How much to live on

helensbiggestfan

Thanks for all the chat about mobile phones. It has made me realise that I'm seriously overpaying. Lol. I need to sort it out. Same with income tax. I now have my P60 so I can try and sort it out. I am going away for Easter but when I come back I will get a grip and reorganise everything. I am pretty sure HMRC owe me plenty.

I have been a bit complacent with my finances of late, time to remedy that!! I haven't overspent but I haven't really made my money work hard enough. That ends after the holiday.

I have had to take on a financial committment for gardening services to a plot of land I share with my sister. It doesn't have planning permission (yet) so it just sits there. Too small to graze her horses and too far away from either of us to use as an allotment. We keep it mowed and the hedges neat so as not to upset the neighbours. There was a rumour that a golf consortium were interested but so far nothing definite.

So it's a bit of a white elephant at the moment, technically an asset although not making money but …….as the old saying goes. "Land is something they aren't making any more". So who knows, maybe one day it might prove a valuable inheritance for our kids. So for now we just sit on it, keep it well maintained and let the wildlife have free rein.

Right need to crack on with getting organised for my trip. Just a week in the Peak District and the weather doesn't look too clever but i am not too concerned. We've booked a fancy schmancy air B&B so we shall be very comfortable whatever the weather gods throw our way.

A nice relaxing Easter spent with the fam. 🐣. Lazy days, cosy nights, nice food, chocolate, maybe a trip to a local spa for some pampering….fun with the grand kids whilst they still are young enough to enjoy spending time with granny. 😂🤣.

Have a lovely Easter. .

Organgrinder

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81947321#Comment_81947321

Income tax is currently the bane of my life! HMRC think it's a good idea to allocate my tax codes across my salary and my pensions. It would be far easier all round if 1257L was allocated to my salary and BR1 (or equivalent for basic rate) to my pensions.

But no.

In addition my exam marking is CD0 meaning it's all taxed at 40%.

HMRC then assume my savings interest (after first £500) is taxed at 40%.

My personal pension contributions mean I then have to send them proof and they then pay me back an amount because I don't get 40% relief but of course their assumption about my savings tax is incorrect so a whole new calculation is performed.

It's so frustrating!

On the phone front, I decided to extend my ID mobile contract. £7/month. Happy with that.

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81947698#Comment_81947698

 It would be far easier all round if 1257L was allocated to my salary and BR1 (or equivalent for basic rate) to my pensions.

AIUI, HMRC are normally happy to do that, if you ask them nicely. In theory a quick call to them should sort it out. If you phone at 08.00 sharp, you usually get through reasonably quickly.

Organgrinder

Let's just say they weren't very accommodating.

Savvy_Sue

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81947321#Comment_81947321

If the land is secure, you might find it's of interest to local dog walkers. Bit of work to organise a booking system, and maybe not suitable, but there seems to be a demand for such spaces (where you won't meet another dog so yours can go a bit wild!)

helensbiggestfan

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81948071#Comment_81948071

hi. Never heard of that. Thanks. Interesting idea but I dont think it would be very practical because neither my sister nor I live close by. At one point we did think about planting an orchard. We haven't completely ruled that one out.

sheilavw

sorry I was told EE. I pay £7, just occasionally more if I send a picture message I assume. I think the most that I have paid in last year is £7.55

Organgrinder

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81948344#Comment_81948344

£7. Same as me.

Happy with that. I was paying £9. Best part is no price increases and roaming abroad.

I really detest the way sone contracts have huge increases built in.

Next I'm hoping some of the piggy back companies offer broadband. I currently use 3 @£17.50 a month but it rises every year. We stream a lot so don't want a service that will be throttled. I've seen some people use an unlimited SIM but technically they aren't for home data use only. Fingers crossed we'll see some deals soon.

Organgrinder

Well I remember talking about rainy day money......

Our windows need replacing. Well some do. No idea whether to replace the lot or just replace what's needed now.

Decisions decisions.

Then there's the car. Should I replace it now or not. I quite like the idea of an EV. The running costs would plummet.

I clearly have too much time on my hands!

Savvy_Sue

Unless the windows went in at different times, get the lot done would be my suggestion.

Had most of ours done a couple of years ago, and it's made a huge difference. New double glazing is much more efficient than older technology. I've heard my son's discussing it: different gases used, different gaps between panes etc.

The two we didn't replace are a small one in store room off kitchen, and a humungous one on the half-landing. Both are stained glass. Cost of the landing one was just mind-blowing, and the job itself was technically difficult, even if we were happy to lose the feature (which we're not).

But the house is noticeably warmer, everywhere.