Live on £4000 for a year - Part 3

DdraigGoch

Nyk... [says she, in a whining, "oh, go on, you know you'll be interested, really you will" sort of voice ...} ... you know you've been doing your electrickery readings and switching off where possible, etc? Do you like the idea of casting an eye over the following facts and seeing if I've got it right, 'cos I can't believe I have

I'm with SWALEC, on their Standard No Standing Charge/Hydro tariff, and between 26th July and today, 4th August the meter readings were 15929 and 15944 respectively. With "units" costing 11.12p each, how much do you make it?! I'm paying £45 a month and between 24th March and 22nd July the readings were 15065 and 15929 respectively, and they say they owe me £23.34 ..... are they right?

I've put myself onto their 2% off tarrif in addition to the above. Probably thinking of going onto the paperless billing too - another 2% off. Must get it sorted today.

Thanks
DG

ps - no spend day today so far! Made the best "normal" AKA white bread I've made in many a year today. It's amazing how having the right recipe and the right ingredients makes such a difference, who'd have thought it? :rotfl:

Frugaldom

Hi fru-guys & fru-gals, it's another glorious day here after the torrential downpours during the 'wee small hours', so the washing has been hung out, dried and is back in again already

5-a-day already accounted for once we've eaten the spag bol for dinner; it's in the slow cooker simmering away now. I'm hoping that it won't be too long before I can begin picking some tomatoes - mine seem to be far, far behind Sophiesmum's.

This week being the first week of 'no hot water other than showers and kettle', I have dug out a 25 litre plastic container from the shed and it's now filled with fresh water, sitting in full sunlight to find out how warm it gets. The container is supposed to be used for beer/wine making, but we don't drink enough of the stuff to warrant making that sort of quantity. If this idea works, then I'll be keeping milk cartons filled and sitting in sunshine to warm them for dish washing etc. I've also got the 1litre flask I bought from Woolies sale, that is now being used to hold boiled water for coffee, thanks for the reminder Penny2MyName. :T

I love the site at www.i-measure.org as it has a graph showing your personal carbon useage, along with a running total of approximately how much you are spending on electricity and/or gas! There's currently a prize draw for imeasurers from now until to 30th September 2008 that submit at least 6 sets of weekly gas and/or electricity meter readings during this period. The prize is £250! (Pick me, pick me, pick me! :j )

Child Benefit - the 4k challenge is 4k plus standard child benefit for those who are eligible. I've forgotten who asked :rotfl: but yes, you can use your child benefit.

DFW44 - Will change your total to £5000, thanks for sticking with the mad, frugal programme. :beer:

wendywitch

nykmedia wrote: »

)

Child Benefit - the 4k challenge is 4k plus standard child benefit for those who are eligible. I've forgotten who asked :rotfl: but yes, you can use your child benefit.

DFW44 - Will change your total to £5000, thanks for sticking with the mad, frugal programme. :beer:

When I work mine out I used all monies that come in. Is that ok? Did I do it right?

Burlesque_Babe

Just been round watering down stuff. Added a splash of water to my hair conditioner which was particularly gloopy, fabric conditioner, washing up liquid (again!) and clothes washing liquid.

It's amazing how unecessarily thick they all are when you realise a top up of water at 1/4 empty doesn't affect how well they work!

Frugaldom

DdraigGoch wrote: »

...I'm with SWALEC, on their Standard No Standing Charge/Hydro tariff, and between 26th July and today, 4th August the meter readings were 15929 and 15944 respectively. With "units" costing 11.12p each, how much do you make it?! I'm paying £45 a month and between 24th March and 22nd July the readings were 15065 and 15929 respectively, and they say they owe me £23.34 ..... are they right?

24 March to 22 July = 4 months, so you would have paid £180 in monthly DDs, however, you only used 864 units @ 11.12p = £96.07 + vat, which I think is about £102.21 of electricity, in my estimation. Credit balance = £77.79 If you have used a further 15 units since then, at 11.12p per unit, then ... OH, WOW! 15 units over an entire week? :eek: :j :T That's like only £1.77 including VAT for a full week? I am stunned! I reckon they could owe you closer to £70 but it will depend on how they calculate the monthly charges through winter, assuming you use much more then.

But I must ask - do you cook with gas? I'm almost 15 units per week just running the fridge and freezer. :eek:

Frugaldom

Just popped back as I found the following rather amusing!

Apparently, "The government defines the fuel-poor as anyone that spends more than 10% of their income on fuel."

The full article can be found here, if anyone wants to read it.

Is anyone else here fuel poor?
I'm fuel poor BEFORE the next electricity price rises even reach me! :mad:

System

i am most definately fuel poor!

I 'invested' in a big flask thing from a charity shop today, it has a regular flask bit on the top, plus 2 flasky bowl things you screw on the bottom, and a wee scew on bit with a spoon in it, thought it would come in handy for taking hot lunches to uni/picnics etc (as long as itactually works!)

nyk, can you get penny shares in flask companies? i bet they will be selling millions of 'em

Frugaldom

Jumble-Bee wrote: »

nyk, can you get penny shares in flask companies? i bet they will be selling millions of 'em

Not sure about flasks, Jumble-Bee, but if I could get penny shares in toilet paper, agricultural land and electronics companies producing power saving devices and consumption meters then I'd be willing to risk a few hard earned pounds. Does anyone else feel as though the UK is regressing rather than progressing? :rolleyes: I'm thinking that rather than just become householders (mortgage free, of course), we'll all need to become small holders!

I've a friend with a large garden who is no longer able to look after her large garden. I suggested she rent it out as an allotment ROFL

whowants2brich

nykmedia wrote: »

But I must ask - do you cook with gas?

People usually tell me that whenever I cook with electricity, I'm usually cooking on gas...

PS does the price include any standing charges? Normally where there's one rate for gas or electricity, there's usually a standing charge as well, 11p for elec + 20p/day standing, roughly an extra £25... Isn't it standing charge + flat rate, or a high rate for x units + a lower rate for y units...?

Penny2myName

nykmedia wrote: »

:j )

Child Benefit - the 4k challenge is 4k plus standard child benefit for those who are eligible. I've forgotten who asked :rotfl: but yes, you can use your child benefit.

DFW44 - Will change your total to £5000, thanks for sticking with the mad, frugal programme. :beer:

I know I asked to have my child benefit added to my total challenge amount rather than the straight £4k.