Live on £4,000 for a year - 2009, Part 3

cw18

Just spoken to someone at my mobile phone company who understood exactly what I wanted to do (after I got passed across to a chap in another dept which was definitely in this country - not sure what the accent of the lady I spoke to first was).

All set to change from (expensive) contract to PAYG on 11th, when my minimum term ends - BUT they've also offered me a different plan I need to think about in the next couple of days (offer is only open I get changed).

I budgeted £40/year for PAYG (based on what I used to spend), and will get charged 10p/text and 25p/min for most of my use (only son in the army is on same network for which my costs would be slightly cheaper). But I used to get free texts on the network I was on prior to getting a contract, and won't if I stay with my current network (which, for the time being at least, is more convenient as I can keep the same number without the hassle of 'porting' it across). The other package I've been offered is £5/month (discounted from £15/month as I already have a compatible handset and SIM) and includes 100 texts and 100 minutes a month (effectively worth £35) - all of which can be cross-network (or to land-lines). This works out at £60/year, but once again ties me to an 18 month contact.

Not sure what to do, but have to admit I'm tempted as I'll know exactly what my spends will be as long as I don't have a really heavy month, and as any extra will be billed/charged to my bank it means I can't run out of credit in an emergency (which I came close to a couple of times in my pre-contract days). I've been using about £10/month of my current contract allowance each month (charged at 10p/text and 20p/minute), but a lot of the time I've only used my mobile for calls as I know it's not going to cost me I know I can afford this (subject to no major catastrophes at home) for the first 12 months, but it's months 13 thru 18 that worry me slightly. However, I'd be budgetting £20 for those and this contract would only be an extra £10 over that 6 months, so there's not really a lot in it

And they'd count the contract as 'time served' when calculating future phone upgrade options, or working out special deals if I want to go back on a higher contract (even within the 18 months) if I find work and it becomes beneficial to me to have more included time..... Changing to PAYG wipes my last 18 months history, and any time on PAYG doesn't count either.

Confused? I am :rolleyes2

Kittikins

Hi Cheryl - yes I am confused, to me it looks like the £5/month deal is a winner, or is the £5/month only for the first 12 of the 18 months?

I think IK&E and Asd* have v. cheap PAYG rates, 25p/min sounds a lot on the PAYG deal you've been offered.

Mr A 8p/min calls and 4p per text at any time - the sim costs 74p
http://www.asda-mobile.com/?node_id=1.2

Can't find anything about IKE*, think you have to sign up to their Family card (free) to get into the info, if they still do it.

Hope it helps.

cw18

It's £5/month for the whole 18 months - other than any change in VAT I'm guessing, as my contract cost went down when VAT reduced from 17.5% to 15%..

So, Mr A costs £12 for the 100 mins + 100 texts - so £5/month still cheaper even if I only use half the allowance.

Mr T is 20p/min or 10p/text, or 10p/min and 5p/text to 5 nominated numbers. So if I only call/text 5 numbers from it then 100 mins + 100 texts = £15. BUT if I top-up £10 they give me another £10 (though the free money has to be used within the month and I can't quickly see whether it used the free money first). So it could cost me £7.50/month for the same thing if I only top-up every other month and it uses the 'free' part first. So the £5/month is cheaper if I use 2/3 the allowance.

And changing networks also means I need to get my handset unlocked (so extra cost)..... not sure what my network would charge for that, but a "shop" I asked in didn't think it could be done 'on the sly' due to the type of phone


So even with those other options thrown in (I have the Ike@ card, but haven't checked for their deal - though I remember getting a mailshot about it) it is looking like the £5/month contract could be the best option......




Off off for a couple of hours. Younger GD has Sports Day at nursery this afternoon, and I've said I'll go. Starts in about 45 mins, but I've decided to walk rather than take the car (which will take me about 25-30 mins each way).

grandma247

aeb wrote: »

Also, I'm looking forward to hearing about Grandma's canning. I remember learning about that at school and being warned by the teacher about how it can be dangerous, especially for vegetables when toxins can be fatal! Please be careful although I expect things have moved on by now and it is probably very safe - and the techer was very old. I have done fruit bottling just using ordinary jars and that has been successful and easy. And yes, it does save space in the freezer and keeps the colour of plums which come out of the freezer black.

Yes improperly canned food is dangerous. The instructions should be followed to the letter when doing any low acid veg or other foods. I canned water this morning to try the pressure canner out.
SM I found that my large burner on the stove was too hot for the 11lbs psi even on the lowest setting so I moved it to the middle size burner and that was perfect on the lowest setting once it had reached 11lbs.
All jars of water have sealed even though I used the lids that had already been used(all spaghetti sauce jars with the pop tops.) I will be canning some rose coco beans that I soaked yesterday,I am just waiting for them to heat up. I will be using new lids now. Also will ask if my veggie pasta sauce will be ok as it has brown lentils in.

aeb take care of yourself, you will get through this, just remember never refuse any kind of help and don't be afraid to ask for it. Take one day at a time and the time will go so fast you will wonder where the years went.

sophiesmum_2

Thanks for the tip grandma, will be reading any canning updates with interest
How mny of the pasta sauce jars could you fit in at one time? The asda sp curry jars are a similar size to those, and at 4p each including the curry would be ideal for sauces.

bails

Hi everyone, just popping in quickly to say Byyeeeeeeee :hello: No time to catch up on recent posts but look forward to hearing your news once we're settled in Kathmandu. Blimey, we really are going! :j:j:j

Love to all the Frugal family, keep the (essential) fires (only) burning while I'm away and I'll be back to rejoin fully from next May Wishing you all a wonderful 9 months filled with happiness xxx

grandma247

SM 11 jars but not all are exactly the same shape as I am using ones given a few months ago. It was just a bit short for two tiers of these ones but you can stack others. I have to get another lot of lids because the ones I have are in between the ones I bought for the r*g* jars and some smaller honey jars.

sophiesmum_2

Thanks ,still no despatch e mail for mine yet:rolleyes: and I am itching to get started.

Updated to add that just received my despatch e mail and funds taken from card so it is on its way Now just have to hope it gets here okay . fingers crossed .

skint_chick

cw- have you looked at the vodafone sim only deal for £9.88 a month - it gives you 100 minutes and 500 texts included to all mobiles and landlines. If you do it through quidco you get £60 back and the contract is for a year making the actual month cost £4.88. To get your phone unlocked should cost about £5-£10 - there's usally a mobile accessories shop locally that can do it for you.

cw18

will check the v/fone one - but family have never had good dealings with them in the past. have been told by local accessory shop they don't think they can unlock it - and they won't guarantee not to damage it in the attempt :eek:

ETA: Can't find a £60 cash back, nor can I find that package on v/fone