Lots more Sneaky Ways to save the pennies

goodlad

Hello All 
I hope to learn more than I think I know about money  pensions and savings 

kimwp

Not so sneaky, but having stayed loyal to my mobile provider for 15+ years (excellent customer service), I finally switched to a cheaper provider. I was then inspired to switch broadband, which I used to do at the end of every fix but hadn't done for a while as the offers hadn't been worth it and I stopped forgetting to check. I asked the loyalty team if there was a fixed alternative to the one that increases every April and there was, which worked out cheaper over the fixed term. 

I was really annoyed because I gave Talktalk the opportunity to give me a better offer than the company I was switching to (over their chat) and they said they couldn't. So I switched and a few days later, got a call from the loyalty team offering me a better offer. So all the faff of applying for a new provider, then having to cancel it (and additionally the contract sent by the loyalty team was wrong, so had to call several times and while they've assured me it's correct on their system, they apparently can't send out a corrected one). It seems to be that you have to call to get in touch with the team that can offer free months and vouchers, which (in addition to discounts for fixing) is what brings the price down.

All savings anhialated by an adjustment to my energy DD though 😆

fionaandphil

@goodlad there is loads of info on the MSE pension page and I'm sure there is also a link somewhere on there to the OU pension page/course to a free online course called Retirement planning made easy. It is really useful, very intense but if you have time it is worth doing as it gives you lots to think about.

PipneyJane

Hi everyone.  How is your money saving going?

I have a tip about extending the life of batteries: when they start to fail, rotate them in their slot.  Even just moving the battery a few millimetres around can make it last several weeks longer.*

I use my kitchen scales at least twice a day and was getting really annoyed when it was burning through batteries at a rate of knots, each battery lasting about 2 months.  (These are the expensive, flat variety of battery, so I record the date that I start using each one on the packet.)  The current battery has been in the scales since December.  In January, I started moving it slightly, when the scales started screaming for the battery to be replaced.  Guess what?  We're still using the same battery.  The interval between screams is getting shorter - now only a week or so long - but the battery hasn't been changed this year. 

- Pip


* This is something I noticed my husband doing with the batteries in the TV remote, whenever it stopped responding.  No idea where he picked it up, but he's worked with electronics and mechanisms his entire career, so probably learned it at work.

-taff

I also take them out, rub them between my hands and put themback in again...But also now, we've switched to rechargeable batteries. OH uses them for his x box controller and I use them for the keyobaords and mice. Much easier than trying to remember to get new ones and cheaper now the initial outlay has gone past new battery purchase times...

Never thought to do it for the kitchen scale though! thanks!

PipneyJane

-taff said:

I also take them out, rub them between my hands and put themback in again...But also now, we've switched to rechargeable batteries. OH uses them for his x box controller and I use them for the keyobaords and mice. Much easier than trying to remember to get new ones and cheaper now the initial outlay has gone past new battery purchase times...

Never thought to do it for the kitchen scale though! thanks!

Where possible, we use rechargeable batteries, too, @-taff.  Unfortunately, I’ve yet to find them for flat batteries, like the ones in the kitchen scale.  (I live in hope, though.)

- Pip