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TV licence & method of payment

Mum has just got an email reminder she needs to pay up.

Looking at the payment options there's in full, monthly or quarterly.

I see quarterly means you pay more ATEOTD.

Looked at the monthly direct debit & the quote is a bit wishy-washy of "around £24".

When the 6 months (1st year) or 12 months (thereafter) are up, is the amount paid the exact same as paying in full or is it a bit extra?

Just so we know which payment option to select. If they're the exact same when it's all done with then she'll be going for the installments.

Comments

  • I_luv_cats
    I_luv_cats Posts: 14,458 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Mum has just got an email reminder she needs to pay up.

    Looking at the payment options there's in full, monthly or quarterly.

    I see quarterly means you pay more ATEOTD.

    Looked at the monthly direct debit & the quote is a bit wishy-washy of "around £24".

    When the 6 months (1st year) or 12 months (thereafter) are up, is the amount paid the exact same as paying in full or is it a bit extra?

    Just so we know which payment option to select. If they're the exact same when it's all done with then she'll be going for the installments.


    Paying monthly you have to pay 6 months ahead and 6 months behind.
    To get you in the right cycle, you have to pay double payments for the first 6 months.
    After that it's single payments all the way.
  • I_luv_cats
    I_luv_cats Posts: 14,458 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    eg.

    Licence due 22 sept 2013

    Pay £24.24: 22/9, 22/10, 22/11, 22/12, 22/1, 22/2. (to get in the cycle)

    Pay £12.12: 22/3, 22/4, 22/5, 22/6, 22/7, 22/8 (to maintain 6 + 6)
  • HappyMJ
    HappyMJ Posts: 21,115 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Mum has just got an email reminder she needs to pay up.

    Looking at the payment options there's in full, monthly or quarterly.

    I see quarterly means you pay more ATEOTD.

    Looked at the monthly direct debit & the quote is a bit wishy-washy of "around £24".

    When the 6 months (1st year) or 12 months (thereafter) are up, is the amount paid the exact same as paying in full or is it a bit extra?

    Just so we know which payment option to select. If they're the exact same when it's all done with then she'll be going for the installments.
    Personally if you don't have the money to pay in full upfront then I like the pay quarterly in advance option. Yes it costs £5 a year more but you can cancel the direct debit at any time and not pay the remaining quarters if a licence is no longer required. So no need to apply for a refund. It's also perfect for students who live away from home and only require 9 months of a TV licence each year.
    :footie:
    :p Regular savers earn 6% interest (HSBC, First Direct, M&S) :p Loans cost 2.9% per year (Nationwide) = FREE money. :p
  • My mum isn't a student though. She's just wanting to pay her licence & i offered to see if there was any extra cost by going direct debit.
  • HappyMJ
    HappyMJ Posts: 21,115 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    My mum isn't a student though. She's just wanting to pay her licence & i offered to see if there was any extra cost by going direct debit.
    Depends if you don't mind lending them 6 months worth of payments for no interest in return. If she has an overdraft, mortgage, loan or credit cards you could be better off paying the 6 months of premiums towards the credit card instead and paying the £5 a year to TV licensing. If she has the money then pay it all upfront....it's cheaper.
    :footie:
    :p Regular savers earn 6% interest (HSBC, First Direct, M&S) :p Loans cost 2.9% per year (Nationwide) = FREE money. :p
  • Cornucopia
    Cornucopia Posts: 16,644 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    You may not get interest for the 6 months you are in credit, but you don't pay interest for the 6 months you are in debt, either.

    That's the idea of the revolving scheme.
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