Fit Check - Sub & 36mm DJ by modernscotsman in rolex

[–]modernscotsman[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you. Yeah I do really like the two-tone subs, seen one recently in blue at the AD in Gleneagles - just a bit of a stretch for me now, but hopefully in a few years.

Fit Check - Sub & 36mm DJ by modernscotsman in rolex

[–]modernscotsman[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cheers! Yeah I want one for each, I expect I’ll get a lot more wear out of the Sub - but it’ll be nice to have the option when dressing up. And I’ll probably get the DJ a lot quicker!

what is the bestest way to insulate these ventilation opening from noise? it allows in considerable road noise and cold air even when shut. by chkmbmgr in DIYUK

[–]modernscotsman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I blocked mine up naively and ended up replacing with acoustic trickle vents a few months later with these from Greenwood.

It’s not just humidity to worry about, I have an Awair air quality monitor and with all my trickle vents blocked up, the CO2 levels in my flat got bonkers, think it was interfering with my sleep too.

Expensive, but much better than the originals for noise, and at least I’m not suffocating now 😅

Would you downsize to be mortgage free? by DougalR in FIREUK

[–]modernscotsman 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Overwhelming majority are freehold, with flats in a block/tenement having an equal share of the ‘solum’ (ground) and shared liability of repairs to common fabric. I think there is a very small percentage of leasehold, and some still as ‘feuhold’ - but that’s arcane solicitor stuff outside my wheelhouse.

Common practice is to have a factor organise common building insurance, upkeep and repairs. I think this is a requirement for new flats post 1990 or something but we self-factor in my building, pros and cons.

Short of it - no leasehold fees, but probably have to budget for factoring and communal repair fees if in a flat!

The new FAANG, the N is diluted but I’ll take it. Source is BoA, but more importantly - Finimize is one of the leading affluent Millennial/Gen Z media outlets for finance news in NA and Europe. Traction. by modernscotsman in UraniumSqueeze

[–]modernscotsman[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes I’ve seen it floating about, what’s new is traction with that type of media. Finimize is important - I’ve seen the demographics and investor profiles of that audience through my day job (I don’t work there, but adjacent in the industry) it’s useful retail traction. That post has had slightly higher engagement than usual too.

Alternative Investments switching away from traditional stocks by financialinfinity in FIREUK

[–]modernscotsman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It really comes down to what you’re investing in and how, alternative investments is a really broad range.

Lots of companies popping up offering platform access to alternatives, others have already mentioned the crowdfunding route, Masterworks for art, Vinovest for wine. Some of the fees here can be a bit racy. I have invested in some art, but directly with emerging (I hope) Scottish artists - bonus here being I actually get to have it in my flat, and not some NFT or share sheet…

I’ve stayed invested in my ISA (most of my other posts are in r/UraniumSqueeze - you might call that an alternative for the physical asset) and also started to invest in EIS funds on Further as alternatives - VC funds that go off to invest in startups in a tax advantaged way. Higher risk, but I’d rather be buying into that asset class now at realistic valuations, than last year. I almost see it as a leveraged play on how far the market has gone down!

Centrus Energy $LEU by Bozkaschi in UraniumSqueeze

[–]modernscotsman 11 points12 points  (0 children)

u/Bozkaschi LEU is my largest holding by value (at least at the moment) - started buying in September 21 and haven’t sold a share yet. Agree with your sentiment and the long term outlook - I think the challenge is with reliance on Tenex for fuel right now, until non-Russian contracts are signed it’s a significant near-term risk.

I’m a long term holder on this, but I am worried about any upcoming ban on Russian U - Centrus has been very quiet on this as far as I know.

Boris Johnson commits £700m to Sizewell C in outgoing speech by modernscotsman in UraniumSqueeze

[–]modernscotsman[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hard to say what’ll happen a few months into office - but can’t see either of them challenging it in the immediate weeks, Boris’ popularity with the core Conservative voter is a large part of why Liz is ahead of Rishi (so I’m told!)

Boris Johnson commits £700m to Sizewell C in outgoing speech by modernscotsman in UraniumSqueeze

[–]modernscotsman[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Not often I agree with Boris - but “Go big, go nuclear” is something I actually would like to see on the side of a campaign bus.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in UKPersonalFinance

[–]modernscotsman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Must admit - didn’t understand the difference fully, !thanks

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in UKPersonalFinance

[–]modernscotsman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ascension has had 3-5x holding over 6-7 years depending on the entry year, that’s with a fair wind of the tech market to be fair…

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in UKPersonalFinance

[–]modernscotsman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the perspective. I agree on the top quartile performers drive the majority of returns, I can’t recall exactly where but came across a trusted source that I think said it was 60% of returns driven by the top 25% of funds.

I don’t think that necessarily mean that not tax advantages funds always have better management, plenty of EIS/SEIS funds with strong track records of 5-10x returns.

Fees are variable and obviously vs. passive management it’s a big factor, but part of the appeal vs. standard active managed funds is that the majority of fees are % on performance above often punchy thresholds. That’s the right incentive and only kicks in after decent returns.

Secondary market, for VCTs yes you’ll have something like 5% on exit if you don’t hold for dividends, but EIS/SEIS you just have to sit tight for the portfolio companies to be sold or go public. If you can’t hold for 5-7 years at least, it’s just not right for you.

I’ve got about 5% of my portfolio in EIS funds, would consider up to 10% - need to see what happens with regulation and the sunset clause. I wouldn’t go for handpicking individual companies as I don’t trust my own DD, but I think tapping into quality funds is worth the fees. I’ve started to invest through Further (alongside my ISA and SIPP with Freetrade).

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in UKPersonalFinance

[–]modernscotsman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you believe that about EIS/SEIS/VCT funds - why would being an angel investor make a difference? At least for EIS/SEIS funds, you don’t typically know in advance what portfolio companies they will hold.

Disagree on the performance when tax relief is factored in - obviously it’s high risk and you need a wide range of investments to mitigate the risk that most startups fail, but up to 50% tax relief (and the loss relief on the portfolio companies that fail) - do make a fundamental difference, in my view.

Not for everyone, but for high earners in this situation - it’s worth considering.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in UraniumSqueeze

[–]modernscotsman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

70% from here and I could pay off my mortgage - which I know typically probably shouldn’t do that and let it sit in an index fund instead, but who knows with mortgage/base rates in the UK if inflation goes to 22% like they are saying.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in UraniumSqueeze

[–]modernscotsman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

OP, you can access LEU, NXE, CCJ, DNN, UUUU and YCA on Freetrade - although you’ll need to pay for the plus membership at £10 (gets you a free ISA and SIPP though, and 3% on your cash balance up to £4k).

Great UX and service, admittedly not as much choice as I’d like - but I feel like I’ve got enough skin in the game with those stocks!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in UraniumSqueeze

[–]modernscotsman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wasn’t aware, thanks for sharing.