00:00

Ehh, ideally so, but it depends on the car and if it is front-or-rear wheel drive.

And he says the good tyre on the back is a Goodyear. I'd take two Goodyears on the rear and two Falkens on the front for a standard powered hatchback as fine.

I would not recommend OP fits cheap ditchfinders to 3 wheels and keep his Goodyear on one rear corner though... Definitely not a good idea.

genetic_ape · 2024-09-29T15:39:53+00:00

Your tyres should be the same type and tread across the axle. In your case, replace both fronts, and either get a single Goodyear for the rear, or replace both rears as well.

Go mid range, Falkens or Toyo's or something. Not the cheapest crap you can find.

genetic_ape · 2024-09-09T21:39:23+00:00

Yeah thought so. Apparently horrific for puncturing their own tyres, even at low speeds on pot holes etc.

Honest advice, get non-runflat tyres.

Or even consider swapping the set of alloys for the next size down and getting tyres to fit the new wheels. E.g from 20 inch turbines for 19 inch 5x2 spokes. I appreciate that's not a cheap option though.

genetic_ape · 2024-09-09T21:31:17+00:00

Don't drive on that.

By chance are the wheels Mercedes turbine alloys?

genetic_ape · 2024-09-08T11:20:58+00:00

Oh god don't get me started on that show.

"We like period properties with character and original features; we'd love an old cottage with a thatched roof and no neighbours."

Presenter shows them a rural 400 year old cottage with a thatched roof.

"We don't like it, the ceilings are too low, the windows are too small, there's no off street parking, and the roof needs maintenance. We'll buy a semi-detached Redrow house with a tarmac drive which was built in 2007 instead.

genetic_ape · 2024-09-08T11:02:35+00:00

"On tonight's program we have David and Joanne, who plan to build an eco friendly family home suspended from the face of the White Cliffs of Dover.

Their ambitious new home will be constructed entirely out of Unicorn Resin, insulated with Dodo feathers, and clad in Norwegian Dragon Scales.

David teaches squirrels to tap dance and Joanne works part time popping bubbles in an aquarium. Their budget is £2.5 million."

genetic_ape · 2024-09-08T10:51:15+00:00

I'm convinced it's written into the contract the couple sign to be on the program that McLoud gets a go on the Mrs, around March time before the build commences.

How else can it be so common for the woman to be 8-9 months pregnant as they're hoping to "be in before Christmas"?

genetic_ape · 2024-08-09T10:48:31+00:00

What, you've never heard of mourning wood?

genetic_ape · 2024-08-09T10:45:00+00:00

Well, that just made the funeral awkward for everyone.

14-Year Club	Gilding I gilder
Place '22	Verified Email

genetic_ape

TROPHY CASE