u/Empty-Selection9369

Just watched Last Week Tonight, where John Oliver covered structured settlements (S13 E12).

Without being nearly as amusing as him, in short, people who are in dire financial straits, sell their structured settlements (which are meant to last over a period of time) for a third of their actual worth for instant cash.

Last year, I saw the musical about Live Aid and the young women behind me did not understand the concept of people pledging to give and then actually sending in the money "because they'd already seen it on TV for free!"

We are in a society now where people assume nothing has a cost.  People stream music, steal when they scan groceries, and complain when "free to download" apps require subscriptions with payment. I am here to say that there is no such thing as a free lunch. 

When you stream music, you are hurting independent musicians who, in an earlier age, made money through the sale of cassettes or LPs or CDs. When you throw those snacks into your bag and chalk it up to “giving it to the man”, you are actually pushing up prices for everyone else (here’s a tip: use the human teller!). When you click for free entertainment, it’s not free: your data is being accessed.

Think of the cost. 

 Please can we teach critical thinking in schools again?

Thank you for letting me rant!

So I am a dual citizen but I last lived and worked in the UK in 1988. I have done mostly all US tax filing myself. I moved back about seven weeks ago and they want a self-assessment from me.

I started jubilantly five hours ago and I am a broken person. I thought this would be a doddle. I have social security and a tiny bit of freelance and literally under $1 in interest to declare. I have all the numbers. I'm just stymied on the paperwork. I now I have to fill out SA109 and now I am doubting if I am a partial resident because I moved here with 16 days in that tax year, but came on vacation for 9 days also. I have already filed and paid US and Spanish.

Does ANYONE know a professional who can help me do this? We're not talking massive accumulation of wealth here! Also, I am super organised. I have most of the information - I just seem to be going around in circles....

I can’t see anything without my glasses and even WITH them, it’s brutal tweezing my eyebrows!

There’s one chin hair - I’ve talked about him before - who’s a regular visitor. And now, about twice a week, I do a close check with an immense magnifying mirror and I always find a few enormous hairs that got extraordinarily long without my knowing.

How often should I do this? Daily?!

Absolutely not an endorsement because everyone's curls are different - but I began using these products when Jess first started and used to send hand-written notes with each order, so I am thrilled that they are available in the UK!

Rocking Ringlets was a favourite of mine.

I currently have too much stuff (anyone know how I can give once-used products away in Liverpool?) but as I get through what I have, I'm going back to Jessicurl!

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Hi, kids! I was converted back in 2000 when I lived in NYC and found Devachan. it was akin to finding "my people." I was already in my 40s and had spent decades with frizz. I loved that I no longer had to have the infamous “graveyard” of hair products under my basin! And I could just style wet and walk out to air dry. My sister said it's because I'm a lazy cow (she's not wrong, TBF).

I thought I’d share my recent hair journey so that you know you are not alone!

Now, I like definition and that’s harder once you have grey hair.  I spent an unseemly amount of time in California and they just love the “beach vibe” – good for them. Give me the East Coast ringlets!

So, after years away, I moved back to England. I have trying desperately NOT to buy American products (not getting into that here).  I tried Only Curls and Bouclème.  And my hair got more and more frizzy! Time for a deep dive and this is what I found:

I have curly hair 2B/2C, coarse, thick, naturally grey, thick dense, porous medium long hair, with a dry scalp. I do not need protein.  I follow the curly girl method for product. Traditionally, I have co-washed and left a small amount of conditioner in, followed by gel.  Once a week, I would use purple shampoo to de-brass.

It seems that I might have (after all these years) been applying styling products incorrectly! Who knew? Now, on soaking wet hair (yay), use “praying hands” on wet hands to distribute the product, then rake with fingers, and re-pray.  If you use mousse or crème, do this and then follow up with the same distribution system for your gel, if you use it.

I also discovered that my frizz could be caused my product build-up, so now, once every ten days or so, I detox (I hear that l’Oreal Metal Detox is great – I’m using Noughty Detox Dynamo clarifying shampoo) before Fudge Clean Blonde Damage Rewind violet-toning shampoo to get rid of the build-up.

I tried a bunch of different conditioners and – on a whim – decided to go back to what I’ve used for years, which is Cantu Shea Butter Hydrating Cream Conditioner. I rinsed it out thoroughly and then raked a tiny bit back I, and followed up with Curlsmith Strong Hold gel.  PRESTO! Definition! No frizz!

As I run out of these two products, however, I need a non-American solution, and Superdrug currently has a sale on CGM-approved Garnier stuff, so I am picking up Method for Curls conditioner and gel.

If you want to know how to find out about your own coarseness, protein, and porosity, I typed up everything (of course I did – you’re lucky I don’t have a spreadsheet and a PowerPoint presentation too!) so lmk and I can shoot you what I found.

I am not endorsing anything or claiming to be any sort of expert. I just know it can be a struggle and wanted to share! 

 

Buying in a place where I know no one. I’ve overseen many renovations in my time, and frequently deal with “she’s a woman; what could she know?”

Every place I can afford needs work. Nothing major except loo under the stairs, but enough that I need an experienced set of eyes to help me estimate potential costs.

How do you go about finding someone to take on a second viewing? I’d pay them of course. And I’d still get a real survey done. This is for an independent look at what is feasible at what price!

Any ideas?

Can we not do better? Their site specifies where no amplification is allowed and yet everyone is blisteringly loud. And most are horribly flat.

Honestly, I feel like Simon Cowell, but I was thinking of revisiting my busking days. Me. A guitar. Nothing else.

I have no interest in trying to drown out others. Is it just me?

BTW, a few are truly fantastic! But alas, it’s a minority!

I am thinking about making an offer on a house in which the owner has done a fair amount of work, including the floorboards, totally stripped back. They are in great shape, but they look SUPER pine-like (unsurprising, since that's what they are) and it gives off this country vibe which is not my thing.

Any idea what I can do to de-pine it a bit? Not ripping it up and replacing it, but a stain, maybe? Something? The cupboard doors are also pine, but I can paint those.

In addition, it has glorious original cornices, etc. but they have TONS of layers of paint on them. Since I am bad at DIY, do professional painters offer services where they strip the layers off and then paint them so they look better?

I'm trying to figure out if I can afford to do what I'd like to do to make it my own.

Greatly appreciate the advice!

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Hi, folks. Would love some guidance.

Born in England, but spent 35 years in the States and I'm a dual citizen. I'm collecting social security and have paid my back NI contributions, so will collect UK pension too when I turn 67. My question involves a small union pension (so a real pension, not an IRA thing) that I earned in the States, and that I'll start getting next year.

I think I'm right in that there is no double taxation, and that US Social Security is taxed in the country of residence (England). What about a traditional pension? (I know how rare this is now and I'm super lucky - but I worked for pennies at this job for the healthcare and pension!)

I've done my own US taxes on Turbotax for decades, even with self-employment, and it wasn't awfully hard. I know I'll have to keep filing in the US, even though I have no intention of living there again. I moved back to England from Spain and there, I did my American taxes, then paid someone to do my Spanish taxes (which are due May/June) , and then did a 1040X with the foreign taxes paid. Huge pain in the you-know-what.

Can I still do that? I signed up for the HMRC webinars. I really REALLY don't want to pay an accountant: I'm barely in double digit income, but I want to do the right thing.

Thanks in advance!

I’m waiting for a few answers from the EA because that will impact my offer (yes of course I’m getting a survey for proof, but I figured I’d ask first about when the roof and electrical were updated).

I’ve never had a bad experience with neighbours, but I read about so much drama that I’d love to chat with them before I commit to anything.

Any ideas? I think knocking on the door seems a tad intrusive?

I just want to know if it’s a meth house or something! And I know there’s no guarantee that it won’t become one! 😆

For the record, I’m still super close friends with people I met in my building 26 years ago!

Any ideas greatly appreciated!