Staying Motivated & Small Steps, I'd love some advice please!

Sanctioned_Parts_List

Ah, if only... but the company flew me in cattle class. Honestly, with the oil price where it is, I'm surprised they didn't try to ship me sea-freight. Anyway, I know what the winters here are like, and had no space left in luggage for creature comforts once the full Arctic gear was packed.

Anyway, Korea has a good line in Manga, so if Kawaii is really upset, I'll have a couple of comics scanned and PM'ed I can't translate though - I've not learned this one yet.

Kawaii_Corgi

Oh my goodness, I've come back to so many lovely replies!

EH - I will definitely look into snowballing my debts based on how quickly it will pay off, that's a great idea.

Sanctioned - In terms of the electric, our whole 'block' of flats is with the same place, and according to my leasing agents I'm not allowed to change due to this.

Also, I know it may sound Victorian but we don't actually use heating. At all. We have electric wall heaters but they smell vile when on and do barely anything so we make do with blankets when we're home. My leasing agents are awful, when I moved in I had to make do with no hot water for 6 months because the shower had water electrically so couldn't wash up without boiling kettle/have bath etc. but I've been trying to contest them on this. It is a very small flat so warms up quickly though even with the oven on just cooking dinner.

Phone is EE and a year and a half left unfortunately

I've now learnt Admiral are abysmal, and I'll definitely be changing from them as soon as I can. I couldn't believe they punished me for being in a horrible accident that entirely wasn't my fault without notice! (the middle of a 4-car pile up on the motorway...)

And finally - definitely not upset, and whilst I love manga, indie comics are more my bag or anything batgirl!

Thanks all!!

Kawaii_Corgi

A couple points I missed -

LabRatty yes, it's just me being down on myself because there's plenty of cheap ways to have fun and spend time with someone! I need to think up some more. Husband and I are very cheap dates for each other because we're happy to sit playing League of Legends together for hours in lieu of date night (so 100% free!)

Thanks all again!

EssexHebridean

Kawaii_Corgi wrote: »

Oh my goodness, I've come back to so many lovely replies!

EH - I will definitely look into snowballing my debts based on how quickly it will pay off, that's a great idea.

Sanctioned - In terms of the electric, our whole 'block' of flats is with the same place, and according to my leasing agents I'm not allowed to change due to this.

Also, I know it may sound Victorian but we don't actually use heating. At all. We have electric wall heaters but they smell vile when on and do barely anything so we make do with blankets when we're home. My leasing agents are awful, when I moved in I had to make do with no hot water for 6 months because the shower had water electrically so couldn't wash up without boiling kettle/have bath etc. but I've been trying to contest them on this. It is a very small flat so warms up quickly though even with the oven on just cooking dinner.

Phone is EE and a year and a half left unfortunately

I've now learnt Admiral are abysmal, and I'll definitely be changing from them as soon as I can. I couldn't believe they punished me for being in a horrible accident that entirely wasn't my fault without notice! (the middle of a 4-car pile up on the motorway...)

And finally - definitely not upset, and whilst I love manga, indie comics are more my bag or anything batgirl!

Thanks all!!

I seem to recall that there is legislation protecting tenants from being told stuff like that now.? Hoping someone else will happen along who doesn't have a head full of cold currently and might be able to remember/clarify...

On the car insurance subject, pretty much any insurer will load your policy following any sort of claim unfortunately - it's just the way the thieving little bar stewards are. No good assuming that protected no claims will help you, either - this simply means you don't lose your no claims, but doesn't protect from an increased based policy price. Admiral are indeed stinking sewer rats though. If it helps anyone, I believe that Diamond, Bell & Elephant are also part of the same group, should you wish to avoid them, too...

OP - make a note somewhere of the date of the accident too - you're going to need to remember it for the next 5 years when you get your insurance quotes...

Sanctioned_Parts_List

Kawaii_Corgi wrote: »

Sanctioned - In terms of the electric, our whole 'block' of flats is with the same place, and according to my leasing agents I'm not allowed to change due to this.

Does it explicitly state that in your tenancy agreement? If not, then the correct response to your leasing agent is the middle finger... and get the meter changed. Or move.

Kawaii_Corgi wrote: »

Phone is EE and a year and a half left unfortunately

Did you get a phone with the contract? Mobile phone companies get the phones at a substantial (up to 40%*) discount, without VAT, whereas you pay both the full value and VAT. As a result, they can often be persuaded to switch you to a much cheaper, or even SIM-only tariff partway through, although you may need to spend a bit of time talking to helpdesk first.

Kawaii_Corgi wrote: »

And finally - definitely not upset, and whilst I love manga, indie comics are more my bag or anything batgirl!

I just stick to webcomics - send a megabyte, save a tree. OK, will keep my eyes open for this bunch of squiggles: 배트 걸


* depending on device. If you bought an iDevice, they probably won't budge. If you bought a Nokia Windows phone, they'll probably give you a replacement in sympathy...

Kawaii_Corgi

Thanks all - I'm going to dig out my tenant's agreement. I know from other people who went with this agency that they can be super tricky; holding out deposit payment for tiny amounts of dust when leaving etc if you've annoyed them in the past! Maybe I should just accept I'll likely lose my deposit and be a pest.

Smodlet

Would Shelter's website be of any use? I don't know if LLs/LAs are allowed to dictate who you buy your energy from but it sounds like sshh to me, unless it is in the agreement you signed, as SPL said.

I also think that, if you have proof, like photos, from when you moved in of the state the place was in, that they cannot just withhold your deposit without good reason but again, have little knowledge of this subject. I think it is appalling the way so many private tenants are treated. LLs/LAs get away with murder because too many people are too afraid to complain.

If that ain't incentive to get out of debt and save up a deposit, Kawaii, I don't know what is. Imagine being free to use the CEC and switch suppliers/tariffs whenever you chose, while getting paid to do so... Think on, petal.

EssexHebridean

Silly question, but have you actually checked with your neighbours on the electric question? If they're either not on pre-pay, or are with different suppliers, at least you know then whether you're being fed a line by the agents.

Kawaii_Corgi

EH - all flats are definitely on prepay, but I will check if it's the same supplier. The agents do look after multiple properties in the building though; around here they have a LOT of properties. Thanks for all the useful suggestions, I'll keep investigating

Kawaii_Corgi

Smodlet - absolutely, and I know it's not just our agents; we hear all sorts from people with different ones. I've got to admit though ours are terrible. Quick enough to do flat inspections as and when they want but I had to be without a bathroom floor for a year due to a leak before I moved in that then had to 'dry out' apparently. (also known as: landlord didn't want to pay for it!) I'd absolutely love to buy one day but right now it feels a long way off smaller goals will keep me more motivated in the meantime as buying seems unfeasible for the next 5-10 years at minimum!