Sweetdaisy's aim to be mortgage-free

Sepa74

Hi Daisy,

You power bill rise seems very strange. My nPower bill doesn't go up in winter, they set the direct debit so it's stable over the year.

Did you do a meter reading and your estimated bill turned out to be lower than the real amount you used? They increase the direct debit if there is a shortfall to pay.

Ring them up and drill down into the bill. They do make mistakes in setting the direct debit, and you don't want to pay them unnecessarily, even if you can get a refund later on. Also start reading your meter monthly to ensure the estimated bill matches your actual usage throughout the year.

sweetdaisy

Sepa74 wrote: »

Hi Daisy,

You power bill rise seems very strange. My nPower bill doesn't go up in winter, they set the direct debit so it's stable over the year.

Did you do a meter reading and your estimated bill turned out to be lower than the real amount you used? They increase the direct debit if there is a shortfall to pay.

Ring them up and drill down into the bill. They do make mistakes in setting the direct debit, and you don't want to pay them unnecessarily, even if you can get a refund later on. Also start reading your meter monthly to ensure the estimated bill matches your actual usage throughout the year.

Thanks Sepa74 - the bill is based on my recent meter readings.

Last winter my Npower monthly direct debit was £98. Around Spring/Summer they phoned me to say that based on my usage my payments would be reduced to £62 a month. I asked them if I could keep it at £98 a year so that I would build some credit over the winter and they said it was best to reduce the amount - which I did.

So in effect, it has just gone back up to the original amount.

sweetdaisy

Did some more Christmas shopping today. Doubled-up £35 worth of vouchers in Tesco for some much needed footwear for myself and bought some clothes and pyjamas for our eldest Son for Christmas.

Also, did some shopping online and earned £15 through using a cashback site - which will be added to the savings pot once redeemed.

I am also going to look into having Cavity Wall Insulation, but not sure if we will qualify for a grant as we are both working full-time. So will have to make some enquiries, but not sure where the begin :think:.

dark^knight

Hi sweetdaisy,

With regards to the cavity wall insulation, check with your council.

I had mine done last year and paid £150 for it. Then last week, had someone knock on my door and offer it free, as the council is paying for everyone to have it done. Wish I'd waited now.

sweetdaisy

dark^knight wrote: »

Hi sweetdaisy,

With regards to the cavity wall insulation, check with your council.

I had mine done last year and paid £150 for it. Then last week, had someone knock on my door and offer it free, as the council is paying for everyone to have it done. Wish I'd waited now.

Thanks Dark Knight. I will contact the Council to see if they are offering cavity wall insulation.

sweetdaisy

I contacted an Insulation company on Wednesday and have an appointment for next Friday to have a survey done for Cavity Wall and Loft Insulation. We don't qualify to have the work done for free, however it seems worth having as it can save money on heating costs.

Last night I contacted my Mobile Phone provider (I have been with them for 10+ years). I am on a Sim-Only plan and pay £16 a month for 300 minutes, free evening and weekend landline calls and 100 texts. I phoned them because since being on maternity leave I have been exceeding my 100 texts a month.

During the day I use my mobile to phone people because it costs too much to use my landline as I try to only use my landline when phoning 0845 numbers and phone landlines during the evening/weekend when it is free.

I wanted to see if I could get a better deal, but unfortunately, after speaking to them I couldn't get a better deal as I don't want to pay more a month or have a contract.

Then today, I had a 'loyalty' phone call from my Mobile Phone provider and they are sending me a new sim card in the post. I will be staying on the same Sim-Only plan, but because I have been a 'loyal customer' they have increased my texts by 100 a month, calls by 200 a month and still have free evening and weekend landline calls :j.

I was dubious at first but then received a text message from then stating that my plan has been updated. I guess they must have thought that I was going to change provider? Just wish that I had done this sooner .

Also, phoned my Car Breakdown Cover provider as I did an online quote on their website (just out of interest to see how much it costs new members to have joint cover ) and managed to get monthly payments reduced from £19 a month to £11!!

Sepa74

I stuck with the same contract for years, then threatened to leave and got an amazing deal. Now every time my contract is up for renewal, I haggle with the retentions department, and get another amazing deal. It's so worth it.

Then I go into work with a brand new absolute latest phone and all the (male) geeks ask me how much it cost and what the deal was and I get to look smug because I know they'll never equal it. It's great!!!

sweetdaisy

Sepa74 wrote: »

I stuck with the same contract for years, then threatened to leave and got an amazing deal. Now every time my contract is up for renewal, I haggle with the retentions department, and get another amazing deal. It's so worth it.

Then I go into work with a brand new absolute latest phone and all the (male) geeks ask me how much it cost and what the deal was and I get to look smug because I know they'll never equal it. It's great!!!

I love it when I get a bargain . My Car Breakdown cover is due for renewal in April and when I get the quote, I'll ask them to reduce the payments again, as the Customer Represenative told me that it will be higher but I need to phone them and I'll be able to get it reduced again.

sweetdaisy

Paid my first Mortgage Overpayment today of £59 since deciding to become Mortgage-Free . I know it is not a lot but it's a start. Monthly payment should be £641, but I rounded it up to £700 a month.

The monthly interest is added to the mortgage around the 23rd of the month, so will update mortgage balance on signature then. Last month the interest was £220, wonder what it will be this month?

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi SD, that's great and you must be delighted. Good luck with all your plans and just imagine the difference this will make over the coming months.

Best wishes, Tilly