[jokethrowaway]

I haven't been in London for a few years but less than 100k for a head of backend feels low. It might be a thing with being in the right network or in the wrong one, though, I'm aware it's above the average.

Treat equities like a lottery ticket, don't even consider it in your calculations. Most times it amounts to nothing, which will be especially true in this economy, if you ask me.

Great that you are maxing pension. Over 50k you should really put as much as you can in pension and more - as you are taxed 40% (which is insane as well, if you ask me).

My strategy for being over 100k was doing everything through a limited company.

Consider working through a limited company so you can: - Keep income in the company and defer income taxes (potentially to a future time when you are in a country with 0% tax on dividends or when you stop working and have low income for a year) - Charge expenses - Consider VAT Flat rate to pocket a few more quids (this is if you don't have expenses) - Do investments (stocks, real estate + charging rent) as a business before paying income tax - Hire your wife if she's not working - Withdraw a small amount of tax free dividends (it used to be 5k once, now it's down to 500) and I think it may be beneficial to withdraw some more dividends at a low rate over salary to reduce your nhs contributions - Other income can also flow into the company

Unfortunately you have the IR35 crap to check, so make sure all parties are ok with those terms over FTE. I personally never had problems getting roles below VP of Eng as a contractor but it depends on what managers think. The way of the remote contractor with multiple clients can also be quite lucrative (way more than a FTE)