Average cost of utility bills?

poppysocks1

Hi

I was with EDF so based costs on this, but as they hiked up their prices i just switched to e-on capped rate, but to be honest we have such a small flat and I am out the flat from 8am to 7pm and have showers at the gym so I dont use much elec or gas really. But worth doing utility comparisons to see who is cheapest for gas and elec when you move in and turn things off if not using them etc. We only put heating on as a minimum as partner has asthma and it makes it worse. Would rather put jumpers on, have a hot drink and sit under a duvet!

Its a great idea to do a spreadsheet of all costs and have reminders to check when contracts run out so that you can run price comparisons (with advice from this website). Good luck, you will be fine!

Also - we do online tesco shopping so we always know what our food bills will be by the way, which does help.

retepetsir

Good idea about online shopping, it might be worth paying the £5 delivery charge a couple of times to see how much it'll actually cost us in total.

I've put down £60 for food/drink per week and £10 for household items (cleaning products, loo role, etc), do you think that'll do for 2 adults? We won't be buying extravagant things but I want to make sure that we've got everything covered!

Thanks

lkk88

Natty082 wrote: »

Oh right - My water and sewerage is the same company. Didn't know it could be supplied by two! ... Learn something new everyday! (We are oop North - United Utilities)

I didnt know it could be supplied just by one!!! you really do learn something new every day!!

poppysocks1

Forgot to say, to help us budget we set up a joint account for bills only, so we both have a big amount per month automatically put into the bills account so that we know we have paid the bills. And it stops arguments on who pays what! We also set up monthly direct debits for all the utilities from this joint account so that there is no big bill and the phone, elec, gas, water, tax etc all get taken monthly by DD. We budget the amount for the tvlicence and house insurance over the year and split it by 12 to know what the monthly amount is to cover this, which again comes out of joint account.

It really helps, then you know that money left is yours. We also put in the monthly amount we spend on food, so I have a lump sum of £600 going into the joint account to cover rent, food, all bills etc so at least I know where I am with money. Its worth considering, and it takes no maintenance as its all done by Direct Debit, with a standing order between my current account to the Joint Account.

lkk88

retepetsir wrote: »

Good idea about online shopping, it might be worth paying the £5 delivery charge a couple of times to see how much it'll actually cost us in total.

I've put down £60 for food/drink per week and £10 for household items (cleaning products, loo role, etc), do you think that'll do for 2 adults? We won't be buying extravagant things but I want to make sure that we've got everything covered!

Thanks

Depends how much you eat! but I would say thats plenty, we do £70 a week at the mo and thats with 3 adults

poppysocks1

Yes £60 a week is fine - we do £120 a month online, then top up with local fruit and veg and meat. So it really works out ok. we tend to buy in bulk so a bit cheaper.

I assume you dont have a car as havent mentioned that in your budget?

Asda do home deliveries and they may be cheaper than tescos. Look on the spending/shopping link and there is a supermarket comparison link. Differetn times of week are cheaper too.

re house insurance, when you renew its worth doing online quotes, and that goes for any of your suppliers.

Natty082

My weekly 'big shop' last week cost me £43 - thats for 2 people - Didn't include alcohol or washing powder this week. I also don't buy any ready meals as I like to cook from 'scratch'.... did include a few 'fancy' items as my parter calls them.... Italian meats, artichokes (£2.89!!), and extra virgin olive oil (Not cheap!) and elizabeth shaw mints! mmmmm.

retepetsir

poppysocks1 wrote: »

Forgot to say, to help us budget we set up a joint account for bills only, so we both have a big amount per month automatically put into the bills account so that we know we have paid the bills. And it stops arguments on who pays what! We also set up monthly direct debits for all the utilities from this joint account so that there is no big bill and the phone, elec, gas, water, tax etc all get taken monthly by DD. We budget the amount for the tvlicence and house insurance over the year and split it by 12 to know what the monthly amount is to cover this, which again comes out of joint account.

It really helps, then you know that money left is yours. We also put in the monthly amount we spend on food, so I have a lump sum of £600 going into the joint account to cover rent, food, all bills etc so at least I know where I am with money. Its worth considering, and it takes no maintenance as its all done by Direct Debit, with a standing order between my current account to the Joint Account.

Yep that was exactly what I was planning on doing :T . Joint account for rent/utilities/food and other bills, then we just pay in a set amount each month :beer: . I think the g/f agrees this is a good idea too.

Thought I'd be generous with the estimates (i.e. food) just in case. The g/f will have to learn not to buy everything she sees and likes the look of :rotfl: :eek:

Edit: Yep I think I mentioned that I had budgeted for a car above? I have actually budgeted for 2 as we currently own one each, but one will definately be sold as where this flat is positioned is ideal for is, the g/f can walk to the hospital and I can walk to the train station (commuting to London). I've also budgeted for my season ticket, etc.

poppysocks1

Sorry missed the bit about your car, but you sound really organised, so that is great, its nice to know you have covered everything and its great to know what you have left, plus you can just transfer any extra savings to your savings account at the end of each month.

retepetsir

Right, I'm looking at each person paying £750 a month into a joint account to cover rent/all bills/other bits and pieces... our total net income is £2,500 (may be higher with g/f working night shifts, etc) and after all costs are taken into account (plus emergency money, entertainment, etc) it looks like we'll be able to save £560 a month between us. Does that sound ok, or too little?! Rent is not set in stone yet but they did say £750-£800, so if its £750 then even better!