A Ditherer's Diary (again)

dawnybabes

moving_forward said:

We have had a mini emergency budget meeting by text at lunch. We have found a few luxeries to scale back.

If it’s chocolate I know someone who’s got loads (WW looking at you !) 

WinterWarrior

Ssshhhhh @dawnybabes, I have to get through the whole month you know (panics at the thought) 😅

WinterWarrior

How annoying about the mortgage payment, I wonder why they thought to do that?
The price rises are getting silly now. With heating oil we are averaging £200 a month for heating and electricity over winter months and there’s only 2 of us and we are being fairly mindful. The house isn’t very efficient, but even so! 

moving_forward

@dawnybabes no it isn't blooming chocolate I will never give it up never.
Ok so it maybe mid week choc but I shall buy that out my pocket money

Naomim

WinterWarrior said:

How annoying about the mortgage payment, I wonder why they thought to do that?
The price rises are getting silly now. With heating oil we are averaging £200 a month for heating and electricity over winter months and there’s only 2 of us and we are being fairly mindful. The house isn’t very efficient, but even so! 

No, our stupid downstairs open plan and laminate flooring isn't condusive to efficient heating either.   I've turned it down half a degree and upstairs we have the radiators turned down anyway.  I've just turned our bedroom one down a bit more as I get quite hot in the night anyway! 🥵

I've just sent the £23.73 back to the mortgage account.  I can see us playing ping pong with this! 

EssexHebridean

You might need to call the mortgage company and tell them explicitly that any overpayments you make are to be taken directly off the balance not taken to reduce the monthly payments. 

Naomim

@EssexHebridean yes I think I might have to.  It's only going to be once a month with my tilly tidies so not a large lump sum (if only!)

GeorgianaCavendish

The energy bills increase is really concerning, I'm especially worried about my parents - I need to go through everything with them at the weekend. Do you qualify for the council tax discount in April (£150 one-off discount for bands A-D) ? 
Maybe you could prioritise one of the credit cards for any over payments to open up transfer offers, and reduce the amounts on the others? 

WinterWarrior

I hadn’t seen the info on the council tax rebate, but sadly upon looking it up it doesn’t seem to be offered in Scotland 😖
I'm in awe of your thermostat @Naomim, our system is ancient and operates on an on or off basis with the same for the radiators 😖

moving_forward

Getting a thermostat really reduced our bills WW and then the smart one even more but I'm not sure if they work with oil. Scotland has been given a lump of money so hopefully you will get some of it off your council tax.