MrBen

Their travel and subsistence allowances have also been removed...quite right when they're commuting to the same office everyday from home and buying lunch from Pret like every other office employee.

The worst excesses of that have gradually passed...they're probably paying 25 to 30% now. Only the odd Aussie still chancing it with some dodgy offshore umbrella to get 80% plus take home.

Are you an IT contractor paying yourself a low salary and the rest in dividends? If so...you've just been clobbered.

Just checked what it means for me on my old flat...and my ?90 tax per month on the marginal profit I make now becomes ?450 tax per month....putting it firmly into loss making position. It's a very sensible policy to put brakes on BTL - people will sell up for sure.

Today's budget is massively restricting the tax relief BTL landlords get on mortgage interest. So the many leveraged BTL landlords out there will now be on a marginal investment....which should in theory release stock back to the homebuyer market over time....

....has a few surprises. Reducing tax relief for BTL landlords to the basic rate over 4 years will be a serious check to that market - and arguably one much needed. Reducing corporation tax to 18% though? It's already low at 20% for a G7 country....

I've just answered that with a quick check on Rightmove. It will all end in tears.

?290 for a 2 bed in Sydenham?? I've still got my old 2 bed flat in ED which I rented out...and figured it was worth about ?325k last October. What are they going for now in ED?

Jah Lush Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I did read your post properly Mr Ben though I > confess my description of your activity wasn't > entirely accurate. Apologies if you took offence. None taken. Do you do pub babysitting? It would be a great service to have that outside Franklins next time I want to see a film.

Otta Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > MrB wasn't out on the sauce, he was out for a > meal, not in a pub. > > Basically it's all relative. As Jeremy's post > highlights, all babies / kids are different. Some > (very bloody lucky) parents get babies that will > sleep through anything for long periods. Others > don't. You have to make plans accordingly. > Obviously if you have a baby that screams all the > time, a non selfish person would probably think it > best not to take that baby to a place where people > wanted to enjoy a meal or a few beers in peace. Ah thanks Otta. Always nice when someone explains your post on your behalf to those who didn't read it properly. No pubs, pick your restaurant (Le Chardon would be a no for example) and find a table that allows you to tuck the buggy out the way, be considerate to all, get out by 8 ish and I can't see a problem.

I took my two out the other night to a LL restaurant about 8pm - both 8 month olds. You feed them, put them in the buggy, they sleep quietly, you have a quick dinner then go home. If they cry enough to disturb anyone closely I'll pick them up and they stop, or if they don't I'll take them outside. On the pavement home, I'll stop and let people pass. Basic consideration. It's not really that hard! Agree about pubs though. My missus doesn't quite see it the same way for the some of the "cross over" boozers but pubs after 7-ish are surely for adults - plenty of time in the day for a family visit.

Speaking of which...I was in Rocca again last night. It's bland-done-well. The food is only a tad above average (if that) but it has a decent buzz, is always busy and has super friendly staff which makes all the difference. Plenty locals now having a cheeky beer outside at Cafe Rouge now too in the dog's absence. I really hope they don't suck the soul from the Dog, clad it all in pastel painted tongue and groove and dish up generic M&B slop. But it's looking that way isn't it?

Slow progress I'm hearing...plasterers that were scheduled to be in back in November are only just starting work now. It was an old property with little maintenance done over the past half century so wouldn't surprise me if it overruns by 6 months or so....the village is not quite the same without it is it?

Florence. Haven't seen someone look so comfortable on that stage before and she kind of nailed it. Even if I find their music a bit much in other settings. Loved the break dancing kid with Jungle. Tonight's a bit meh though.

So wealthy or fast gentrifying post codes are happier? No real surprise surely? Norwood perhaps....but it's on the turn isn't it?

It's amazing...it's almost daily now... When will it stop?

numbers Wrote: --------------------------------------------------- > > Some interesting new posters worth reading though > so not all bad. Please do share. I'm all ears.

Agree that Fox not unpleasant or confrontational. Happy he doesn't buy into "new ED" - couldn't give a monkeys. But change the record, open the mind and bring some joy is all. Anyway - back to you Lou. Any plans to do something else?

.

Check out the highlights and best goals so far: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33179006

This is seriously funny. Lou and Fox have been exposed as one trick ponies. I used the term "troll lite" for a reason. It's not a classic or malicious trolling act - just a one dimensional and stale one. If only the forum could self regulate by voting people off....I suspect two would have gone by now.

...full of great goals and entertaining end to end games. Anyone else really enjoying it? Well done to England BTW - great result last night.

If only "popular" equated fresh, creative or insightful. She's arguably the best troll "lite" the forum has produced although still so many like AQM don't see it and take it all on face value. Whoosh.

Lol. 0/10 from Louisa for another class orientated trolling thread. Sub zero "me me me" bollocks from The Fox as usual. But 10/10 from *Bob* for taking this one on and giving the other 1350 people reading this a laugh.

Dare I say it sounds like one of those things that was good of it's time and best left that way? I'm glad for the hardcore of people who made them what they were. Georgia for organising things...Sean Mac for basically being super welcoming, pretense fee and connecting people. Only went to a few but they were a ramshackle motley affair that were either brilliant or so so. Kind of wish I'd made the earlier ones as those are the ones people seem to hark back to. People always start talking about cliques but the people I met and still know were all actually very different and I liked that. Take quids, otta and SJ for example. All different in their own ways/outlooks and fine fellows indeed. The one at the Phoenix seemed the best but I had to leave early and missed the fun. The Xmas drinks that became "snubgate" was the most hilarious one...people seemed to confuse a gathering of randoms from a local website in a pokey downstairs bar with the Oscars...with seismic results!