How to Get Through The Tough Times The Old Style Way.

hornetgirl

Re water meters - there are two of us and we pay £13 a month (just gone up from £12). It's much cheaper for us than paying based on rateable value. I've also become MUCH more conscious of how much water I use eg I try not to use the w/m more than twice a week. It takes a 7kg load, and I find that by careful sorting of loads I can get everything done. I'm well aware this wouldn't work for those with small children though!

When the meter was installed, I think we had the option to revert back within a year if we didn't find it cheaper. I'm not sure if this is the same for all water authorities.

While on the subject of expensive fluids, the petrol light came on in my car this morning. As I got paid today, I decided to fill it up. It cost £55.02!!! I don't have a big car.

ChocClare

My water bill is £20.21 per month on a meter. We were really worried about having a meter because we thought it would cost a fortune.

In our old house it was based on the rateable value and we paid just under a thousand quid a year for water and sewage :eek:

Water was two hundred and ninety-odd so a bit more expensive than here and sewage was £700-odd :eek::eek: whereas now we have a septic tank so it's nowt - except for the chappie who comes to empty it every so often..

We have two kids so have four showers per day, plus the washing machine is on most days, dishwasher etc. Can't believe I was worried about it tbh...

maryb

Thames Water area we pay £27 per month on a meter. They can gauge pretty accurately how much you are likely to use and we never have much of a credit or debit balance at the end of the year. That's for a family of four. We would pay much more based on council tax band.

If you are thinking about switching it might be worth doing it sooner rather than later. At present, I don't think they charge the householder for putting in a meter (at least they don't round us) because it helps them to meet their water savings targets but there was something in the press a while back about making meters compulsory for everyone and charging them for the switch

kitschy

Another vote for pile cream on the crow's feet - better than any designer face cream!

ChocClare

Hippeechiq wrote: »

That sounds a wonderful day ChocClare. I've been to both several times, and they're very beautiful. Lulworth especially makes you feel like you've stepped back in time. Lovely

There are some truly outstanding walks and scenery in Dorset. In 2009 OH and I had really got into serious hiking for a year. We absolutely loved it. Then last Jan I was made redundant, car failed it's MOT so we're now carless too so have neither the money or the means to get to the remote parts than we enjoyed hiking in, so it was well and truly knocked on the head. Such a shame. Nothing like a good hike and being at one with nature to put your troubles into perspective and breathe a new least of life into you.

I love walking and I agree that it does wonders for the soul.

Schlepping up the hills today at Durdle Door at 7 minutes to 4, knowing that the gate to the car park was going to be closed at 4 was less of a wonderful experience.

It has made me realise how truly unfit I am. I used to cycle to work and was always fit, even if I wasn't thin. Then I was coming down the steep cliff road on my bike one day and it was hot, so I had my jacket in the basket. I went over a bump, jacket flew out, tangled itself in my front wheels and the bike came to an abrupt halt but I didn't. I broke my left wrist and my right elbow.

I was so embarrassed I didn't know what to do with myself :rotfl::rotfl: This sweet elderly couple who were having breakfast on their balcony came rushing over and I just kept saying, no, that's so kind of you, I'll ring my husband and he'll be here in a minute. DH picked up my bike and said get in the car, don't worry, and it was only when I went to open the door and found that I couldn't that I realised how badly I'd hurt myself.

So since then, I've got far less strength in my arms and I am a walking blob of unfitness. Who just dragged her far-too-heavy carcass up a few steep hills today and then had to stand gasping for breath. So I think it's time for some EXERCISE, chaps. If only it wasn't so boring - cycling to work makes sense but going for a bike ride - especially along the horrible muddy roads round here - makes far less sense! So perhaps I'll put on my decent boots and follow your example, Hippeechiq, and go for a decent walk.

I'll report back when I'm fitter (don't any of you hold your breath yet...)

bluebag

Bitsy_Beans wrote: »

Goodness I wish mine was that low......I pay £36 a month and we ARE on a meter It was cheaper for me to pay Water Rates but once the metres are in that's it. I use a water butt to water the garden but have 2 young kids that need a bath every other day, I can't remember the last time I had a bath it's always a shower, water saver in the cistern, don't have a DW just the WM <sigh> our patio needs a jet wash and I am dreading doing it due to the cost of the water.

When my mum had a meter fitted they said she could have it removed within 12 months if it didn't save her money. (it does).

I don't know if all water authorities do this though. Worth an ask if you are able.

happierdaystocome

Evening all

Malarkin, Glad to hear about your car and the garages response to taking responsiblity.

OH and I love being outdoors, hiking and mountain biking are two of our favorite ways to spend time together (well it was). OH can see how frustrated I have become after being stuck in for the last 6 week ( I think it was my catty comments when he came home from his ride today :embarassed) and suggested that we go somewhere for a picnic tomorrow if the weather stays dry.

DS has gone to stay with his dad for the weekend and DD is going out with her friends tomorrow day before they all sleepover here, so it will just be OH, myself and the dog tomorrow.

I had ordered some lamps from Argos for collection, which OH picked up when dropping DS and his dad off this evening and I really pleased with how good they are and they only cost £6 each in the sales.

Anyway Im going to take myself off to put a DVD as TV is useless and this insomnia will ensure that Im awake til at least 4am.

Night allxx

D&DD

Hippee have you looked on your councils website to see if they provide any assistance for people with disabilities travelwise?
Our council do a freedom pass and a thing called a taxicard as well which helps with reduced rates in taxis..a godsend if you have kids like ours who struggle with public transport.

Hope you get something sorted I get so stressed when I know we have to go anywhere 'official' as it is without the added trauma of getting there in one piece!


Water meters, I'm sure ours is wrong only ever works out £19 a month for a family of five..either that or we're stinky wotsits *sniffs armpits* :eek:
ooh and thats another thing certain water companies do discounts for people with disabilities/low incomes etc..worth checking up on!!

Hippeechiq

ChocClare wrote: »

I love walking and I agree that it does wonders for the soul.

Schlepping up the hills today at Durdle Door at 7 minutes to 4, knowing that the gate to the car park was going to be closed at 4 was less of a wonderful experience.

So perhaps I'll put on my decent boots and follow your example, Hippeechiq, and go for a decent walk.

I'll report back when I'm fitter (don't any of you hold your breath yet...)

If you were schlepping up the hills at Durdle Door today, I don't think you'll be walking anywhere far for a day or two! lol - you'll know all about it tomorrow my girl

The very first walk we went on when we were just in jeans, I had a shoulder handbag on and we had one bottle of water between us (rolls eyes) and no food.

The entire walk was across fields and hills. The hike started at Worth Matravers across land to Corfe (where we thankfully stopped for a coffee and a cake) and then across land again to Kingston Lacey climbing steeply to bring us out on the top of the cliffs looking out across the sea and down on Chapmans Pool. We then had to make our way back to Worth Matravers.

When we were on the cliff tops it was 6pm - we had left the car at 1pm. We were hungry and tired, and from where we stood we couldn't even see Worth Matravers, despite being on the cliff tops. After going down, up, down and up my legs were shot, and I clearly remember sitting down and crying and saying I couldn't go on because I was totally spent.

It was a hot August day, and we were dehydrated and starving, but lucky for us it was August, because we finally got back to the car at 7:55pm!! And would have been in serious trouble had it been winter. We had no idea it would take so long

I've never felt so ill in my life, and poor OH wasn't in a much better state, and he then had to drive us back to Bournemouth. I got in and went straight to bed. Should've had a bath, but I was so exhausted at that point that I couldn't even speak anymore.

When I got up the next day my legs were screaming at me. We live in a house, so have stairs, and after going up and coming down them twice in the morning, I told my OH that if I had to go upstairs again, I'd have to stay up there for the rest of the day :rotfl:

My legs took more than a week to properly recover, and at the time I was working in a job where I was on my feet all day.

Never again did we go out without being in proper hiking gear or without proper supplies. It was, what I believe is called a "learning curve", lol.

Hippeechiq

D&#8517 wrote: »

Hippee have you looked on your councils website to see if they provide any assistance for people with disabilities travelwise?
Our council do a freedom pass and a thing called a taxicard as well which helps with reduced rates in taxis..a godsend if you have kids like ours who struggle with public transport.

Hope you get something sorted I get so stressed when I know we have to go anywhere 'official' as it is without the added trauma of getting there in one piece!

No, I haven't. Would Mental Health apply I wonder?
Last year we asked her MHT worker if she could have some kind of bus pass because she has to attend Psychotherapy twice a week, but were told it's extremely difficult meet the criteria required to get one, so didn't bother. I'll have a look on their site over the weekend. Thanks for the suggestion x