Barney Rubble

[Barney Rubble @WRam84]

This is a loquacious way of saying that Arsenal are an incredibly dull side to watch.

[Henry Winter @henrywinter]

So close, Arsenal were so close, it’s so cruel, they’ve waited so long, this their 24th attempt to win the European Cup/Champions League, their 240th game in the competition, so many years of hurt going back to 71-72. So near and yet so far, so much heartache now, devastated players and supporters. Down and out for London against Paris.

Arsenal can take pride from Budapest if no trophy. They gave everything. They lived with PS-G, the European champions for two hours. They defended well, ran themselves into the ground in their 63rd game of the season. But that shootout. So cruel. Poor Eze, such an entertainer, so committed to the team and the club, one of the most likeable people in the game. Dragged his kick wide. Eze is a regular taker, took them for Palace and QPR.

Sapping conditions and extra time meant changes meant some of the first penalty picks, Havertz (22 out of 23 converted) Saka, Odegaard, were subbed off. And did David Raya commit early? Worked v Nuno Mendes tbf.

And particularly cruel that it should be poor Gabriel at the death, the sudden death, skying his pen. Gabriel’s been outstanding this season, taking responsibility when Arsenal needed him most in games, superb across two hours against PS-G. He took responsibility when his team needed him most in the shootout, stepping up for the fifth pen.

Pressure on, at the PS-G end, 4-3 down, he had to score but missed. Kudos to Marquinhos for consoling his compatriot. PS-G are great champions, back-to-back, a joy to watch but needing to battle here, in a scrappy final against Arsenal. They dominated possession and, just about, deserved the win. Never a penalty Mendes on Madueke. Vitinha immense. Again.

Those who mock Arsenal will say how fitting that Arsenal’s season decided by dead-balls. Arsenal will use this as further fuel for their fire. They will have to go again. Mikel Arteta’s side have built for this. Quarter-final in 24, semi-final in 25, final in 26. Go again for 27. Make Declan Rice captain, strengthen the squad, and go again. #AFC #PSGARS #UCLfinal

[Barney Rubble @WRam84]

10% of the time it works every time etc.

Eg unsecured pension withdrawals 07-10 obliterated those who thought high income from divis/interest was a sure thing.

£250k drops to £125k intra year, divis dry up and you still need £20k.

Now you're bust in 5 years.

[🇬🇧 Quiet Wealth | UK Investor @QuietWealth_UK]

Most people think financial independence requires £1M+, It doesn't.

£250k in a dividend portfolio yielding 8% annually
generates £20,000/year, tax free inside an ISA.

That's £1,667/month, enough to cover the basics for most people to live off month to month.

You're not trying to replace a £100k salary.
You're trying to cover your floor.

Rent, food, bills, all covered.
Everything else you earn on top becomes a choice, not a necessity. The psychological freedom of this cannot be understated.

£250k is a real target. Not £1M.

I'm at £60k. The goalpost just got a lot closer. 🇬🇧

[Barney Rubble @WRam84]

Can't be bought by anybody but was doing cameos for a few quid a pop.

Sure, sure.

[Harry Cole @MrHarryCole]

EXC: “He who pays the piper picks the tune?”

“Hang on a second. Hang on a second. I can't be bought by anybody.”

Nigel Farage responds to £5m donor investigation insisting “I'm not and never have been” a crook

Now claims it was “reward for campaigning for Brexit for 27 years”

[Barney Rubble @WRam84]

The only real surprise is the time taken for Labour to start infighting.

Nothing Streeting writes is new; Starmer was elected on account of not being the other parties and has never had direction or vision.

He may yet survive which would be a pyrrhic victory for the ages.

[Barney Rubble @WRam84]

Two men were stabbed after an initial attack.

So you really mean three.

Absolutely rotten by you and the media on this one.

[Metropolitan Police @metpoliceuk]

A man will appear in court today charged following a Counter Terrorism Policing investigation into two men stabbed in #GoldersGreen: https://t.co/BgK04EQmyX

[Barney Rubble @WRam84]

@Frances_Coppola Nobody battles anyone at parkrun. This whole shtick is mad.

I've met some great people on Saturday mornings and when i want to run competitively I enter race series.

Leave it alone, it works and brings so many people out for important health/social activity.

[Barney Rubble @WRam84]

This is a mainstream equivalent of when your investment manager is asked why they've moved to quality from value and still delivered shit performance.

[Gadget @Gadget440]

During his interview with Piers Morgan, Russell Brand got increasingly defensive and didn't want to answer any questions.

Here are the final moments when he melted down:

[Barney Rubble @WRam84]

@JohnRalfe1 Yup. This won't improve outcomes for savers necessarily. It'll help some ailing providers though.

[Barney Rubble @WRam84]

'I won't bore you with the details'

Though, again, much of this is likely to be in work benefits so all they'll do is tip people into poverty.

Smaller workforce necessitates higher taxes.

Policy of loons.

[BBC Politics @BBCPolitics]

Reform UK pledges to cut welfare to keep pensions triple lock https://t.co/wCdZIwZMp4

[Barney Rubble @WRam84]

A dim party making a dumb move.

No real surprise but once again, troubling for those of us who run businesses here.

For the first time in a long time I'm wondering what the point in staying in the UK is.

The direction remains high tax low productivity.

[Reform UK @reformparty_uk]

Reform UK will stand up for those who have paid in by keeping the triple lock for state pensioners. ✅

[Barney Rubble @WRam84]

@JohnRalfe1 @ArchbishopSarah Is praying it works a viable risk strategy? Or the collection plate - has that been factored in?

[Barney Rubble @WRam84]

Ever so predictable.

They welcome views, except from people who know what they're talking about.

[Barney Rubble @WRam84]

@financefraz Affiliate links absolutely are an issue where the disclosure is absent which it all too often is.

Nice use of chatgpt otherwise. Your view is worth every penny.

[Barney Rubble @WRam84]

Presumably it's SIPPs that pay donut finfluencers a commission that have just landed.

Free money indeed.

Whether or not targeted support solves this information gap i know not but the current landscape is woeful.

[Barney Rubble @WRam84]

@financefraz Maybe not but lots of affiliate links out there.

Pension planning is simple but not easy.

End to end and earnings trajectory needs thought. Eg 20% relief now or ISA first then pension later at 40%+ relief if earnings grow?

Tax relief ≠ free money...more deferral.

[Will @wsebag]

If Matt Goodwin wrote The Very Hungry Caterpillar 🐛

[Barney Rubble @WRam84]

I don't understand this guy or what the point of Reform is (immigration aside).

He nor they as a party seem to be sharp on financial matters and when it comes to UK plc such ignorance is troubling to say the least.

[Richard Tice MP 🇬🇧 @TiceRichard]

I am sending this letter about Labour Party Properties Ltd tax avoidance to the CEO of HMRC

[Barney Rubble @WRam84]

Quite the pivot.

[Ros Altmann @rosaltmann]

Pension funds could do so much more to boost Britain - this Mansion House Compact is just the very start. Read my blog: https://t.co/32fGWqwZzE

[Nick Harris @sportingintel]

"HERE WE GO!": the lowdown on "football journalist" Fabrizio Romano

https://t.co/CFBWUTmWcq

[Barney Rubble @WRam84]

What a load of twaddle.

[Cashflow King @cashflow_king94]

The average UK pension pot is £32,700.
Let that sink in.

A comfortable retirement needs £43,900 a year. The full state pension pays £11,973.

That means you need your own pot to cover the £31,927 gap. Every single year.
£32,700 won't even last one year.

43% of working-age Brits are under-saving for retirement. Nearly half the country.
And here's the thing that should scare you.

£25 a week invested at 10% for 30 years = £244,886.
That's less than a daily coffee.
And it would give you 7.5x more than the average UK pension pot.

Most people will work for 40+ years and retire with almost nothing.
Not because they didn't earn enough. Because nobody told them to start.

The system doesn't teach this in school.
Your employer won't explain it.
The government definitely won't.

If you're reading this, you already know more than most.
Start. Even if it's £25 a week. Even if it's £10.
Your future self will thank you.

Are you on track for retirement? Or are you part of the 43%?