Teatime's Diary.

Teatime

Aw thanks so much Dolly! That is so kind of you.



Do you get your mobile for much cheapness because you work there?

FlacosFloozie

Re your professional expenses, are you claiming tax back on them? If you're not download a P87 form from HMRC. You can claim back for up to 5 years so may be worth doing. I have a claim in at the moment for union fees, textbooks, course fees etc. They're not quick at processing but if you can get some money back its worth the cost of a stamp.

Teatime

Thanks Flaco'sFloozie,
I do a self assessment tax form so have been claiming for them already but, yes, that would have been a big bonus if I hadn't known about it.

[Deleted User]

Yeah its not too bad - I think I should get it free LOL

Dxxx

debtfreewannabe321

hey teatime

I called talktalk (was already with them anyway) and told them i was leaving unless they offered me a better deal. They offered me 6 months unlimited downloads on internet & free calls during day & night & weekend for £3.50 per month. obviously will go up to £7 after this but i then paid for a yearly line rental which saved me £50 odd quid and works out to £9.50 a month so add that to the other costs and the phone calls we inevitably make and my bill hasn't gone higher than £24.

Perhaps it is worth shopping around if BT won't match them. ( but i suspect they will!)

Good luck xx

debtfreewannabe321

Oh and also the gas & elec look high to me? Have you changed recently if not i'd look at Uswitch & cashback sites to see what deals you can get. I have an energy monitor now too which really helps so i can see what guzzles my electricity and what doesn't! (I also got £75 worth of gift vouchers for swapping to Npower ) xx

freshair_2

Hi Teatime,

didn't want to read and run, but do either of your employers yours or OH run the child care voucher scheme? If both do you can utilise the full benefit from each, and if they don't its not difficult for HR/Payrole to set up.

you can take £243 before tax paid direct to your childcare provider (they have to be registered ones). This deduction is taken before tax, I think i save about 85 squid a year doing this, other pluses are that I know my childcare is paid every month without me having to worry about it.

You may not be able to do this, but it did help me out

Good luck

Freshair

Teatime

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for all the advice.

Funnily enough DFW just before I read your post, I had managed to get BT down to £27 per month so much better and I think I will stick with them just now.

OH is supposed to be sorting out gas/electric - could take a few days!

Fresh air - thanks - I will get OH to check with his work today. That would be a help and they are quite a forward thinking company so may already do that.

wiggles01

Subscribed! hope you don't mind x

PollyOnAMission

Hi Teatime,

I've decided to come out of lurkdom and start joining in on some diary threads, especially new diaries as I am new to it myself

Well done on bartering with BT! Slashing bills is so satisfying and a great way to trim off the excess when starting on your debt free mission.

Wishing you further luck

Polly x