- Third party dog insurance
I self insure for my dog. Quite happy to do so. I used to have accident and third party insurance, but the company providing it have withdrawn from the market. I wasn't worried about the accident cover, but do want third party/public liability cover. Apart from anything else, my dog walker (one day a week) requires it. I'm…
- Multiple incomes: tax code allocation
I have four income streams. Three are DB pensions, so pay monthly. One is a SIPP, which I draw as needed. Typically late in the tax year. HMRC have allocated the tax codes, such that the bulk of the tax comes from the DB pensions. It would suit me better for the bulk of the tax to come out of my SIPP drawdown. Is there any…
- 1p Mobile
[No comment here]
- Guaranteed Income bonds NS&I
Like many on here, I put a large chunk of our savings in the 6.2% NS&I Guaranteed Income Bonds last September. I've just had an email alerting me that I'll soon have to make a decision on whether to renew, or to remove the money. But we'll be on holiday when the account matures so will need to plan ahead. I've tried…
- Starting rate for savings - when earning lots of interest
I've read through the HMRC guidance at https://www.gov.uk/apply-tax-free-interest-on-savings I have about £16k of 'other income' - a mix of DB pension and drawdown. But ... I've taken advantage of the new NS&I rates to put most of my savings into the 6.03% income bonds. As a result, I'm expecting about £14k a year in…
- Octopus: Intermittent gas billing problem
I've been looking over my niece's utility bills for her. She's on a 2021 2-year fix with Octopus. The electricity is fine - it bills every month. The gas is a little strange - she went 9 months without a bill, then a couple of bills, then another gap. She's on smart meters. Has anyone else seen anything like this? It seems…
- Over LTA. Do I now have some spare PCLS?
I retired. Crystallised my DC pension and took my DBs. I only took £168k of PCLS. But 100% of LTA. On the face of it, the new rules allow me to start contributing £2880 to a pension again, and take out 25% tax free. Is that right?
- Praise: Plusnet
I'd been having a few problems with my broadband. When I called, the wait-time on the call was about 1 minute. Spoke with a UK-based tech support, who was able to look at the stats on my router. It didn't seem to be a broadband issue, so he sent out a replacement router. Total call time about 10 minutes. And he seems to be…
- Switching accumulation to income - capital gains Q
I've retired, and want to change the way that dividends are treated on my general investment account. At the moment, I'm invested in accumulation funds. Income funds would suit my needs better. I'm being told that if I sell the accumulation units and immediately buy the equivalent income units, no capital gain liability…
- Marriage Tax allowance - and charitable donations
My wife has transferred 10% of her personal allowance to me. To take advantage, I know that I have to keep my income, dividends, interest etc below £50,270 (I'm in England). [ps. Thanks for advice previously Dazed_and_Confused] My question relates to charitable giving. Am I right in thinking that I can subtract charitable…
- Does it exist: mini hifi with bluetooth/wifi speakers?
I'm struggling to find what I'm looking for - does anyone know if it exists? A mini hifi. Must have a CD player and DAB radio. But with bluetooth or wifi speakers - so that I can take the speaker(s) into a different room. Budget - ideally £250 or so, but happy to pay more if needed.
- Three years post retirement ... how the finances are going
I retired three years ago @ 55. A few thoughts on how it's gone may help others who are thinking about it. I'd been saving hard for retirement since my early 40s. Putting 50% of my gross salary into pensions. That was derailed a little when I was made redundant at 48. Fortunately, I landed a civil service role (much lower…
- Vanguard security - concerns
My Vanguard account is protected by a user name a password. Every other savings and bank account I have has additional methods - some have a fob with a changing number. Some text me a code to log in. Some use a secure app. I'm minded to move my ISA from vanguard to somewhere else. Am I being over cautious?
- MOT extensions ceasing from 31 July
The automatic MOT extensions are coming to an end on 31 July. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-mots-for-cars-vans-and-motorcycles-due-from-30-march-2020
