Only freedom will do

Luckyinlife

edinburgher wrote: »

Same here LIL, working ok, but too dear to get replacement parts and maintenance.

Ya the running costs would be more as well get new start fresh :]

Karmacat

That's great that the plumbing work will give you more space - thats the most precious thing we buy, after all

Interesting about the boiler - the energy that goes into making a piece of equipment is called embodied energy, I think? So you've got a lot there, the previous boiler can be recycled, the efficiency of the new one is much higher so less fuel will be used, and you'll have that space too.

What are you doing for the insulation, Ed, are you heading for sheeps wool as the eco version?

edinburgher

I always think by replacing new for (working?) old this is where the eco argument falls down because surely the cost of the new and the energy used in both producing new item and disposing of old is not very efficient? Of course, that is presuming the boiler is in working condition.

That's certainly a consideration Alex (KC is right, we're discussing embodied energy). KC is also right to say that much of the old boiler can be recycled, although it won't 'replace' the embodied energy (the laws of physics won't allow it). I think there's a fair argument to be made that the old boiler's embodied energy has been thoroughly amortised after 30+ years.

I'm not too worried that fitting a rated combi boilers is the greatest challenge the planet faces in terms of the embodied energy used to create products. It will use less gas, produce less carbon and will keep the home warmer = win win win.

Now cars... :rotfl:

What are you doing for the insulation, Ed, are you heading for sheeps wool as the eco version?

Wool wouldn't have been my choice KC, I have read some horror stories about beasties living in it! That said, in an uncharacteristic display of environmental sensibilities, the previous owners have already put in wool insulation :T

The current plan is to use attach risers to the joists so that I can put down a plywood floor for storage, we're getting quotes to add a couple of vents to avoid condensation (flagged on the survey). We will, however, get the central heating and electrics attended to first.

It is a lot of fun retrofitting a house and it is in good nick to begin with (loft insulation/cavity wall insulation/recent double glazing (2013)). Our contributions will be boiler/under floor insulation where possible/under flooring insulation/low flow water fittings and a complete overhaul of the lighting. For example, our kitchen lighting currently draws in the region of 340W!! :eek: I will be disappointed if we can't get that down to 76W or lower. As it stands, this one room uses more power for lights than our far larger tenement flat did with every light on (including multiple chandeliers with 5+ bulbs).

Eco waffle over

gallygirl

edinburgher wrote: »

it won't 'replace' the embodied energy (the laws of physics won't allow it)

Oh my, Ed's morphed into Scotty from Star Trek .

in_need_of_direction

That's what happens to those with too much time on their hands

edinburgher

gallygirl wrote: »

Oh my, Ed's morphed into Scotty from Star Trek .

Haha - she can't take much more captain!

Karmacat

:D:D

**beams happily**

ajdj

Congrats on the new house Ed!

Do you have some insight into your average rates for each P2P platform? (I know generally speaking it will vary based on risk tolerance and/or availability of loan parts). I'm interested in r@tesetter and FC particularly- do you know how you've averaging in these vs. your overall current 7.30%. I get the impression that FC is better than r@tesetter, is this your experience?

edinburgher

Hi there ajdj, happy to share some figures.

I am treating my P2P money like a 80/20 S&S portfolio. The 80% is split somewhat unevenly between FC and S@ving Stream. FC is at 9.6% after fees and bad debt, SS is 12% before tax. The headline rate for FC is hovering at c. 12.5%, but I prefer to use the lower rate stated above. R@tesetter is currently at 5.5% before tax, but this is skewed by the fact that I have several hundred in monthly loans at a lower rate. I expect the 'normal' rate to be c. 6.1% once the effect of these short term referral bonuses wears off.

Also hoping to diversify into some decent fixed income products within my S&S ISA, but a few of the funds that I would have liked have gone ex-div, so don't want to commit until nearer to dividend time.

Hope this wasn't too much detail

Ps. In terms of an inverted pyramid of risk, FC sits at the top (unsecured loans, unproven businesses), followed by SS (secured lending with a provision fund, but concentrated in a single sector), followed by RS (decent provision fund, good track record of using it etc.) Just my opinions, not too scientific

ajdj

edinburgher wrote: »

Hope this wasn't too much detail

Ps. In terms of an inverted pyramid of risk, FC sits at the top (unsecured loans, unproven businesses), followed by SS (secured lending with a provision fund, but concentrated in a single sector), followed by RS (decent provision fund, good track record of using it etc.) Just my opinions, not too scientific

Perfect detail and really helpful, thanks!

I've got 2 regular savers due to mature that have been earning 4% and I'm toying with the idea of trying P2P for some of this money instead of just throwing it all into the S&S ISA. Will come back to you for the referrals if I decide to go for it.