What o/s steps have ended up costing you money?

Hardup_Hester

Hi
Has anyone else done something thrifty or o/s & ended up spending more?

I've done 2 things.
Firstly I changed my Gas & Electricity supplier & the promptly put my Direct Debit up by £9 a month each. I was in credit & queried why, but didn't really get a satifactory answer.
I also got a phone bill from my previous supplier for a service I didn't sign up for, but despite many phone calls & no prove from them I've had to pay it.

The other thing I did was to order a water butt from my water supplier, they were quick enough to take the money, but I have never received the water butt. About 3 months after I placed the order I received a message on my mobile phone giving me a number to phone if I still wanted a water butt, it was an unobtainable number!

Sometimes I wonder if it is all worth it, lol.

Hester

lil_me

I have spent more on some things, mainly so I could save money, like cooking things, utensils, slow cooker, breadmaker etc.

I make DP food & drinks to take to work, saves him money but costs me, he used to buy this out of his extras each week but I suppose at least I know he's eating something better than pies, pasties, pizzas, kebabs etc

My gas and electricity has gone up, but I am cooking at home a lot more rather than eating out, we are basically in a lot more. Also with the charges etc going up. I have questioned it and got it reduced this week, they put it up to £135 a month (I was paying £70) so I said look sorry can't afford that and they put it down to £95 as they said that was what they could accept, why they didn't just put it at that I don't know!

I have spent on gardening things like seeds etc but hopefully these will save me later but has cost me for a lot as had nothing.

I have left phone with same supplier and just reduced dramatically how much we use it, are now £48 in credit but they won't lower the monthly DD, because we might use it more again ? seems bizarre.

I've become a food snob, especially when it comes to meats etc, which is costing me more for what I buy but I save in other ways and waste less etc. The treats and biscuits I make for the boys probably cost more than I could buy them for, same with some of the meals I make from scratch cost me more than a budget jar of sauce etc.

Agutka

Definitely gardening! I've spent sooooo much each year and for what?
Eg last year we had the garden gravelled but with three patches made at the top for veg. Need to fill the raised patches with topsoil - just one of the three has cost £40. Just for soil! Unless you really know what you're doing (make your own seeds, keep on top of your planting and using the plots well, and actually use the veg, rather than leave it too late and give all to friends and family :rolleyes: ), I wouldn't recommend it.

Soapy955

lil_me wrote: »

I have left phone with same supplier and just reduced dramatically how much we use it, are now £48 in credit but they won't lower the monthly DD, because we might use it more again ? seems bizarre.

If you are in credit why not just cancel the Direct Debit and put money aside each week to cover your phone bill when it comes in? The money can be in your account earning interest instead of in theirs and you are in control instead of them. They have no right to dictate how much they are going to take if you are in credit!

grimelda

I took up quiltmaking to use up scraps left over from garment sewing, got hooked and now buy quilting fabrics just to cut up and sew back together. Some of these cost more than I would pay for garment fabric, too!

Oh well. I entertain myself.

wanting2save

grimelda wrote: »

I took up quiltmaking to use up scraps left over from garment sewing, got hooked and now buy quilting fabrics just to cut up and sew back together. Some of these cost more than I would pay for garment fabric, too!

Oh well. I entertain myself.

Off topic i know but have you not thought of asking for material scraps on freecycle? I did and got loads of bits from our very own Squeaky!!
Just an idea?
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