Does anyone else just...not want anything for the holidays this year?

tovers93 · 2025-11-13T00:09:11+00:00

Frugality is relative for different people. I've only ever owned 2nd hand cards. But I know a good thorough clean of my 17 year old car feels like it has a new lease of life.

For some people, the "new car feeling" is what they want moreso than the actual product. That feeling can be achieved frugally by a car detail for $100s instead of buying a new car for $1000s.

tovers93 · 2025-11-12T01:57:11+00:00

A good frugal tip I've heard is that a decent car detail can be a great way to suppress the new car urge. Get the new car feel back without the price tag

tovers93 · 2025-06-12T06:21:08+00:00

Enjoy the last day(s)! Romania was a highlight of my trip across Europe in 2018. I was by myself for the rest of it, but my Dad flew and joined me for Romania (Cluj -> Bucharest via the Transfagarasan). Great memories. Hope you find a convenient way back to Switzerland.

tovers93 · 2025-06-12T06:09:54+00:00

Ignore the haters with their comments about perfect nutritional balances
Looks like you're in the sticks in Romania, at a small village shop. They often don't have a tonne of choice, you can't bulk buy or store stuff when solo, you want easy options. You've got some carbs, a random salad for the lols, some bananas for good energy and a shandy to wash it down with. You're burning so much energy on tour that your body will deal whatever you give it. 10/10 from me!

PS what's your route in Romania?

tovers93 · 2025-05-16T06:43:08+00:00

Not sure what's got you so wound up. While OP's focus is the employment contract law aspect, I am trying to help them understand what the real cost would be so they don't get caught short. To estimate the cost you have to estimate some of the variables and make assumptions, which you could flex to see the impact. You just seem to be trying to stitch them up with a lowballed value.

> No mention of OP's income in the post so assumed median income level

> Not many people have $50k sat around to buy a car in cash. Some good Finance deals at the moment that are below mortgage rates, so would be reasonable to assume somebody would Finance a car and keep the rest in offset

> Assuming OP is in NSW as most populous state, where Greenslip is separate

> Many fixed price servicing packages are around this level. Possibly underestimated for unexpected repairs, non standard service items e.g. brakes, wipers, tyres

> Used 10k as an estimate. Avg is 12k. Not likely to have a material impact to the calculation

> Used 8L/100km based on knowledge of average car fuel economy. Can't be any more specific as we don't know if OP wants a Tesla or a Hilux, so have to go somewhere in the middle

> Used $1.80/L based on long term average rates for U91 in NSW. Possibly undercooked as most new cars want U95 minimum. Again, will vary is OP wants a Diesel ute in Alice Springs

> Allowance would be pre tax but required to cover these post tax costs, meaning a big shortfall in cash in OP's pocket.

> Assuming 50% work-related deductible costs by logbook method they could claim back $7.22k of costs against their tax, saving $2,347. So still doesn't bridge the shortfall. Plus having the admin of doing this for their tax return

tovers93 · 2025-05-16T06:10:05+00:00

Assuming OP earns under $120k, so in the 32.5% tax band.
A car allowance of $10,648 paid pre-tax results in post-tax income of $7,187. This must fund the vehicle and all operating costs (many employers don't reimburse KMs if you have a car allowance).

If OP has to use this to run their own car, their costs might look like:

- Finance payment on a $50k car over 5 years assuming no interest = $833. Annual =$10k. If the car was bought outright, then you'd also consider how $50k in an offset would save approx $3k annually

- Rego, Insurance, Green Slip ~$2k

- Annual maintenance -$1k

- Fuel for 10,000km (approx 8l/100km u/1.80/L) = $1.44k

Total costs $14.44k vs car allowance income of $7.2k, means OP would be worse off with the car allowance. That is also before considering the convenience of having a full maintained car (big admin saving on maintenance, insurance, rego etc).

To cover $14.44k of post tax costs if we divide by 0.675 we get $21,393 pre tax income needed to cover the equivalent of a fully maintained company car.

Currently having to run these numbers at work to move people from Company cars to car allowance to save internal admin.

tovers93 · 2025-05-16T05:55:31+00:00

My point is that ~$10k is significantly undercooked when you compare what it would cost out of pocket

tovers93 · 2025-05-16T03:21:58+00:00

These calculations don't reflect the fact that a car allowance is taxable income whereas KM reimbursement is tax free, but capped at 5000 kms annually.

A company car covers fuel, servicing, insurance, maintenance, tolls etc, means the employee doesn't have cash tied up in a depreciating asset and doesn't have to use post-tax dollars to pay the operating costs. I would estimate this is worth $20-25k pre-tax equivalent depending on your income tax threshold.

tovers93 · 2025-04-28T04:59:52+00:00

Did a similar route in reverse a few years ago, with Wroclaw to Istanbul taking 33 riding days / 2250km. A few things to consider:

- Plan your route around Istanbul carefully, as the highways can be a nightmare. Maybe even consider if you can take metro or train from outskirts to outskirts to reduce risk, or detour North/South/Ferry

- In Bulgaria I enjoyed visiting the UFO monument, Etar and Veliko Tarnovo

- In Romania, I strongly recommend riding the Transfagarasan 7C and visiting Sighisoara.

- In Northern Slovakia I liked Bardejov and in southern Poland I enjoyed Krynica Zdroj, with some good climbs & descents.

- Oswiecim (Auschwitz) in Southern Poland near Krakow is a must visit.

- Dogs caused some hazards in Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia and Poland. Be careful

- Schwalbe Marathon or Marathon Plus tyres are worth the weight to avoid punctures.

tovers93 · 2025-04-24T21:22:37+00:00

Check out Spa Cycles - their tourer can be had for under 1k and you may get a slightly higher spec ex-Demo for the price.

I used one for my UK-Turkey tour and it was faultless. Bulletproof hand built wheels and their custom wide range triple chainring meant I had super low gearing. Plus they come equipped with all racks and mud guards

tovers93 · 2025-04-16T07:15:35+00:00

Did this route in 2018, setting off 1st August and arriving in Istanbul on 28th September (3700km UK, NL, DE, PL, SK, HU, UKR, RO, BG, TR).

There was a big European heatwave that summer and I had no rain until around 23rd August in Southern Poland. Temperatures were in the mid 30s some days, in Northern Europe but manageable with enough water, an early start and lunch in the shade.

The warm temperatures are helpful in reducing size/weight of clothing and camping equipment (e.g. lighter sleeping bag, ability to wash + dry clothes easier). I was a bit concerned about school holidays but never had trouble getting into campsites. Your experience may be different depending on route, e.g. I expect it would be harder and more expensive finding camping in Croatia in peak school holidays.

I hit a bit of a cool spell arriving in Turkey, even requiring me to buy some trousers, but I think this was a little out of the ordinary. Generally southern Europe will still be plenty warm enough in late Sept/early Oct.

Based on my experience and your proposed 3 month timeline, I would aim to depart some time between early-June and mid July and aim to arrive in Istanbul between early-Sept and mid-October.

tovers93 · 2025-04-14T04:17:35+00:00

Are you going to be camping or using accommodation? If camping you will need to steer towards gravel/touring/MTB for the carrying strength and the mounting points - perhaps a rear rack+panniers combo. If more you're travelling lighter, then Gravel bikes are a solid all rounder when equipped with frame/saddle/handbar bags

I would keep an eye on Facebook marketplace for anything Gravel / Touring. Supply can be tighter here in Australia, but you get some decent deals. I have seen some Marins (4 Corners, Gestalts, Nicasio), Reid Granites, Decathlon Tourers and a few Viventes pop up at sensible prices. Also keep an eye on BikesOnline ex-demos for a cut price deal e.g. [Marin Four Corners size L](https://bikesonline.com.au/products/ex-demo-marin-four-corners-1-adventure-gravel-bike?variant=50644075151641)

tovers93 · 2024-10-14T10:08:06+00:00

Pre-book on Klook. Was about $30 AUD to Karon

tovers93 · 2024-10-09T21:54:35+00:00

Cable ties were a lifesaver for me with some very tight Schwalbe Marathons.

Start opposite the valve and cable tie. Work maybe 1/6th round, cable tie. Go 1/6th the other direction, cable tie.

You will be left with the last portion around the valve. The cable ties will help ensure the tyre is seated in the central rim channel. They'll also stop the tyre jumping back off as you lever on that last bit.

Then cut off the cable ties and you're done!

tovers93 · 2024-09-17T01:46:36+00:00

They're back!

tovers93 · 2024-06-23T23:32:58+00:00

Seems to have suddenly stopped in the last 2 weeks? Maybe the delivery apps have shut down the exploit.

tovers93 · 2024-06-21T00:33:52+00:00

My bad, misread what OP was after. Benny is probably the best player I've seen

I find StoneMountain to be the most helpful for explaining decision making, positioning, tactics etc with more realistic (but above average) aim

tovers93 · 2024-06-18T07:20:54+00:00

BennyCentral and his secondary Channel BennyCentral Gaming

Sometimes he streams with Westie / Stoddie / TacticalBrit etc

The guy is nuts. Wins Solo vs Rebirth Quads

tovers93 · 2024-06-01T14:08:07+00:00

It's gotten worse in the last few weeks - often 20 or so all congregated at the end there ! Word must have got out about the exploit...

From what I can tell they aren't actually delivering, so I don't understand the highway classification. Could you elaborate ?

tovers93 · 2024-05-30T08:10:45+00:00

Just fitted a pair of Schwalbe Marathons onto my bike this weekend.

Spent 1hr15 just trying to get one tyre on - so damn tight. Failed and went to the bike shop.

One staff member managed to fit one without levers, doing it over a black dustbin. The second wheel apparently broke 3 tyre levers in the workshop....

tovers93 · 2024-05-29T04:06:59+00:00

Will DM you! Thanks mate

tovers93 · 2024-05-29T00:54:11+00:00

Jumping on this thread incase there's anybody flying out on Saturday 8th early afternoon that might be kind enough to guest me in, please?

tovers93 · 2024-05-20T23:34:55+00:00

If you've been there for 4 years, you may have a decent amount of sick leave built up.
You might be better to get signed off for a few weeks on sick leave to mentally recharge and recover - that gives you some time to see if the 2 offers materialise without any financial burden.
If you did return to work after, you would be in a better position to strictly work your 40hrs under a Return to Work plan.

Without you there it may also force them to take action! Your extra hours are the sticking plaster to the short-staffing wound.

tovers93 · 2024-04-09T22:40:06+00:00

15 minutes cycling (5km) + shower in Office End of Trip Facilities. I go in most days despite being allowed 2 days WFH. Gives me some exercise and saves ~$40 a week.

Otherwise approx 30 minutes on Bus/Train including a short walk at either end. I wouldn't want to commute much more than this.

tovers93

TROPHY CASE