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First proper ride on the cassette, on the whole very pleased with it. Its doesn't shift quite as smooth as a genuine Shimano one and is a bit clunky, but its acceptable. Plus, I've now also found a middle ground setting with the rear mech with...

All depends on the age of his boiler. The boiler in the house I'm buying has been deemed safe/functional but unserviceable due to rust. It is 20 years old so understandably at the end of its life. Downside for me is my 'boiler fund' got so big it...

Indeed this is what I'm planning to do. Well, my aim is to retire at 65 instead of 67 :laugh: but I have never been on great wages. Through the years, I have paid off my mortgage, done all home renovations that needed done (just 2 bedrooms left...

I have a friend who is currently potentially*** in need of a boiler fund, but doesn't have one! It is causing some stress with winter approaching... *** 2 gas engineers did the 'sharp intake of breath, new boiler required' thing. I asked A.I...

I decided not to buy an ocean-going yacht. I save money by standing in the shower tearing up fifty pound notes.:rain:^_^

We've been surprised at how frugally we live in retirement, without trying. It turns out that much of our expenditure, and unsustainable consumption, was only done to compensate for miserable working lives. Things I don't miss at all in...

We have recently got my sister to 'retire' after a cancer scare. Senior underwriter, and had worked at the company a long time. Got a six figure 'settlement' after they made her redundant on returning to work, so I said take the tax free, invest...

I agree with @Pat "5mph" about using an instant access account. I have one with Zopa which is currently paying about 3% (there may be better rates) but I can switch the money in and out of my current account with First Direct within minutes as...

Graham, my best mate from childhood, developed kidney problems in his 40s. They got worse and eventually he had to have a transplant. He did make a good recovery but was told that the organ wouldn't last for ever. Maybe he would need to have a...

I have got a little too comfortable at being around 80 to 82 kg (12-8 to12-13). That doesn't really sound terribly high for someone who is 1.86 m (6'1") tall, but I am a bit scrawny, 'skinny fat'. I have quite a bit of weight concentrated in...

220 minus my age is 149. I have had 180 a couple of times on the hills this summer. I had 174 on the turbo this afternoon.

That's worth looking at, thanks. There is usually about £1,000 kept in reserve. I don't put that in the premium bond pot because I can't get it out quickly enough.

I got in bad trouble with debt in the past... Never again! Now no overdrafts, no credit cards, no paying by instalments. I buy premium bonds with spare cash, and fund expensive purchases by selling those as needed. I try to keep enough money in...

Charles Dickens, David Copperfield

Everyone on an internet forum is mortgage free, buys their £40,000 car for cash and has £250,000 in a cash ISA