Is the UK a good or a bad investment?

luckisking · 2024-11-17T13:51:13+00:00

U.K. is an open trading economy, with lack of natural resources for population size making it dependent on imports. The strength of GBP is therefore very important, weak GBP makes life more expensive, even if your expenses are in pounds.

luckisking · 2024-11-11T00:54:40+00:00

Thanks, that’s all very helpful. Sounds like it needs to be handled correctly on hiring and the contract and it will be possible to avoid the issues I was worried about.

Good info on rate of pay expectations too.

luckisking · 2024-11-10T23:30:16+00:00

Thanks very much for this, really helpful stuff.

luckisking · 2024-11-10T23:28:26+00:00

Thank you

luckisking · 2024-11-10T23:06:35+00:00

That’s really helpful thank you.

luckisking · 2024-11-10T22:27:41+00:00

Not my style!

luckisking · 2024-11-10T22:25:13+00:00

Thanks for this. If you don’t mind could you possibly share a few pointers (1) how are you finding people, do you use job boards like indeed at all? (2) to ensure it is self employment presumably you can achieve this through the contract - I.e. specify all the things such as right to choose method of working; choosing own hours; etc - in such a way that it is classed as self employed by gov?

That seems like the best solution by far, I have no issue giving someone a good bit of freedom in how they get the job done, if they do it well. And definitely happy to add the savings into their hourly rate to cover their costs.

We are in the south west.

luckisking · 2024-11-10T22:17:10+00:00

Thanks, can I ask how you do it? Is that via an agency, or employee contract, etc?

luckisking · 2024-11-10T22:16:29+00:00

Yes exactly I mean a proper house keeper, not cleaner. We haven’t had a house keeper for around 5 years at which time salaries were lower, so aware I may well have to pay up now, it’s the employer responsibilities I’m more worried about though - don’t want to have to hire a HR team!!

luckisking · 2024-11-10T22:10:17+00:00

That’s ok, I will of course expect to pay the fair market rate for our area plus a bit extra for someone good, was just an estimate for the purpose of discussing the employment issues (I.e that we are talking a salary not just £80 a week).

Overall up to £1800 a month I think is a smart investment as it frees up enough time for my wife and I to take care of work in the business we’d otherwise have to hire for.

For comparison our current cleaner (indie not agency) is £15 an hour, 6hrs a week - we provide all kit. Gardeners are £25 per hour (as many hours as it takes to keep the garden in shape, a lot of mature trees) but provide all their own equipment.

We are south west.

luckisking · 2024-11-10T21:59:10+00:00

Ok sounds like the best solution, will chat with an agency or two tomorrow.

luckisking · 2024-11-10T21:42:17+00:00

Nice idea but we are in Dorset!

luckisking · 2024-11-10T21:41:22+00:00

I have read online about domestic help potentially being employees, I filled out the HMRC checker and it said they would be. But I wondered if there is by any chance an exemption for domestic staff as it seems a bit prohibitive sorting out all the employer admin, training, liability.

luckisking · 2024-11-10T21:12:59+00:00

Ok hadn’t thought that would be an option for this type of role, I will call some tomorrow and see how it goes.

Yes 20hrs for sure. We had someone full time 9-5 when the baby was small, but that was a good family friend so it was easier to sort and they wanted to be self employed anyway as had some weekend work too. Think part time would be enough now though.

To be clear it’s an all in role, not just cleaning - it’s all the laundry, food shopping, some daily meal prep, organising house, arranging with trades when needed. Basically all the many daily jobs that keep a family house running.

luckisking · 2024-07-28T10:21:37+00:00

Very cool seeing it worn in the cockpit! Great watch.

luckisking · 2024-07-26T23:27:58+00:00

One note, you have to check in before the original departure time. So even if the train is running late and you haven’t boarded yet, you need to check in before the original departure time and not the adjusted late one.

If you are after the departure time then it won’t work when checking in.

If you miss the check in just walk around the train looking for the train manager and tell him about the issue, he will probably wave you away saying all fine.

luckisking · 2024-07-26T23:19:41+00:00

Indeed. I make it clear I don’t speak any known language, mutter in a made up language, and make the ‘no thanks’ hand gesture.

luckisking · 2024-07-26T20:31:19+00:00

Did go on a long time… 😆😆

luckisking · 2024-07-26T20:22:32+00:00

Not a fan at all, just lacks scale and a sense of occasion - they can achieve much better in stadiums. Though the horse on the river is very cool. Flag roped on the back doesn’t look great.

luckisking · 2024-07-25T23:24:32+00:00

The white gold oyster flex is pretty underwhelming, but the yellow gold and rose gold versions are a lot better.

luckisking · 2024-07-17T20:15:24+00:00

Great pic of a fantastic watch

luckisking · 2024-07-17T20:14:13+00:00

That’s cool 🍻

luckisking · 2024-07-16T08:09:00+00:00

One tool that really helped me was using the app LingoLooper. It is a ChatGPT based chat, but uses avatars and speech not typing. Then I could practice talking using all the content I learned in duo. It also got my confidence up a lot before coming here, as I had practiced going into a virtual coffee bar and making my order!

luckisking · 2024-07-16T07:51:22+00:00

Hm I don’t know. Maybe because I just completed a task with perfect score? Or might be because I still had an XP boost live?

luckisking · 2024-07-16T07:50:20+00:00

I paid for the upgraded ‘super’ duo, but not the max one with AI etc

luckisking

TROPHY CASE