David Thomas
@davidthomastrainer.bsky.social
A trainer who tries to help creative freelancers spend less time on admin.
Sad to hear about Chris Rea. I used to play him a lot when I was on Radio York in the 80s. I still love this track…https://open.spotify.com/track/0BHtaLDr1MWmirDEe8jNu3?si=Z5-SzzA0S3Gf20vTXQENzA
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
December 22, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Sad to hear about Chris Rea. I used to play him a lot when I was on Radio York in the 80s. I still love this track…https://open.spotify.com/track/0BHtaLDr1MWmirDEe8jNu3?si=Z5-SzzA0S3Gf20vTXQENzA
Aaaand Tunbridge Wells finally gets its drinking water back. After nearly 2 weeks. 50,000 people give South East Water some proper Paddington stares.
December 12, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Aaaand Tunbridge Wells finally gets its drinking water back. After nearly 2 weeks. 50,000 people give South East Water some proper Paddington stares.
Reposted by David Thomas
Today we're looking for locations from 'The Depraved', a 1957 Danziger Production. If you recognise any of them please let us know. A credit for the first to get in touch and, no, that's not the the Walter L. Dodge House in Hollywood. As always, thanks in advance.
November 22, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Today we're looking for locations from 'The Depraved', a 1957 Danziger Production. If you recognise any of them please let us know. A credit for the first to get in touch and, no, that's not the the Walter L. Dodge House in Hollywood. As always, thanks in advance.
Ironically this magnificent letter by @davidallengreen.bsky.social informs, educates and entertains.
NEW
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
By me. Enjoy.
emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
By me. Enjoy.
emptycity.substack.com/p/the-letter...
The letter the BBC could send back to Trump
A proposal for a reply to his $1bn claim
emptycity.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Ironically this magnificent letter by @davidallengreen.bsky.social informs, educates and entertains.
This is a 2-fer and no mistake. A recommendation for a great film I’ve not seen yet. AND the discovery that I can follow a great film critic who I didn’t realise was on Bluesky.
One of Peter Cushing's best performances - a terrific crime movie spin on A Christmas Carol.
Our brew ☕ and biccies 🍪 classic matinee today stars #PeterCushing #AndreMorell in the #HammerFilms thriller
💷 CASH ON DEMAND (1961) 3:40pm #TPTVsubtitles
💷 CASH ON DEMAND (1961) 3:40pm #TPTVsubtitles
October 14, 2025 at 4:31 PM
This is a 2-fer and no mistake. A recommendation for a great film I’ve not seen yet. AND the discovery that I can follow a great film critic who I didn’t realise was on Bluesky.
Reposted by David Thomas
In the creative industries/the media and want to mentor? @artsemergency.bsky.social is looking for enthusiastic professionals
October 9, 2025 at 6:04 AM
In the creative industries/the media and want to mentor? @artsemergency.bsky.social is looking for enthusiastic professionals
Reposted by David Thomas
It’s 9am TFT time here, and citizens are already gathering to protest Tariffs by the United States. Our plain clothes Officer Penguins are attempting to maintain calm, but unfortunately we keep losing them in the crowd.
April 3, 2025 at 4:13 AM
It’s 9am TFT time here, and citizens are already gathering to protest Tariffs by the United States. Our plain clothes Officer Penguins are attempting to maintain calm, but unfortunately we keep losing them in the crowd.
I’m running a training course tomorrow and will apply tariffs on the participants depending on where they live.
Anyone joining from Yorkshire will attract a 25% tariff because I once visited Yorkshire and had to pay for food and lodging. RECIPROCAL!
Anyone joining from Yorkshire will attract a 25% tariff because I once visited Yorkshire and had to pay for food and lodging. RECIPROCAL!
April 3, 2025 at 8:05 AM
I’m running a training course tomorrow and will apply tariffs on the participants depending on where they live.
Anyone joining from Yorkshire will attract a 25% tariff because I once visited Yorkshire and had to pay for food and lodging. RECIPROCAL!
Anyone joining from Yorkshire will attract a 25% tariff because I once visited Yorkshire and had to pay for food and lodging. RECIPROCAL!
Every journalist needs to read this article/thread by the inimitable @danneidle.bsky.social It will stop them parroting nonsense later today about VAT being a 'tariff'.
Today might be the day Donald Trump slaps tariffs on UK goods — because he thinks VAT is a tariff. Yes, he's wrong. But the reason *why* he's wrong is fun.
So here's a 🧵 on the nerdy detail of VAT: via Jaffa Cakes and an economic theorem from 1936.
buff.ly/6Lms19H
So here's a 🧵 on the nerdy detail of VAT: via Jaffa Cakes and an economic theorem from 1936.
buff.ly/6Lms19H
buff.ly
April 2, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Every journalist needs to read this article/thread by the inimitable @danneidle.bsky.social It will stop them parroting nonsense later today about VAT being a 'tariff'.
Reposted by David Thomas
Some news: I'm presenting and co-writing a new short Radio 4 series, Untaxing.
It's about how tax affects our lives: from the Laffer Curve, to the Beatles, to Jaffa Cakes, and modern day avoidance.
1.45pm on Radio 4, every day next week, and on BBC Sounds as each episode airs.
It's about how tax affects our lives: from the Laffer Curve, to the Beatles, to Jaffa Cakes, and modern day avoidance.
1.45pm on Radio 4, every day next week, and on BBC Sounds as each episode airs.
March 24, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Some news: I'm presenting and co-writing a new short Radio 4 series, Untaxing.
It's about how tax affects our lives: from the Laffer Curve, to the Beatles, to Jaffa Cakes, and modern day avoidance.
1.45pm on Radio 4, every day next week, and on BBC Sounds as each episode airs.
It's about how tax affects our lives: from the Laffer Curve, to the Beatles, to Jaffa Cakes, and modern day avoidance.
1.45pm on Radio 4, every day next week, and on BBC Sounds as each episode airs.
Coincidentally my printer has just run out of two sets of toner on the same day. And it’s triggered a massive ear worm.
A little shitty it’s black and cyan. But oh yeah, life goes on.
A little shitty it’s black and cyan. But oh yeah, life goes on.
March 11, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Coincidentally my printer has just run out of two sets of toner on the same day. And it’s triggered a massive ear worm.
A little shitty it’s black and cyan. But oh yeah, life goes on.
A little shitty it’s black and cyan. But oh yeah, life goes on.
Reposted by David Thomas
Delighted to see so many people reading/sharing this as it took ages to do.
(If you enjoyed it, please share it with a friend!)
(If you enjoyed it, please share it with a friend!)
The new GOV.UK login system is the first step in a radical transformation of the British state (FREE TO READ!)
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/login-to-a...
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/login-to-a...
The new GOV.UK login system is the first step in a radical transformation of the British state
A British "DOGE" (of sorts) is rearchitecting the government
takes.jamesomalley.co.uk
March 5, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Delighted to see so many people reading/sharing this as it took ages to do.
(If you enjoyed it, please share it with a friend!)
(If you enjoyed it, please share it with a friend!)
If you've been employed, are going through redundancy or just want to set up as self-employed, this is the course you can't afford to miss.
We have a special voluntary fee policy for this course. No questions asked!
davidthomasmedia.com/event/sole-t...
We have a special voluntary fee policy for this course. No questions asked!
davidthomasmedia.com/event/sole-t...
25 Feb 25 - Setting up as a Sole Trader (full-day workshop with breaks)
Small group training for creative people going through redundancy and/or wanting to set up a business of their own. This interactive course runs across the day using Zoom.
davidthomasmedia.com
February 21, 2025 at 4:20 PM
If you've been employed, are going through redundancy or just want to set up as self-employed, this is the course you can't afford to miss.
We have a special voluntary fee policy for this course. No questions asked!
davidthomasmedia.com/event/sole-t...
We have a special voluntary fee policy for this course. No questions asked!
davidthomasmedia.com/event/sole-t...
Any sole trader or company freelancer will know how important it is to get invoicing right. One missing code number, or the wrong format, and you might not get paid.
davidthomasmedia.com/next-on-the-...
davidthomasmedia.com/next-on-the-...
February 21, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Any sole trader or company freelancer will know how important it is to get invoicing right. One missing code number, or the wrong format, and you might not get paid.
davidthomasmedia.com/next-on-the-...
davidthomasmedia.com/next-on-the-...
Know any creative people moving from employment to self-employment? This course might demystify things.
After 20 years I still find 'setting up as a sole trader' the most useful and fun course I run. Also the fee is completely voluntary.
More detail etc: davidthomasmedia.com/event/sole-t...
After 20 years I still find 'setting up as a sole trader' the most useful and fun course I run. Also the fee is completely voluntary.
More detail etc: davidthomasmedia.com/event/sole-t...
25 Feb 25 - Setting up as a Sole Trader (full-day workshop with breaks)
Small group training for creative people going through redundancy and/or wanting to set up a business of their own. This interactive course runs across the day using Zoom.
davidthomasmedia.com
February 16, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Know any creative people moving from employment to self-employment? This course might demystify things.
After 20 years I still find 'setting up as a sole trader' the most useful and fun course I run. Also the fee is completely voluntary.
More detail etc: davidthomasmedia.com/event/sole-t...
After 20 years I still find 'setting up as a sole trader' the most useful and fun course I run. Also the fee is completely voluntary.
More detail etc: davidthomasmedia.com/event/sole-t...
Here we go. Some musings from an old trainer (me) about what Rachel Reeves’s first budget might mean for freelancers or all types. davidthomasmedia.com/what-the-202...
What the 2024 Budget means for freelancers
davidthomasmedia.com
November 3, 2024 at 9:08 AM
Here we go. Some musings from an old trainer (me) about what Rachel Reeves’s first budget might mean for freelancers or all types. davidthomasmedia.com/what-the-202...
We're close to Labour's first budget speech 14 years. I'll keep a freelancer's eye on announcements on 30th October.
We'll also cover relevant changes on my 'setting up as a sole trader' training session on 7th November. Good timing!
More details here: davidthomasmedia.com/event/sole-t...
We'll also cover relevant changes on my 'setting up as a sole trader' training session on 7th November. Good timing!
More details here: davidthomasmedia.com/event/sole-t...
7 Nov 24 - Setting up as a Sole Trader (full-day workshop with breaks)
Small group training for creative people going through redundancy and/or wanting to set up a business of their own. This interactive course runs across the day using Zoom.
davidthomasmedia.com
October 21, 2024 at 9:03 AM
We're close to Labour's first budget speech 14 years. I'll keep a freelancer's eye on announcements on 30th October.
We'll also cover relevant changes on my 'setting up as a sole trader' training session on 7th November. Good timing!
More details here: davidthomasmedia.com/event/sole-t...
We'll also cover relevant changes on my 'setting up as a sole trader' training session on 7th November. Good timing!
More details here: davidthomasmedia.com/event/sole-t...
I'm running another 'voluntary fee' training session for people going self-employed. Thursday 7th Nov.
Properly interactive, small group and a relaxed vibe.
Perfect for creative people who feel a bit daunted.
Get booking! More details here:
davidthomasmedia.com/event/sole-t...
Properly interactive, small group and a relaxed vibe.
Perfect for creative people who feel a bit daunted.
Get booking! More details here:
davidthomasmedia.com/event/sole-t...
7 Nov 24 - Setting up as a Sole Trader (full-day workshop with breaks)
Small group training for creative people going through redundancy and/or wanting to set up a business of their own. This interactive course runs across the day using Zoom.
davidthomasmedia.com
October 18, 2024 at 8:36 AM
I'm running another 'voluntary fee' training session for people going self-employed. Thursday 7th Nov.
Properly interactive, small group and a relaxed vibe.
Perfect for creative people who feel a bit daunted.
Get booking! More details here:
davidthomasmedia.com/event/sole-t...
Properly interactive, small group and a relaxed vibe.
Perfect for creative people who feel a bit daunted.
Get booking! More details here:
davidthomasmedia.com/event/sole-t...
If you're a creative freelancer and want to keep on top of new developments or training sessions, check out my monthly-ish newsletter.
Here's the latest, with an overview of free resources:
https://buff.ly/3ztJ4wG
...and you can sign up here:
https://buff.ly/4ddPQ7t
Here's the latest, with an overview of free resources:
https://buff.ly/3ztJ4wG
...and you can sign up here:
https://buff.ly/4ddPQ7t
September 21, 2024 at 11:26 AM
If you're a creative freelancer and want to keep on top of new developments or training sessions, check out my monthly-ish newsletter.
Here's the latest, with an overview of free resources:
https://buff.ly/3ztJ4wG
...and you can sign up here:
https://buff.ly/4ddPQ7t
Here's the latest, with an overview of free resources:
https://buff.ly/3ztJ4wG
...and you can sign up here:
https://buff.ly/4ddPQ7t
All these decades living in/near London, and I didn’t realise this beautiful square and the Guildhall Art Gallery existed till this week.
September 20, 2024 at 3:43 PM
All these decades living in/near London, and I didn’t realise this beautiful square and the Guildhall Art Gallery existed till this week.
Yep. I train creative freelancers in organising their finances. This is a very common misconception. See also 1) very few people earn more than £80k and 2) NI rates go down when you earn more than c.£50K - the opposite of what many I meet think is fair.
Our polling suggests that 50% of people believe that, once you hit the higher rate threshold, the 40% higher rate applies to all your earnings.
April 22, 2024 at 5:03 PM
Yep. I train creative freelancers in organising their finances. This is a very common misconception. See also 1) very few people earn more than £80k and 2) NI rates go down when you earn more than c.£50K - the opposite of what many I meet think is fair.