Weds 13 jan 2016. What small dfw stuff will you do today?

climbingoutoftheabyss

We ended our fixed term energy deal with Scottish Power, switched using Quidco energy and saved £230 a year (based on the standard rate for SP) moving to First utility and will get £40 cash back from Quidco.

Got the bit between my teeth, so called Sky and said I wanted to cancel. Negotiated and got £12 per month off my TV (standard package), broadband and telephone deal (based on a 12 month contract).

So, one hour and £350 saved this year plus £40 cashback.

Also a nice windfall, we've got a very small number of shares in a company called Pace Micro (from before our problems). Pace were purchased by a US company and we had a cheque for £92.75 waiting when we got home!

The debt free day is drawing closer!

DawnW

My energy supplier has offered a smart meter. Any thoughts / experiences? I am a bit 'tin foil hat' about it due to stuff I have done at work in the past....

crazy_cat_lady

I had a smart meter fitted just a couple of days before Christmas and I absolutely love it. I have turned into the energy Nazi of the house. I have it on a setting that shows the hourly cost. If heating is on it's about 5p, off about 3p. Kettle sends it to 32p, and tumble drier 18p. I think it's fantastic
Ours were fitted within about 2 hours but both meters were easily accessible. I also like that the readings are automatically sent to E0n so I don't need to remember to do that.
If I go in the kitchen, and we're not using the kit out there but it's higher than 6p then I go on the warpath :rotfl:

carrielovesfanta

I think that my smart meter is passive-aggressive. it's like a post it note telling me that I'm an energy wastrel every time I cook or want a coffee.

They are pretty nifty though. Just struggling to reduce usage. Makes me feel like I should use 0 ideally.

Wow

Emotional baggage over my smart meter perhaps?

ziggy2407

ziggy2407 wrote: »

Good Morning

Maria - Thanks for starting us off today

Hi to all of the regulars and a BIG welcome to all the newbies, this is a really FAB thread with so many lovely, caring, considerate and supportive people.

Today I will

Packed lunch for DH & DS - Done
Ironing (yes its still waiting ) - Done - yaay (well till next loads ready)
Bump all sale listings/freecycle/facebook - Done
Check Banks - Done
Continue purge on Emails - Done
Continue decluttering - not much out today
Enter a few comps - Done a few
All meals from cupboards/fridge/freezer - Done
Check https://www.freepostcodelottery.com - Remember there are now 5 chances to win - Done
Check Lucky Phone - Done

Gosh that's a rubbish list, will try and think of more. Have a good day! Love to you all!

C x

Managed everything despite feeling really rubbish (mood & healthwise)

JHiggins91

Intrigued to see some views on the smart meters, I actually work for one of the energy companies (although not for the smart metering department) and my colleague was asking me about this today whether I had one, I really like the idea of it now and am considering registering my interest!

It's been much the same as the past two nights for myself, work dinner then bed. Managed a run in between dinner and the impending land of nod which felt good and even found some coins when I was warming down so win win

Payday in 2 days!

Baileys_Babe

Maria Thank you for getting us started today.

We having are away for a few days staying with my parents, I have barely had time to read let alone post, I have borrowed the parents laptop to try and catch up.

Wednesday I have:
Only used minimal gas & electrics at home
PAD £3.66 - 1p
Washed a load in parents new WM (they wanted to test the machine)
All food from parents stores
Friend paid me the money they owe us
Received money as gift from my Grandmother
Bought a new to us game & some HE resources in the charity shops
Educated children for free
Entertained us for free
Reusable sanitary ware
Reserve a couple of library books
Wash hair and let it dry naturally

Off now it read what I have missed over the last few days.

Baileys_Babe

Bob well done on your final HMRC payment

DNMS Glad to hear dgd is on the mend.

DawnW wrote: »

My energy supplier has offered a smart meter. Any thoughts / experiences? I am a bit 'tin foil hat' about it due to stuff I have done at work in the past....

I am planning to avoid getting one for as long as I can.

DawnW

Hmm BB, it seems we think alike (although don't get me wrong, I really like the idea of seeing in real time how much energy is being used) - but I worked for years with computer / internet security scientists, and believe me, nothing is 'safe' as the powers that be would like us to believe :eek:

I still use internet banking, (some) shopping etc for convenience, but I totally get that it is a trade off (convenience vs security). The security guys at the banks etc do their best as far as it is cost effective but it is a trade off for them as well (after all, these companies largely have to bear the cost of fraud, reimbursing customers etc) but it is a game of cat and mouse, with technology constantly evolving on both sides.

And then, with energy, the new system seems to give a lot of control to the energy companies that they don't currently have...

I will avoid the offer (again) for now I think.