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Atrixa's Saving Diaries

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  • atrixa
    atrixa Posts: 549 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 500 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Same to you SW!

    I'm going to enjoy the last of the nice weather by going out for a run today, then I'll crack on with some housework. 

    Got my hair cut yesterday into an angled bob. It feels so much thicker at the back. Me and BF shared a takeaway (preplanned treat) from a lovely Chinese place near us. We only get about 1 per month to keep costs (and waistlines) down. 

    I'm looking forward to a nice bath with a G&T later on.
  • MovingForwards
    MovingForwards Posts: 17,149 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Seventh Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic
    Sounds like a perfect weekend.
    Enjoy your new hairdo!
    Mortgage started 2020, aiming to clear 31/12/2029.
  • atrixa
    atrixa Posts: 549 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 500 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    It's been freezing up here the last few days. I usually get decent heat from the sun in my office, but it was so cloudy and cold today I ended up putting the heating on at 15C just to take the chill off. We're forecast sun tomorrow, luckily. My direct debit is going up to £111 this month so trying not to use as much heating and hot water. I might see what options I have to get a decent smart meter fitted from my provider. 

    I don't know if anyone else has a savings account with C-ynergy (I found them through MSE) but my goodness, their customer service is atrocious. I haven't been able to access my savings since I got a new phone due to their rubbish app. I've filled in a few contact forms to try to get them to ring me, but nothing. I'm refusing to ring them until I have to as it's one of those chargeable phone lines. Might try Tw!tter next. I'll keep my money in there until I get my interest then it's going somewhere else.

    Garlic seems to be growing well. I need to cull some chilli plants as it's getting silly now. 
  • MovingForwards
    MovingForwards Posts: 17,149 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Seventh Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic
    You don't need a smart meter, just keep an eye on your regular one and be aware of what you use. When I put my GCH onto an on / off / on / off routine the flat heated up and stayed warm, while vastly reducing how much I'm paying. Don't leave lights on, things on standby etc and that will save a bit on the electric.

    I've not seen anything mentioned about that banking company on the finance boards, but it might be people drop the money in and forget about it for a while. If anything of note does appear I'll let you know.

    Sell some of the chillies or ask mates if they want any.
    Mortgage started 2020, aiming to clear 31/12/2029.
  • atrixa
    atrixa Posts: 549 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 500 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    To be honest, my meters are in such an awkward place it requires a torch to take a reading so I could do with the in-home display. Turns out my meters are 2nd gen (I assumed they were first as they stopped working when I switched) so I've shot off an email to the provider to see if I can 'wake them up' and maybe get an IHD. Even without the IHD it would be nice not having to send monthly readings anymore.

    Got the bank sorted finally. They need to sort their website out- the info to reset the app is there, just not that visible.

    I've already earmarked some homes for the chillies and most of the Bolivian rainbows can just go outside eventually. Some aren't growing that well so I'll cull some of the weaker ones in the next few weeks.

    Tea was chilli and rice tonight and I'm about to settle down with a drink and a book. Merry Friday, all!
  • MovingForwards
    MovingForwards Posts: 17,149 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Seventh Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic
    The supplier needs to do something to make them work, there was a post recently about how it's done.

    Good news about the bank and rehoming surplus chillies.

    Soon you'll be cooking with homegrown ingredients!
    Mortgage started 2020, aiming to clear 31/12/2029.
  • savingwannabe
    savingwannabe Posts: 16,616 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts
    Yum to chilli. I like the growing food in garden idea well done on sorting bank. I hope you had a good weekend. 
    Aiming for a minimal spend 2022
  • atrixa
    atrixa Posts: 549 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 500 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Got a reply from energy provider, and they've checked the grid and are saying my meters are actually 1st gen. They had photos on their website that indicated they were 2nd. Oh well.

    I went back into the office for the first time recently. Plan now is to go in once a month (as long as it's dry enough to walk) and then try to go in a bit more over winter with the aim of saving energy at home. I can bring in homemade soup without any issue and it's a nice change of scenery. If I had to use the bus (or a car) then any energy savings would be sucked up by that.

    Payday today: £600 has gone into my savings. My car fund should be full next payday. I've been doing some costings for fuel vs train fares and it really is a no brainer. If I was going somewhere most weekends the car would almost pay for itself eventually (not including any repairs), the train fares are insane unless you know where you're going in advance. I just need to be very strict and not use it for short journeys where I could walk. It also opens up a lot that was inaccessible to me on public transport, which is exciting.

    Hope everyone is well!
  • MovingForwards
    MovingForwards Posts: 17,149 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Seventh Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic
    At least you know.
    Would cycling be viable or is it too much of a rat race? Once a month isn't bad, ease back into it ready for winter.

    Great savings and providing you keep earmarking money each month, after buying the car, having a bill for it or the insurance come round won't hurt.

    How's your growing getting on?
    Mortgage started 2020, aiming to clear 31/12/2029.
  • Went done on your car savings. Let us know what you get. I wish I only had to go into the office once a month. We are being forced back 3 days a week. At least it’s not 5 days a week though. 

    0% credit card £1360 & 0% Car Loan £7500 ~ paid in full JAN 2020 = NOW DEBT FREE 🤗
    House sale OCT 2022 = NOW MORTGAGE FREE 🤗
    House purchase completed FEB 2023 🥳🍾 Left work. 🤗

    Retired at 55 & now living off the equity £10k a year (until pensions start at 60 & 67).

    Previous Savings diary https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5597938/get-a-grip/p1

    Living off savings diary
    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6429003/escape-to-the-country-living-off-savings/p1
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