Nice People Thread No. 14, all Nice and Proper

kabayiri

@PN

If you have building work done you might be able to find builders who operate below the VAT threshold. It will save you a lot of money.

I paid my builders for their labour only. I was effectively the project manager for the work.

I ended up with accounts at the builders merchants for all materials, and I would settle the bill direct.

The builder told me he had ran this past his accountant as a valid approach, and it was all legit.

CKhalvashi

kabayiri wrote: »

@PN

If you have building work done you might be able to find builders who operate below the VAT threshold. It will save you a lot of money.

I paid my builders for their labour only. I was effectively the project manager for the work.

I ended up with accounts at the builders merchants for all materials, and I would settle the bill direct.

The builder told me he had ran this past his accountant as a valid approach, and it was all legit.

We're an agent for our cabbies, which means that the only commission is 17%/40% (includes car) + VAT, rather than the full fare.

We're VAT registered, they're not, hence the approach.

kabayiri

I notice that Nigel Lawson has proposed that Corporation Tax is replaced by a tax based on sales.

Yet it barely gets a mention.

Could a very modest sales tax raise the same as corp tax does now, if the likes of Amazon and Starbucks had to pay it?

PasturesNew

kabayiri wrote: »

@PN

If you have building work done you might be able to find builders who operate below the VAT threshold. It will save you a lot of money.

I paid my builders for their labour only. I was effectively the project manager for the work.

I ended up with accounts at the builders merchants for all materials, and I would settle the bill direct.

The builder told me he had ran this past his accountant as a valid approach, and it was all legit.

I'll see what the architect suggests, re firms, then take this information into my decision-making process.

Not even phoned an architecty-type yet.

I should do that this week really .... just get on with it.

I know I have 0 "people skills" and verbal communication is not my strong point, so managing any project could lead to issues. I am aware of this and this inability will also be part of my decision-making

ukmaggie45

Did any of you see the fantastic clouds yesterday evening? Carol Kirkwood was talking about them on Breakfast this morning, they are Nacreous Clouds, named for mother of pearl. I've never seen them before. Here's a flavour, though doesn't really do the glowingness and colours justice!

Nacreous clouds by Maggie, on Flickr


Nacreous Clouds by Maggie, on Flickr

kabayiri

ukmaggie45 wrote: »

Did any of you see the fantastic clouds yesterday evening? Carol Kirkwood was talking about them on Breakfast this morning, they are Nacreous Clouds, named for mother of pearl. I've never seen them before. Here's a flavour, though doesn't really do the glowingness and colours justice!
...

Ilford, the photographic paper makers, used to have a large complex in Knutsford.

It's a shame you never got to the Training Centre there. They used to have some of the most fantastic pictures I have ever seen.

At the time, it was difficult to beat black n white for sheer detail and mood.

We have a picture of a bay in Iceland on our wall, in black & white.

PasturesNew

ukmaggie45 wrote: »

Did any of you see the fantastic clouds yesterday evening? Carol Kirkwood was talking about them on Breakfast this morning, they are Nacreous Clouds, named for mother of pearl. I've never seen them before. Here's a flavour, though doesn't really do the glowingness and colours justice!

While I look at clouds, I don't remember them, or try to work out what sort they are .... so I might've seen some, I might not. They're all clouds to me

Spirit_2

I should be gorgeous. One half of a beautiful couple. Coiffed and groomed. Chic and stylish.
I am not. None of those things. I want a refund on what we spent in 2015 on clothing and grooming.

According to Lloyds money manager tool, we spent an average of £500/mth on clothes and £110/mth on personal care last year.

I recognise all the transactions and some spending is classified elsewhere. This review came about as I am looking at our budget, or more precisely looking to budget. For the last 5 years we have more kept an eye on our cash flow. I think we waste quite a lot. The clothes and grooming being a case in point. Last year I lost a lot of weight and had to buy everything after throwing almost every item I owned out, my hair fell out and I replaced shoes every few weeks as my gait changed. This year I am well (fingers crossed) so spending needs to be reigned in.

I am still left with the puzzle about how you can spend so much to look so "homely". Are other NP haapy with what they spend and how they look?

I plan to spend less on healthcare, this year. Today Physio and I agreed that from mid feb I will see her only once week. next step will be "as required".

GDB2222

How do I go about finding a reliable and competent firm of builders to replace a ceiling damaged by water and redecorate? It's a pretty small job, so a small firm would be great.

PasturesNew

GDB2222 wrote: »

How do I go about finding a reliable and competent firm of builders to replace a ceiling damaged by water and redecorate? It's a pretty small job, so a small firm would be great.

Well, if I lived closer, I'd clearly be over and up that ladder and doing it all for you for £10. As a highly skilled DIYer with excellent ladder balance skills, this type of small job around the house is right up my alley.

But I don't live near you