DAramis:

I understand. I am still searching for one open to people irrespective of where the person resides. The one I saw specifically requested for UK resident.

A pointer from you would not be bad. I will still do my own due diligence.

My suggestion will be to go for one that has international branches - as that would mean they cater to a wide range of investors.

Obviously we've had Janus a long time but they're also international.

We chose Hargreaves Lansdown in London for our 2nd one - the kids accounts were opened in New Zealand but we pay into it in pounds and are not resident in the UK for tax purposes but we are British citizens so I'm not sure if that was a consideration.

Hope that helps.

Advision:


Not sure why you cancel...but yes you can withdraw cash using your amec card....I think you get charged 3% charge though

@MrMash That is a huge no no with a credit card. You'll also get charged interest everyday and the interest on withdrawals is hefty in addition to the % charge on the amount withdrawn. It is always much more than the interest on using the card for purchases. It's a very fast way to get into spiralling debt.

If you want to withdraw money from a credit card, get a specific money transfer card which is purposely designed for accessing cash from credit cards.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/eligibility/credit-cards/search/?goal=CC_MONEYTRANSFER

IamE:
Ticha
kindly organize zoom lecture
There is so much we need to learn from you

Ha! I am still learning too o. Everyday is a school day

DAramis:

Hello, I was going through the UK thread and came across your writeup on retirement. This shares stuff is actually what caught my attention.

"Global Vanguard All Shares account."
Could you help out on the current name and possibly the mobile app (what it looks like) for someone interested in investing?

Google is not giving me much heads up apart from Janus Henderson.

Different investment companies use different names for the generalist accounts that are stocks and shares in the FTSE index so you just have to find one that you are comfortable investing in.

Solumtoya:


Hi hi, please do you still have this spreadsheet? It will be a good resource as I'm trying to move closer to my office in London

Send me a message and I'll send you the spreadsheet - you'll need to update the costs as the ticket and rental prices are from 2013! But all the stations within a hour travel time into the main London stations are listed there

jesmond3945:
i will borrow your idea of having sleepover with other kids. Why i raised up this issue is because of what is obtainable in naija were parents relate to each other during school run. This enables children to form friendships with a lot of people which help them mentally and otherwise.

School run is drop and run. You'll only have time to chat if parents don't have work to go to. Ask the class teacher if they have a class WhatsApp or email group - you'll get to meet other parents that way. Also ask the children who their friends are and invite them for a playdate. If they gel, you can make it regular and they will then have a group of friends. You have to facilitate it though and be ready to hear any number of excuses from the parents as well.

jesmond3945:
Greetings fam. How do you manage your children not having playmates after school. This is because here parents tend to shield their kids from playing with other kids who are not from their race. Talking about other black kids, they might not be always available to play with your kids. I believe that kids needs to play and bond with other kids of their age for them to grow up normally.

\

They play with other kids at school don't they? That is them bonding with children their age for at least 6 hours everyday for 39 weeks every year. Infact if you extrapolate it, schooling (and in other western countries) here is age based for a reason. That is a community of children for them to tap into. They most certainly do not need to go off and play elsewhere after school to grow as normal children.

My closest friends usually also have at least one black parent as well and that is very deliberate on my part. Our kids are not even at the same school. We have play dates and sleep overs. We take turns having the children during the school holidays so each family has all the kids one week and vice versa. We go off and do activities together. Hikes, holidays etc. Because we also house swap, we have an international community of 'friends and their children' as well. Some we never see again, some we have kept in touch with over the years and have had repeated visits and an established relationship. We are lucky enough to afford regular international travel which means if you plonk my 8 year old anywhere, he will instantly make himself at home.

The biggest downside of that is that their friendship group changes constantly as we often move and travel. Our over all plan is to be settled in one place preferably the UK for their secondary education whilst fostering all existing relationships around the world with travel. The key thing is that we have to be willing to foster those relationships till they can manage it themselves.

I know this comes from a huge place of privilege. However, it's essentially what we have always planned and envisaged so worked towards achieving it and making it possible.

Viruses:

If this website is credible, you shouldn't be considering "Help to Buy Scheme"

Help to buy as a whole closes in Oct 2022. It's altogether possible that it has closed in some areas. The help to buy ISA is closed. The help to buy equity loan scheme is still open till Oct.

https://www.gov.uk/help-to-buy-equity-loan

Pearlyfaze:



Thank you for your advice.

Will I still pay the 25% value of my property even after returning their money.

The amount you will pay back is the money you were loaned plus 20% of the value as at the time you're repaying. Whichever way, unless house values fall, you will lose that 20%.

https://www.gov.uk/help-to-buy-equity-loan

Pearlyfaze:


Thank you our Ticha.

Yes we do not need ILR for option one.
With our planning and projection, we will be able to pay down or pay at least 80% of the Government loan before the five years expires.

Secondly we have a Lisa account that will be one year by February 2023, we intend to draw from the Lisa to add to our deposit?. -

The plan was to use only my sugars name to buy the first house and later use my name for our second which obviously will be a buy to let but the challenge is I cannot use LISA for a buy to let according to what is written on their site. So thinking of Buying the first together pulling our Lisa together.

Thank you for your advice.

1 - Yes you can add the LISA to the deposit.

2. The biggest issue with this is that the bank will only take your earnings into consideration which will of course reduce your purchasing power. Secondly If you have a joint account and any money is coming from there or sugar's account for the deposit, your sugar will have to either declare (signed and noted by solicitor) that the money is a gift to you and that they have no stake at all in the house. Thirdly buying in separate names does not reset the first home buyer advantages unless you're not financially linked in any way. It will have to be a completely arms length transaction.

My advice - buy the first one jointly as a family home and you can play shenanigans with any subsequent purchase.

ukay2:


Madam Ticha, oga Lexusgs430 etc

What's your advice on LISA first time house buyer...can l sell the house or rent the house if l am moving to another city without losing the government 25% contributions with the LISA funds used for deposit for Mortgage. If am going to lose the 25% government contribution to the LISA, then I am thinking of getting my 30% deposit myself and pay for Mortgage so that I can still sell the house or rent the house if am moving out of the city. Then continue to contribute to the LISA account until at retirement.

Your opinions please

If you're selling to replace the family home then that's fine as you're still buying another home to live in. Otherwise, I have no idea what happens if you don't replace the sold home - a conveyancing solicitor will be able to advise.

Ameryx:
Thank you to everyone who took time to respond to my post, justwise, ticha, viruses, Goke7, Amarathripple0 et al. I can't respond individually so as not to spam the thread but I am grateful for the words of encouragement.

What is your background? Academic and workswise?

Pearlyfaze:
Good evening ancestors.
Thank you for all the advice and survival tips you always drop here for us.

Please na property advice I want this time.

Please I need to know which is better between the following
1. "Help to Buy Scheme."
2. Shared ownership.
3. Saving up my 10-20% Deposit.

I understand that for a Help to buy, one do not pay interest for a certain number of years.

Is it OK to pay the Government HELP off within the non Interest paying year, if one is able to do so?.

Secondly, Is the help to buy scheme classified as Public FUND as we are not entitled to public fund.

Thank you dear worthy ancestors.

Confirm that you don't need ILR for no 1. Definitely flee from no 2.
If you don't need ILR for no 1, and you are disciplined with money then go with that but you will not be able to buy another property ie one to rent out until you've paid off the government loan. So it also depends on your long term plans

Ameryx:


To my main aim of writing, I think I am depressed. I could not find a job in my first 3 months here. I did it for 2 months and I had to quit.

Hang in there. It will get better. You have determination, grit and skills. That's the toolkit you need.
My first UK job - my manager was a 19 year old. He was the crassest idiot I ever came across. It was depressing and many times I often wondered why I moved over. There were times I would cry all the way to work and all the way back home. It was depressing and I can easily see how depression is a huge issue in most developed countries. There were many weeks I would eat once every 2 days if I wanted to ensure my rent was paid and I had money for petrol. However once I realised going back to 9ja wasn't even an option, I basically had to sit up and shape up which meant remaining in that job.
I worked care at night and at WH (William Hill) during the day and gradually moved to supported living then segued into teaching.

Was it easy? No.
Is it doable? Yes

Hang in there please. Do not give up!

Holajaid:



Lagos.

That visa has been issued to someone who is currently resident in Australia but has no Australian citizenship. Do you have an Aussie residence visa?

Holajaid:
Hello guys

NZeta approved. Verified.

Pls if u are in New Zealand, I need some little advice , I don't won't to make some first timer mistake. Thanks guys.
I've read alot of comments u guys are really great and I have learn alot as well.

Femijck
Solin
Ticha
And the rest.
U have creat a research centre here.
God bless u all

Where is your current location?

Tawak:



What about this relief? https://www.gov.uk/stamp-duty-land-tax

The stamp duty relief ended in 2021. Standard rates of stamp duty have been re-instated so you'll pay stamp duty on a purchase price above 125k as long as you declare that you do not own any other property anywhere else in the world

Benyz:
Please, how easy is it to get PR after studies in NZ . I read on the internet that one needs 160 points to get ITA from the government which I find very hard to attain after checking out the point based system. I plan to apply to university of Wakaito for a PhD in geology. Any information around this would be appreciated.

It depends on the sector you end up in.

It's a good idea to familiariaze yourself with the INZ new rules around PR and visas after studies. The link below is a good place to start. That list grants the quickest PRs (obviously it's an election year in 2023, who knows what will change?!)

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa/tools-and-information/work-and-employment/green-list-occupations

Lalaity:
Hello Everyone. Thank you for all the useful tips.
My cousin has a Job offer with the NHS in Sunderland and Devon. Please which location is ideal for a black family.

(I am making this post on her behalf)

Devon is historically very expensive. It's also a very large county. Where in Devon? It stretches from Plymouth to Exeter to Ilfracombe

mumzt:
Celebrate with me people. I just passed my driving test! Passed at first attempt!

Congratulations!

IamE:
Thanks for the tip.

But the context Paki. Is just as it is to me saying "9ja" or "whitee" or "brits"
No racial whatever in mind. Just slangs.

It's not. It's a defined racial slur and would land you in hot soup if used anywhere else.

LagosismyHome:


I can just imagine your kids in my head.... they will be groomed to excel because when you follow a topic you follow it up and down and thoroughly

Welldone. I don't know how you create the time and effort. ... I am always well impressed and that our previous offline topic, I haven't had the time to do anything yet. Smh for me. Hopefully this year

My sis, we can't come and be making the same mistakes our forbears made na

I'm in the UK from the end of June for about 6 weeks. If you want, we can sit and spend some time and get you going on the other front. Baby steps will get you going!

Mamatukwas:


I understand but shouldn’t this (SPAG) be taught as part of the standard English curriculum in school? Why are parents having to pay extra for English lessons?? It’s like the standard in schools is a bit lower than I thought it would be. Cause this ideally should be fundamental things.

The whole discourse has surprised me Wallahi.

It used to be taught. Then we stopped teaching it and marking on it because it was disproportionately disadvantaging children. Employers followed by universities started complaining about how learners were starting tertiary quals and work with basic academic writing skills. So it's been tweaked slightly. For higher grades, SPAG is considered. For grades at C and below, it's not quite a consideration. Basically rule of thumb is, if I can just about make sense of what the learner is trying to say then an E or D grade probably a C if the most cogent points are there is ok.
Grades at B, B+, A, A+ then SPAG will most definitely be considered. Therefore, it's touched upon but not taught unless that school streams students then it will be taught to those streamed to a high ability class.

Due to large classes, almost every teacher teaches to the middle ie the C graders. Therefore, parents have to step in to support the mid and low level learners to move up.

Certainly in terms of high standards, a well run, high functioning school in Nigeria definitely produces better quality students. It's why Nigerian and Indian students do well in the UK and most developed countries (maybe apart from the US) because educational attainment is not the over all aim of school for them nor is it touted that way. To get that level of instruction and consequently achievement, you'd have to go private or pay tutors. Even the grammar schools and academies (where possible) cater to students who are almost naturally high achieving ie they won't make a borderline student good without our external input.

erico2k2:

you recon bro, check this loans has fixed repayment CC dont, they charge you on interest of the balance unless you clear your balance. However on my previous post I did state that o ne should stay away from CC until such time they are financially matured. Its an advice though as we all fell into this false sense of enrichment when we started, myself inclusive.
Don't you agree that a store card will do o ne much good than a CC?

I have not paid interest on a credit card for more than 10 years and use CCs all the time. In fact, our summer trip has been paid for using a money transfer CC card which is interest free for 24 months. Of course I've paid the associated fee but that was about £140 only. I'd always take a CC over a loan as long as I need under £10k.

You are right though - CC is not free money and it is necessary to be very prudent in how one uses it. CC also gives purchase protections that loans do not give. There is a place for both.

For clarity - if you have to take credit where you pay interest then go for a loan as interest rates are almost always much lower for loans. However it is easier, way, way easier to get a CC than a loan.

Mamatukwas:


Sis. I’ve been thinking about this. Why are you paying for extra lessons in English? Maths I get but not really English. Especially as it’s their first language here and most kids speak it really well.

Am I missing something?

Writing and evaluating in English is a different beast. For a long time we did not mark SPAG (Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar). Now we have started grading SPAG at GSCE and A level in all subjects. We still don't take away marks for SPAG (that was how we used to mark) but will not mark down. It sometimes is the difference between a C and a D.

domin8:
Evening UK Parents, what are your thoughts on Kumon? I am not sure I have seen it mentioned anywhere. Thanks.

Kumon is good but instead of paying out for someone to hothouse your child, do it yourself by using Khan academy. It's the same learning principles and you are in control plus it's totally free and enables your child learn how to complete tasks without direct supervision all the time

Specialtee:
Hello everyone,


However, I notice that there is a particular teacher in his class who makes all these reports and when I probed deeper, I discovered that she is not really extending the same grace to my child as she would to other children. Yesterday, she blamed him for doing something he did not do, even when he clearly explained how it was not his fault. She kept telling him to admit he lied and he said he simply told her, I'm sorry if you think I lied. My son said she is more patient and kinder with other children and lets a lot of things slide, but with him, she is so hard.

How do you deal? My son is 10 by the way. I will appreciate as many comments based on your own personal schooling experience with your kids.

1. Ask your son to start keeping a diary - it will not only help with emotional self regulation but will enable him see patterns and help you build a picture and collate evidence should you ever need it.
2. If and when she tells him off, he should request an advocate, including his peers if necessary.
3. If he can, he should call her out on her picking on him. Very politely ie I have said I didn't do it. Why are you insisting I did?

Most people in the UK are more afraid of being labelled racist than being racist. So one of the fastest ways to nip it in the bud is put a name on it and watch them back track so fast. It will also alert others to the fact that you won't take this lying down.

So even though Sept is not far away, secondary school is a lot more vicious than primary school. Do not go speak to the teacher yet. Write out a letter, laying out your concerns - factually. Remove every emotion. Talk about how it is affecting the emotional and mental health of your child and by extension you the parent and the rest of the family. Be succinct. Add examples.
Then state that you know it's possible children may misconstrue actions and words but you want it brought to their knowledge that this is how your son is interpreting her actions. Therefore you are bringing your concerns to them. It is not acceptable for a teacher to covertly and overtly pick on any child and you would be doubly disappointed to find out it is race based. End it by saying you are totally open to conversations and strategies to support your child and the school so they should contact you at their earliest convenience.

I would sit and draft the letter with my child then edit and read through the final together. Email it to the head teacher and keep a copy for yourself should you need it down the track.

I wish I could say it gets easier when it comes to racism. It doesn't. We just develop better coping mechanisms and we need to ensure our children have those mechanisms to cope and push back. Hugs!

otabuko:

Education.
I applied for the Wellington doctoral and scholarship. But they decided to give me an unfunded admission... What do you think bro!

It can be quite difficult to get a funded offer. Some of the colleges offer scholarships but the universities mostly do not unless for e=very good reasons. There are few universities and many applicants.

I work in education as well. Shout out when you get here. There are a good number (less than 100 I think) of Nigerians in Wellington

Lexusgs430:



Grants immense privileges, then after the death of her husband....... Kick her out without any remorse or consideration......

And excludes the female gender, from inheriting her father.........

Or have I just imagined this ...........

Shave her head, make her wear black for 12 months and stay isolated, sometimes forced to drink the bath water from the corpse... and not only in the East...

Kom, kom, kom! Banging the drum for New Zealand again o! A new, direct PR pathway has been created. Only 2 years to PR and it doesn't expire!

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/documents/media/the-green-list-simplified-applications-and-residence-pathways.pdf

Viruses:

Why would you bother yourself with the thought of legal protection before marriage?
You dey budget for bad thing for your salary?

Why not? It is very prudent to do so! It doesn't mean you don't believe in the sanctity of marriage.

@Lexusgs430 yes - the oyinbos always had dowries in the long forgotten past.

To be fair in almost all cultures then, women were chattels and all marriages transactional in one way or another

Breazybeatz:


Great. Thank you sir/ma

One more thing, what if one gets a job while job hunting?
Can one work on the visiting visa from there?

It's rare (not impossible as who knows) for a Nigerian to get a work visa here without at least a degree of some sort and some work experience. You can job hunt on a visit visa but must switch to an appropriate work visa before you start work