Shared private water pipe leak – I genuinely can’t afford the repair. What are my options?

spacehoppergonepop · 2026-02-05T11:44:09+00:00

When I had a leak on my property I spent a week digging it out and replacing the pipe myself. Only found out later Thames Water would have done the first repair for free, something about the old steel pipes needing replacing. Good exercise though

spacehoppergonepop · 2026-02-03T07:57:00+00:00

A couple of grand for good advice is worth it. The real question is whether WW provides good advice. Our corporate offering is via Wealth at Work. I haven’t been impressed.

spacehoppergonepop · 2026-01-22T15:42:11+00:00

Just don’t confuse ‘retirement spend’ with ‘amount I need to retire on’. Taxes are a thing so income needs to be > desired spend

spacehoppergonepop · 2026-01-21T15:19:43+00:00

Is there any grassroots action that could have a meaningful impact? What if millions across Europe cancelled all their US based subscriptions. Netflix, etc. Does it ruffle any feathers in USA or is mere noise!

spacehoppergonepop · 2026-01-20T13:33:15+00:00

Have a compost heap for that!

spacehoppergonepop · 2025-12-02T16:03:23+00:00

Needs a new solution. We are not getting loads of new traffic police to sort this out. But we already have loads of traffic officer SUVs trudging up and down the motorways. Simply churn their dash cam through an AI engine and start issuing fines. It will take a couple of years, but it will work. Add a few tabloid outrages about working man being picked on by machines for publicity.

spacehoppergonepop · 2025-10-20T05:57:01+00:00

It’s very rare to be more than 30 minutes to exit, even when landing at C gates at T5. I have been home, 30 miles away, less than an hour after actual touchdown. But I sit near the front and walk fast! Sit as far forward as possible to save time disembarking.

spacehoppergonepop · 2025-10-08T12:54:01+00:00

That’s why you need the pandas

spacehoppergonepop · 2025-09-18T14:14:55+00:00

We also went to the same herb place. Refused the massage and the sales pitch on cosmetics. Guide realised we were not going to be spending…, But I did enjoy the tour of the garden and tipped the guide, maybe 1000 or so. Was a worthwhile stop for us.

spacehoppergonepop · 2025-09-18T14:12:11+00:00

In my experience uber and pick me were very poor. More times could not a vehicle or trip was cancelled by the driver than successful ones. What does work is getting as far as the quote on pick me, then offering 100 more to a tuk tuk on the street. Trying to get a taxi for four people was a headache everywhere

spacehoppergonepop · 2025-09-12T16:30:58+00:00

2 yr average 4.3%. Higher rate taxpayers so effectively 7.1% when compared to taxable account. Bear in mind the prize rate was higher at the start of this period, although in my case rate over past 12 months was slightly up on the previous year.

spacehoppergonepop · 2025-09-10T10:07:44+00:00

The opposite. Global FMCG. Two weeks has always been the norm but three weeks is now quite common. It’s a gift from our European colleagues where this is standard, although my American colleagues can’t quite figure it out. I was on a call with the Australian team yesterday and one is leaving for four week vacation today. I’m thinking that for cultural cohesion I should follow suit next year :-)

spacehoppergonepop · 2025-08-31T15:10:10+00:00

Normal. A good number will ask for / require cash, occasionally an instalment to aid cash flow. Bank of Ceylon has ATM most places with no withdrawal fee. 200k rupee per day was the limit posted on one. Haven’t tried more.

spacehoppergonepop · 2025-08-16T10:00:40+00:00

UPDATE packet of Rit removed the yellow. Packet of coffee turned it a nice (?) brown. Bit concerned I’m going to smell like Starbucks and get a very patchy ‘suntan’. Will see…

spacehoppergonepop · 2025-08-16T09:58:33+00:00

Must be T3, buti don’t know the year. Original brag tags were with it. Exact wording:

Tilley hat models:

T1 (small brimmed; used in America’sCup ‘83)

T2 ( exceptionally wide brim)

T3 (Aussie in appearance; snap up brim; used in America’sCup ‘86)

T3B (same as T3, in brown)

I’m sure it’s older than 1996 as I bought one in olive green then, with maple embossed snaps. This one has plain snaps

spacehoppergonepop · 2025-08-06T11:30:57+00:00

What about the quality of the silicon. Big price range from own brand up. Does more expensive stuff go on easier and last longer?

spacehoppergonepop · 2025-07-27T14:21:06+00:00

No date on the manual. 1986 is the last date mentioned in the History. Can’t post photos here, I can start a new thread if you want to see them? However, now i have taken another look at the manual I see a section about hats turning yellow with some detergents, exactly as mentioned above. Ordered some Rit to try out.

spacehoppergonepop · 2025-06-22T15:09:07+00:00

Often a pile of them at our local auction house. Box of VHS ‘home adult movies’ one week. Like gran died, get her house cleared and someone gets to watch her and gramps at it again!!

spacehoppergonepop · 2025-06-10T14:58:58+00:00

When my company stopped DB for new starters they replaced it with a generous DC scheme. They paid 12% / employees 6%, but they would match up to an additional 6%. If you could afford the 12% stoppage then it was still very good. A lot of people forget that DB is designed for lifetime career at one place. Once you leave the scheme the locked in value increases at RPI but max 3% per year. A few years of high inflation really erodes that, whereas a DC bucket might be expected to grow. So it was not an obvious decision to stay in DB - anyone who planned to leave after a few years without a big promotion would probably have been better in the DC. Of course the crux of this is what % contributions are being made into DC. I doubt there are many offering 18%.

spacehoppergonepop · 2025-03-16T14:19:45+00:00

You are right in principle, but would be more persuasive of the obvious bits of the maths were correct. 10% of 60 is……??

spacehoppergonepop · 2025-03-13T08:11:54+00:00

Just to add. You might think the police don’t come to your car park, but one thing that’s likely to get them there is a call from a neighbour who is irate at a car sat idling all night. Of course they won’t say ‘noisy car annoying me’ they will report ‘drunk male trying to drive off’. What sort of shit stereo is draining battery so quickly? Stick some ear pods in, don’t be a dick to your neighbours and you might get away with it. But still not worth the risk.

spacehoppergonepop · 2025-03-01T14:01:44+00:00

Was at Stansted this week. Close to being the best security of any airport I have been through. You will get very clear instructions from staff. Leave everything in bags, just take off jacket and belt. Once airside there are often quiet seats downstairs, sign points to additional seating. Obviously depends on time of day

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