'supporting each other through really tough times'

GreyQueen

I had to laugh about an hour ago when I got a call out of the blue from the utility company I'm moving away from. I;ve been with them for about 15 years but with only two weeks until the changeover, they've become my new best buddies. They write, they phone, they're probably getting me a valentine's card................. I'd prefer chocolates, actually.

Honestly, do they think that we customers change our suppliers on a whim? I did it because they chose to streamline their charges and bung on a standing charge for the first time, therefore jacking my bill up by £200 a year before I'd used a single kWh. Unless they're offering to reverse that, we have nothing to say to each other.

I pay gas and electricity on a dual fuel contract but that gas is just powering the stove. The communal heating is a fixed charge, same winter and summer, whether I use it or not.

It's off at the mo as I have windows open. It's relatively mild and I'm enjoying the fresh air and I like to have the flat have a bit of an airing. I shall close them in a while and put the heating on until about an hour before bedtime.

Heating is important to health and those with disabilities need to be particularly careful. I'm very happy to be moving around outside in shirtsleeves if it's 12 degrees and I'm walking or gardening, but it's not an temp high enough to sit around comfortably, inside or out.

I'm lucky that my home is very small and well-insulated, so that even with the heating off, I imagine that it is warmer than some larger, older homes are with their heating on, especially if those homes are further north or west and higher above sea level than my wee nest. Being in the centre of the city also allows me to benefit from the thermal mass of the buidlings and other people's heat.

So glad I'm not in the middle of nowhere. I drove through Lincolnshire once, nuttyp; wide open Wednesday as my old grandad would have said. The wind can really whistle across those fields, can't it? My ratty little hatchback was bouncing around in it.:rotfl:

Well, enough drivel. I shall get on the jellybone and exchange RL drivel with someone. Have no idea what SuperGran is up to, today; she's still out.

Popperwell

westcoastscot wrote: »

I'm probably going to regret posting this but i'm really sick of reading about someone who won't take steps to help themselves (voluntary work etc), who won't consider moving to cut expenses, who won't use the money they get for what it's intended for (curtains - really? instead of heating?)
I know a lot of people, those I work with, who would give their eye teeth to be in the same position, to be able to go to music clubs and shows, even free ones, to be able to shop around and make food choices that are healthy, to be able to consider and turn down voluntary work/job clubs etc because the benefits agencies aren't chasing them to improve their lot, even when they are severely affected by disability,to be able to forward plan knowing a small inheritance is coming their way, however sad the circumstances.

Some people should be ashamed of themselves!

Some on here who know this area that smaller properties are not available. Most of the shows I am seeing were booked ages ago...the food I have purchased has mainly been reduced. The shops are nearby so I don't "Shop Around"

I am not asking for sympathy nor do I think it fair to be attacked...if you read my posts I never criticse anyone who are struggling financially or emotionally on here.

And as mobility and fatigue/pain are problems and what i have been told my Dr and the CAB about my illnesses nor judge anyone on here. And I know others have health issues too.

I am planning ahead too...and I don't post everything of my life so as always assumptions are made.

If I join in long enough on here I notice sooner or later I come in for stick...

I do use the money for what it is intended and as you mentioned "The Curtains"

I asked about the curtains to help keep in the heat and as yet have not purchased any and have taken note of the suggestion of seeing if a charity shop can help which people were kind enough to suggest as an idea...

I'm not going to respond anymore as it always turns nasty and people pile in and start criticising.

fuddle

Is there a way to find gas/electric companies that don't charge a daily standing charge. I've not been in the position to change suppliers and fear I'm with on of the most expensive B Gas. I can't change till August but fancy sussing the whole thing out to see how much I can save.

Byatt

I'm trying to build my own jungle gym for Polo-cat, using large(ish) pipes, I'm thinking the flexi plastic ones big enough for a cat to walk through, just wondered if anyone knew where I could find/look at some?

I believe all companies charge a standing charge, have you tried one of the comparison sites?

For those interested Martin Clunes is on ITV tonight, The Secret Life of Dogs, sounds like it could be interesting and fun. He was on the One Show last night talking about it, and was joking that someone said a dog barking has 5 types of barks and they all say bark, (hey), bark (hey), bark (hey...):rotfl:

Popperwell

elisamoose wrote: »

Surely I am not the only one who thought cold weather payments were to pay for heating in COLD WEATHER !!!!

I'm sorry I missed this post and another by Elizabunny...I am using it for the reason it is intended and it will be put to good use...I don't intentionally ignore anyone...I've been reasonably cosy this past week...

Fuddle I'm supposed to be on a good plan(but perhaps not so)as I have standing charges but it was a case of...standing charges, cheaper gas and electric or no standing charges but the electric and gas costs more...I'm with NPower and my bills were supposed to be frozen until the end of October.

kidcat

Fuddle I am with scottish power and we dont pay a std charge on our tariff, we didnt have one when we were with Eon either.

I think if you use the comparison sites you can tell it to look at non std charge rates - that said its a while now since I used them

Popperwell

Fuddle This may help?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/bills/article-2266361/Small-energy-suppliers-beating-giant-rivals-service--npower-EDF-Energy-voted-worst.html?offset=0&max=100#comment-25081915

kidcat

Byatt - I considered doing something similar but by the time I had priced up all the stuff it worked out fairly expensive, it may be worth asking on freecycle first - I think cat jungles are something alot of people buy and then get rid of as they take up soace.

Byatt

thanks Kidcat, I will try that, but I particularly want tubes, I have a plan...:rotfl:...to perhaps use pipes to enable him to go in an outside enclosure as he's an indoor cat...great ideas in America but too expensive to buy.

fuddle

That's great help, thanks all.

Byatt, thanks for reminding me about the secret life of dogs Shall be tuning in.

Please excuse that noise, it's DD practising the recorder :rotfl:

Could you find a tree trunk and drill bits of wood to it I dunno Byatt :rotfl:

Edit: stoopid idea Byatt wanted tubes

Edit again: Could anyone tell me the price of eggs in Aldi and how many you get for that price?