The advice thread for random problems #3

[didisaythatoutloudoops]

Not really a problem but after some advice if anybody is a coffee aficionado. Btw don't judge! I've realised I spend around £700 a year!! on takeaway coffee. So am looking to buy barista style coffee machine.
Does anybody know of a shop that sells and demonstrates these machines? I'm willing to travel as I realise in the end I'll be quids in
Also is there a coffee specialist, again actual shop, where they can help you find the coffee you like.

I think it really depends on the kind of coffees you drink and how much you like to 'customise' your drink. I can't stand any kind of pod machines (Nespresso, Tassimo etc) - I just find you don't have much control over them and they never taste like a barista coffee for me.

Delonghi are a fantastic brand as they offer a fantastic warranty and repair service where they pick up your machine. They're also very reliable.

If you are an espresso or black coffee drinker, you cannot go wrong with the Delonghi Magnifica S. You pour the beans in the back and there's little maintenance aside from filling up water/emptying grounds. You can customise your strength, size, etc, and it tastes fantastic. It has a milk frother and even a little one-cup decaf bit, for if you have an occasional decaf coffee.

If you like lattes and other milky coffees, get a bean-to-cup machine with an automatic milk tank. I would recommend the Magnifica Evo or the Eletta Explore.

It's an investment, but I've had three cups a day from my £400 Delonghi machine for seven years without issues. Presuming I paid £4 a cup for that coffee otherwise, I'd have spent £10,220 over the same period on takeaway coffees.

 

[OnlyHereForTheLolz]

Second hand, returns I guess, but a big saving.
View attachment 2450712

That is an insanely good price
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I think it really depends on the kind of coffees you drink and how much you like to 'customise' your drink. I can't stand any kind of pod machines (Nespresso, Tassimo etc) - I just find you don't have much control over them and they never taste like a barista coffee for me.

Delonghi are a fantastic brand as they offer a fantastic warranty and repair service where they pick up your machine. They're also very reliable.

If you are an espresso or black coffee drinker, you cannot go wrong with the Delonghi Magnifica S. You pour the beans in the back and there's little maintenance aside from filling up water/emptying grounds. You can customise your strength, size, etc, and it tastes fantastic. It has a milk frother and even a little one-cup decaf bit, for if you have an occasional decaf coffee.

If you like lattes and other milky coffees, get a bean-to-cup machine with an automatic milk tank. I would recommend the Magnifica Evo or the Eletta Explore.

It's an investment, but I've had three cups a day from my £400 Delonghi machine for seven years without issues. Presuming I paid £4 a cup for that coffee otherwise, I'd have spent £10,220 over the same period on takeaway coffees.

Thank you. I definitely don’t want a pod machine. I really just like black coffee/espresso or a cuppacino.
I never realised how many different machines and styles there were

Btw does your machine make a really hot coffee?

 

[CoffeeMamma]

I’m going to point out that I said Nespresso because it’s the only machine I’ve ever had, ours broke after 12 years of service and I now buy local coffee beans, grind them in a £10 grinder from Asda and brew coffee in a £15 cafetière from Habitat. Tastes great and we’ve saved money. Plus the coffee grounds keeps the local cats off my flower beds!

 

[TheGlossy]

My brother organized an appointment at the notary to sign a tax document to close a probate.

This probate has been ongoing for more than a year and all documents listed in the list of required documents were provided.

The appointment is this afternoon and the notary has been hassling me since 10am for my ID. I’m at work and can’t provide it because I don’t carry my passport with me.

I don’t understand why this person is now hassling me every hour before the appointment for a document that should have been requested more than a year ago and never was.

I just on top of this found out she didn’t ask anyone else involved in the inheritance/probate process for their ID. She’s only asked for mine.

Not only that but instead of telling me why she needs a document that’s not been asked nor required for anyone else, she acts sneaky by opening her email with ‘Unless I’m mistaken, you have not provided you ID’.

Then she follows up with a rude follow-up email two hours later saying ‘Once again, can you please provide me with your ID’.

Like I’m located overseas and my only ID from that country is my passport. I don’t walk around with my passport.

The nerve of making it sound as though it is a required document I forgot to send a year ago and thinking it’s OK to hassle me repeatedly when it’s clear people are at work.

In any case, she’s not getting the ID unless I understand why she needs mine specifically and no one else’s. I’m not the executor nor am I getting a cent from this probate and therefore do not owe a cent in taxes.

 

[square_spoon]

I just on top of this found out she didn’t ask anyone else involved in the inheritance/probate process for their ID. She’s only asked for mine.

Not only that but instead of telling me why she needs a document that’s not been asked nor required for anyone else, she acts sneaky by opening her email with ‘Unless I’m mistaken, you have not provided you ID’.

Then she follows up with a rude follow-up email two hours later saying ‘Once again, can you please provide me with your ID’.

Like I’m located overseas and my only ID from that country is my passport. I don’t walk around with my passport.

The nerve of making it sound as though it is a required document I forgot to send a year ago and thinking it’s OK to hassle me repeatedly when it’s clear people are at work.

In any case, she’s not getting the ID unless I understand why she needs mine specifically and no one else’s. I’m not the executor nor am I getting a cent from this probate and therefore do not owe a cent in taxes.

Can you ask why she’s looking for it? Something along the lines of you’re happy to provide it once she clarifies why she requires it and also if all other parties have had to do it? I had to as part of probate and it was asked for over a year later as part of some legal audit the solicitor was about to undergo. I didn’t have strong feelings about it so it wasn’t an issue in my case, but do ask for clarity if you’re uncomfortable. You wouldn’t want the narrative to be that the matter couldn’t close because you wouldn’t agree to provide documentation.

 

[TheGlossy]

Can you ask why she’s looking for it? Something along the lines of you’re happy to provide it once she clarifies why she requires it and also if all other parties have had to do it? I had to as part of probate and it was asked for over a year later as part of some legal audit the solicitor was about to undergo. I didn’t have strong feelings about it so it wasn’t an issue in my case, but do ask for clarity if you’re uncomfortable. You wouldn’t want the narrative to be that the matter couldn’t close because you wouldn’t agree to provide documentation.

Thank you.

I will ask. I just don’t understand why she just asked for mine and not the others. This is what is making me uncomfortable.

Surely, if it was audit-related, she would have asked for all of them, not just one person’s.

 

[square_spoon]

Thank you.

I will ask. I just don’t understand why she just asked for mine and not the others. This is what is making me uncomfortable.

Surely, if it was audit-related, she would have asked for all of them, not just one person’s.

I haven’t any idea - are you the only one abroad? It might just be a mistake on her part aswell, you’ll only know when you ask.

 

[TheGlossy]

I haven’t any idea - are you the only one abroad? It might just be a mistake on her part aswell, you’ll only know when you ask.

Yeah, I’m the only one abroad.

I’ll ask on Monday.

 

[littlepup]

Thank you.

I will ask. I just don’t understand why she just asked for mine and not the others. This is what is making me uncomfortable.

Surely, if it was audit-related, she would have asked for all of them, not just one person’s.

Do you have a different surname? It could be that there’s a searchable database for home based but they can’t do it for overseas.
I had to provide ID if I remember correctly.

 

[TheGlossy]

Do you have a different surname? It could be that there’s a searchable database for home based but they can’t do it for overseas.
I had to provide ID if I remember correctly.

No, I don’t. Same surname.

This has really put a damper on my mood especially as I’ve now found out she incorrectly listed my address on the document. She indicated primary address as being the same as my mom’s and therefore completely different than my actual address which I had already provided her.

Somewhere between the draft document she shared yesterday and the final document signed today (I wasn’t there), she changed my address from my actual address to the incorrect one.

This makes no sense.

I thought she wanted the ID for the address but IDs don’t always have the current address. Proof of address does. If the address was the issue, she should have asked me for clarification not my ID.

 

[Kim Mild]

I’m going to point out that I said Nespresso because it’s the only machine I’ve ever had, ours broke after 12 years of service and I now buy local coffee beans, grind them in a £10 grinder from Asda and brew coffee in a £15 cafetière from Habitat. Tastes great and we’ve saved money. Plus the coffee grounds keeps the local cats off my flower beds!

I use a grinder and cafetiere too. For lattes I heat the milk in the microwave and use a battery operated whisk.

 

[TheGlossy]

I have a massive issue which could or could not be costly for me.

The notary I worked with on my dad’s probate sign-off on a tax document where they changed my primary address before signing-off on it.

In the draft document they forwarded, they indicated my current address (in a different country). In the finalized document, they changed my address to an address in my birth country (my mom’s address) without informing me (I wasn’t at the appointment).

The document includes my occupation and whether I’m a tax resident. They correctly indicated I’m not a tax resident there but changed my primary address behind my back. I’m seriously worried the tax man over there is now going to chase me asking why I haven’t paid any taxes there for the last 10 years if I live there.

I asked my siblings whether she asked them any questions before doing this and they said no. If there was an issue with the address, I don’t understand why she didn’t ask me for clarification instead of chasing for an ID or changing it however she pleased.

This might cause me a lot of issues with the tax man there. I’m so stressed out.

 

[littlepup]

I have a massive issue which could or could not be costly for me.

The notary I worked with on my dad’s probate sign-off on a tax document where they changed my primary address before signing-off on it.

In the draft document they forwarded, they indicated my current address (in a different country). In the finalized document, they changed my address to an address in my birth country (my mom’s address) without informing me (I wasn’t at the appointment).

The document includes my occupation and whether I’m a tax resident. They correctly indicated I’m not a tax resident there but changed my primary address behind my back. I’m seriously worried the tax man over there is now going to chase me asking why I haven’t paid any taxes there for the last 10 years if I live there.

I asked my siblings whether she asked them any questions before doing this and they said no. If there was an issue with the address, I don’t understand why she didn’t ask me for clarification instead of chasing for an ID or changing it however she pleased.

This might cause me a lot of issues with the tax man there. I’m so stressed out.

If you haven’t earned there, you won’t pay tax there. They can’t tax your earnings in another country.

 

[didisaythatoutloudoops]

Asking this on behalf of my lovely daughter, who doesn't have an account - and I'm not really sure what to advise her here (my career was very different from hers).

'I work as the only communications manager for a small charity, and we hosted a two-day event recently explaining some new legislation that is relevant to us. For months beforehand I had been working on the materials, badges, roll-ups, banners, powerpoint designs, etc as I am the only communications/press person in the office and that's my job. As we are a small office of about 10 people, a lot of my job involves writing articles for magazines on our very niche technical topic. I have a real interest in it and was looking forward to hearing from some experts at the event on this legislation that I have written extensively about for over a year.

About two weeks before the event, my boss called me to say my attendance isn't necessary as we 'aren't doing any social media' and 'I would find it boring anyway'. I was really taken aback but accepted his decision. Several colleagues were really shocked at this and tried to speak to him to say that I should be there for various reasons. My boss was having none of it and said there would be enough people there and I just wasn't needed. I wasn't even invited to the after-working-hours dinner.

In the end, the entire office attended apart from me and our office manager (who stayed in the office as we were having repairs done). I didn't realise quite how hurt I would be seeing pictures of them enjoying drinks and dinner and sharing inside jokes after the event on our office WhatsApp group. I felt disrespected by my boss for brushing me off for an event I'd worked hard on, on a topic I was interested in.

Am I overreacting?'

 

[CallMeHollywood]

Asking this on behalf of my lovely daughter, who doesn't have an account - and I'm not really sure what to advise her here (my career was very different from hers).

'I work as the only communications manager for a small charity, and we hosted a two-day event recently explaining some new legislation that is relevant to us. For months beforehand I had been working on the materials, badges, roll-ups, banners, powerpoint designs, etc as I am the only communications/press person in the office and that's my job. As we are a small office of about 10 people, a lot of my job involves writing articles for magazines on our very niche technical topic. I have a real interest in it and was looking forward to hearing from some experts at the event on this legislation that I have written extensively about for over a year.

About two weeks before the event, my boss called me to say my attendance isn't necessary as we 'aren't doing any social media' and 'I would find it boring anyway'. I was really taken aback but accepted his decision. Several colleagues were really shocked at this and tried to speak to him to say that I should be there for various reasons. My boss was having none of it and said there would be enough people there and I just wasn't needed. I wasn't even invited to the after-working-hours dinner.

In the end, the entire office attended apart from me and our office manager (who stayed in the office as we were having repairs done). I didn't realise quite how hurt I would be seeing pictures of them enjoying drinks and dinner and sharing inside jokes after the event on our office WhatsApp group. I felt disrespected by my boss for brushing me off for an event I'd worked hard on, on a topic I was interested in.

Am I overreacting?'

Not overreacting, there’s an issue there. She needs to call a meeting with the boss (and maybe HR) and have a direct conversation about his decision. It will either bring the issue into the open or make him realise how pig ignorant his decision was. Marketing and comms roles are often overlooked as easy work but they are not at all. Either way, she should look for another role, and it sounds like she’s being taken for granted.

 

[petitspois]

Not overreacting, there’s an issue there. She needs to call a meeting with the boss (and maybe HR) and have a direct conversation about his decision. It will either bring the issue into the open or make him realise how pig ignorant his decision was. Marketing and comms roles are often overlooked as easy work but they are not at all. Either way, she should look for another role, and it sounds like she’s being taken for granted.

That's good advice. My first reaction was that the boss was going to take credit for something she did and didn't want her there.

 

[didisaythatoutloudoops]

Thank you @CallMeHollywood and @petitspois. I know she reports directly to the CEO (who made that decision) who works fully remotely, and speaks to her for maybe five minutes a week when he has time. He usually just rushes through a list of things he wants done or changing and the only appreciation/praise she gets in her job is from colleagues, who she gets on really well and has a fantastic relationship with. She would be genuinely upset to leave them, I think.

I have a feeling she is being taken advantage of, they have cut their budget by £1000s for the year as she's got the skills to do a lot of design in house. She has taken on responsibilities way outside of her job description (the office manager for example barely knows how to turn a computer on, so my daughter is now managing the IT database of the charity too). All thankless, of course. I worry she's heading for burnout.

 

[Snippysnips]

Asking this on behalf of my lovely daughter, who doesn't have an account - and I'm not really sure what to advise her here (my career was very different from hers).

'I work as the only communications manager for a small charity, and we hosted a two-day event recently explaining some new legislation that is relevant to us. For months beforehand I had been working on the materials, badges, roll-ups, banners, powerpoint designs, etc as I am the only communications/press person in the office and that's my job. As we are a small office of about 10 people, a lot of my job involves writing articles for magazines on our very niche technical topic. I have a real interest in it and was looking forward to hearing from some experts at the event on this legislation that I have written extensively about for over a year.

About two weeks before the event, my boss called me to say my attendance isn't necessary as we 'aren't doing any social media' and 'I would find it boring anyway'. I was really taken aback but accepted his decision. Several colleagues were really shocked at this and tried to speak to him to say that I should be there for various reasons. My boss was having none of it and said there would be enough people there and I just wasn't needed. I wasn't even invited to the after-working-hours dinner.

In the end, the entire office attended apart from me and our office manager (who stayed in the office as we were having repairs done). I didn't realise quite how hurt I would be seeing pictures of them enjoying drinks and dinner and sharing inside jokes after the event on our office WhatsApp group. I felt disrespected by my boss for brushing me off for an event I'd worked hard on, on a topic I was interested in.

Am I overreacting?'

Definitely not over reacting, it sounds as if she went above an beyond with her work an to be cut out is honestly quite cruel, I'd think something needs to be said an a proper reason giving as to why she was left out, saying she simply wasn't needed isn't good enough after all the work she done

Apart from the boss, does she enjoy being there? I think I'd probably look elsewhere for a job, she's being taking advantage off an it's clear the boss doesn't value her

 

[petitspois]

Thank you @CallMeHollywood and @petitspois. I know she reports directly to the CEO (who made that decision) who works fully remotely, and speaks to her for maybe five minutes a week when he has time. He usually just rushes through a list of things he wants done or changing and the only appreciation/praise she gets in her job is from colleagues, who she gets on really well and has a fantastic relationship with. She would be genuinely upset to leave them, I think.

I have a feeling she is being taken advantage of, they have cut their budget by £1000s for the year as she's got the skills to do a lot of design in house. She has taken on responsibilities way outside of her job description (the office manager for example barely knows how to turn a computer on, so my daughter is now managing the IT database of the charity too). All thankless, of course. I worry she's heading for burnout.

I think moving on would be her best option - it's one of the best ways to start moving up the ladder anyway at her age.

 

[Snippysnips]

I know it's a long shot but does anyone frequently holiday in Japan? Or have been a few times? Am looking to go next year but not sure what the best time would be for me, ideally I'd like it to be when it's more quiet, I know a place like Japan is never going be quiet but surely there must be a point where it's not as hectic as it can get with say the cherry blossom season, I also can't handle heat, warm is fine an I'll even take cool or cold but I can't go when it's going be blazing sun