hanging my head in shame

charlie2517

Hello there!

What an inspiring read! Well done so far!

Just some thoughts to try and help you perhaps get more money or some other small changes to save pennies here and there! If am repeating stuff you've read on MSE or know then am so sorry! There's a section on here which deals with all this!

You may not have the time with 2 jobs but thought would suggest it anyway! Have you thought of doing the pay per clicks, surveys etc? It's not big bucks but it mounts slowly.

Another small thing it that blue bag you can get for your loo which reduces the water you use (I cant remember the name of it!).

Turning your heating down a degree

You say you prefer the branded cleaning stuff - have you tried the pound shop? Brighton's one is great!

Have you checked your on the most competitive internet, phone etc.

Have you discovered cash back sites.

If you've already read the link on these sort of things then am sorry to repeat it but in case any of it can help!

Is the increase to £44 with British Gas right - I know some of the energy providers increase when people are in credit etc.

Energy saving bulbs

Switching off at plugs.

I'll stop there and hope I've been of some help!

Keep it up!

xx

miggy

charlie2517 wrote: »

Another small thing it that blue bag you can get for your loo which reduces the water you use (I cant remember the name of it!).

Is it a hippo? http://www.hippo-the-watersaver.co.uk/

We use a pop bottle filled with tap water in the cistern - essentially the same I think though once it moved round and the cistern wouldn't flush properly till I put it back at the other end of the cistern - proper 'hippos' may have a way round that.

worried_jim

Great ideas Charlie ! with the cleaning products I like "kitchen power"- some Australian brand, I find it is brilliant. I have looked at cashback sites, although I never buy anything except food and services.
I did buy a book from a charity shop for £1 and have just sold it on Amazon for £11.50 ! will keep my eyes peeled for more. Spent the money on a trip to the cinema to see my bloody valentine in 3D last night. The film is so so, but 3D is , well I can only describe it as breathtaking ! There are quite a few 3D films coming out this year and I will need to sell some more books as this is going to become my new favourite thing.
Still on the diet, not cheating and looking forward to the weigh in less than 1 week.

worried_jim

Has anyone tried a RazorPit Razor Blade Sharpener from Denmark yet?

http://www.razorpit.com/index.php?language=en

this is what it claims to do-
We are proud to present: Razorpit. The revolution that will change your shaving experience and furthermore, decrease the expenses related to it. Previously you would inconveniently have to scrap your used razorblades, after only a few uses, time and time again. This is no longer the case. With Razorpit you will prolong the lifespan of your razorblades’ considerably. The same blade can now be used for a minimum of a 150 shaves. You will thereby save money, spare the environment and give yourself a better, sharper shave, every day.

At £20 if it can prolong 8 cartridges over a year it would more than pay for itself when cartridges are approx £10 per pack.
Or would I be wasting my money on a gadget?

worried_jim

I help to look after an elderly neighbour who has seen his mobility and quality of life go rapidly downhill over the last 2 years from being an active 80 year old to being practically housebound. I try to ensure that he has plenty to do during the day, keep his internet working, I've helped install a big stereo as he is a massive classical music fan and is quite content to spend all day listening to his many cd's, and when he's not listening to them he is online buying more of them!
He has an HD tv and loves the cricket so I suggested getting upgraded to V+ from Virgin so he can record the test match and also see it in better clarity. I am so angry at the shoddy service he has received from them. I went round last night to check up on him and there he was, proud as punch "you must look at the brilliant tv picture"- I couldn't see any difference so I went thru the instructions to make sure that he was getting the HD signal and discovered to receive this (which he is now paying for) the V+ box needs an HDMI cable which isn't included with the installation- fair enough, but I would have thought that the engineer or call centre staff would have advised him of this, "get one of these leads and the picture will be even better". He would have never have known unless I fiddled around at the back of the tv trying to turn on the HD signal and all this time he would have been paying for a service and thinking he was getting it. I am so disappointed at Virgin. rant over.

doodledo_2

Morning Jim

Thats shocking isn't it. They are obviously more than happy to take the money without even ensuring that he was receiving what he was paying for. I wonder if it was someone younger they would have done that :mad:

That man is lucky to have a lovely caring neighbour like you.

miggy

Sounds as though they take the money and leave. :mad::mad::mad:
I'm glad he's got you to fight his corner. I suppose most of his TV-viewing time the picture hasn't always been what we'd now consider an acceptable standard, so he is going to think it's good, not realising how good it could be, IYSWIM.
As for me - well, I'm looking for a new phone but you bet I'm going to get my kids to vet my choice before buying, because otherwise I might get what I consider brilliant and not realise it's standard!

miggy

An afterthoght - perhaps he could try reclaiming for the service they claimed he had but didn't?

worried_jim

miggy wrote: »

An afterthoght - perhaps he could try reclaiming for the service they claimed he had but didn't?

well he only had it installed on Wednesday and he's already ordered a lead for a tenner from Amazon, I'm sure it will be with him by next week. When he calls them he doesn't realise it's a big call centre dealing with 1000's of calls a day, he thinks its 2 people in a corner office waiting for his call- I haven't the heart to tell him. When he booked the installation he thought he was put through to virgin board executive to book the deal ! Bless !

worried_jim

I have finally sent my letter demanding the return of my First Direct bank charges (£2298) from the last 6 years. It feels really cheeky doing it, but I've got nothing to lose and the money would be a massive help for me this year. I know that banks aren't paying out at the moment but at least I 'll have my claim in for when they and if they do- Knowing my luck they wont !