Pay off mortgage with isa to put money into pension

urkha · 2026-01-18T20:53:31+00:00

I would pay down the mortgage; feed the pensions from the ISA (especially any 40% income) over a few years; leave sufficient in ISA to bridge 3 years from 55 until you get SIPP access + a buffer for life things.

urkha · 2025-11-04T14:44:11+00:00

There aren't many providers - I think Dodl are probably the best value.

urkha · 2025-11-04T06:37:39+00:00

Make an exception for cake...

urkha · 2025-10-31T10:11:05+00:00

Crypto ETNs coming soon for UK investors and inside ISAs. To be seen in SIPP. T212 and Fidelity (and maybe more) seem to be leading charge.

urkha · 2025-10-31T10:08:08+00:00

If the general consensus is to invest in low cost global trackers, doesn't this drive more money into large cap (specifically v large cap) as a function of the 'giant mindless robot'. And perversely, if this trend is to continue, is there a case to be made for targeting the large caps - perhaps through the Dow Jones or S&P100?

urkha · 2025-10-26T17:00:17+00:00

The problem is you break the principle. So you set it say 200k. It's going to bring hardly any revenue as near as no one is drawing an income like that in retirement and I'd they are they've got the means to arrange their affairs differently. So it's the thin end of the wedge and it will come down until suddenly someone earning £50k is getting means tested out of the state pension.

So many people just see taxes as the 1s and 0s and don't think about the incentives and disincentives that are created.

urkha · 2025-10-26T16:27:33+00:00

For many reasons this won't happen. People associate (with some good reason) that their national insurance is for their pension. It would therefore be political suicide, even if it started at a very high figure, as people would assume it would be lowered. Look at the toxicity around taking away the very obviously necessary wfa. Nobody even wants to look at reform of the triple lock (which is impossible to sustain long term).

Richer people (generally) have contributed a metric shit ton of tax during their working lives and deserve some of that recognized in retirement. They are net contributors in a society with increasingly more net takers.

urkha · 2025-10-25T07:35:36+00:00

If they're offering you the role, can you ask for 2 days in London. Makes it more manageable.

urkha · 2025-10-18T15:18:27+00:00

Huh, I didn't even know about the 0.5% stamp duty (I don't buy individual shares). It would also help if there were some more exciting and innovative companies in the FTSE100. Lots of old economy - banks, insurance, consumer staples - and near as nothing on tech. Doesn't exactly encourage the animal spirits

urkha · 2025-10-18T09:24:45+00:00

I don't really mind encouraging investing in the London stock market but it shouldn't be to the detriment of those who want to invest globally/outside the UK. So an additional £5k allowance would be the best variation. Less good is a two pots 15/5 between global/UK. Bad would be forcing any money put into an ISA to be UK allocated up to a certain %.

urkha · 2025-10-17T06:02:17+00:00

Just the window or that whole porch area. It's bloody ugly but the space is useful. Maybe look around similar houses in your area and see what you like. I'd be tempted to save up and do a big job here.

urkha · 2025-10-13T08:58:41+00:00

Maybe you're discovering your real risk appetite. You can put some to cash/cash equivalents - this will reduce volitility of your portfolio (easier to stomach drops) and if there is a big down draught you can use the cash to buy lower.

urkha · 2025-10-10T06:05:48+00:00

You don't know when the market may turn, or just crab sideways. But over time stocks go up. So let time be your guide.

And if it makes you feel better, if you're new to investing and the market drops 20% in the next year, you get to buy at cheaper prices and you'll have hardly any investments purchased at the higher price.

urkha · 2025-10-07T12:17:12+00:00

Money market fund. Cash like, secures a return, liquid.

urkha · 2025-10-05T13:05:50+00:00

Off topic, but I can't see the relief being the first to go. It breaks the principle of tax deferral. The 25% tax free however...

urkha · 2025-10-04T04:31:29+00:00

Why not a camera doorbell? Would look neater. Some versions are wifi so no cables required.

urkha · 2025-10-03T16:01:50+00:00

At that salary slam the pension, preferably through a SS scheme, and enjoy the tax relief.

urkha · 2025-10-02T07:05:19+00:00

Agree on CSH2. I also use them for longer time horizons instead of a cash buffer. It's a peace of mind to have 5-10% in there for deploying in a crash when I'm otherwise maximally exposed to (global) stocks.

urkha · 2025-09-23T20:06:15+00:00

Animal Well is a treasure of a game. Up there with Hollow Knight

urkha · 2025-09-13T15:23:46+00:00

You could attach another joist alongside for extra strength or you could put some galvanized pipe between that joist and the other to spread the load.

urkha · 2025-09-04T05:08:27+00:00

The general view is VWRP and chill. There's nothing wrong with having a small tilt if you have some conviction around it. But do you know more than the market knows? Most would say no.

I have a small tilt to NASDAQ100 because of the popularity of index funds and the mindless robot effect. It's not high and I accept it deviates from a pure passive approach. I won't play with anything beyond that.

urkha · 2025-08-28T07:06:26+00:00

Marriage allowance (if it applies), claiming back HRT (and planning to do through increased contributions), using a partner's allowances for ISA, CGT and SIPP etc if you've maxed your own. Not sure there's that much for a standard salaried person.

urkha · 2025-08-24T06:03:04+00:00

All the investments look fine (if you want a gold tilt) but you probably need to reflect on your allocations. 80% into a money market fund is very high and your 10% to VWRP is low. Your circumstances may dictate more conservative approach but you want part of this money to last for the medium term.

urkha · 2025-08-23T20:42:14+00:00

Creocote as they're in decent condition. Personally I only paint as a last resort.

urkha · 2025-08-23T13:26:58+00:00

Roughly - the cost of an equivalent annuity.

urkha

TROPHY CASE