The Marching Minimalist

angelpye

Yipeee! I thought I had another year on my mobile contract but just logged in as I had a message about early upgrade and its due on 10th May. I currently pay £35.99 a month for all you can eat calls, texts plus 2 GB of data. I definitely use the data but will pop into store at some point before upgrade date to check usage on calls and texts.

My handset has one crack on it that doesn't hinder its performance and because it is a clean crack from one side to the other it shouldn't get worse - can't see any splinters. Will go SIM only until handset gives up or I am debt free. Hoping this will save me £25 a month which is more than worth living with the crack

angelpye

I just checked banking app and the new energy company have taken their direct debit, I have given meter readings, updated YNAB and cancelled direct debit to previous company...I am officially £14.80 better off a month. I think I might have calculated it as more but think I included the impending hike in prices. I am intending to add this money to debt busting. IF I get any money back from the previous company I am going to splurge it on fun. I need some fun

EssexHebridean

On the SIM only mobile thing - no idea what network you're with currently but mine is EE - end of last year I managed to get them to near as anything price-match PlusNet's £10 package - unlimited calls & texts, and 4gb data. There is a slightly cheaper one with 2gb I think? EE's package is better than the plusnet one in a lot of ways as it includes super-fast 4g as well as a few other little extras. Worth knowing about anyway!

Well done on the Doctor's appointment and on feeling you were able to decline the offer of the therapy that you knew might put you into a vulnerable position. Right there with you on the longer hours of useable daylight helping perk you up too!

angelpye

Hi EH, I am with Three at the moment - they have deals that I am looking at in the hope the price will still be there in May. £9 for all you can eat minutes and texts plus 4GB but this does not include a personal hotspot capacity or roaming - to include those it would be £12 at the moment. The second also includes little extras like free calls to Three. It might be cheaper to just add bolt ons when I want the hotspot or travel...the hotspot is great for the odd times I want to tether the iPad or laptop as no need for wifi. I know I will want this 3 times in August. I plan to go abroad once by the end of the year. Just hope the prices hold.Was yours for a contract? This is for 12 months - need to ask if handset fails by then whether they will allow me to transfer over to a handset contract.

EssexHebridean

Mine is a 12 month rolling contract - so I can cancel at any time on a month's notice.

It always baffles me a little when providers do picky things like removing the ability to tether - how you use your data really ought to be up to you, in my mind! I don't use it a lot, but do find it handy occasionally particularly for the laptop.

One thing - I chanced my arm and rang EE early when I did mine - and to my surprise they were happy to switch me straight over to retain me as a customer - that was in December, and my contract still had three months to run, so it *might* be worth trying Three sooner than waiting for May? (My EE deal does include tethering, by the way, and a few extras around European stuff too although I can't remember specifics on those).

angelpye

Thanks, looks like you got a good deal as that now looks to be £15 a month! I might just go for the £12 one I will still be saving £23.99 but will need to check I can upgrade if I need a handset at anytime within 12 months.

angelpye

In the spirit of honesty with myself as well as this diary I have to confess to splurging today. My DD was desperate to go to the car wash (can't wash at home as where I live is not accessible by road) and I then took her to the SuperM and we bought a pizza and some treats including a small toy.

Totally unnecessary but my DD had a poetry recital in front of most of the school and a lot of parents and did brilliantly even though she is so shy so I caved.

The car wash probably sounds really random but she really loves it and it really did need a wash plus vacuum. Its not an expensive car but it is the nicest car I have had so I take care of it (although haven't washed it for the 3 months I have had it and where I live means it gets a lot thrown at it) and DD is quite conscious about it being dirty for reasons unknown to me.

I have decided to put this down to being so low recently and bad habits. I have also decided that I will have to finally get onto selling things I no longer need or want to make up for the spending. My budget is too tight to do otherwise - I don't want to increase my debt just to make it until May.

So, slightly annoyed with myself but going to see it as a blip and move on. I have loads to sell so will just have to get on with it.

Marching on...

Cherryfudge

I remember as a kid how sensitive I was to the random things other kids comment on - maybe your daughter heard someone say about a car being dirty and she's afraid it will be yours next time? And my daughter's in her 20s and I still splurge a bit to treat her.

Good luck with the C25K: I started earlier this month and I'm loving it. This from Cherry I-Am-Not-A-Runner Fudge.

JoJoC

Don't be annoyed at yourself - we all have these times when the indulgence is worth it (I had one recently and you told me family time was worth it, remember?) so don't beat yourself up.

It's nice to treat loved ones, especially when your DD had an achievement that you wanted to recognise.

As a one off, you can write it off. It's when you begin doing it regularly without thinking and without being able to afford it that it becomes a problem.

Hope you guys enjoyed it!

angelpye

Thanks Cherry, you probably right about the random conversation as she is a sensitive little bean. Really hoping I get into running - I have heard its great for the soul if you can just break through the tough times, plus around here there is loads of group activities so could be good for free and healthy socialising as some friends get involved already. I am definitely Angel-I-Am-Not-A-Runner-Pye in my head at the moment so we will see

Thanks JoJo, we did. Doesn't take much for DD to get excited so I am lucky that relatively cheap splurge has the same effect as a big one. We had an impromptu film night which is always nice.

You are both right, a little splurge is ok now and then and she definitely deserved it. Will make a list today of the more obvious things to sell and will have the added bonus of decluttering!