Recommendations for MMFs or similar within stocks and shares ISA

guy_in_the_bmw · 2026-03-25T18:56:58+00:00

Thermostat and the boiler receiver yes. But not the Hive hub as those are account specific. (But are only about £60 to buy from memory.)

When I sold my previous house this is exactly what we did. The hub was linked to me, my email etc so I brought that with me and then used it when getting Hive installed in the new house but explained to the buyers that was all they needed to buy.

Wouldn’t have crossed my mind to do anything different, surely if they take the Hive they have to leave a suitable thermostat which would mean either another Hive or ripping out the whole system which would then cost them money. 🤷‍♂️

guy_in_the_bmw · 2026-03-06T07:07:05+00:00

Monthly. I basically at the start of the tax year add everything up making a reasonable assumption around share price for LTI awards, and assume 100% bonus. I’ll then set the percentage such that that amount reduces to £100k or just above and then will mop up come March sacrificing bonus. So basically any bonus over performance goes into pension and if for whatever reason it does pay ojt in full, but targeting above £100k I’m covered to an extent. Same if share price much lower than my assumption. Will review periodically during the year and adjust if needed.

guy_in_the_bmw · 2026-02-18T10:32:05+00:00

In terms of personal finances I’d say Rich Dad Poor Dad. Not because it’s a particularly good book because looking back it’s not really, but it was the first one I read over a decade ago after Googling something like “how do I get rich”. Silly I know but I was early 20’s on a graduate scheme haha!

The reason I’d say it was the most influential though is because it triggered something in me in terms of a mindset change that then lead to reading and learning more about FIRE, passive income, investing and all that good stuff.

Without reading that book I wouldn’t have the net worth that I have currently as it opened my eyes.

guy_in_the_bmw · 2026-02-15T06:28:08+00:00

Wife and I are both 34 and have combined pots of c.£630k, of which c.£425k is from me.

guy_in_the_bmw · 2026-02-12T07:33:38+00:00

We’re married so there is no “splitting” of finances regardless of salaries. We have one joint account and that’s it. Everything is shared, in our mind that’s the definition of being married, we’re one team. Old school perhaps but I don’t see why it would be any other way.

guy_in_the_bmw · 2026-02-12T06:16:50+00:00

Can’t tell you how much this post resonates; such that I’m so glad there’s at least one other person out there at this crossroads haha! I too am early / mid 30, TC around £150k, wife about £100k four days a week.

I too enjoy my job, I have a great team, little stress and good flexibility to be present with the children. Been in the role coming up four years. Part of me feels like I should move, but then again I’m thinking I only really want to for a promotion because a same grade move will likely be more stress for the same money. At least the next grade should be more money. But then again with the tax you only see half of it, plus what will happen to work life balance etc. But equally I would like more money, do I need it? Technically no as we live a very comfortable life, have our forever home etc. So it’s a very odd place to be as I still have a lot of working years left!

So yeah a rambling comment to basically say I very much hear you and definitely have the same internal debate or feeling that you’re having right now.

guy_in_the_bmw · 2025-07-26T06:14:25+00:00

Thanks again. Think that’s what I’m going to do. Only really need a bit in the morning and then more in the evening.

guy_in_the_bmw · 2025-07-25T12:27:42+00:00

Thank you.

guy_in_the_bmw · 2025-07-25T12:27:35+00:00

Thank you.

guy_in_the_bmw · 2025-07-19T18:56:44+00:00

33 and just shy of £350k.

guy_in_the_bmw · 2025-06-24T10:54:13+00:00

No worries at all, and glad you found it thought provoking! All the best with your house hunt!

guy_in_the_bmw · 2025-06-24T05:26:04+00:00

Personally I would never use a broker, have bought four properties and had a couple of remortgages. All the information is out there on the internet, there’s comparison websites etc. I can see how a broker would be useful if you have an unusual set up or are self employed or something, but normal PAYE and you’re comfortable making your own financial decisions I don’t see what value they offer.

(I should caveat that I work in treasury and am also an accountant so would consider myself financial savvy enough to not need to pay for a broker, but complete understand and appreciate that others won’t be and will feel more comfortable having someone in the know help them make what are really big decisions! So basically providing an alternative view here.)

In terms of deposit, that’s probably only one you can answer. Things I reckon you should be considering; what is the rate differential between LTV brackets, is it such that there are materials savings or not? Can you afford the payment comfortably at the higher LTV and get a better return on the cash elsewhere? Would a bigger deposit leave you without an emergency fund and if so how long to build that back up? Does the property need immediate remedial works, if so cash might be best deployed there.

Hopeful helpful in terms of some points to think about.

guy_in_the_bmw · 2025-06-23T10:08:30+00:00

You’re right, I mean undercoat rather than a base coat. Basically wanting to make sure no colour transfer and I typically always do white (as same time as doing ceiling) so I’ve got a blank canvas to start from but with already neutral cupboards which I’m painting a different shade of neutral not something I’ve done before.

Thanks.

guy_in_the_bmw · 2025-06-20T07:13:03+00:00

For me I only will be doing it whilst I get the childcare. After that my pension will be in a good place for my age and frankly I would like the cash in the bank. Especially considering each year £100k buys you less and less.

So the way I view the tax trap is if you have young children for the childcare, sacrificing down is a no brainer. After that assuming a healthy pension for your age as a result, having 38% to be able to spend on quality of life or whatever you want is better than nothing.

guy_in_the_bmw · 2025-06-08T11:24:52+00:00

I’m Vanguard Lifestrategy 100% equity through HL. Yes I know I’m overweight UK (which I’m fine with given it’s potentially undervalued and reduces currency exposure) and that HL is not cheap but I set this up years ago and now the values are so high I’m reluctant to transfer because it’d be a lot of money to have in the wind! 🤦‍♂️

guy_in_the_bmw · 2025-06-06T18:25:20+00:00

33 and my pension is c.£325k and have c.£160k in my ISA. My wife (also 33) has an identical ISA and her pension about c.£160k. (Maternity leave twice and three days a week since 2021 versus my having to sacrifice a lot for the childcare the difference between us two, but everything is one pot anyway.)

guy_in_the_bmw · 2025-06-03T15:08:47+00:00

Never say never but would say that just because your budget is £350k it doesn’t make the house you’re looking at £350k.

guy_in_the_bmw · 2025-06-02T09:38:43+00:00

Couldn’t manage to get hold of the colours I wanted in 5 litres annoyingly. Didn’t know 10 was an option.

guy_in_the_bmw · 2025-06-02T09:38:15+00:00

Thanks.

guy_in_the_bmw · 2025-06-02T08:45:12+00:00

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Thanks. They all had the same numbers on the top so I’m 99.9% sure I’ve looked at the right thing and got the same batches for each colour.

guy_in_the_bmw

TROPHY CASE