coldzobo:
Good evening sir @jedisco

Its been a while since i saw your input on this thread. I trust you're good.

Pls what do you think about betc hash ribbons printing capitulation?

Following it and betc dominance chart closely along with a few others. Been hardly as active in the market this time.

Hash ribbons have been a good predictor historically. I've got stung in the past buying after 'capitulation' but before a buy signal printed. Also sometimes when I waited for a buy despite good opportunity being evident, the market had already gone up quite a bit before it printed. Bitc0in has now spent 14 weeks between 60 and 70k, I'd expect things to move quickly to either side once it exits this range. It's cos its still in range I'm yet to buy. I'm still waiting for the buy signal but with some bids on the weekly support. If it starts breaking out of this range, I'd look to buy even if a buy signal has not printed.

For dominance chart, it's the reason I'm still not heavily in alts. Once it pushes up into the 60's, I'd start rotating my Bitc0in into alts- hopefully, eth would still be lagging by then.

The weekly chart- asides a minor fakeout in August last yr, Bitc0in has held this support since January 2023 (which marked the end of the last dip and start of this run). Bidding close to this support (now at 62k) has worked so far. Not about changing it except the market says otherwise and it starts closing below support.

Overall, this is my strategy. I'd be closing off further buys if things break out.

OladiTwo5:


It's either you commit suicide the following month or you will be admitted into a mental care home

Hehe... ba ur portion be that.
Ok.. I'd say £1500. The initial sum is well below minimum wage though

I was earning more than the equivalent of 500k naira today when I emigrated years back. I know what I'm saying.

Little details to work with e.g prospects of further earning e.t.c

All things being equal, would even take £1300 over 500k in 9ja

Gerrard59:


Just as I read an earlier post where a black British-bred dude mocked or derided a Nairalander or the video I watched on Twitter where a black dude, most likely born and bred in France, was yelling at a recent black African migrant to "go back to her country". The white French lass nearby looked amused and was somehow confused.

In a world where black people, especially black Africans, are not liked, it is important for would-be parents to train their children for the challenges ahead. As long as sub-Saharan Africa - home of black people - remains poor - racism is tied to wealth/poverty - black people will keep encountering racial slurs and discrimination. One can only hope for a prosperous sub-Saharan Africa.

It's sad sometimes. Many second gen folks have been exposed to decades of humiliation of black folks without experiencing or hearing our stories. Their psyche has been conditioned towards self-hate.
Also the timidity and impoverishment of many Africans back home and in the West doesn't help. It's like we're too quick to absorb insults. It's one reason I'm vehemently against anything that'd unfairly limit attainment or wealth of immigrants e.g selective taxation in the name of exhorbitant visa fees or different bottlenecks in the workplace.

One thing I've noticed is how quickly such narratives dissipate once challenged.
Even on this thread, I know a time when folks were deriding immigrants and reminding us to be careful because those who voted Brexit were not for looking for Europeans to be replaced by black and brown folks'. It was not until facts were straightened out that our being here is a direct result of the shortsightedness of Brexit voting folks and not out of want but need that the tripe stopped being repeated. I remember telling a someone a few weeks back that if just 0.5% of folks on longterm sick could do my job, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to be here in the first place. Chap started stammering.

Go back a few years on NL and I remember one chap from Peckham who's hobby was to insult Nigerians especially health workers and how they wouldn't survive a day in his UK. Not surprising, he has since gone quiet. I don dey find find the rascal since.

Lexusgs430:


Absolutely, putting money on indices over same period would make you more profit(but with stock market exposure, value can go up or down)....... The ultimate decision is your's........

Reduced mortgage term vs exposure to the stock market.......

If I was you, I would do a combination of both..... Maybe £200 each way ....... (If you only want to invest in indices).......

If you don't want the hassle, you could get a managed portfolio........

It's a tricky one but I agree with your approach.

It depends on ones tax rate, mortgage interest rate and a host of personal factors.
Personally, after considering both, I decided on a split. My variable rate taken at the peak of the current rate hike made the decision easier. Aim is to push LTV below 60% as below that rate, there's not much to be had on a further reduction in LTVs especially for BTLs which I might transition to.

Also on index funds, I'd rather go global than than the U.S only. I think there's alot of recency bias baked into narratives given the overperformance of the U.S over the last decade. History shows performance of the U.S and global markets tend to oscillate around each other. The future might see a relative slowdown in U.S equities. Also, a global index has abt 60% US exposure so I wouldn't miss out either way. Developed market index is a middle ground but I'd rather go global in the hope of a wild card e.g India going on to do very well. It also supports capital flow into developing markets.

Pennilessword1:
I regret being an African

Change your circumstance.

deept:


In Scotland where income taxes are higher, I know of people who are planning on moving down south because they will pay significantly higher taxes in scotland compared to England. With everything considered, they don't have to stay because work is remote. In the end Scotland lose all the tax revenue.

The relationship with higher taxes and what the govt eventually gets is a complex one.

Somethings are clear-
1. There is an elastic point above which a further increase in tax rates would not bring more income for the government. Some European nations like France found out the hard way.

2. Effective taxation is one of the very few basic measures to ensure redistribution of wealth in a society. Keyword: effective.

3. On a wider scale, most Europeans would choose the higher tax but better social safety and less inequality of Europe to the less tax, higher growth but less social nets of the U.S. On a personal note though, it's different. Reason why Nordic nations or Switzerland with higher tax rates are still sought after.

In GB, yes some folks may leave Scotland but if the Scottish govt is able to use the early rise in income from taxes effectively, (e.g higher education tuition fees e.t.c), many more would move in and they might turn our better overall.

I would agree that there are more effective ways of managing tax e.g reduced the steep effect around tax bands to encourage those around the bands to be more productive, reducing tax rates but making capital gains and PAYE equivalent. Taxing long-term wealth more effectively and a few others. But always remember that any tax change always comes with unforseen outcomes.

In summary, it's not as straightforward as it seems. Only time would tell.

Peerielass:


This could be the case in England where there are a lot of black people but in Scotland where population is predominantly whites, majority of parents from ethnic minority background send their kids to private schools which offer more diversity than council run schools. You wouldn’t want your child to be the only black in the entire school and to be picked on by bullies all the time because they are different.

I see... all legit. Infact Bullying and unruly kids are major issues with many state schools.

On a wider scale though, this is a very easy sell for labour. As inequality and 'poverty' rises, those being envious would only increase. It doesn't help that many of the state schools need lots of work.
Also, private schooling offers good advantages in this country. You only have to look at the increasing ratio of private schooled MPs. Its not like they're more intelligent but rather, their education gave them a pedestal. Just like with 'unfair' additional rate taxes, the larger society wants a cut of your money.

Cyberknight:


I don't think private schooling is "becoming" a status symbol. In its pure, historical form, it's always been that.

For me, I'm more concerned about people like myself, who have got a child who would perform better, get more attention, smaller class sizes, etc. outside mainstream state schooling and have to consider paying for that and the fact that tax in private education would probably put that out of reach/render it more expensive. The private schools people in my income bracket are looking at aren't the Etons, Harrows, Winchester Colleges et al, just simply non-state schools where the children get more focused attention.

Yeah, it's always been a status symbol but the kids enrolled are on the increase. There are a number of reasons for that but thats hardly the issue here. It's the optics on the 'haves- vs 'have-nots'. Your concerns I must add are all legit.

Without VAT, fees have been on a constant rise (manytimes above inflation). Including VAT might not translate to thesame fee rise for parents in the longterm. There are options to consider e.g you could look to move and target cheaper fee paying or better still grammar schools. The fact is that the overwhelming majority who are already paying fees would keep paying even with the change. It's for you to adapt.

No need stressing on things one cant change. Labour is likely going to win and just like Brexit and recent elections, this is one of their cardinal policies. It's a policy that would only affect a vanishingly small number of Nigerians.

oluwaleokey:
Biko... you guys are just pushing me around with these arguments... lets sentiments be put aside and critically analyze who's the best suitable candidate/party to vote considering flexible suitable immigration policies.

Can you just put heads together, to select a candidate that would likely favour immigrants... I wish to vote a "Peter Obi" kinda candidate... if not I would gladly opt to "to-mbom to-mbom" method to cast my vote.

oluwaleokey:
Biko... you guys are just pushing me around with these arguments... lets sentiments be put aside and critically analyze who's the best suitable candidate/party to vote considering flexible suitable immigration policies.

Can you just put heads together, to select a candidate that would likely favour immigrants... I wish to vote a "Peter Obi" kinda candidate... if not I would gladly opt to "to-mbom to-mbom" method to cast my vote.

Hehe. No major party would want to appear 'pro immigration'. In action, when faced with the tough decisions, they'd usually align. So far in England, it's mainly the libdems that seem to be saying something practicable.
I look at other things- these are the factors that would ultimately drive immigration. The Tories who won based on the anti-immigration stance of Brexit turned out to be the ones to let in a record number of folks. I remember telling a white guy in 2019 that I was not opposed to Brexit cos it would personally benefit me. Chap couldn't understand what I was saying then but today, its he does.

When Boris Johnson wanted to reinstate the post study visa- the reason he gave was simple- growing the economy. So no need worrying- as day follows night, the UK would always turn to immigration when crunched. It is for you to locate those pinch points and maximise them early. Same applies to many western nations who are faring better.

missjekyll:


This 1 case is not enough to truncate the experiences of thousands of trans people. He was clearly a predator. The trans thing was just incidental.

Yes, the country will certainly be better off with an extra 1.3 billion pounds . It's not nothing. Otherwise that 1.3 billion will be raised from you and I . I ve had enough of tax rises.

Hehe.
First, most immigrants are from conservative backgrounds and would be largely opposed to most things around LGBTQ. But then, there need to be some common sense decisions around certain things.

Secondly, I find it interesting that over the last few pages on the elections, the focus has been on vat for private schools. If just 7 % of kids are in private schools, the ratio of Nigerian immigrants whose kids would go to private schools would be very low. 1-2% at most. I.e, this would hardly affect us as a community. Personally, if I had kids here, I would look to send them to grammar or private schools. I factored this in when buying a property and had to buy in a town with a good number of well-rated fee paying schools. Even at that, I'm not opposed to the idea. Private schooling is increasingly becoming a status symbol and some vat on that is fair game. One might argue other areas e.g healthcare- the answer is simple. No tax is universally 'fair'. Every nation decides on what to tax and what not to.

My main concern is that the money raised would likely be wasted on some 'new shiny project' in state schools that would later be scrapped. Seen this happen too many times in the NHS. Finally, don't be surprised the number of children in private schools will keep rising despite this change. The psychology around items seen as luxury is very much different from essentials.

Raalsalghul:


Never would have imagined you were single from your write ups, experience and exposure.

Thanks for the nice words.. For me, life has been an interesting journey so far.

Gerrard59:


Proper upbringing and once in a while living in Nigeria are the best ways to go about preventing such. They need to see how and what the alternatives look like. On the other hand, they need to see/experience that there are other ways black people succeed rather than the few means in the UK. I believe it is important for black kids raised in societies with few black people to live and experience life in black-dominated societies and see that it is possible to thrive in any condition.



With a British passport, you are almost a global citizen. Nigeria should not be your only option and is not the only black-dominated country. There is South Africa, the Cayman Islands, Barbados, Ghana etc., depending on how your investments grow. If it gets too big, there is Hong Kong and Singapore.

Absolutely agree with the first. Let the child not grow up and start reffering to his compatriots as 'black and brown people'. Also, this is my worry with recent migrants. Due to a number of factors- mainly cost and home security, very few of folks have been able to take family home in 5 yrs. Even among a group of folks who are doing well, virtually no one I know has done that.

Being a Nigerian offers me certain investment advantages when investing in Nigeria. As na small small money wey person dey look to invest, the whole process of setting shop in a foreign country while staying in the west is cumbersome. Imagine if we had well developed financial markets where one could buy global index funds safely and cheaply.. That could be a backup option where one could drip feed funds into and profits would be subject to home tax rules which are much lower. Also, with 9ja, we have the advantage of knowing the country quite well and what opportunities exist. We just need the country back on the right track.

luckygirl02:


I honestly hope so but it won't be easy at first obviously. Plus I would take Canada PR anyday over UK's constant uncertain immigration rules.

True.. the constant back and forth in the UK is tiring.
Canada is a more prosperous economy with a growing Nigerian community and also just next door to the US. Opportunities would abound

luckygirl02:


I work as a support worker and I used the noc code 33102.

Great, but do you think it'd be more rewarding than a similar role in the UK?

stevolinkon40:

pNP mostly use range
For example Ontario draw on 6th Feb 2024
Health care draw, ITA were sent to people with 379-430, we had 441 and didn't get invited and I have someone with 428 whom was invited for the same PNP draw, we finally got ours later same February in the general healthcare draw where ITA was sent to people with 422 and above.
So if it's PnP and you are not within the selected range even if your point is higher and you are qualified (i.e it's an healthcare draw and your NOC is for healthcare), you won't be invited.

PNPs use a range just below the last Federal cutoff.
The idea I believe is so that those they invite would take it up. If you just got into the pool and your CRS is above the last draw, you're unlikely to accept a provisional nomination but rather wait for the federal one.

luckygirl02:
It's PPPRRRRR

...... The next day, February 14, IRCC did healthcare draw and boom our ITA.

Hang in there everyone. Yours on the way.

Congrats.. That was close

Do you mind me asking what healthcare field you're in?

guobe:
This na better strategy to promote the Nigerian league as Rangers hosts Enyimba in the Eastern Derby this weekend and it may be a title decider.
Nigerian Premier league is getting very exciting with 4 matches to the end of the season with about four clubs still having the chance to clinch the title.

Shameful! This reeks of inferiority complex.

What happened to hot black females of your kind little man?

Lexusgs430:


I keep silently subconsciously whispering same to myself........

Where would funds for other needs and pressures of life, appear from .......

This is probably one of the main reasons, divorce and separations is very high + combining all the above with a self centered, egoistic, stingy, non financially cooperative, significant other........🤣😂

Even folks wey don gel go struggle to cough up that kind money go give government. How many of the 2.8m people on longterm sick have contributed upto that sum (aside taxes) to the government in their whole life? Meanwhile, dem no go gree us rest. Interesting thing is that many coughing up these sums are low-average earners. Folks dey struggle with no appreciation. We go survive and multiply.

My only prayer is that after all this struggle, let their kids grow up with sense appreciating their parents struggle.

That divorce dey fear me. Its one of very few things that can take man back to the trenches. I don reason whether to pack some investments in 9ja first. But the currency dey evaporate. Na why I still dey single lane but man gats join dual carriage soon.

Abeg make we ho vote- whichever party.
Funny thing is that most immigrants tend to tilt more towards conservatidm (i.e Tories here). Maybe due to having a strong work ethic, religiousity, home values e.t.c.

Seems immigration is the top point. Nigel said the election is one of immigration hehe...
Only 310k Nigerians since 2021 (some of whom would return). Make them calm down. South Africa, Australia e.t.c are not complaining. SAFA was christened rainbow nation and they no cause chaos.

I for one love the increased diversity. When I arrived my town, I'm almost always the only black person on the high street. Today, we don get African shop noni. Nigerian restaurant soon to open. When we have party, na soso many little Brits jumping up and down. No complaints!

Met a Brit (born in Jamaica) and had been in my town for decades. She said when she came, na only two black people dey the whole town. Today, she comes to church and sees many black kids playing with themselves and is elated and almost in tears remenbering her children enjoy such.
My joy is that I follow contribute + support new folks. Rainbow nation noni. My prayer is that our second gen have sense and remember their roots.

ehizario2012:


With a population of over 250m people, countless universities, countless graduates churned out annually, countries like Nigeria might never really lack enough skilled hands. What might happen is that these countries become a kind of feeder to Europe in terms of skilled professionals. Study in Nigeria, get a degree and go work in Europe if privileged. The multitudes remaining would cater for those at home.

I come across this quite often and just like the Chinese loan issue, my initial response is simple- why are you worried? Is it because you dont want foreign folks around or you are truly worried about Africa. This usually undresses the hypocrisy before I proceed.


Yes, migration of skilled professionals can represent an issue for developing nations and I'd much more prefer the Chinese model of being able to retain/return their best heads than India who exported theirs. The model for development is however not linear and the skill of many of these folks may not be fully utilised at home. This trend can be seen in countless nations including Ireland and the UK. Immigration is as old as man.

For centuries until 1985, Britain had a negative net migration. i.e more folks left than arrived. Britain donated millions of folks to the U.S, Canada, Australia, Zimbabwe, South Africa e.t.c (not even mentioning resources taken). How did that affect their development? There are well less than 1 million Nigerians in the UK. For a nation of over 250 million and increasing by over 5 million folks annually, we can decide to donate 1 million annually. Afterall, Britain did it for centuries and came out strong.

Lexusgs430:


WHAT........😞🤔

£19,000 for only 5 years visa ....... Haba, the cost of immigration is equitable to paying a deposit on a mortgage + all other logistical cost ....... Loads of respect.....👍

I keep thinking about this and wondering. 19k? People dey try. This is aside a higher sum for masters (if they came through that route) and an even a much higher sum for ILR and finally passport when tge times comes
After 6 years, the total immigration sum paid for a small family of 2 parents and 2 kids is well north of 50k. These same folks go still need get mortgage and plan for retirement e.t.c while being restricted in job search.

Why then do those who are not encumbered by these fees and free to work as they see fit keep talking about cost of living/food banks/house price unaffordablility? Abi their suffering threshold (as one put it) is less than immigrants who are created to suffer?

More needs to be done to put these numbers out there. As anytime the talk of immigration comes up and I bring these numbers up, folks begin to stutter.

Paid praise singers looking for cutback from a government contractor

profemebee:
quick one from me.. just adding to your question

We need to be careful with "cheaper areas" so that we don't try and save money but won't be able to sleep with both eyes closed OR be too worried about where we raise our kids...

I know someone who did same, (wont mention the area) but just know the person can't even afford to have a parcel delivered to the house if no one is home.. all in the name of saving money .. burglary is normal in the area

The neighbourhood is rough rough and schools are blehhhhh!!!!!

Also, remember that even if your current place of work is closer to the house you want to buy, what happens if/when you change jobs and you're now so far..

I know it is hard to plan for the future but let's just make sure we tick majority of the boxes when we try to find areas to buy houses.

Fair point.

Bargains can be had but it's worth knowing why. For a developed nation with a highly regulated housing market, prices are not arbitrary.
In every town/county, some places are cheaper and manytimes these differences are historic, for a reason and very hardly change.
Affordability aside, except if one is seeing something others are not (unlikely), or there is significant development at the cusp of completion and you think its not yet been priced in (e.g Victoria line) or in an area undergoing gentrification i.e lots of new money pouring in and buying up everything as happened in lots of London and now Manchester. Cheap areas tend to be cheap for a reason.

In my area where I've been on the lookout for months now, before long its easy to know the floor price. It's almost always the case that when a much cheaper property comes up, its either in a specific part of town or has a significant issue.

Schoolhike:


Any thoughts or idea on how one can integrate this into the current 37.5hrs weekly, not sure if some organisation offer weekend part-time jobs

When I picked up additional jobs, all I did was apply for bank roles. Employers looking to take you up would know not to exceed 20hrs.
Also going through agencies could make it easier. They'd help connect you to employers that you could work for in a flexible manner.

kwakudtraveller:
Interesting times.

Hehe... again need

This is same Germany that opened its doors to 1 million refugees a few years ago ease labour shortages. We'd continue to see this ping-pong with different western nations.
Like I said a while ago, this decade would be an interesting one. The capitalist system is one that's fed by constant growth. To change that, would be to change the very fabric and outlook of modern western societies. Are the really ready?

Without immigration, the population of the west today would be in a steady decline. Add that to many having robust socialist policies and developing nations increasingly refusing to be prey and ask how they'd be supported.
Like Brexit, it's easy to say no immigration, but what happens when the eastern Europeans stop coming and home support and care homes cant be staffed? Does the government make those same boomers suck it up and pay a higher council tax, give up their state pension e.t.c to pay for British care or does the government scurry up to let migrant workers in?

The question is not if but where and when next.

Omenapounds:
450k or nothing...
Total shutdown on all government activities.

A senator earning 50m+ allowances does not cause inflation, but an average Nigerian worker earning 470k which is 106 times below what a senator earns per month is what will cause inflation.

Shut down the effing country.

Why is 470k unrealistic? Whats the minimum wage in western nations?
Are our senators not paid higher than their western counterparts?

Or are you saying Nigeria can afford to pay it's senators much higher than the UK prime minister but cannot afford a similar minimum wage?
Are you saying Nigerian presidential fleet has more private jets than UK, France, Germany e.t.c but we dont have money to pay similar salaries to those nations?

Goodenoch:


Now you can be sponsored as an accountant and work in everything from IT, retail, building, social media, project management etc as your supplementary job. It's a massive difference and I hope more people become aware so they can maximise the opportunity.

True, as the SOC list is wide and varied. I can see how that can help people get a sude income and build experience in different sectors which can prove valuable after ILR.
Most retail and 'easy to get' roles e.g bar tenders e.t.c are not eligible though.

bsafolabi:
Boss!!!
I'm also looking to buy a house in Manchester with my young family, M20, M15 and M16 is okay for young family but affordability be my problem. I'll go for M9 or M40 jeje because it's cheaper, family friendly and Niger vibes.
Equity appreciation wise Manchester is more better than Sheffield.... my opinion though.

Lemme ask, why are those areas cheaper?

Bourne007:
Interest-only can seem affordable but capital isn't shrinking. Repayment works out for me even though I'm paying more on a ltd co.

Yeah.. the issue is making the numbers work with the current rate hike and resilient property prices. In my environ, an old 3 bed semi would cost 250k and above and fetch rent of 1300 ish. Repayment mortgage is already pushing that sum thats without factoring other expenses. The way out is looking for much cheaper house but thry tend to have big issues

ReesheesuKnack:
Hello my very good friend, MissJekyll (&Hyde).
1. I’m happy for you that you got your money back. Biko, do giveaway for boys, mbok.

2. Do you still think Keir Starmer’s Labour Party is more Pro-immigration than the Tories? Imagine the ‘Shege’ migrants and immigrants are allegedly seeing in the Tory regime. Oga Starmer is suggesting that the Tories are not even tightening the immigration bolts & nuts enough. Oga Starmer is promising that he will tighten the immigration even more.

For now, it’s only the SNP that is promising to further open the immigration doors and throw the keys to the gate away, or even, demolish the gate completely.



Reference:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn331vd99lzo

People generally get too emotional about this immigration stuff. Immigration to the UK has never been about a lottery or diversity drive but largely about labour crunch and local need. The inability to formulate a longterm framework has led to these wide swings.

Every government has looked to reduce immigration for a while now. Guess what? Its easy. Just cap the number of sponsorship licenses to say 5000 a month and the annual cap becomes 60000. It can even be made 1000. Its that easy.
The hard part is what does the government do when there are a lack of farm workers, drivers, care workers, health workers e.t.c? Do they allow growth to be restricted, wages/prices to shoot up/mandate local folks to take up these roles or do they look for the universal cheatcode (i.e immigration)?
With all the abuse and surplus in the care sector, why is there still a care visa? Why can't a reasonable chunk of the 2.8m on longterm sick be supported to become carers. Can't a good chunk of those reading vague courses in Unis be shoehorned into healthcare roles so the UK doesn't need so many foreign nurses?

It is when the government faces the stark reality of these that they always turn to immigration - not out of want but need. The question is when next and what sector?

corpershun:


You are so right! Someone very dear and close to me called me yesterday to say they got a job offer of 80k£. He’s still in shock, he got tired of his current company after spending 18months and dusted his CV.

Me that wanted to dedicate 5years to my current company have been rethinking my decision.
If not for the childcare flexibility my company gives.

Note: He came in June 2021 as dependent on student visa and worked in warehouse for 6months to find footing

Good stuff. I think many folks (esp imigrants) can get too docile on a role without thinking about the next step, fall back options e.t.c

Dedicate kwa.. my main dedication is to my ethic. Would the company also show same dedication when they want to downsize or review pay?

I noticed that many times moving sensibly opens ones horizon and is the a cheatcode for cracking professional growth. While your initial employer would still be looking at you as a newbie years in, a new company may better appreciate and reward your talent.

I once bounced a company who were new to the whole process, were looking to sponsor me and cos of that had requested a UKVI sponsorship licence. They had taken things for a given as I had worked with them for a while. When I asked what the pay and fine terms they were being so vague and tight-lipped. At same time, I looked around and got a role with 15% more and visibly better terms. When their sponsorship licence came out and they asked me how far, I told them I dey waka.