Life used to be much simpler when

pandora205

there wasn't so much choice - and I didn't bother about money saving.

At the mo I'm investigating energy suppliers and best deals cos mine is due to end, now apparently we're over our broadband download limit and TalkTalk want to charge more (so another trawl for better deals). And... I could get a better rate for my ISAs, my car insurance is due for renewal soon and I'm booking airport parking, hotels, car hire for a holiday too......... I'm exhausted just thinking about it all!

Do you remember the days when there was one phone company, three television channels and you stayed with banks and insurance companies?

I don't have time to go to eat, sleep go to work work and the gym (ah now I could probably get a better deal there too!)

hbloomers

We don't have the electricity supplier choice prediciment in Northern Ireland. We only have one. And with water! And gas I think.

What we wouldn't give for some choice!

ceridwen

I know exactly what you mean - having just done another round of trawling round as to what fuel supplier to have now and swopped again.
I was thinking longingly of the days when there was just one fuel supplier with one tariff - and no faff about the account being an "online" one - so you never actually get to see a bill (well - I dont anyway - I've never yet gone into my online account to take a look). I'm with Virgin:eek: for my phone/internet and they have created all sorts of problems for me over time - and one of them was when they stopped giving a link to our monthly bills in the billing emails they send - I confess to "sitting tight" at that point and thinking "I'll let other people do the fighting for once" and sat back and waited for Virgin to at least say the amount my bill is for in those monthly emails. Thank goodness - for once - other people DID do the "fighting" and I can now see what that bill is (as I dont go into that account ever either).

Just wait till we get to any ideas about changing the amount of Council Tax according to whatever-we've-done-to-our-house and what the neighbourhood is like - :eek: - I seriously hope they never "go down that road" in working out what our bill is to be. I can see it now:
- Council: "You're going to pay extra because by craning your neck and standing on a chair you can see a bit of greenery from your window"
- Me: "Well - you've got to take account of the fact that the houses opposite me are being neglected and I have to look at eyesores there"
- Council: "How often do you look out your windows? (conveniently forgetting that view they think I can see if I do so.....)"
- Me: "Well - dont forget the troublesome neighbours living in the neighbourhood. I want a discount because of the problems they create here - and, while we're on the subject of the neighbourhood - I want a further discount because of heavy traffic noise and even some plane noise (but I'll settle for you lobbying against the airport instead of that;))."
........oh....my head hurts....

GreenQueen

Wherever you go you have to make choices that you're not really qualified to make.

Take the cases of education and health - apparently we all want to have choice. NOOOOOO - what we want is a good, reliable, consistent, local service, and if we had that we wouldn't need any choice. It's only because some of us have to put up with &*%^^ service that we want to go somewhere else for something better.

talulahbeige_2

GreenQueen wrote: »

Wherever you go you have to make choices that you're not really qualified to make.

Take the cases of education and health - apparently we all want to have choice. NOOOOOO - what we want is a good, reliable, consistent, local service, and if we had that we wouldn't need any choice. It's only because some of us have to put up with &*%^^ service that we want to go somewhere else for something better.

You know I was just thinking about this the other day.
I'm goign to the drs to discuss changing the medication I am on, but I really dont know what the point is as he wont really give me advice and will leave the decision up to me!
I'm not qualififed to make the decision, if I was I wouldnt bother going to the drs! I go to the drs for HELP not someone to listen and nodd!

thriftlady_2

GreenQueen wrote: »

Wherever you go you have to make choices that you're not really qualified to make.

Take the cases of education and health - apparently we all want to have choice. NOOOOOO - what we want is a good, reliable, consistent, local service, and if we had that we wouldn't need any choice. It's only because some of us have to put up with &*%^^ service that we want to go somewhere else for something better.

You are so right. There is far too much choice about everything these days. We want less choice and more quality.

pandora205

I'm glad it's not just me that thinks there is so much choice and complication in everything... it's so exhausting!

FakeIrish

More choice equals better competition, thus cheaper services/products. That's progression.

katieclampet

I'm pleased I'm not the only one that thinks too much choice isn't always a good thing!! I do shop around for car/house insurance, but haven't changed banks, or electic/gas supplier. I just hate the idea of all the hassle!!I think the secret is to decide what you are prepared to make choices about, and stick with things you are happy with.

For example, I always buy fairy liquid & fairy washing powder, they do a good job, and save my precious time standing in the supermarket wondering which of the 1,000,000 types of washing up liquid or soap powder to buy!!

I do like to save money, but I just don't have the time or energy to make it a fulltime job! (more like a pick & mix)

katiex

ailuro2

You do have another choice - go back to paying over the odds for everything.

Go back to throwing your money down the drain paying more for the same gas through the same pipes from a different company.

Go back to buying the dearest branded products.

When booking a flight, do it a few weeks before and pay hundreds more than me.

It is, after all, people who can't be bothered taking a bit of time to save money who are keeping the companies I use profitable - without people who pay over the odds I'd not be able to buy things cheaply.

The world needs more people who pay full price for everything and never switch accounts for anything.:D


Of course, sometimes it's just not worth the time and effort....I do agree trawling around to save a few quid on car insurance is hardly worth it - however, sometimes I save a few quid AND get £50 Quidco cashback - that can pay for a day out for my loved ones and me! I know whose pocket I'd rather see it in.:D


For all my DH used to scoff at me using this site:money:, and even scoffed at overpayments on a mortgage:rolleyes: - he's laughing on the other side now - look at my sig and tell me it's not worth it! He's converted, even asks if we'll get Quidco on the house insurance when it gets renewed!!

ailuro2

ps I too still buy fairy washing up liquid, and we use branded cleaners in the bathroom. The cheap ones ARE a waste of money, I don't have the inclination or the time to waste using smore elbow grease than is necessary with CIF.

What I do do, though, is buy more of them when they're on special offer.Somehabits are hard to break.:rotfl: