| Just a thought.
Well, maybe a little more than a mere thought. I'd like to share with you random and weird ideas about life.
Some people may consider me a little strange. But I learn something new everyday.
I spend all day, every day online. I research everything. I barely stop to eat and drink and get little in the way of sleep. I have become addicted to the internet which now completely dominates my life and I am powerless to stop it.
And now for the first time, you can benefit from my research!
Are you getting your knickers in a twist!?
There's no shortage of online shops to buy underwear, lingerie and women's knickers. I'd be far too embarrassed to go to a real shop with real people, euurgh! So instead I would use the internet, but which site? There's so many, and a lot of stuff is hugely marked up (just a though of "rip off Britain" crossing my mind!). No idea where to look, so might kick off with somewhere like www.myknickerdrawer.com Looking for a date? Join the club!
Finding a date in London is a remarkably painful experience! Seriously, it's no joke! London, for whatever reason, is such an alienated place where people just ignore you because they automatically assume you're a schizo. But online dating is no better. I've tried a few sites with no results. If you'd like to have a go there are trillions of online dating sites. Have a look at www.datezine.co.uk for a few pointers. Don't get ripped off when buying new glasses!
Buying new glassses? I recently had an eye test, was told I needed new glasses, but then they tried to sell me two pairs amounting to £420. Hmmm, "rip off Britain" I started to think.
Well, being the internet addict that I am I decided to do some research online! I've discovered that you can get the same (or not noticably different) glasses for around £30 per pair. There are a number of online suppliers, and they are easy to find. Just stick something like "discount glasses" in your Yahoo, MSN or Google search and you'll have plenty of choice.
I've found out that there are two main types of lenses, CR39 and polycarbonate. The CR39 are slightly cheaper, scratch easily but are better optically (reflect less light, so don't need anti reflection coating). They are naturally opaque to UVB but not UVB so you'll need UV protection, UV400 being the correct coating.
Polycarbonate, also plastic (as opposed to glass) are better for UV protection (naturally blocking at least 95% of all harmful UV), last longer as they don't scratch as easily, but they are not as good optically. They are also generally slightly heavier even though they are a bit thinner than CR39s to achieve the same refractive index.
If you are supplied with CR39 lenses, get a UV coating and a hard coating (anti scratch). For ploycarbonate lenses get anti-reflection coating. Also, if your prescription for sphere is greater than +/- 5.0 go for a higher index (ie. thinner lenses). Get 1.6 minimum, otherwise they'll be too thick (unless you get very small rims of no more than about 46mm diameter).
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| Tax needn't be taxing ... but it is!
Are you a contractor concerned about IR35? HMRC try and screw everyone for every single penny of tax they can get hold of. I've done a lot of research on this (sad life, I know!). I've discovered that they are taking more people to Commissioner level hearings from 2008/09.
This is a reflection of the new question on the P35 relating to service companies and also to the even scarier and much more broadly encompassing question on the self assessment tax return from the tax year just ended, 5th April 2008 (ie. 2007/08). You are obliged to show a total figure of dividends and salary even though you may have shown it elsewhere on your return.
It follows on from the managed service company legislation introduced last year, but the question is desgned to catch everyone, not just MSCs or personal service companies, but all limited company contractor arrangements.
Get some help. Try an online directory to find an accountant, go to one of the CCAB bodies for a list of names, or check out some websites, eg. www.bsasl.co.uk
It pays to do some homework!
I'll
be jotting down the results of any useful research I do as i go along.
They are really just my own thoughts and may have no relevance to you
and your life, but then again keep checking back ... one day something
might!
Online dating and personal ads at www.datezine.co.uk |
