Confused and in debt

Lady_of_the_Lake

"Considered cycling to work... Just can't trust other road users to be as careful and based on that have reluctantly stuck to the car"

Have been looking at this site to get some ideas for myself. But registered to respond to this comment. Do you live in London? I just had 2 x 2hour cycle training sessions free. Apparently most councils in London do them. I had one session to remind me what to do and on the second the instructor cycled my commute to work with me and talked me through the big junctions and roads.

I reckon I'll save about £100 a month not having a travelcard.

I don't have anything else to add, as still learning. Good news on the electricty and gas costs.

Show_me_da_money

HI Lady of The Lake, welcome, from one Newbie to another! I couldn't even contemplate cycling because I have checked the cycle path and it means I either cycle through Kilburn High Street all the way to Marylebone and then along Marylebone toward Farringdon, or take the other suicidal route along the Finchley Road; and the fact that it will take an hour and 20 minutes each way....

Each time I seriously consider a moped or something similar, I hear of a fatality and I have taken that as a sign to stay clear of 2 wheels!

OverRated

How are you doing compared to the actual SOA listed on here? I can see you already have saved money on your Gas/Electric payment which is excellent! How are you doing compared to the budget of £400 for Groceries as an example - are you sticking to that £400 or spending more/less.

I know when I did my SOA I estimated how much I was spending on things like Groceries and Eating Out - Turned out the numbers were off but only after I started tracking my spend.

I guess the point is - are you actually living your SOA?

Show_me_da_money

I am definitely curbing my grocery spend and changed my driving habits to a more economical style. I gave up smoking a few months back but not because of the money, more to do with hating the smell on my clothes etc.

I am wondering, if I get rid off my TV and get a plasma monitor instead, are we still legally obliged to buy the TV License? That would save me 12.12 for a start!

FatVonD

A plasma monitor will cost you a lot more than you save on your TV license!

If you are having to drive through London could you not just buy a travel card? Even if you live outside of zone 6 could you cycle part of the way then jump on the tube/train?

Show_me_da_money

@FatVonD, I saw an NEC 42" plasma on eBay for £85. If I sell my current plasma to offset the cost of the plasma, then I will be quids in from there on.

I had thought about tube/train. I work nights, which means I have to be at work for 10pm and leave at 7am in the morning. I may seriously consider your suggestion. Will need to check how much a shorter journey by tube/train will be. As it stands tube fare for the month is £160.

[Deleted User]

Show_me_da_money wrote: »

I am wondering, if I get rid off my TV and get a plasma monitor instead, are we still legally obliged to buy the TV License?

You don't need to get rid of your TV, to not require a TV Licence.

All you need to do, is stop watching/recording LIVE TV.

Without having a TV Licence, you can use your TV to watch DVDs/BluRays, as a games console monitor, as a CCTV monitor.

You can also watch non-live catchup programmes on the likes of I-player, 4OD, etc.

A TV Licence is NOT required merely for OWNING a TV.

ethan123

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

You don't need to get rid of your TV, to not require a TV Licence.

All you need to do, is stop watching/recording LIVE TV.

Without having a TV Licence, you can use your TV to watch DVDs/BluRays, as a games console monitor, as a CCTV monitor.

You can also watch non-live catchup programmes on the likes of I-player, 4OD, etc.

A TV Licence is NOT required merely for OWNING a TV.

Seriously???? :shocked:

If so... this is one of the answers to my prayers.

--> Do you have a link to this on an official / gov website etc?

[Deleted User]

From the TV Licensing Website:-

1 A reminder of the law
The law states that you need to be covered by a TV Licence if you watch or record television programmes, on any device, as they're being shown on TV. This includes TVs, computers, mobile phones, games consoles, digital boxes and Blu-ray/DVD/VHS recorders.

You don't need a licence if you don't use any of these devices to watch or record television programmes as they're being shown on TV - for example, if you use your TV only to watch DVDs or play video games, or you only watch ‘catch up’ services like BBC iPlayer or 4oD.

(emphasis is mine)

As for the rest of the stuff on that page, about telling them, and letting them in, my advice is to do neither, for several reasons.

1. They don't believe you, when you tell them you don't need a licence, hence their wanting to search your home.

2. They are notorious for tricking people into signing a confession, with methods like the "Just sign here to say I've called".

3. Some (and you won't which) haven't been CRB checked.

My method (which has served me well for nigh on 4 years) is to ignore them completely.

No contact, no comment and, above all, SIGN NOTHING!