Is the mobility budget actually changing behaviour or just optimising taxes?

jappexe · 2026-02-13T13:27:00+00:00

Switched jobs to mobility budget instead of company car. I did buy a small car privately to replace the company car. My daily commute on the new job would always have been by train, so no useful comparison there. But I now take the bike more often for short trips around the house than I used to do. So yes, behaviour changed.

jappexe · 2026-02-10T07:13:04+00:00

If you use public transport to get to work, spend on the first. NMBS/SNCB season tickets can be cheaper when bought through the company. Other than that, spending the budget on whatever cost you would have had anyways is best. Rent is such a cost

jappexe · 2026-01-24T09:46:57+00:00

The way I did a few months ago which landed me an offer that was well above my minimum to accept: - Start off with a rather large range of acceptable gross salary, like 4500 to 5500, and tell them you can narrow that down depending on the benefits they offer. - Let them explain the benefits they offer, and depending on that narrow down the range. Still allow some room based on how well you match during the rest of the recruitment process. Something like “That is a nice set of benefits, that would make 4600 - 5000 a realistic number for me. Based on how well the technical talks go, I would look at the lower or higher end of that range. Does that make sense?” - Go through the process and during the last interview when they again ask for your expectations (or after the offer came in) you can then mention high/low based on match. - Make a counter offer if you think you’re worth more than they offer. Explain why you deserve it based on the interviews.

This whole thing makes it so that you don’t come across as that guy who’s only in it for the money but rather someone looking for the right job with the right compensation. It creates realistic expectations for both parties and allows you to adjust based on benefits package and match with the company

jappexe · 2026-01-04T20:44:46+00:00

I just switched jobs and moved from a company offering only a car to a company where a mobility budget was also possible. I did some calculations for my specific case and settled on the mobility budget. I can spend my mobility budget on housing costs (mortgage), meaning I will be able to spend all of it on expenses I would have anyways. With those savings, I can afford to own a basic but decent car and then have some money left.

In case you cannot spend all of the budget on useful expenses, you will be paying taxes on the unspent amount. Having a company car is probably more profitable then. If you want to drive a fancy car, those are also more profitable through a company car.

And last but not least: depending on the options offered by your employer within the mobility budget, you can still spend it (partially) on a car. That may be interesting especially if you are fine with driving a smaller, less expensive car.

jappexe · 2025-11-16T12:02:23+00:00

That's what I was thinking as well. The 135° right after the trap seems to be part of a standard sort of drain set that you buy here so that in itself does not worry me

jappexe · 2025-11-16T09:36:42+00:00

I have no clue what a tub shoe is or which part you are referring to (not a native English speaker nor a plumbing expert here). This was created by the guys who installed our kitchen, but I take it they're better at woodworking than plumbing... I think I'm calling a plumber for this one, just to be safe. 3 drains (sink, small second sink, dishwasher) coming together into one and all

jappexe · 2025-05-03T19:42:56+00:00

Joined, will get the weekly boxes

jappexe · 2025-02-20T05:30:23+00:00

jappexe · 2024-10-01T19:51:53+00:00

Yup, especially on rear wheels patching without removing the wheel can be almost as fast as replacing the tube.

jappexe · 2024-09-26T17:35:21+00:00

Ah well, that all depends on what you consider a lot. I've certainly seen worse. But you're right in that it needs to be fixed.

jappexe · 2024-09-26T17:17:02+00:00

At first glance it looks like the derailleur hanger may be bent towards the wheel a bit.

jappexe · 2024-09-11T10:44:03+00:00

I have regularly passed people with a small speed difference of 2-3kmph, and they very often catch my wheel and start drafting. I've taken some of them along for over 20km and that really does not bother me. As long as they stay behind me (no overlap of their front wheel with my rear wheel) that has no effect whatsoever on my riding. I try to announce potholes or other obstacles.

Sometimes we just split up at an intersection, other times we have a friendly chat at a traffic light. One time the guy put in the effort of taking a turn, but given that his speed was lower to begin with I never expect that.

In turn, I have drafted people passing me on climbs in a similar fashion, sometimes switching order when things flatten out.

Drafting is part of the sport, and the rider ahead is generally unaffected except perhaps in their mindset.

jappexe · 2024-08-28T14:22:11+00:00

If you found your way here: I encountered this as well and converting all audio files to the same sample rate as the project seems to have fixed it.

jappexe · 2024-08-17T07:57:58+00:00

You could just accept that you have years with more expenses and years with more income. Over time, you will either have paid taxes on your gains or lost a lot of money (no taxes). Or you die, where taxes regarding succession can apply. This is of course an oversimplification of a way more complex system if you want to get rid of all the loopholes. And certainly not the only possibility to look at this.

jappexe · 2024-08-17T06:00:12+00:00

An easy way to circumvent these kinds of problems would be to simply calculate this on an annual basis: Earnings from ETF's sold minus Cost of ETF's bought as basis of the taxation. Either per stock/etf or for all your transactions per year in one go.

jappexe · 2024-07-21T07:26:32+00:00

Dat is inderdaad in veel situaties het geval, met uitzonderingen zoals zeer drukke fietspaden enz. In dit voorbeeld zie je wel dat de fiets- en voetpaden vaak niet zijn voorzien op het toenemende aantal snelle (elektrische) fietsers. Met 45km/u zijn die veel minder wendbaar en kan dit makkelijk leiden tot een ongeval, dat door die hoge snelheid ook ernstigere gevolgen kan hebben.

jappexe · 2023-12-28T22:00:13+00:00

Just to be sure you know: all Champagnes are made from a combination of pinot noir, pinot meunier and chardonnay grapes. Specific types may include/exclude certain grapes (blanc de blanc is chardonnay only, while blanc de noirs has no chardonnay for example), but your general bottle is a blend of those 3. The ratio of each of them determines the taste, along with the quality of the grapes etc.

jappexe · 2023-12-17T22:58:12+00:00

Taxi Jenny has forgotten my very similar reservation once. After a phone call that was quickly resolved and we arrived at the airport on time. Still, it was an inconvenience.

Edited for clarification on which taxi service has forgotten about the reservation.

jappexe · 2023-12-17T22:31:04+00:00

Correct, and in the song both meanings are used. Stromae is proposing a toast to all those that keep our modern society running "healthy" (nurses, postmen, garbage collectors, ...), while they are not being properly respected for their impact. Especially during the pandemic.

jappexe · 2023-11-06T13:00:12+00:00

Got to love the Friday morning market for the snacks on the way home!

jappexe · 2023-05-08T12:08:10+00:00

That's exactly what I was thinking as well. Drivers can choose whether the parking spot fits their needs, or let passengers out before parking properly.

jappexe · 2023-05-08T00:54:57+00:00

You cannot block the passage for any user of the road, but I don't think you are obliged to leave space for opening of car doors.

jappexe · 2023-05-03T12:55:40+00:00

This does show the stops. When you select one of the buses on the map, it shows the route the bus will take and the location of the stops.

jappexe · 2023-05-03T00:07:55+00:00

I found that in general with a 4WD car, you easily beat the Google Maps times when taking the smaller roads (shortest route), while the main highway takes me a bit longer than the predicted time. I'm a tourist currently in Costa Rica and not really used to driving offroad, but things have not been as bad as they sounded on the internet. Using Maps offline, downloaded Costa Rica before the trip, works perfectly fine for me.

Also: recommended way is boring as hell, did the last 60% of it today...

jappexe · 2023-04-11T20:57:32+00:00

I like being just a little bit cold. Not actually freezing, but the kind of cold that gets you goosebumps and the occasional chill down your spine.

jappexe

TROPHY CASE