FRUGAL LIVING CHALLENGE part 3, July - Dec 2010

cw18

Just checked on http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/

You need to be covered by a valid TV Licence if you watch or record TV as it's being broadcast. This includes the use of devices such as a computer, laptop, mobile phone or DVD/video recorder.

A TV Licence is not just for TV sets

Watching TV on the internet You need to be covered by a licence if you watch TV online at the same time as it's being broadcast on conventional TV in the UK or the Channel Islands.
Video recorders and digital recorders like Sky+ You need a licence if you record TV as it's broadcast, whether that's on a conventional video recorder or digital box.
Mobile phones A licence covers you to watch TV as it's broadcast on a mobile phone, whether you're at home or out and about.

So, for me, as long as I remove my aerial (so I can prove I can't be watching on the TV set or recording a show) that should be enough. Not sure how they'd prove I was watching over my B/band as a program was being aired (but I actually find it hard to watch on my laptop as quality isn't as good and the picture freezes/jumps when I try it), and wouldn't have a clue how to watch on my phone (can access the 'net, so I'm sure it's possible but at a lower quality than even my laptop)

cw18

Also found this

However, the television set must be incapable of receiving all live broadcast programmes. This could be done, for example, by making sure that a television set, DVD or video recorder are not:

• tuned into any channels
• connected to an aerial
• connected to any cable or satellite services.

so it appears I'm right in thinking removing the aerial should be enough - even for you

(found the info here)

NualaBuala

Sounds like you're fine Cheryl. I must check if my TV would get a signal once disconnected from the Sky+ box which I use for the free channels. I don't have an aerial or cable so I don't think it would. And I'd flog the Sky+ box for an extra few quid so I think I could argue that it's not capable of getting a signal.

I'd like to find out how people manage without TV - am sure plenty of people don't have one .... I just don't know any.

cw18

I'm pretty certain Erme doesn't have one.

If you've no 'normal' aerial on/in your property and you don't have a portable TV with it's own aerial (assuming you can still get analogue), and you've no cable/sky/Freeview box, then I'd say you'd be fine without a licence. Might be worth double checking with your licencing people before you pass on/sell off any of your kit though

aeb_2

Thank you for the kind words. My babies are 9 months old, crawling and trying to pull up. Much easier when you know they will stay put! I have a playpen which they are used to so they don't complain when put in it.

I don't have a routine but I do have my own sort of routine IYSWIM. I think I cope because I answer to no one. No need for negotiation about when, what, where, why how - I just do what I want. My weakness is not being able to make decisions - I used to need a nudge. Now if I can't decide then it doesn't get done so I figure it's not that important, forget it - job done! I claim no benefits (apart from Child Benefit) as I want no one to answer too, question me. I do force myself to socialise, fit in; sometimes I think I could happily turn into a hermit.

Frugal things
I picked my first runner beans this week too. I made fresh mint sauce with mint I revived and cooked a small shoulder of lamb which lasts me 7 meals.

I 'found' a cherry tree! I asked if I could pick them and the answer was 'well not really (H&S..) but there wont be anyone about tomorrow'
I feel a list coming on..........
cherry pie
cherry yoghurt
cherry cheesecake
cherry jam...
or just eat them!

I've just realised I've got the ironing down to just 3 items this week:j

JayJay14

aeb - lovely to hear from you.

Cheryl, my son and his housemates have got rid of their licence. They cut off the jack plug on the end of the aerial and pulled it out of the wall so they had shown it was obvious they could not use it. The TV licence people have been round to check and they were fine with it. They still have TV's in the house as they use them for computer games and DVDs.

ceridwen

When my area swopped to digital - then I just decided to get rid of my t.v. at that point and watch any programmes I want to online (AFTER they have been broadcast) - ie on IPlayer or the like.

I could have kept the t.v. for just watching DVD's on - and wouldnt have been liable to pay a tv licence (as it was no longer capable on its own of picking up tv programmes).

I found out that I could watch any DVD's I want to on my computer anyway - so it wasnt worth keeping that extra bit of "furniture" cluttering the place up.

As there is only an average of 2-3 t.v. programmes a month I want to watch anyway then I simply don't miss having one.

I shan't bother to buy a new t.v. now until I get to the age where a free T.V. licence applies anyway (75 I think?). I'm fine as I am until then.

During the last couple of months I've watched a total of:
- "The Edible Gardener" series by Alys Fowler
- that Simple Living series with the vicar in
- the Victorian Farm programmes on recently

and thats it. So - not worth paying out £3/£4 a week just for that level of viewing and finding £200 odd for buying a new t.v. in the first place.

Erme

NualaBuala wrote: »

Evening all:wave:


Well said grandma247,I agree completely.:T

(((((Erme))))),hope you're surviving without your home comforts and not having fancy coffee withdrawal. I really hope you'll be doing better soon.

Frugal activities today: I got a book out of the library called "How to live for free" so hopefully it will have some useful tips.
Hope you're all well and have a lovely evening. Hugs to anyone who'd like one.

What's the details of this book NualaI want to get it from the library too

cw18 wrote: »

I'm pretty certain Erme doesn't have one.

If you've no 'normal' aerial on/in your property and you don't have a portable TV with it's own aerial (assuming you can still get analogue), and you've no cable/sky/Freeview box, then I'd say you'd be fine without a licence. Might be worth double checking with your licencing people before you pass on/sell off any of your kit though

No I don't have one and I haven't had one for over a year ....At first I got addicted to games on FB and then I found other things to do...I used part the refund on the licence fee too like get a DAB radio but I also have a cable to connect the wee pc to the speaker and listen online stations....It's a sign of youth not having a tv ..

It's not so much about the TV but like having a routine for me now...remember this is the girl who is so not used to it she defused it in hospital on Monday night for that reason (alas it only took them a day to fix it dang)

Anyhow time to get off line and go back to bed....:)

Am on 'pass' for w/e from hospital...all is good right now..just flashbacks from the psychosis last weekend mainly which is the worst

Hugs

E

Frugaldom

Good morning, another week of frugaldom and we're into August! This has been a really quick year, so far.

Hope all is well with everyone (or as well as can be expected) and that frugal living is still part of your plans. Nice hearing from you Aeb, glad the babies are all doing well.

Frugaldom now has a new kitten, so that's something else to help stretch the budget further. She gets on fine with the rabbit but I'm not sure what the hens will think of her, as they've never seen an up close cat, only the neighbours' ones walking along the drive.

lyndasharp

We don't have a TV licence, it's been a year now. We just watch occasional programmes on iplayer and it's been fine, I certainly don't miss the telly!

Went to the Lake District for a few days, and haven't done the figures yet but it was worth it even though it was probably quite expensive for 3 days away :-) Our neighbour fed the cat and looked after the chickens, he was quite generous with the cat food so her diet starts again today...

Frugaldon - our chickens just ignore the cat now, they are used to her. She likes watching them from a distance but has only once shown an interest in hunting them, and changed her mind pretty quickly when one of them gave her a glare.