2019 Frugal Living Challenge

cw18

frugalfreedom wrote: »

husband is a postie

so am I

sinkorswim2018

Little_green Could you you argue environmental issues about the carriers bags, would ypur other half res pond to that?

In January I received an email from talktalk stating they were going to add 80 extra's to talktalk tv and charge me £4 a month for the privilege. There were lot's of posts on MSE about it. I cancelled at the time. However... my bill has gone up by £15. £4 was the charge I had cancelled, £2 Is for a previously free charge for call diversion...why I'd need that I'll never know, and the rest was an increase because my fixed contract has ended.
They took off the £4 and £2 immediately, then sent me to retention. All in all I am now paying £12 less than the were trying to charge, £3 more than previously fixed monthly payment.
If you are with talktalk please check your bill.

cw18

I'm just hitting end of contract with TT, and they won't give me what I want. My bill was set to rise by £10 a month (from £17 to £27, so that's one heck of a percentage increase!). The best they would offer me was £19.95 on Fibre (which I don't need or want), even when I pointed out I could get the same as I have now for the same £17 from the PO or with anytime calls included from N0w for £18 (I've not made a single chargeable call in over 2 years, but my Dad's health isn't great at the moment so it would be nice to be able to call more often to check up on him - and whilst my mobile free calls have been more than enough until now they may not hold up to that!). They still wouldn't budge, so I've opted to move to N0w, and now TT are refusing to release my phone number so after 17.5 years with the same number I'm having to change it - I refuse to be held to ransom !!!!!


I also discovered on Monday that the PO internet is actually provided by TT, so that's another to avoid if you have issues with TT.......

PipneyJane

cw18 wrote: »

I'm just hitting end of contract with TT, and they won't give me what I want. My bill was set to rise by £10 a month (from £17 to £27, so that's one heck of a percentage increase!). The best they would offer me was £19.95 on Fibre (which I don't need or want), even when I pointed out I could get the same as I have now for the same £17 from the PO or with anytime calls included from N0w for £18 (I've not made a single chargeable call in over 2 years, but my Dad's health isn't great at the moment so it would be nice to be able to call more often to check up on him - and whilst my mobile free calls have been more than enough until now they may not hold up to that!). They still wouldn't budge, so I've opted to move to N0w, and now TT are refusing to release my phone number so after 17.5 years with the same number I'm having to change it - I refuse to be held to ransom !!!!!


I also discovered on Monday that the PO internet is actually provided by TT, so that's another to avoid if you have issues with TT.......

Surely TT can't refuse to release your phone number? Is it your landline or your mobile? If the latter, I would threaten them with the Telecoms Regulator because, by law, mobile numbers have to be portable.

Re landlines, per this webpage OFFCOM say to tell the provider you are switching to that you wish to port your number. (The page was written for businesses but I can't see why it wouldn't apply to householders too.)

HTH,

- Pip

cw18

It's my landline number. I had to phone N0w to set up my new contract as I kept going round in circles on the website - something the chap says is happening to folks who are moving from TT as the website is unable to tell us that there is currently a problem in getting numbers transferred from TT to themselves. I'm not sure whether it is a real problem or TT being difficult, but as I've never had a problem switching my number between providers before (and this is my 2nd time with TT, so they've switched it out to someone else once before) I'm reading between the lines that they're being difficult about it.

Doesn't seem worth creating a fuss about it, as it might delay my move which will end up costing me money (TT charges go up on 21st). And it might actually lose me a lot of calls I don't want - a fair number are from locals (normally elderly locals) who've misdialled when they want a local chemist, and most of the rest are "we're calling from your internet provider, TT, to let you know there's a problem with your connection and we're going to cut you off today" or "need to access your computer to sort it out". I was getting these calls while I was with my previous provider, so I assume they got my number from the TT security breach a few years ago. If I actually get a person rather than a machine telling me this I take great delight in telling them where to go :A:eek:

no_logo

Hope its not too late to join.

We already live pretty frugally. I often forget about this until I witness the spending habits of others my age (about to turn 30). Having said that, there plenty more we can do so hopefully participating in this thread will be a good motivator for me.

Also great to read the experiences of others with a similar mindset!

Frugaldom

Popping in to say welcome to our newcomers and well done to those of you who are managing to keep on top of your spending. Sorry to hear others are feeling the pinch in more ways than one but it's good to see so many of you pitching in your mutual support. It really is what keeps this challenge going.

Today I spent 5 minutes picking up damaged daffodils after the high winds snapped many of them so they are now soaking in a bucket of water to see if they recover. If they do, I'll find people to give them to over the weekend. Such a shame to see them all scattered in the wind,

Silly little savings - friends and I had another use-it-up session so I haven't had to buy anything from the local store this week at all. By cooking up an assortment of stir fries and having them with noodles or wraps, I even managed to use up the last of the braised cabbage that I had in the freezer.

I have queried a water bill as the estimated bill arrived with an extra 20 units on it. No response yet but I'm hoping they will alter it to correspond with the actual reading rather than take the DD and then deduct over-payment from the next bill.

This week I have downloaded another 6 free eBooks and have been trying to spend more time reading. There is definitely no shortage of free reading material but just looking back at the quantity of material that has been written in our challenge threads here over the past 12 years makes me want to re-read it from the start. (Most of it is linked to post 1) It could take a while!

frugalfreedom

morning everybody hope everybody is keeping well


Why is it whenever you plan to have as many NSD as possible there are little things every single day to buy ...grrrrrr


husband got a penalty notice for dropping an elastic band in work back in Jan so that is another expense that has to be found despite appealing it and the company not having the contract with the council any more still has to be paid - but this time instead of using savings and dis-railing them the money will be 'saved' from weekly budgets so proper scrimping over the next few weeks to afford it - although this my actually work in our favour as if we can live completely pared down lifestyle for a few weeks we could carry it on


BTW - you single mothers ROCK !!!! x

Igamogam

So just £9 over budget for groceries etc this week..........hmmm I blame the rugby.OH having 'extra' beers

I am going through a bit of a 'pfff' moment with the debt busting....wont lead to any spending but I am finding all a little boring!! Cant find any extra activities to add to what I do already to get the debt down any quicker......I am impatient and easily distracted. Maybe whilst OH is shouting at the TV I will have a go at listing stuff on Eb*y. Had a few results recently so will keep up momentum:)

Otherwise the system is working - no unplanned spending and any that was ( coffee bought out yesterday) Is coming out of money allocated to saving envelopes Had a theatre trip yesterday which was paid for by OH - in the past I would have just paid it and bought interval drinks but it was his wish to go and I didnt want a drink.......so ENTZ envelope not touched. Think he was a little 'put out'. He also suggested we subscribe to something so he can watch last season of GOT.......as I dont watch it ( Hate it - sorry fans) I suggested it came out of his earnings...........lead balloon :rotfl: I earn a lot more than him and it has never been an issue - we have never been a you pay this I pay that household but I have put the brakes on as I want to reduce if not clear debt so I can take early retirement once DDs have finished with their studies/travel...there have been some interesting conversations recently - good natured but crystal clear!

Shopaholic_no_more

FRUGALFREEDOM Thank you for sharing your story. It really is inspiring for me to read other people's situations and how they came to be on their debt free journey and how they are turning things around for themselves. So, again, thankyou and also to all the other lovely people on this forum who are sharing their stories, tips and encouragement. I am so glad I found this forum!! It truly has inspired me to get myself sorted out and get myself debt free once and for all otherwise I could have been just lolling along paying off credit card debt forever!! Although I still have a long long way to go I have started and I mean to finish this.


I have had 3 NS days so very happy with that. Have only spent 144.00 so far this month on groceries and cat food so looks like I will come in well under budget this month . Again, not used the credit card woohoo and me and the OH have saved 400.00 since Christmas which is going to be our holiday spending money to France. That would normally have gone on my credit card, shock horror. The OH brother has recently moved out there so no accommodation costs for us just flights and spending money .


My attitude towards money has changed so much my mum doesn't recognise me anymore. She is very impressed she said and that means a lot to me to hear her say that. She knows what I used to be like:(


So a big hug to all my new frugal buddies yay!