{
    "version": "https://jsonfeed.org/version/1",
    "title": "Faking Retirement",
    "description": "",
    "home_page_url": "https://www.faking-retirement.co.uk",
    "feed_url": "https://www.faking-retirement.co.uk/feed.json",
    "user_comment": "",
    "author": {
        "name": "Rob James"
    },
    "items": [
        {
            "id": "https://www.faking-retirement.co.uk/the-big-build-just-got-bigger-and-bigger/",
            "url": "https://www.faking-retirement.co.uk/the-big-build-just-got-bigger-and-bigger/",
            "title": "The big build. Just got bigger. And bigger.",
            "summary": "I’ve shared a few office plans with you - they’re all in the bin now. In an attempt to just get started I stuck a spade in the ground and started digging. Once there was a hole in the ground, I had to just keep…",
            "content_html": "<p>I’ve shared a few office plans with you - they’re all in the bin now.</p>\n<p>In an attempt to just get started I stuck a spade in the ground and started digging. Once there was a hole in the ground, I had to just keep going…</p>\n<p>I was happy with the size of the office, on the plan, but once the hole marking its position was in place, it looked a bit feeble. So we doubled its length.</p>\n<p>Then I dug a trench footing. I made it bigger still. It’s now three times its original size!</p>\n<p>We will now, internally, split it into two with the other section being a workshop. </p>\n<p>The size now will be 6.1m x 3.6m - no bigger!</p>\n<p><figure class=\"post__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/media/files/IMG_0149.jpg\" data-is-external-image=\"true\"  alt=\"A patch of grass\" /></figure>\n<figure class=\"post__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/media/files/IMG_0151.jpg\" data-is-external-image=\"true\"  alt=\"Jax removing turf\" /></figure>\n<figure class=\"post__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/media/files/IMG_0153.jpg\" data-is-external-image=\"true\"  alt=\"Turf removed for an office base\" /></figure>\n<figure class=\"post__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/media/files/IMG_0195.jpg\" data-is-external-image=\"true\"  alt=\"Turf removed for an office base\" /></figure>\n<figure class=\"post__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/media/files/IMG_0234.jpg\" data-is-external-image=\"true\"  alt=\"A trench\" /></figure>\n<figure class=\"post__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/media/files/IMG_0237.jpg\" data-is-external-image=\"true\"  alt=\"Jax inspecting the expansion\" /></figure>\n<figure class=\"post__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/media/files/IMG_0285.jpg\" data-is-external-image=\"true\"  alt=\"Turf removed for an office base\" /></figure>\n<figure class=\"post__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/media/files/IMG_0290.jpg\" data-is-external-image=\"true\"  alt=\"Trench footing for office\" /></figure></p>\n<p>And there’s the massive hole! Incidentally, three times the size and the budget hasn’t changed! </p>\n<p><figure class=\"post__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/media/files/IMG_0321.jpg\" data-is-external-image=\"true\"  alt=\"Shuttering for office base\" /></figure>\n<figure class=\"post__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/media/files/IMG_0326.jpg\" data-is-external-image=\"true\"  alt=\"Jax helping with shuttering\" /></figure></p>\n<p>Shuttering done. With a cool helper.</p>\n<p><figure class=\"post__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/media/files/IMG_0335.jpg\" data-is-external-image=\"true\"  alt=\"A poured ring beam\" /></figure>\n<figure class=\"post__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/media/files/IMG_0336.jpg\" data-is-external-image=\"true\"  alt=\"A poured ring beam\" /></figure></p>\n<p>Poured the ring beam with help from my dad. And I purchased a cement mixer as this was a cheaper option than hiring one.</p>\n<p><figure class=\"post__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/media/files/IMG_0352.jpg\" data-is-external-image=\"true\"  alt=\"Thin concrete base in ring beam\" /></figure></p>\n<p>Thin concrete base added as a binder for the hardcore and to provide a level surface for the next stage.</p>\n<p>And finally, a layer of sand to protect the DPM.</p>\n<p><figure class=\"post__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/media/files/IMG_0366.jpg\" data-is-external-image=\"true\"  alt=\"Jax working hard spreading sand\" /></figure>\n<figure class=\"post__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/media/files/IMG_0368.jpg\" data-is-external-image=\"true\"  alt=\"Thin layer of sand in base\" /></figure></p>\n<p>More posts to follow on the big build!</p>\n",
            "image": "https://www.faking-retirement.co.uk/media/posts/11/dozer-2580438.jpg",
            "author": {
                "name": "Rob James"
            },
            "tags": [
            ],
            "date_published": "2017-09-24T22:52:00+01:00",
            "date_modified": "2020-12-30T22:53:18+00:00"
        },
        {
            "id": "https://www.faking-retirement.co.uk/securing-some-income/",
            "url": "https://www.faking-retirement.co.uk/securing-some-income/",
            "title": "Securing some income",
            "summary": "I’ve picked up a little more work recently. This helps towards an arbitrary goal I’ve set, that implied I wouldn’t make the final jump until I was making enough money on the side to cover at least the mortgage and a few bills. I’ve also&hellip;",
            "content_html": "<p>I’ve picked up a little more work recently. This helps towards an arbitrary goal I’ve set, that implied I wouldn’t make the final jump until I was making enough money on the side to cover at least the mortgage and a few bills.</p>\n<p>I’ve also secured a guaranteed daily job. Only one hour a day, but this alone takes me about 50% closer to this goal.</p>\n<p>Lastly, my current employers have indicated I might be able to work from home. Now, this is a game changer. If this indeed turns out to be true - I may delay or even never make the jump. The difference that would make on my family life would be astounding.</p>\n<p>We could all have a leisurely breakfast. I would then step into the office for 4 hours. Have an hour lunch to eat and play with the kids and then bosh another 4 hours in and I’m home instantly to play again.</p>\n<p>In total that would mean I would spend an additional 4 hours a day with my family. Game changer.</p>\n<p>Of course, talk is cheap - let’s see how it materialises. </p>\n",
            "image": "https://www.faking-retirement.co.uk/media/posts/10/coins-2512279_opt.jpg",
            "author": {
                "name": "Rob James"
            },
            "tags": [
            ],
            "date_published": "2017-09-23T22:48:00+01:00",
            "date_modified": "2020-12-30T22:48:28+00:00"
        },
        {
            "id": "https://www.faking-retirement.co.uk/new-office-plans/",
            "url": "https://www.faking-retirement.co.uk/new-office-plans/",
            "title": "New office plans",
            "summary": "So after mulling over the last design for a few weeks I had one problem niggling at me from the start. It’s positioning. I had planned to set the office into a little hole down the side of the garden, and planned to angle it&hellip;",
            "content_html": "<p>So after mulling over the last design for a few weeks I had one problem niggling at me from the start. It’s positioning. </p>\n<p>I had planned to set the office into a little hole down the side of the garden, and planned to angle it towards the house. The hole was to help me lower the height and minimise digging. The angle was the funk it up a bit. </p>\n<p>My big concern was that this massive room was going to encroach on the garden far more than I intended, especially as Stella baulked at the height when I held a tape measure up. </p>\n<p>Moving to the bottom corner was the only real option to limit the impact; but an impractical one at that. </p>\n<p>##A new design was in order</p>\n<p>After a few quick calculations it would seem that turning the office to run parallel with the fence-line and moving the window from the end to run the full length, could actually lower costs - if you believe that!</p>\n<p>With the previous design, there was one large window over one end and a tiny one near the back. The angle meant that no side could hide and meant that one small wall and two large walls all needed cladding. </p>\n<p>The new design, with an even larger feature window covering the entire length of one wall (by removing the tiny window, the difference being only about +£20) and turning it flat against the fence, means that only two small ends need cladding - the back can use a cheaper material.</p>\n<p><figure class=\"post__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/media/files/office2_opt.png\" data-is-external-image=\"true\"  alt=\"New and improved office plans\" /></figure></p>\n<p>So, there it is. Full length windows. Magic.</p>\n<p>I have also decided to do a concrete base. It was going to be a wooden base built on pillars but to get the height down I was going to have to excavate quite a lot of soil and still do concrete for the pillars. I figure if I’m going to do all that groundwork anyway, I may as well concrete the lot. This will make it easier to get the height down too.</p>\n<p>I’m sure it will cost a bit more, I haven’t done the calculations, but I won’t have to do the deck or the pillars, so hopefully the costs might even out - there or there abouts anyway.</p>\n",
            "author": {
                "name": "Rob James"
            },
            "tags": [
            ],
            "date_published": "2017-03-12T22:44:00+00:00",
            "date_modified": "2020-12-30T22:45:55+00:00"
        },
        {
            "id": "https://www.faking-retirement.co.uk/the-balloon-project/",
            "url": "https://www.faking-retirement.co.uk/the-balloon-project/",
            "title": "The balloon project",
            "summary": "We have embarked on our first project. I got bored doing a new agency site (it’s hard writing about yourself!) and the garden office is on hold until it’s warmer outside - so we started a new project… From my previous post you’ll remember our&hellip;",
            "content_html": "<p>We have embarked on our first project.</p>\n<p>I got bored doing a new agency site (it’s hard writing about yourself!) and the garden office is on hold until it’s warmer outside - so we started a new project…</p>\n<p>From my <a href=\"/passive-income-not-a-passive-lifestyle/\">previous post</a> you’ll remember our aim is to build lots of little projects that all create a small amount of profit each - accumulating a sufficient income.</p>\n<p><strong>We are selling customised balloons.</strong></p>\n<p>I have built a simple web app that enables the user to create a design by adding text, choosing fonts, colours and patterned balloons. We then save that design, print it to a vinyl cutter and decorate the balloon. All delivered.</p>\n<p>It’s not a particularly new idea, nor will it make us millions, but it should make ordering a customised balloon easier and more accessible to the general public.</p>\n<p>Watch this space for when we launch - see a little demo below!</p>\n<p><figure class=\"post__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/media/files/custom-balloons.gif\" data-is-external-image=\"true\"  alt=\"Custom balloon\" /></figure></p>\n",
            "image": "https://www.faking-retirement.co.uk/media/posts/8/person-1357442_opt.jpg",
            "author": {
                "name": "Rob James"
            },
            "tags": [
            ],
            "date_published": "2017-02-10T22:32:00+00:00",
            "date_modified": "2020-12-30T22:34:15+00:00"
        },
        {
            "id": "https://www.faking-retirement.co.uk/diy-details-no-more-mr-bodger/",
            "url": "https://www.faking-retirement.co.uk/diy-details-no-more-mr-bodger/",
            "title": "DIY details - no more Mr Bodger!",
            "summary": "For the past few weeks I’ve been designing the structure of my garden office. I’ve been drawing to the last detail, from the ground up. It really helps me think everything through properly. I’m not a builder, but I’m pretty handy at DIY to a&hellip;",
            "content_html": "<p>For the past few weeks I’ve been designing the structure of my garden office. </p>\n<p>I’ve been drawing to the last detail, from the ground up. It really helps me think everything through properly.  </p>\n<p>I’m not a builder, but I’m pretty handy at DIY to a certain extent. </p>\n<p>I’ve learnt that on big projects just jumping in and starting can cause more issues and stress as - although you’ll still get it done - you’ll have to work it all out on-the-fly. Often you don’t have the bit of wood you need, so you find some alternative which isn’t quite right, but will do. Warning: Bodger at work. </p>\n<p>With my last big DIY project, the kitchen, I used illustrator (it’s a computer program) to draw some detailed plans. I had to. I wasn’t going to spend thousands of pounds on a kitchen only to find it didn’t fit or a had a crazy gap to fill at one end. </p>\n<p><figure class=\"post__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/media/files/kitchen_opt.png\" data-is-external-image=\"true\"  alt=\"DIY Kitchen plan\" /></figure></p>\n<p><small>If I’d known I was going to put this on the internet, I might have done a prettier job!</small></p>\n<p>This worked out amazingly well. The kitchen went in without any major issues, we didn’t have to order extra filler panels or anything because I new exactly how it was all going to fit. </p>\n<p>I’m employing the same level of detail for the structure of the garden office - it’s already helped identify multiple issues and should definitely help in estimating the materials we require.</p>\n<p>Keep an eye out - my next post will be the structure plans!</p>\n",
            "image": "https://www.faking-retirement.co.uk/media/posts/6/drawing-933207_1920_opt.jpg",
            "author": {
                "name": "Rob James"
            },
            "tags": [
            ],
            "date_published": "2017-01-17T21:08:00+00:00",
            "date_modified": "2020-12-30T21:12:03+00:00"
        },
        {
            "id": "https://www.faking-retirement.co.uk/okay-heres-the-office-plans/",
            "url": "https://www.faking-retirement.co.uk/okay-heres-the-office-plans/",
            "title": "Okay - Here&#x27;s the office plans",
            "summary": "Newer plans hereOkay here’s the plans - opinions welcome. I might ignore you, but you’re welcome to make suggestions. I’ll try to keep this image updated as they change. Notes below. Top: Shows the base plate, vertical studs and joist positions. Also shows the door&hellip;",
            "content_html": "<div class=\"alert alert-info\"><a href=\"/new-office-plans/\">Newer plans here</a></div>\n\n<p>Okay here’s the plans - opinions welcome. I might ignore you, but you’re welcome to make suggestions.</p>\n<p>I’ll try to keep this image updated as they change. Notes below.</p>\n<p><figure class=\"post__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/media/files/office_opt-1.png\" data-is-external-image=\"true\"  alt=\"Garden office plans\" /></figure></p>\n<p><strong>Top:</strong> Shows the base plate, vertical studs and joist positions. Also shows the door and window positions.</p>\n<p><strong>The main row:</strong> This shows the back wall, side wall, the front window and the other side wall.</p>\n<p>This image also depicts the warm roof detail and joist positions.</p>\n<p>The blue lines are simply there as guidelines for measurements. For instance the outside one is the legal limit for an outbuilding using permitted development rights (which shows I need to set the base below ground).</p>\n<p>Note how the door requires a header and jack studs to support the roof where as the side window doesn’t as it is smaller than the stud centers and the main window also doesn’t as it is a non supporting wall.</p>\n<p><strong>Bottom:</strong> The deck. I have based this on 3 sheets of marine ply and set it on concrete piers.</p>\n<p><figure class=\"post__image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"/media/files/office-roof-detail_opt.png\" data-is-external-image=\"true\"  alt=\"Roof detail\" /></figure></p>\n<p><strong>Lastly:</strong> This shows the warm roof detail and how it joins the cladding and fascia.  </p>\n<p><small><strong>Please note:</strong> For those who land here from a search engine. I am not an engineer; these could well be wrong.</small></p>\n",
            "author": {
                "name": "Rob James"
            },
            "tags": [
            ],
            "date_published": "2017-01-15T22:29:00+00:00",
            "date_modified": "2020-12-30T22:30:58+00:00"
        },
        {
            "id": "https://www.faking-retirement.co.uk/passive-income-not-a-passive-lifestyle/",
            "url": "https://www.faking-retirement.co.uk/passive-income-not-a-passive-lifestyle/",
            "title": "Passive income, not a passive lifestyle",
            "summary": "Financial independence has always been the goal. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always said I plan on retiring next year But I never meant it. Retiring is for old folk, right? What I meant was, I wanted to stop working. No, I&hellip;",
            "content_html": "<p>Financial independence has always been the goal. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always said</p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>I plan on retiring next year</p>\n</blockquote>\n<p>But I never meant it. Retiring is for old folk, right?</p>\n<p>What I meant was, I wanted to stop working. No, I wanted to get out of the rat race. That whole 9-5 commuter rubbish. </p>\n<p>The goal is to work for myself, be in control of my own destiny. Though selling my time for money cannot be a long term plan. It needs to scale. I want to create products and services that I can perpetually sell to create a passive income. These products and services I can add to, build upon and ultimately create further ones.</p>\n<p>This should enable me, long term, to have a stable income enabling me more time to develop further ideas and ultimately more valuable time with the family.</p>\n<p>I imagine a time where we can go travelling for months and still have a stable income.</p>\n<p>Examples off the top of my head:</p>\n<ul>\n<li>A SaaS product (Software as a service)</li>\n<li>Code samples</li>\n<li>Photography library</li>\n<li>Themes for popular and unpopular platforms (Wordpress, Shopify, Magento, Ghost, KirbyCMS)</li>\n<li>Vector Artwork</li>\n<li>A physical product</li>\n<li>Mobile (ios) app</li>\n<li>Browser extension</li>\n<li>…</li>\n<li>… And more!</li>\n</ul>\n",
            "image": "https://www.faking-retirement.co.uk/media/posts/5/gcsnospexfs-william-iven_opt.jpg",
            "author": {
                "name": "Rob James"
            },
            "tags": [
            ],
            "date_published": "2016-12-27T21:02:00+00:00",
            "date_modified": "2020-12-30T21:03:26+00:00"
        },
        {
            "id": "https://www.faking-retirement.co.uk/can-i-get-a-tax-break-on-my-garden-office/",
            "url": "https://www.faking-retirement.co.uk/can-i-get-a-tax-break-on-my-garden-office/",
            "title": "Can I get a tax break on my garden office?",
            "summary": "Just had a brain wave. Can I claim back some the costs of a garden office from my tax bill? I can’t see why not. I can claim some of the expenses of running my home office, heating, electricity etc. - surely the cost of&hellip;",
            "content_html": "<p>Just had a brain wave. Can I claim back some the costs of a garden office from my tax bill?</p>\n<p>I can’t see why not. I can claim some of the expenses of running my home office, heating, electricity etc. - surely the cost of the building itself would be eligible.</p>\n<p>This is one for my accountant.</p>\n<p>I’ll provide an update when I have the result.</p>\n<hr>\n<p><strong>Update:</strong></p>\n<p>So: yes and no.</p>\n<p>Yes to everything INSIDE, like equipment, lighting, carpet and what not.\nNo to the actual building.</p>\n",
            "image": "https://www.faking-retirement.co.uk/media/posts/4/hpjsku2uysu-carlos-muza_opt.jpg",
            "author": {
                "name": "Rob James"
            },
            "tags": [
            ],
            "date_published": "2016-12-21T20:12:00+00:00",
            "date_modified": "2020-12-30T20:42:25+00:00"
        },
        {
            "id": "https://www.faking-retirement.co.uk/solar-off-grid/",
            "url": "https://www.faking-retirement.co.uk/solar-off-grid/",
            "title": "Solar off grid?",
            "summary": "I have been toying with the idea of getting a small solar off grid setup for the office. If I intend to only be in there 4 hours a day, in 2x2hour blocks, I figure I can’t use THAT much electricity. Can I? I’ll have&hellip;",
            "content_html": "<p>I have been toying with the idea of getting a small solar off grid setup for the office.</p>\n<p>If I intend to only be in there 4 hours a day, in 2x2hour blocks, I figure I can’t use THAT much electricity. Can I?</p>\n<p>I’ll have my laptop, a screen, some lights and a few peripherals like a printer. By far the largest consumer of power would be heating, but if the room is super insulated and I’m not in there all day, am I really like likely to use that much.</p>\n<p>I really need to do some maths on this one - it’s looking like it could be a load of money for something large enough. All because I can’t be assed to get someone in to wire the place into the mains.</p>\n",
            "image": "https://www.faking-retirement.co.uk/media/posts/3/bb9jwutmpuk-anthony-indraus_opt.jpg",
            "author": {
                "name": "Rob James"
            },
            "tags": [
            ],
            "date_published": "2016-12-19T20:01:00+00:00",
            "date_modified": "2020-12-30T20:01:54+00:00"
        },
        {
            "id": "https://www.faking-retirement.co.uk/the-office-needs-to-be-big/",
            "url": "https://www.faking-retirement.co.uk/the-office-needs-to-be-big/",
            "title": "The office needs to be big",
            "summary": "Originally I thought I’d be able to get away with a fairly small office - just me and a desk. In hindsight, it appears it may just need to be double the size. The more I think about it, the more I put in it!&hellip;",
            "content_html": "<p>Originally I thought I’d be able to get away with a fairly small office - just me and a desk. In hindsight, it appears it may just need to be double the size.</p>\n<p>The more I think about it, the more I put in it! A week ago I told Stella I’d be able to put my vast collection of books in there. Now I’m thinking I will also need to store all our paperwork; the filing cabinet; the printer; somewhere to make a coffee; maybe a small sofa…. crikey!</p>\n<p>Stella on the other hand will be pleased that I’m clearing out the house - Jax may get his playroom back after all!</p>\n",
            "image": "https://www.faking-retirement.co.uk/media/posts/2/j8kmioltmga-matt-palmer_opt.jpg",
            "author": {
                "name": "Rob James"
            },
            "tags": [
            ],
            "date_published": "2016-12-15T19:49:00+00:00",
            "date_modified": "2020-12-30T19:59:15+00:00"
        }
    ]
}