It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

oystercatcher

fedupfreda wrote: »

Hi everyone :santa2:

Sorry to hear about your boiler problems Caterina - If you decide to go for a replacement boiler or not, see if you can get on a priority response contract with British Gas, you pay £2 monthly 'membership fee', this entitles you to a £130 fixed price repair (or it did when my boiler went a few weeks ago - think they are currently doing a promotion for £99 fixed price repair) - this includes parts and labour, saved my bacon financially a few weeks back, without this I would have had to pay £400+ to get mine fixed :eek:

And no, I don't work for British Gas....:D

I had endless problems with BG in the past wouldn't touch them with a bargepole ! There's loads of places that do central heating insurance. I recommend being insured but NOT BG never never never ....

(would take too long to explain and need bed, have to be up at 5.45 for horrible 12 hour shift tomorrow, yuck!)

Oystercatcher

cw18

Ive had CH cover with BG since 1991 -- with the exception of 9 months between houses when we were in a rented property. I pay a set sum each month, and don't get stung for repairs or annual service.

Have to say I've never had a problem with them, and they were brilliant with our latest call about 7 weeks ago. I don't pay the higher price to guarantee same day/next day call out, but when I called on a Sunday afternoon and said I couldn't get the radiators to warm up I "slipped into the conversation" that this was an issue as my DH had cancer and was really feeling the cold....... they offered me a slot for the following morning, and we were quickly up and running again

They also bumped one of my calls about 12 years ago, as the temperatures had suddenly nose-dived and my younger DS was having issues with his asthma as a result. (he's now outgrown it, but he used to have major problems if the temperatures shot up or down, but a gradual slide between hot and freezing didn't bother him!)

mardatha

Caterina , fly up to edinburgh and we'll meet you. You can have a bath here!!

painted_lady

Just get plenty of quotes for the boiler, ours varied from £3500 to £1200. Make sure the plumber is corgi registered, we got our own boiler from the plumbers merchant and paid someone to fit it. We also took the old boiler away ourselves.I get it serviced every year for £50 and thats it. That was in 2002.
In my experience, it was much cheaper to phone the guys in the local paper than use the big companies.
Couldnt live without my hot baths I'm afraid.

ceridwen

mardatha wrote: »

Caterina , fly up to edinburgh and we'll meet you. You can have a bath here!!

Well......someone better lend her a spare broomstick - flying for the purposes of.......we couldnt have her fly by PLANE :eek:

ceridwen

painted_lady wrote: »

Just get plenty of quotes for the boiler, ours varied from £3500 to £1200. Make sure the plumber is corgi registered, we got our own boiler from the plumbers merchant and paid someone to fit it. We also took the old boiler away ourselves.I get it serviced every year for £50 and thats it. That was in 2002.
In my experience, it was much cheaper to phone the guys in the local paper than use the big companies.

'Tis true that the prices can vary wildly. When my boiler went a coupla years ago I think it cost me about £2,000???? - from my usual "little man" I go to for servicing. On talking to someone else - she said that she had just been quoted a figure about twice that by someone, when I told her my price, she went back to ask him again - and he instantly cut hundreds of £s off his quote.

wendybird

Well things just got a little more complicated here - I just found out I'm pregnant!! :j This is totally unexpected as we've been told we can't conceive naturally so were waiting for IVF & ICSI. But we are both thrilled if a little nervous given the state of my job security (or lack thereof)! I did start saving for a baby a couple of years ago when we started trying - some of it we spent on having the floors in the house done - but there is still a decent pot there. I've also been saving all my 2 pound coins - so there is a bit there as well. We've really cut down on other expenses, but I'm going to go through our finances again and see where else we can cut. If my job goes it will be around September - right when I'm due - so no hope of getting another job at that time! Anything we can sock away will help me sleep at night (when I'm not getting up to wee!).

We were planning on getting a couple of chickens this spring, but now I'm not sure if I want the extra work (we've already got 3 cats, 3 fish and a large dog!). I know it isn't really going to save us money - as we have to pay for the chicken house, feed, etc. It was more to rescue hens and have a ready egg supply. We're trying to get as urban self-sufficient as we can. Anyone have any experience or opinions on this - how much work are they? Do you think it would be mad to take on chickens with everything else?

Also, D&DD - do you want to share your pics of your stores? I'm always up for storage ideas! We've got a space issue here and I'm not above stealing clever ideas!

Take care everyone,

Wendybird

caledoniaquine

Congratulations on the baby, great news :beer: .

If you were waiting until you had enough money for kids youd never have them lol

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

caledoniaquine wrote: »

Congratulations on the baby, great news :beer: .

If you were waiting until you had enough money for kids youd never have them lol

I can only second that.
We never had any money before we had kids and even less when we did.
Children need love more than anything and that's something money can't buy.
Congratulations xxxxx.

bellaquidsin

Wonderful new Wendybird, don't worry about the money, the love it will bring is treasure indeed.

For baby paraphanalia, ask friends, or drop a few hints, that might get you a few of their 'used' items. Try freecycle, or Ebay and charity shops. Do you have a relative with a wool stash who may be able to knock up a blanket or two and a few garments for next winter? Better still try charity shops for odds and ends of wool and knit them yourself. You'll find it amazing what comes your way.

Loss of an income can be a bit of a blow and I suppose that means no maternity allowance. Just read these threads, tighten your belts and you'll manage somehow but I think I would give the chickens a miss until you see how much time baby will demand of you.

All the best for your new and exciting future.

Bella.