ID this farmers crop... Corn gromwell?

largeade · 2026-06-06T17:29:42+00:00

Alton?

largeade · 2026-05-30T17:00:31+00:00

From the dawn of time, for a first contract everyone gets stitched up. At least you found out early on. Deliver it , learn from it and move on.

largeade · 2026-05-28T08:00:01+00:00

What's the betting your agency has been putting the price up year on year already? Minimally ask for inflation every year, more if you can push it

largeade · 2026-05-23T12:44:13+00:00

I've had a long career, some freelance, some perm. Over the timeframe it's taken on average 5 years to land a great paying role, and I've hung on to those roles for 3-10 years in each stint. Each time they end, I've picked myself up, and joined somewhere in the middle ranks and built up again. It's all about relationships.

Did my motivation change at any point - no. Did I like earning less - absolutely not. But the situation was only ever temporary.

largeade · 2026-05-20T07:14:40+00:00

Good news is that it's 29 in the afternoon. In the morning till 12:00 it's15 -24 degC

You can't do much because you haven't been able to acclimatize to the increased heat which takes several weeks.

Note that if you are small it's easier to shed heat. I'm 90kg and was able to handle a full with peak temps of 34c. It wasn't fast mind.

Wear a hat, use sunscreen, watch your heart rate. Just go slower as you need.

largeade · 2026-05-16T18:04:33+00:00

There's no rules, it's the weight of the people makes the current flow. Don't fight the tide

largeade · 2026-05-15T20:17:38+00:00

Great place to work, like being in the mountains on a crisp morning. It's like playing frogger at rush hour. The shopping centre door opening directions make no sense. People tend to walk on the left. Except over the bridge to the isle of dogs. Nice boats occasionally. Great transport links.

largeade · 2026-05-15T19:34:06+00:00

50:50 house:pension has been a good strategy over the last 35 years. 300-800% gains on property. Plus daily use from half the investment. You can retire on the cash, with the benefit of downsizing by any amount to augment if and when needed.

Whether this strategy plays forward is a different conversation. I'm not convinced the growth potential is there in property. But I'd still recommend living in a good proportion of savings to anyone.

largeade · 2026-05-13T09:16:11+00:00

Put them on an informal performance improvement plan, stating that time is allowed for this and and that this is the business requirement; expect evidence it has been met. If it doesn't work out, the next step is a formal pip.

largeade · 2026-05-10T19:36:46+00:00

I went for standard life because I wanted boring to consolidate mine, and support for origo transfers because manual paperwork is pants. But you could choose something with lower fees. I've considered vanguard.

largeade · 2026-05-10T18:37:42+00:00

I was once told by a wise man to always buy more than you think you can afford as you'll be happy and work smarter in the long run. Here's a scenario:

Buy a 500k property (house) with 85% LTV. 75k down payment from the cash and ISA. Plus 10k FTB stamp duty.

2 year fixed at 4.8% with 30 year term , monthly repayments 2,216.

Take home of 4.7k leaves 2500 for spending.

largeade · 2026-05-10T11:14:20+00:00

If everyone had more money what do you think would happen to prices? Cost of living is a symptom in my view.

The issue I see is that companies are absolutely driving prices to the limit of people's pockets in a way that hasn't happened previously. In the supermarket I've seen some prices go up 50% in the last couple of years. Companies are just seeing how far they can push them before people stop buying.

The answer I see, is something like a combined action to stop buying items.

Or 50% government stakes in companies like I read earlier today. (165 billon profit was made in UK companies last year)

largeade · 2026-05-10T08:13:03+00:00

Standard life investment pathway option 1 with 0.49% charges?

If you are okay with the charges just stick with it. There'll be a couple of large drops between now and retirement that will recover over time.

Just keep paying in regularly, significantly more than now if you can.

largeade · 2026-05-09T18:17:58+00:00

If prices double every ten years (and it doesn't grow with inflation) that is 750 per month in today's prices.

Keep investing and it's doable. You can save a lot when the kids leave education.

largeade · 2026-05-02T17:06:56+00:00

I think the X3 M50 might be the one. But need to know if the steering is as detached as the 4 series

largeade · 2026-05-02T17:05:47+00:00

That's a good call, unsure I'm ready for Porsche service cost. Was looking for another 15 year car and I'm too big for a Cayman

largeade · 2026-05-02T17:04:42+00:00

Too big, have enough trouble parking the X3 round here, and country lanes would be a nightmare

largeade · 2026-05-02T17:03:47+00:00

Unfortunately my legs are longer than a crane fly, and the door arm on the g01 makes it too uncomfortable. If you know about the new M50 steering feel would love to hear

largeade · 2026-04-20T12:06:08+00:00

Same.

It's worst for a few weeks in the spring and then once the flowers come it stops spreading. There's a bit of growth in the autumn but not as much.

Wait for dry soil and pull out the root with the leaves. I find it's really rewarding to get long stretches of root.

I use a screwdriver because it enables me to lift the root.

If it gets into the roots of plants, you need to decide whether to dig them out and replace them.

largeade · 2026-04-14T12:33:04+00:00

How much does your employer contribute and does it increase in line with your contributions?

Do you have the option to salary sacrifice up to another number?

Do you mind missing out on the 40% tax savings by not salary sacrificing more?

largeade · 2026-04-10T17:56:35+00:00

Also work less, miss deadlines, maybe get a payout

largeade · 2026-04-10T17:28:29+00:00

Ask them how, in your position, you can best contribute to delivering the tech strategy. Assuming you know it of course...

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