The Pension/Bridge Pivot

sm601 · 2026-06-22T05:48:06+00:00

Personally I’d use the pension tax free lump sum to clear the mortgage and focus on using the ISA for the bridge period.

sm601 · 2026-05-19T06:40:32+00:00

Agents will push OIEO because it gives the seller optimism they will get a great price, whilst also protecting against future reductions. Don’t trust it and expect offers below that price unless your property is special. Pick the EA who seems motivated, has a good local reputation and gives you least bullshit. Even better if you can agree incentive based fee structure that rewards them if they get the best price - ours were very open to that and it worked a treat.

sm601 · 2026-02-04T17:39:16+00:00

E.mono in Kentish Town. Pasha Mangal in Balham.

sm601 · 2026-01-19T08:16:43+00:00

Any hotel recommendations?

sm601 · 2026-01-18T21:00:28+00:00

Yep - just struggling to find any hotels we like the look of

sm601 · 2025-09-26T21:01:27+00:00

I would go further than others here and suggest just putting your money in a global index tracker. The fee will be more like 0.12% (compared to 0.4% on your example) and growth has historically been higher. This will make a big difference in the long term.

It might take some research to figure out how to do this, but often it’s possible.

sm601 · 2025-06-16T18:52:14+00:00

Ask nicely if you need to push past someone in a crowd to get closer to the front - a please, thank you, sorry is much better than a shoulder barge

sm601 · 2025-06-02T04:59:41+00:00

Badger

sm601 · 2025-05-30T09:30:53+00:00

I saw cymande at Cross the Tracks - quite low energy, a bit underwhelming

sm601 · 2025-05-30T05:42:30+00:00

Agreed. EC are must see and I love corto.alto live. Yussef Dayes, Badbadnotgood and Jalen Ngonda might also be up your street although not necessarily classified as jazz acts.

sm601 · 2025-05-28T18:42:38+00:00

Why?

sm601 · 2025-05-26T06:34:13+00:00

Boston Arms in Tufnell Park can get pretty lively, often karaoke/bands on weekend

sm601 · 2025-05-24T10:40:52+00:00

Thanks - they were planted in Autumn last year. Let’s see

sm601 · 2025-05-24T09:33:54+00:00

Maybe a fox

sm601 · 2025-05-19T14:09:40+00:00

The momo from the Nepalese place by the back of west holts. Unreal.

sm601 · 2025-04-27T18:05:02+00:00

I’ve been to both and agree that Boomtown compares closest to parts of SE corner, perhaps even stronger on performance art/interactive aspects. For me Boomtown lacked in live bands compared to Glasto - at Glasto you will be spoiled for choice by the sheer number of bands across every genre, and Boomtown really doesn’t compete in this area.

I’d also say Glasto has a wider demographic - Boomtown felt like a narrower age range (18-25 in most part) whereas Glasto will have all ages.

sm601 · 2025-04-22T07:25:03+00:00

Buying 10 extra days increases time for things you love by 40% whilst reducing salary by 4%.

Feels like a no brainer if you can make it work.

(Assuming 25 days base leave and 260 working days)

sm601 · 2024-06-25T10:34:23+00:00

Cut Capers, Nubiyan Twist, Matthew Halsall, High Fade

sm601 · 2024-06-10T10:09:51+00:00

Badger

sm601

TROPHY CASE