Xela

@TheAuthority - many thanks, great post. 

My rainy day fund is high as I will probably move house in the next couple of years so want to keep some aside for solicitors fees and if I need to top up my deposit. Medially I am privately insured (work) and have all the various protections (life/critical/accident/income protection) also via work. I'm worth a load of money dead or dying! 

*off to do more research*

3 hours ago, Genie said:

Can't believe the sums of money people are blindly handing over to other people they don't know. Its utterly bonkers.

Can't be long until all the stories come out about how people took out mortgages so they could give the cash to someone they never met and now they are homeless.

People were loading up credit cards hence why the banks have stopped it. 

23 hours ago, tonyh29 said:

Michael Portillo train prog on BBC just now 

Flying  Scotsman  

Pffft, its no Mallard. 

****' hell, I don't need to watch GoT anymore. I'll just subscribe to the Dem newsletter! 

Got my bonus notification letter today...

On 2/17/2018 at 16:51, KHV said:

I'd start with anyone that watches reality tv shows

Add people who get 'offended' by everything. Just today on the BBC homepage

- A Little Mix singer who has had dreadlocks being criticised as that type of hair isn't meant for her and its cultural appropriation 

- A Chinese model tweeting Happy Lunar New Year and loads of Chinese bombarding her with messages saying she's neglecting her heritage for not saying Chinese New Year instead

- This

This world! 

6 hours ago, Chindie said:

KFC... Dumped a specialist in a very specialist field, for a generalist, the suspicion having to be for cost savings. And it immediately goes wrong.

Idiots.

Don't worry, the bigwig at KFC who decided to change suppliers will still collect a bonus no doubt. 

5 hours ago, Vive_La_Villa said:

So should I return to Petrol?

Yes. 3 litre plus and as many cylinders as possible. 

Cheers @Davkaus. I'm happy to play the medium to long game (5 years plus). I keep £20k-£30k aside as a emergency fund but the rest of it i need to get working harder as its just losing money in a 0.65% ISA and 0.45% instant access fund. 

I probably (nay, definitely) don't have the patience to keep switching accounts to get switching bonuses or introductory rates. 

A few people have mentioned Vanguard so I will check them out, thanks. 

6 hours ago, AvfcRigo82 said:

Do you have any areas specifically in mind where you might like to dabble or are you in the open mindset of looking into anything that could yeild some decent return?

Probably want to avoid magic beans and crypto currency and stick to more established investments like bonds, equities, gold etc. 

Just now, mottaloo said:

Duuuur !!! Buy your own desi pub !! Job done 

Talking of which, one has opened over our side... The Mount Tavern is now desi!

Quote

A rundown pub in the heart of Kingstanding has been reborn into an east meets west restaurant and grill following a six-figure makeover.

The Mount Tavern, situated on Kings Road near New Oscott, will open its Desi pub-style Indian grill on Friday, February 9.

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/new-desi-pub-replace-landmark-14253339

12 minutes ago, Dick said:

Does it involve Deli Alli in a hotel room?

Just now, turvontour said:

Who were Drobny and Stas?

Ivo Stas - I don't think he ever played. Played against Villa for Banik Ostrava is 1990 UEFA Cup (scored an own goal) then Venglos purchased him. Got injured and never played

You need to compliment it with the classic Dogs Playing Poker picture. 

25 minutes ago, villa4europe said:

There's a cau in brindley place, I've been to the Leamington One, they do very good steaks 

Cau is nice. Had a great burger there. Same chain as Gaucho but aimed at the affordable end. 

Just now, Shropshire Lad said:

The most recent addition to the walls at home. 

I can’t imagine it would have made it there if I was still living with the ex.

That's why she's an ex 

2 minutes ago, Vive_La_Villa said:

I'm going to have to now.

But do they still sound like tractors?After 10 years of listening to my own tractor not sure could handle another one. 

I don't know, i'm not a farmer so have never owned a diesel! 

Big 6 cylinder german petrol engines for me! 

Thread necromancy

I'm lucky enough to have a decent amount of cash saving tucked away in cash ISAs and various other easy access accounts. Unfortunately they pay on average about 0.5% interest so in real terms my money is losing value every year. Looking to moving from saving to investing but very wet behind the ears. Any starter tips? Or podcasts/blogs/youtube channels that anyone can recommend. 

I get the basics - passive or active funds and levels of risk (i'd say i'm medium 75% high 25% - at my age I can afford to take a punt).

I do also have a fair number of shares in my employer which generate good dividends but i'm loathe to have too much exposure to one stock.

I've kind of cooled on the idea of a 2nd property chiefly due to the extra stamp duty implications for 2nd houses. If I can get a similar return with investing then i'd rather do that. 

5 minutes ago, lapal_fan said:

Fiesta del Asado on Hagley Road near 5 ways is the best steak I've ever had.  Absolutely phenomenal.

You pay for it though, about 100 for 2 people with a bottle of red.

Thoroughly reccommended. 

Not made it there yet but want to!

Fell asleep last night watching Ghost in the Shell and no, it wasn't a post wank snooze. 

1 hour ago, Vive_La_Villa said:

I've got a 10 year old Astra that i really need to change now. I love the look of merc cla but the reviews seem average.  Any experience of them on here? Would it be worth the money? 

Get a diesel VW just to annoy @darrenm 

I looked at the Ali challenge for the penalty and it looked very soft. Is that what passes as a pen nowadays? Throwing yourself in the air like a salmon?

1 minute ago, Stevo985 said:

I have not

They are excellent, going from my one experience there. Not been to the Brum one but they'll all be the same I would imagine, 

Recommended. 

3 minutes ago, Stevo985 said:

Ive eaten there at night though and whilst it was a very good steak, it wasn’t anything special. 

Have you tried the steaks at Gaucho?