Put away your purse & become debt-averse

crazy_cat_lady

Toni'sfriend said:

Well done, foxgloves. I was doing so well and then got a blister on my foot, then the weather was bad, then I was waiting for a delivery. Total nonsense!!! Must, must get back to it next week. Absolutely no excuses!!!! You have my permission to shame me publicly if I don't (PLEASE).

I haven't been walking much - I'm using the work in the house as an excuse not to get out and walk. I need to get back into it too. I will if you will

crazy_cat_lady

I'm terrible with taking my eye off the ball with finances over the summer foxgloves... I always used the excuse of the 6 weeks, and having a bit of extra money - but you're definitely right, and I can relate...

janb5

I'm in the process of changing utility companies from B*lb to Octop*s.  Very disillusioned that it takes 5 weeks to transfer completely especially as they owe me over £200.  It seems easier to change bank accounts then utility accounts!
I did manage to achieve getting the DD reduced to £5 during transfer as I cant bear the thought of 2 DD's going out by 'mistake'
I try to think I will delay putting the CH on after the summer and try and leave it further each year.....that's the theory anyway!

Onebrokelady

 I am very bad at monitoring my energy usage in general, it's still one of my financial failings and I can't seem to get my head round checking the meters and doing the readings. I can't remember the last time I looked at either of my meters to be honest 🙀😟
I need to develop a habit around this so that it becomes ingrained 
Changing the subject but I think you should upload a photo of the mystery poo, then we can have a competition to try and identify it 😀

Baileys_Babe

We also get a monthly email to remind us to take our meter readings and the following day they email us our account statement.

That is an interesting observation @foxgloves our usage is not as low as normal partly due CV19, OH working from home, all of us using the tv & computers more for education/entertainment/keeping in touch with friends and family, as we are not going out to our usual commitments we are making more hot drinks, lights going on when it's overcast but not being turned off when it brightens up, OH often uses hot water when cold would do the job just as well.
Our boiler is about 20 years old and we planned to replace it this year with a more efficient model, those plans are on hold at present.
We have taken our eye off the ball in some areas where we do have control, thank you for highlighting this and I can refocus.

foxgloves

Lol, OBL... I buried the mystery poo. I'm an organic gardener, but it kind of didn't fit the vibe I'm going for!
F x

foxgloves

That's exactly the kind of thing I mean, BaileysBabe. And yes, you're right, I'm sure many households won't have pulled back as much as usual on summer energy use because of being at home much much more during Lockdown. We don't have children but I'm sure extra TV, Internet, X-b*x & everything else will add up for a lot of people. Mr F worked from home as much as he was able so that was more laptop use, but there again, we did spend much less on petrol with him not having his usual 50-mile a day round trip commute. I've just thought of another little saving I've stopped doing.... I would often get up early & do the ironing while still on Economy 7 tariff. I can't remember the last time I did that, but that's a saving which would add up over a year or two. I'm definitely more conscious of energy useage in the colder months & intend to be a bit more mindful about it over the next few weeks.
F x

foxgloves

Hello Sweet Peas, 
Hope everyone has had a decent weekend. Despite a good forecast, it's been showery here today but it hasn't stopped us & life has actually felt fairly normal today. We booked a visit to a local NT place this morning. Completely spend-free as we took a flask of coffee & a picnic. Enjoyed our walk. The loo queue felt so weird, but it worked! It was 'One household out, one household in', which meant Mr F & I had a whole block to ourselves when it was our turn! Didn't get tempted by the shops as my mask was in my backpack & I couldn't be faffed fetching it out, so money doubtless saved there. Have fed all the veg, picked another colander of courgettes, made sure we have sufficient masks for the week ahead & put liners in them and synchronised our diaries. Mr F's cooking night so I'm enjoying the latest pick from my haul of library books. Will knit some mittens later.... am on my 3rd pair.. a good way to use up some of my yarn stash. Have also got an exciting parcel to unpack as the bargainaceous food mixer has arrived.
Wishing everyone a peaceful evening, 
F x

teapot2

ooh enjoy the food mixer unwrapping - you are very good not ripping the box open but delaying gratification.  Mind you I'm more wary around mail and parcels these days and make sure I wash my hands after opening anything and if I can see its a statement or something official I just leave it for a few days before opening it

HairyHandofDartmoor

Fantastic bargain on the food mixer 🙂. I'm really delighted at being able to go to NT places  again and it felt perfectly safe with their safety measures.