Women and cats will do as they please! :)

submarine76

Happy new year magician. My contract is also up in March, so I'm just going to put a giff gaff sim card in so should likewise save at least £20 as I mostly text from it and rarely phone anyone :O).

TheMagician

Happy New Year submarine :beer: Hope you're well.

Check us out! Not renewing unlike the 90% of other people with smartphones. I've got to say, in the past I didn't even look at my monthly payment as part loan part phone tariff. Hence when it came to renewing I just did! But not this time consumerism, you won't get us this time :money: Your luck is out.
It'll cost me £12 pcm for unlimited everything - student discount.

My internet is also up in March. I'm paying £24.93 a month for internet and landline - I don't use the landline. Seems a lot. I had a discount for the first 12 months and it was almost half the current cost.
I'll do a price comparison.

TheMagician

My previous post got me thinking and I checked my broadband contract expiry date - it's actually this month.

So I compared for the best price and Sk* turned out to be the cheapest with 12 month contract free broadband + £50 M&S voucher (which I'll sell) + £70.70 cash back through T*B!!! Wow :beer:

So the first year cost is going to be 17.4*12+£26.95 (one off set up cost) -£50-£70.70=£115.05 or £9.59 pcm. Then I can move again or stay if I get offered a cheap renewal deal/cashback.
That's a saving of £217.35 a year I've achieved in half an hour!!! Add the £200 from the mobile phone and this year I'll save over £400 from regular bills. Am I glad

judi24

That's some saving on the broadband - this is one area I haven't really looked at - I have a package with TV landline etc - but its is really only DD2 and 3 that watch the TV channels and recently DD3 has been watching Netflix which is £5 a month on top - I would be better losing TV package and going for your deal on the broadband! - off to look into it!!! Thanks for the incentive

TheMagician

Hi judi24, how did the broadband search go? Hope you got a great deal. My switching date has now been confirmed.

I also got in contact with *2 because my mobile contract is ending soon and asked for a cheap deal on sim only. Guess what, they offered me the same deals as they have on the website and said they couldn't help me any further. Then they put my cancellation request through and didn't even try to stop me from leaving. Look like they don't need my custom so off I go - shocking customer service.

So onto the cheap sim only deals - TalkTal* are doing a £5.50 per month one. Has anyone tried their mobile? Is it any good?

submarine76

Talktalk use Vodafone masts, so at least coverage should be good most places, but most importantly it's about where you live. I can't cancel until 9th of Feb, so will be doing a comparison myself nearer the time, but 5.50 sounds like a very good deal.

TheMagician

Hello, Diary!

It's been a little while since I've posted but I've thought about it many times - could never find the time to actually do it.

Things have been going very well. Lots of changes as usual.

I have passed another exam and have two more over the next 8 weeks. I feel like I'm really getting somewhere now with the studies

Work has been going well too. Hoping to get a nice pay-rise in May, fingers crossed. I get a little one every time I pass an exam but it'd be really great to get something more substantial

DS is doing fantastic. I have spoken to work about how unhappy I was with the level of care in the after school club and so I've now arranged to pick him up from school every day. This makes for a very happy child and mum, of course. I does mean a bit more driving around as I have to come back to work, but it's only extra 5miles a day and at least I know DS is very happy and in a much better environment. Work has a creche and a play area, it always has fun events and food so he's well entertained.
Not having to fork out for childcare also saves me around £150pcm.

I've been on a few dates in the last couple of months, none of which went anywhere really. I've lost my focus on that for now as I have to really concentrate and get those exams passed asap so I can keep on moving up

We are off on a week's holiday on Friday, really looking forward to that. We'll be going out on lots of nature walks and practicing DS's swimming - can't wait.

Oh, and I've got my £15k But I've not even seen my bank yet about the mortgage as I still have to save for all the fees which is another £3k at least. I also might go for a slightly more expensive house looking at the area I'm interested in. So definitely another 4 or so months of saving left before I am ready to commit.

I switched my broadband provider, got my £50 M%S voucher, £70 cash back has been confirmed but not paid yet.
I also switched my mobile phone provider and saved £25pcm as I'm not getting a new phone. Got to say that was a bit of a nightmare though. SIM kept getting sent to the wrong address and I was left without phone service for a week. But it's all sorted now.

Well, that's my life over the last 3months in short
Things are moving in the right direction, I need to stay focused and keep on working towards what we want and need.

Happy Tuesday,
TheMagician

submarine76

Glad to hear things are going well magician, where are you off to on your holidays? I'm still plodding along and getting there, I have a resettlement interview in June to plan my courses, still aiming to do my AAT level 3 so should have that underway by the summer. To be honest I'm looking forwards to a change, it's time for a new chapter :O).

TheMagician

Hi, submarine76 Really good to 'see' you

We are going to the lakes for a week. I'm hoping for a peaceful and restful holiday. We'll be going abroad to see family in August so I'm happy to stay here this time.

Wow fantastic news about AAT. It will give you lots of technical knowledge without being as consuming as CIMA so it's an excellent place to start. If there's anything I can help with - just let me know.

Loads to do tomorrow - have to pack and clean the house before we leave. Will be going straight from work. Got a food delivery arranged tomorrow as well to be delivered to my work, will just pop it into my boot ready for the journey.

Peaceful Wednesday night,
TheMagician

TheMagician

We are back and the holiday was great. So peaceful, so restful whilst still active. I've unpacked, made dinner and sat down for a moment now to put my thoughts down.

Straight back to business - not overly proud of my money situation. Spent close to £200 this holiday (on top of the hotel) which went on various activities for my son and 3 meals out. I cooked the rest of the time because eating out is so expensive. But let's face it - the meals were unnecessary all be it only 3/21 possible The activities were good, we went out on a pedalo in a beautiful lake, son did the zip wire and a few more. Again, they weren't necessary but he absolutely loved it. What's a mum to do? :O I entertained with nature walks as much as possible.

So that a bit argh. I've also had to order a present for my mum (£13) and nephew (£6), I'll have to post it once it arrives, probably another £5. Boo to spending :eek:

Lastly, finally got my £73 in vouchers for the new broadband, that'll go towards a new sonicare toothbrush. Oral health is so important to me. I've got braces and I want to make sure my son never gets a cavity. My Braun one needs replacing big time.

Later on tonight I'll add up all my savings to see where I'm at for end of April.

Oh, something happened on the way home. About 50miles in my ABS light went on. And stayed :mad: The car was stopping well so I carried on home for another hour and the light stayed on. We then dropped by a supermarket. When we came back an hour later, once I started driving the light was gone. So I'm now confused. Should I see a mechanic? Sounds like it could be expensive.

This weekend will be dedicated to my next exam. I'm well rested so will get stuck right in tonight.

Well, I think that's it
TheMagician