I have a couple of properties I rent out and it pays well. One property which I bought 14 years ago gives me a 886% return on my monthly investment – the mortgage payment. The other property bought 9 years ago is less lucrative giving me a 200% return on investment.

Both properties have also appreciates considerable, the first having quadrupled in value.

So from my experience its a great way to earn money but I bought both properties a long time ago and I would be more wary now.

I manage one through an agent as its 200 miles from home the other I manage myself but use an agent to find a tenant.

I paid the heating engineer over £500 yesterday for boiler repairs, and essentially I’m on call 24/7 when there’s a crisis. Obviously not all in the same week, that would put anyone off, but they are all possibilities in letting

I have landlord boiler cover at £19 a month, I use an agent for one property so no hassle there. I had a tenant in for 5 years and the place needed gutted but that was no big deal.

I guess I’ve been lucky though.

edit: I also have a very good accountant.

Again I’ve not read all posts but depending on the capabilities of the OP’s mate or the other guy struggling to find work I could get you a job as a cleaner in asda. Not glamourous but its a job.

Let me know.

I’ve used a printer in Leeds for work stuff and the guy who runs it has always provided great service, company is Barflya – Leeds based.

I have quite a few bits of rapha kit but I would never buy repli a kit. I know in design terms rapha were limited to using blue and black but the design isn’t exactly ground breaking.

I think people who just go straight to the top i.e the proverbial Colnago with Di2 without having turned a pedal are prats

What an odd attitude. Why does it bother you so much? You should concentrate more on yourself rather than what others are doing, maybe if that happens we’ll see less of your whinging ‘I’m not very good at racing’ posts this season.

This ones popped up early this year.

This ones popped up early this year.

Unless you change your outlook on their visit you’re going to struggle to make them feel welcome in your home.

Doesn’t sound like they’re that good friends tbh from either side.

they were coming for Christmas but at the last minute (Boxing Day) they decided that they would spend it with friends at home,

They told you on boxing day that they weren’t coming for Christmas?

we have made tea for the friends, who we haven’t seen for years and wanted to spend time with them.

How will you be prevented from spending time with them.

On my old 3 account I could only tether my iPhone if I took 2mb data allowance at an extra £5 a month.

Waiting for the first scan is the sensible approach for telling friends but in my opinion you tell your parents as soon as you know. And I don’t understand why people feel the need to dress everything up, you’re a grown up now just sit down with them and tell them face to face.

I wouldn’t console anyone who lost money in shares really. You have to be able to afford to take the risk.

Worst: Bayfield Energy shares. Sixty grand down (pukes)

Oh dear, so you you must have spent around £90k on those shares! Shiiiiiit.

Still it’s a risk you must have been able to afford to take.

Best

Worst

A cheese knife that looks fantastic but just doesn’t cut cheese.

Planet-x A57 wheelset

but looking forward to riding on Arran tomorrow

Hope its not a loop round the island on road! Windy, windy.

How do you do miles on a turbo?

Depending on the machine, tall mugs don’t fit under the spout very well. We ended up in John Lewis taking cups over to a machine to find ones that fitted!

Ummm make espresso in warmed espresso cup then pour into latte glass.

.just get the nespresso glasseware, you wont regret it

I got some latte cups for £1.50 each, no branding, suits me fine.

I’ve not had one I don’t like to be honest thats why I just order x amount of everything.

is it worth getting the 250 mixed assortment

The only reason not to buy that is that it includes decaf, now whats the point in decaf coffee.

Personally I think their dispensers are a bit naff but each to their own.

I just buy everything but decaf.

Congratulations. But just tell them in a grown up way rather than trying to ‘intensify it’. They’re going to be grandparents which will be very important and special to them so don’t treat it like they’ve won the x-factor.

I was quite up for it

You could have gone on your own?

Yes, 45 mile road ride this morning, 40 miles yesterday, 3 mile run last night. Yesterday wasn’t bad, but its blowing a gale today.

I should add that the bearings were replaced under warranty after a bit of a fight, took around forever to get the wheels back, lasted even fewer miles before the bearings went again on the rear. A bit shite really.

I bought a set of px a57 wheels earlier this year. Bearings on the rear lasted around 500 road miles. I would avoid.

Overshoes are great on the road but rubbish off road unless you’re prepared to replace them pretty frequently. Even the rubber toed endura ones don’t last if you have to do any walking in them.

So I spent a year planning better, and minimising my downtime. 2 promotions and 2 job shifts later, I’m further up the same greasy pole, weighing 2 stone less, married, with a child and generally being happy and healthy. I don’t think you’re right that everyone needs something to make them feel proud, a few of those things are a few of the things which make me feel content, and for now that’s enough.

All because you didn’t participate in an internet forum, that impressive!

I kept to my resolution for last year of keeping off the STW so figure I’d drop by to see how things have been.

Someone is taking the internet a bit too serioulsy. Well done though, everyone needs something to make them feel proud.

Not seen it but guessing it was a rehash or all the original jokes

In some respects yes but it started very oddly, the chop/chip ‘joke’ and just got stranger. The guys ad was the only funny bit. Cast looked like they couldn’t be bothered.

Think that’s the last we’ll see of it.

Fair comment about the outer door not being needed but alas in my place with 2 dogs we have to take the safe option

Shut the kitchen door?

Or as above cover the oven door with something, piece of hardboard, thin mdf and gaffa tape it in place.

Don’t want to sell them either, because the person giving it to me will ask what I bought with them!

Just a thought but you could tell them anything.

chain, casette, lube, tyres, lots of stuff you could buy.

Now that cube does look the part.

Not sure how his scheme works but yeh looks like canyon only sell online. The boardman ht pro looks good.

Yeh I was thinking canyon or boardman too.

Anyone?

I use it to make calls or send texts in the car or on the bike, works well enough for me.

It’s already the 21st…

Its not the end of the 21st though is it? Bit more research required from you.

Cheers, not fussed about the support acts.

I reckon Celtic will beat Juventus over two legs.

I reckon Celtic will get humped.

I like Wiggins but to say he doesn’t court celebrity status is a bit of a nonsense. He’s been packaged well in merketing terms, the sideburns are a great example, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s got a stylist looking after his wardrobe for such events.

Someone mentioned his clothing brand, well as far as I’m aware he doesn’t have one. Fred Perry have a ‘wiggins’ line but thats all I’m aware of – the cycling jersey inspired polo shirts are very nice but I’m amazed they haven’t produced a yellow version.