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In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving

Archives for January 2006

buying goods in thailand
electrical good i mean, not the other sort :D Off to thailand in may and want to get decent dvd camcorder, digital camera etc is it best to buy before i go or whilst out there? I know most stuff out there is fake (clothing watches etc) but what about electrical goods? Will a Sony be a Sony? I would of thought so as a lot…
Philips TV, turning itself on and off
My Philips TV has been playing up for a month, turning itself on and off. It is just over 2 years old, now me, with a 32" widescreen (6006 model) I would have expected that to last longer than 2 years, so I emailed Philips customer care asking nicely if they could do something about it. No dice, get lost basically. So I…
bicycle chain repair
My 7 year old's Universal 16 inch bike has its chain off. No gears, but I can't put it back as it is too tight. Totally green with bikes (pun unintended) - can anyone tell me how to fix it?
What's wrong with low energy bulb ratings?
i've done some tests with traditional light bulbs and the low energy saving ones which are labelled with the actual low wattage value and the equivalent light value compared with traditional bulb. On every occasion even when i've left them on for a few minutes, the low energy ones are never as bright as claimed, so as i…
query on cavity wall
i live in a upper cottage falt built in 1940's. (quarter villa whatever you want to call it) if i want cavity wall instillation does that affect the people down the stairs? Do thety have to get it done as well or can it be done just for the upper half?
Vacuum Cleaners (merged threads)
hello just moved into my first house and wondering which hoovers would be best for durability and ... wait for it ... "suckability" silly question but i'm not very clued up on this stuff! cheers
diy courses
Hi folks I'm looking for a course in diy but don't want to spend an arm and a leg. also i wouldn't know whwere to look! I'm in glasgow (incase that makes a difference) can anyone help me!?! cheers
Question re new gas CH boiler install.
My parents have had a new central heating boiler installed. Now by all accounts they have made a decent job of it, but I have one concern. They have connected it to the elec supply by using a 13 amp plug next to the toaster. My Dad asked why they have not used a permanent supply, and they simply said that they had no…
Stax Membership
Hi all, I'm in the throws of 'doing up' my house and a place that keeps getting recommended to me to get tools, flooring, kitchens etc is Stax. Whats the best way to get a membership card from them? Their website states that you need to be in a trade and have 2 or 3 invoices of a similar product that they sell, a…
Boiler & wireless digi stat???
Can i use a Drayton Digi Stat (probably RF-1) if I have a Vaillant EcoTec 831 plus combi installed? Or is there something better that I should use to control the boiler - I like the idea of having no wiring and being able to put it where I want. Can I control the bolier from the actual controls on the boiler or not? I have…
Sadolin treatment
Im buying a place that has dark wood doors, windows [to be replaced in time] and fascias. Would the fascias be hardwood or softwood - and how easy is it to treat the doors with Sadolin or something similar? Is it just a question of a good sanding down then 2 coats of the wood treatment? Tips welcome, never had to do this…
Washer Dryer advice please
Please could someone recommend a good washer dryer...needs to be good rather than inexpensive! (young family so it's going to get a lot of use!) Thanks in advance
Custom made wallpaper
Strange question to most but i'm a budding musician and fancy a "wall of marshall amplifiers" in my music room but just a pictures not the real thing. Any 80's rock gig goers will know the scene i want to create. Any ideas on how to go about it. I considered having custom made wallpaper but it's very expensive. TIA
New conservatory wanted
Hi I'm looking for a new 12ft long x 10ft wide Victorian dwarf wall conservatory in white fully fitted base etc (not electrics, plastering or flooring) any idea how much I should be paying also getting all the windows done at the same time ( 9 windows, front door and 3 sets of french doors ) Cheers Neil ps I'm am in…
Whiteboard
Does anybody know how to make a whiteboard? Can you buy whiteboard paint? I looked in B&Q at the weekend but couldn't see any. A search on the internet isn't that revealing either. I've got a board that's the right size, so it seems daft to buy one, they are quite expensive...
Which underlay for laminate floor?
What sort of underlay would be needed for laminate in ground floor rooms that are to be laid on top of a suspended wooden floor? [lounge/diner and maybe bedrooms in a bungalow.] Do I need the one with the moisture membrane, the one without it - should I go for the fibre boards? What are the advantages and longevity of them…
Moving house soon - sky tv query!
I don't know which forum to ask this question so if this is the wrong one could someone give me an idea where to correctly post!! We are due to move house in a couple of weeks. We have been sky customers for about 8 years now. I'm sure the house we are moving to has sky installed. We have been quoted £50 to transfer our…
Price Challenge
I know you guys like a hunt around for the best price for stuff. Can you beat £599 for a Sumsung American Style fridge freezer? I need to buy one before the end of the week!! http://www.currys.co.uk/product.php?sku=927211&camp_id=pricerunner Cheers Simon
De-ionised water
Can de-ionised water be made on the cheap at home in small batches mainly for use in steam irons
Putting in light coloured carpets???
Hi I am brand new to the forum and look forward to many postings with you all. :beer: We are thinking of replacing our carpets in our 3 bedroom detached house. It is obviously a family house and when we sell it it will almost certainly be bought by a family. Would they take one look at our oatmeal colour carpets and…

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MSE News

Ofgem proposes new 'no standing charge' Price Cap – but Martin Lewis warns vulnerable customers need to be opted in or it won't work
Ofgem has today launched detailed proposals for a major shake up to its Energy Price Cap that dictates the price over 80% of homes in England, Scotland and Wales pay for their energy bills.
Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to cut overdraft rates for millions but hike them for others – here's what's happening and full help
If you're a Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland current account holder, the interest rate you're charged for using your overdraft could change soon as part of a fees shake-up. The Lloyds Banking Group, which owns all three brands, says millions of its customers will pay less after the changes – but a "few" will pay more.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more low-income households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Martin Lewis: At last a chance to fix Council Tax flaws impacting millions – debt collection, difficulty challenging your band, discounts and more
Major flaws in the Council Tax system in England could finally be fixed in future, as the Government has launched a wide-ranging consultation to review hideous debt collection practices, the difficulty of challenging your band, the overly complex and horribly-named Severe Mental Impairment discount and more. MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis, who has long campaigned on these issues, shares his response and analysis.
Energy complaints to be dealt with more quickly and Energy Ombudsman to get new powers under Government plans
If you have a complaint about your energy firm, it may be resolved more quickly in future, as the Government has announced a raft of proposals to strengthen consumer protections in the energy market. The planned changes include giving the Energy Ombudsman new powers to force firms to comply with its decisions – but it's still very early days. Here's what we know so far.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Base rate held at 4.25% – here's what it means and when it might be cut next
The Bank of England has held the base rate at 4.25%. Below we explain why, when it might be cut, plus what it means for your mortgage and savings.
Applied for South West Trains 'boundary fares' compensation? Act now to claim it
If you applied for compensation from South West Trains before the deadline in January 2025, you now need to provide your bank details to the claim administrator so it can be paid to you. Here's what you need to know.
Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for millions – Martin Lewis explains how it'll work, what it means and if it's an improvement
All State Pensioners in England and Wales will receive a Winter Fuel Payment this winter, though those who earn over £35,000 will see it clawed back through the tax system. It means nine million pensioners will get the £200 or £300 top-up. Here MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis shares his instant response and analysis, and we include answers to your key questions.

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In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving

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