A Ditherer's Diary (again)

EssexHebridean

That's bothersome about the phone - particularly as it lead to the issue with the transfer. In fairness 5 years is a very good age for a modern phone. Could you use the bonus money you'd allocated to your own account to replace the phone if needed? Then look to stash aside a small amount each month to begin to build savings for another replacement when required? There's certainly no reason why you couldn't stay on your good SIM only deal just because the phone needs replacing.

GeorgianaCavendish

Oh no! What a pain about the phone! 

Could you get a “new” reconditioned handset maybe and keep sim only ?

jokono

Do you get other text messages? I had an issue where I didn't received the text messages with a unique code for logging into my Adm!ral account. I contacted support and they had to do something on their end, could it be similar?

Naomim

Yes I was receiving personal text messges, just no SMS. Weirdly they all came through yesterday, about 20 at once! And today I have received them.  Very odd. I like the idea of buying the new phone @EssexHebridean I may ringfence some of the bonus money for that and then set up a pot for the future one in another 5 years! lol

I have had confirmation the balance transfer has now gone through so that's one thing out the way.

GeorgianaCavendish

Last time I bought a handset (2018) I did it via 0% finance on Very for 12 months, it was the only thing I used Very for and would be open to it again as long as it didn’t affect my credit utilisation too much. 

But I might steal your idea of setting up a pot to cover the replacement handset (or some of it - left it a bit late as I’m at 4 years now!) - I’m hoping I can get 6 years out of this one so another 2 to go! 

Another good thing is the Right to Repair coming in so hopefully whatever we buy next will be easier to fix if things go wrong. 

jokono

Glad it's sorted!

I got my new phone in 2019, a few months before my lightbulb. It was on a 0% plan with Virgin, a new model so very expensive. I am still paying for it, two payments to go! I should start a pot for my next one, but like GC I hope this one will last another 3 years.

Naomim

I've always gone the contract route and upgraded at the 2 year point. Last time I didn't and switched to the Sim only. I guess that was part of my LBM, not upgrading when this one was perfectly serviceable. 

EssexHebridean

I always used to be on a contract - I think it was when I had my iPhone SE and then all the newer phones were HUGE for a while that I switched to SIM only as I didn't actually want to change the phone! Allowing for the number of smaller phones they do now, I'm guessing I wasn't the only one Still hoping that the current one lasts at LEAST 4 years mind you! 

Naomim

MrM and I have both luckily received bonuses. Whilst some of this is ring fenced for stuff we need to pay out, refund to HMRC and electrician, house repairs...I was wondering if I should bung it in my PB's for a while until its needed? At the moment it's in my ISA but I might have more luck with the PB's if I bung a nice chunk in 🤔

Thoughts?

jokono

Why not? Decide quickly, if you buy them before the 1st you will enter the May prize draw.