How's work and family, everyone?

Please what network is advised for a sim contract to boost credit rating?

An idea of the cost will also be helpful. EE sim-only contract rates are somewhat high.

I currently use Lebara, but I read somewhere that Lebara and a few other networks aren't apt for credit score building.

Thanks

Wanted to read your epistle but the formatting and length got me really scared.

So, I can't give a verdict.

But then, this is constant: Walk in the spirit and you will not fulfil the desires of the flesh. Your predicament is a product of obedience to the flesh.

Repent and God will have mercy.

You can check Charity shops. British Heart Foundation in particular. I think they have a website too.

Ibk2020:
Apart from gumtree and Facebook market place, where can one find used home furniture/mattress to buy, especially in Sunderland?

Bros, no vex ooo...I dey just hail the main bottle handlers.

Iruosonobrugwhe:



see stray bullet to my chest from nowhere....small ogogoro oo

Very insightful.

The emboldened: Brits can SO drink and misbehave in public.

Similar to the drinking rate in the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

Gemma11:


The health system in the UK is based on preventative measures and promoting healthy lifestyles.

The system simply could not cope if all were to fall sick and need emergency care at the same time. The advice of healthy eating, (like if you buy any packaged product like biscuits, cereal, drink, snack the traffic light system will tell you how many calories, level of fat and salt etc and this is a legal requirement by the FSA.

The NHS offers free advice on anything from mental and physical well being. Cigarette packages carry heavy "Cancer can Kill' signs. It is all by design. The dangers of drinking alcohol are also well advertised even though the Brits like to drink like they are competing in the Olympics

Gyms and leisure facilities are also easily accessible for all in the UK with free facilities for children. Activities like Cycling and walking are also encouraged. There is even a health inurance company that reduces your gym membership fee more you attend the. I think it is called Vitality health.

These measures prevent the system from being clogged up by people making poor health choices which lead to sickness so that key services for the elderly, pregnant women and children and those unfortunate to develope illness through no fault of their own are or accident emergencies are not compromised.

For instance a grown man goes into A&E with a stomach ache, and there are 2 pregnant women who are ill, a sick child, elderly patient or someone who has just been involved in a serious accident waiting to be seen, the aforementioned man will probably not be seen a priority.

The GP (General Pratitioner) as the name entails is also not someone to see for an urgent health issue. They are good for repeat prescriptions, for referring to a specialist, basic examinations or health advice.

The NHS is not perfect but it works for most and encourages people to maintain healthy lifestyles so the system is not overrun.

Amen!

Thanks for sharing these thoughts and link.

I recently learnt about LISA and I've made a move on it.

I've summised that it's a more profitable venture to have, at least, a property in the UK than rush to build one in Nigeria given the high volitility of the economy.

Gemma11:


You will achieve that in Jesus' name.
One thing I would encourage all Nigerians to do after settling down in the UK with a Job etc is to take full advantage of the government schemes to help with home buying, tax free savings like an LifeTime ISA and others. One can save up to £4000 per year and the UK govt will add £1000 which should go towards buying your first home. One should start saving before the age of 40.

This newly arrived Nigerian couple bought a house utilizing the full benefits of the scheme in two years, although I don't think they bought in London.

That being said, most places you buy in UK is bound to be profitable as we as homes are always in demand. Even if you choose to go back to Nigeria, then monthly rent from a house in the UK can easily meet the mortgage payments and provide a healthy monthly income for you in Nigeria.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6PMqSF3nnA?t=429

I'm shocked about the reviews on NHS and access to health in this country.

Apparently, one has got to maintain his/her wealth well and prepare for the unexpected.

Insurance schemes are always a good way to promptly access healthcare.

Based on the shared article, the rates aren't out of reach, especially in the face of impenetrable NHS "A healthy, non-smoking 35-year-old. Prices ranged from £688/year to £935/year. A healthy, non-smoking 70-year-old. Prices ranged from £2,238/year to £2,834/year."

May untimely and deadly illness or ailment not hold us down ooo.

Gemma11:


Some useful information here.
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/insurance/cheap-health-insurance/

Check with your employer to see if you are already covered if not I estimate that full cover can be provided for £200 for a family of 4.

Interesting!

Thanks for the insight.

I go like live in London and also buy a house there too sha.

Gemma11:


Good idea re: Bike. Boris will love you for that as he is an avid bike rider. Not unusual to see the UK PM bike riding around Westminster with his security.

Council tax depends on the band based on the value of the property as it was in 1991 and the local council you live in.

E.g. For a 3- bed house terraced in the London Borough of Newham in East London we paid £109 pm so not too bad

I think council tax in London is actually cheaper than elsewhere in the country. However I heard one does not pay any council tax in Northern Ireland.

You can check council tax bands by postcode here. https://www.gov.uk/pay-council-tax.

The link will tell you the council the property falls under so you can check charges from there to get an idea.

I can’t think of any charges peculiar to London other than the £15 per day congestion charge if one drives into Central London during peak times.

To be honest, no one with a clear head drives into central London during peak times (7am to 6pm mon to Friday or noon to 6pm weekends) unless they have specific business there such a delivery vehicles plus traffic can be quite trying at those times. Plus you would have to think about parking charges which could be anything from £1.50 to £2.30 per 30 min.

The congestion charge can be avoided if you take public transport which is really efficient. However, travelcard prices can go up to £200 a month depending on how many zones you go through and time of travel ( can be avoided if you have a remote job ) or only need to travel off peak.

The latest charge for cars is the ULez (ultra low emission zone which is £12.50 per day and operates 24 hours). Applies to cars which are considered to be too polluting to be in the London area. So if you have a newer efficient car the charge won’t apply. There are a lot of electric cars on the road now because of this.
Cars can be checked by number plate here https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/check-your-vehicle/ to see if they are ulez compliant

Rents are also high in London but that is more so due to demand. A lot of people want to live near a station for fast accessibility into Central London for work, business or pleasure.

HOW ABOUT SOME FREEBIES?

It was a warm afternoon so I decided to take a walk around the neighborhood...Afterall, e no go bad make I try sabi my new area nau.

After a few kilometres around a few streets, I couldn't but notice the tranquility of the neighborhood.

Few more kilometres into the walk, I noticed a couple of household items glaringly displayed in the public. I was a bit worried about their security. But as I no be neighborhood watch or CSO, I didn't let that bother me. We movee!

Just few houses away from the first sight of public household items, I noticed a shelf - picture below - with a note marking it as "FREE". Then I recall someone telling me that most people usually put out items they no longer need for public pickup...Impressive, right?

Errrm, you dey wonder if I picked the shelf, ABI? Well, I didn't, all because I don't need it.

Days later, I've seen other houses display unneeded item for free pickup. Clothes, shoes, books, bed, toys, speakers et Al. I've also seen a lot of Freebies on Facebook Market. ...But I never see wetin I like sha.

Oh, just yesterday a stranger saw me and asked if I needed bus ticket. I smiled and said no, as I was within a walking distance to my destination.

It warms my heart that these acts of kindness still exist within communities.

I love this neighborhood, but rent is too high...I should do I write up this though.

NB: This isn't a comparative piece but a narration of my experience.

Best!

Ahaha, I see.

I'm considering getting an E-scooter or a bicycle ooo.

I'm encouraged to by the road structure and usage of bicycle and scooter thus far.

By the way, what's the average Council tax in London? Aside that and other regular bills, what bills are peculiar to London? Thanks.

Gemma11:


It depends on where you are sha. In inner town/city residential roads surrounded by a lot of houses and schools ect, driving is not really encouraged. In London, they don tax us tire and most roads have been narrowed for that cycling and walking lanes with speed limits at 20mph.




And yes those bus drivers are experts at what they do because sometimes the bus appears bigger than the road and I wonder how they get down it.

@Lightnlife these your write-ups dey sweet sha. You have a talent for writing.

Thanks NNTR and Lexusgs430

NNTR:
Congrats

This is spot on

Its a general and/or common, right across board, level playing field, this, paying in arrears idea.

Scarcely anyone gets paid in advance.

For monthly paid staff, usually pay day is, popularly, the last working day of the month, meaning, if your start work date is 3rd May 2022, then your first pay will be 31st May 2022

_{Personal text: Jesus is not a theologian. He is God who told stories.}

Lexusgs430:



When the payroll is run, you get paid accordingly, So it simply means you only get a few working days pay ......

That 5 day window, is simply an allowance window.......

Thanks, but I'm expected to resume on 27th of May. Does it mean my first payment will then be on 5th of July and probably 10th of July given the 5 days transfer window?

Lexusgs430:



You're not paid in advance, but arrears....... That's normal practice, for 30 days make a payday work ........

You start work 3rd May 2022, your 1st pay would arrive June 5th .........

Afternoon House,

I'm about to take an offer and this clause on renumeration looks funny to me. Is this a normal practice in the UK?

"Remuneration is payable in arrears. You will be paid for each calendar month on the 5th of the subsequent month (or on the preceding working day if the 5th of the month falls on a non-working day) by BACS. Please allow up to 5 working days for transfer to be completed."

Lexusgs430, erico2k2, omopapa, Fatima04, goke77, Solumtoya, sammyk, NNTR

Oh! That's one thing I've been worried about here.

The roads are so tiny with street-parking ooo.

The driving culture has been cracking me up, big time. The first day I got on an intra-city bus, I had my heart in my mouth, pressing the brake with the driver. Very small roads.

Thought I'd buy a car ASAP but seeing the roads and driving culture, I am having a rethink to delay the purchase.

adubam:


This UK roads are very tiny ooo. Unlike US where the roads are very wide.

Hahahaha! Chief Analyst.

GenBuhari:
This is what could happen when you are a female trying to not disclose your gender, people would assume you are male as the default assumption.
Now all the people calling you "bro" has started grating on your nerves

Regarding mosques, in areas where there is a few muslims they us any building as a place of worship but if you go to areas with large muslim communities you would find purpose built mosques.

IT'S SUNDAY...

I've consciously been observing the lifestyle (social, cultural, religious and work) of locals here and it's been an interesting ride.

Let me pen my religious observations;

1. Most people (Brits) are not religious. In fact, when you ask them for their religious beliefs and leanings, they will tell you they don't believe anything or they don't go to church but believe in God. At best, they tell you they attend the Church of England or an Anglican Church.

2. There are not too many Churches around. But you can be sure that every community has an Orthodox Church around. Yes, there are a couple of Pentecostal churches around but they're not dominant.

3. I have not noticed any Mosques around here. But I am sure I have seen a few Muslims around.

4. Religious activities are not conducted to the discomfort of residents or the general public. For instance, there's a big church in our community and we've never heard a sound from the church even on Sundays. Given our Nigerian-church background, I and my partner have been a bit worried that we've not heard any sound from the Church for over two weeks. Prior to securing this accommodation, my partner gave me a video tour of the house and I noticed the Church, then expressed my fears of noise disturbance from the Church during services. Interestingly, the Church don disappoint us as we never a sound from there. That tells you that noise pollution in whatever form is not encouraged.

5. I noticed that a lot of the things we are religious about in Africa are considered social good here. Acts of help and public service are almost normal to them, while in Africa these things are repeatedly preached with little or no application or impact in people's minds and actions. Honestly, religion without character is vanity.

As for us, we've not attended a physical church here but we've been joining our Nigerian church, virtually.

For many of the irreligious people, they simply chill at home, bar or fun spots on Sundays when they're not working.

As I always say, there are no perfect systems/countries, but there are better systems/countries. This piece isn't for comparison but a narration of my experience and observation.

PEACE!

Just realised people need license to ride e-scooters in this UK ooo.

Abi am I getting it all wrong?

Greetings house,

Please, what's security and night transportation like in the UK, specifically, Bournemouth?

Just got a 20K offer for a 2pm - 11pm Monday to Friday role ooo. Uncapped commission on sales.

Your insights will be appreciated.

Bro, bro, bro everywhere...

Anyway, UK visa no dey do interview.

Just submit your documents and go do biometrics capturing: face and fingerprint. E don finish.

Dem go give you update on the status of your application.

orlabot:

Thanks bro
Pls, can you share with me the kinds of questions u were asked during ur interview session

Hi,

This interface looks different from the one I used.

First, ensure you're filling out the right application. I'll advise you to fill and upload on a laptop for better display and tracking.

That said, each of the categories is self-explanatory. If you have a document that is not specifically categorised, you can add such on the 'others' category.

Calm down bro/sis. There are no wrong or right answers...People too dey dey conscious when it comes to visa and travelling in Naija . Just ensure the documents are genuine.

Best!

orlabot:
Good evening. Pls I need help on how to upload my supporting documents on Tls cite for my biometrics. Pls which document should I place under these categories below

Thanks.

Tried this a few hours back but it didn't work.

I tried Monzo and Revolut but the cards were declined.

Might try the Paypoint or traditional bank option.

omopapa:
Go Post office with your debit card, they will take the cash from you and deposit directly into your acct. Check revolut’s maximum daily deposit

THE RETURN - NIGERIA VS UK

You recall I told you we went to a Charity shop to get some things.

Well, one of the things we got then was a good-looking, two-seater grey sofa. It wasn't on our shopping list but we just loved it as soon as we sighted it in the shop. We didn't hesitate to pay for it.

A few days later, the shop delivered it alongside the things we purchased...There it was, our nice, soft and comfy sofa.

Two days after the delivery, I sat on the sofa on a very cool evening and I guess what happened?

Omo, I just heard pe-pe-pe , with the back right side unbalanced.

Ha! Chair leg on scatter for back oooo. "Money don go," my Nigerian spirit screamed.

As na only me dey house, I managed to pull the sofa forward and assess the damaged area. Then, I realised that the screws on that backward leg are slack. I took pictures of the damage and I returned the sofa and rested it on the wall.

The next morning, I and my partner called the Charity shop to inform them about the Sofa's misfortune. They apologised for the experience and asked if it was one or two persons that were sitting on the sofa when the dislocation happened. We said just one person.

Well, they offered to come pick it up a few days later. They actually didn't talk about a refund, replacement or repair. I signalled my partner to ask about it and guess what? They said they can't repair it nor sell repaired stuff. We were told to come in for a refund or replacement. Now we were relieved.

At this point, something struck me about the RECALL and other options, for a fairly-used sofa!

We tried to draw a parallel between this post-purchase experience and what we experienced in Nigeria.

Sometime in April, we bought a brand new Hisense Freezer from a major Hisense dealer in Lagos.

A few days after buying it, we realised that the freezer wasn't working optimally; it takes a long time to freeze and defrosts within a short time.

We complained to the dealer who only sent Hisense' customer care details- Fouani Nigeria. We called those ones and they said they don't do after service pick up for freezers less than 300L and we should find our way to Apapa with the freezer. For a brand new freezer with a warranty? I was disgusted by that yeye talk. Same thing happened to us during the pandemic on a freezer we ordered from Konga. From sub-standard products to messy customer service experience. Everything just tire me about Nigeria.

Anyway, the reality dawned on me that people, values and systems are the hallmarks of functioning societies. We got a warm and assuring response for a fairly used product because the system works while the one with a warranty on the brand new product has nothing to write home about.

As I'll always say, there are no perfect systems/countries, but there are better countries/systems.

This is my first return experience in the UK

Thanks for the insight.

gistbite:

I will advise you to open a traditional bank and deposit the money. You can then transfer it to your Revolut account.

omopapa:
Go Post office with your debit card, they will take the cash from you and deposit directly into your acct. Check revolut’s maximum daily deposit

Solumtoya:


You can't. You can open Monzo and deposit £1,000. Better still, give it to someone you trust with a traditional Bank account to deposit and transfer to you.

Lexusgs430:



Head to any shop with Pay Point, give them cash. It reflects in your account immediately........

Usually limited to about £250 per day ........

Please house, how and where can I deposit cash into my Revolut account?

I brought the cash from Naija.

Thanks

Hello guys,

It's been a minute off the thread.

I've been swamped with applying for jobs, but more importantly, Nairaland bot bans have been demoralising. The PART 6 of my narration was deleted by the bot.

Moving forward, I'll be sharing my experiences in bits and pieces.

Absolutely.

Derailing threads and conversations is a common thing here.

justwise:


That will be a good idea only that it will not work, it will be turned to general student visa thread instantly. people here are not capable of sticking to the purpose of a thread.

This isn't the most appropriate thread for such enquiry.

Search for the UK student group.

At best, Google will be your starting point.

Anthony6098:
hello house ,i havbe bsc in transport and logistics management .pls can someone put me through on how to apply for my msc program in the uk

Some were shot on Redmi Note 10 Pro, others on iPhone.

LogicBomb8:

Nice camera
Which phone did you use in getting those clear shots?

That shouldn't be a problem.

Just have the receipt with you.

orlabot:
Good afternoon.
Pls, can I use my wife bank account to book for my TB test because I'm having issue with my account.

Happy Monday, People of the UK

Biko, which of these platforms is more suitable for LISA - Moneybox or Beehive?

I gathered they're about the best two, however, I presume one would have an edge against the other.

Thanks for your insight.

SIDE PIECE

I've been unable to post for days.

Nairaland bot dey block me.

Hello Mods,

I've been banned intermittently on this thread since Thursday 12 May 2022, without any major issue.

The bot-initiated ban doesn't permit my posting on this thread or any other.

Please help resolve this.

Cc justwise lalastica

Thank you for the insight.

This is so helpful.

semmyk:
Just to highlight that for places like the UK, a bit of specifics goes a long way. Yet, not too specific. #BalancingAct
Something like ... strong IT and Computer skills ... might come off in varying ways.
... Office productivity computer skills and IT troubleshooting skills
... Technical support skills and 'Office' type skills
... Strong in PC skills and use of computer applications
... ...
However, I do understand that you might be trying to convey a message that you are adept in technical side of IT (installing, configuring, troubleshooting of Windows 10/11, Azure/AWS/Goggle cloud, Exchange, LAN networking Cisco/Huawei/Juniper routers & switches ...) and use of computer (Office2021/365, desktop publishing MS Publishing/Adobe InDesign/Inkscape ...)

NB: I take note that you've reached out to Aphrodite007 where you're specific on Scrum. That's more like it. All the best.