How much to live on

GunJack

@helensbiggestfan ref: knee replacements - if you need it, get it done!! I had my second one done last October and after the initial healing period it's sooo much better than before. The only thing I've found with them is kneeling down is a problem (it hurts) but for walking and normal day-to-day they're brill.

middlewife

@GunJack I'm so glad you posted that. I'm 7 weeks after a hip replacement but know that my right knee will need replacing at some point and dreading more surgery, had shoulder and biceps repair last year, falling off a bike hasn't done me any favours, but I'm aiming for fully bionic status!!

HUSKYPAL

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81969856#Comment_81969856

Which EV did you go for? 4.8 miles per kWh is excellent, especially on these, still chilly days. I'm only getting about 2.6 miles from mine.

Organgrinder

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81970580#Comment_81970580

It's a Mokka e - which shouldn't be anywhere near 4.8 - more like 3.5.

I have however been driving very conservatively - and most of my journeys have involved plenty of steady 30 mph driving.

Organgrinder

OMG - broadband.

Generally I check my bills religiously. My broadband however I haven't really looked (it doesn't help when it constantly goes to Spam either). So yesterday I saw my direct debit had gone up 24% and I contacted Three who we use for broadband.

"It's in your contract"

My contract was taken out in 2021 and the contract term ended in 2023. Three had moved me onto a different tariff - same price but different T's and C's but hadn't old me. Old price £16.60. New price £20.10.

I had expected them to increase my tariff by what was in my contract ie 7.3% or £1.21 to £17.80. But no.

Eventually I go one month free, 11 months at £16 and a further 12 at £19.50 - average over the 24 months £17.08.

Got a note in the diary to cancel after as it otherwise goes up again by another £3.50.

It really annoys me they can just move your contract like this - ok they might email it strikes me as somewhat unfair that they can assume you accept.

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81973072#Comment_81973072

Not an expert but I think you will struggle to get much cheaper than £15 to £20 a month.

Organgrinder

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81973127#Comment_81973127

I had a target in mind - the price I got is cheap enough - it's more the principle of them changing the Terms and Conditions that allow such large increases that I feel is wrong.

Archerychick

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81968001#Comment_81968001

Whether an EV tariff makes sense for you really depends on what your other day time usage is. For example on average my cheap rate accounts for 55/60% of my total usage each month - and the remainder at the more expensive day rate. But because I’m otherwise a low user, it works out quite a lot cheaper for me to have an EV tariff. I charge the car maybe max 3 times a week at 10 kWh a go.

Once you’ve got more data you’ll be able to do some calculations to work it out

Organgrinder

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81973986#Comment_81973986

Yes, I'm going to wait a few months before deciding. We hardly use any electricity overnight at the moment. If it was only EV charging its would likley still only be 35% use overnight which given our figures means it doesn't look worth it.

Organgrinder

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81974284#Comment_81974284

Correction. My energy suppliers tariff means my nighttime charging rate and the day rate would save me over £100 a year compared to the standard tariff and that assumes all my current usage is at peak rate. If we start using the dishwasher and washing machine overnight too there'll be even bigger savings.

My effective cost per mile is now going to be less than 3p. The charger install pays for itself in a year and then I'm £800 a year better off.

3p a mile is effectively £1.50 a gallon!

Today however I need to do a relatively long journey. I shall update on any potential range anxiety later!