How much to live on

otb666

Hats off to you all for embracing all the new cars and solar. I have thought about solar since 2010 but just dont like the look of them and all the extra headaches they cause with pigeons nesting and invertors replacements. Also cannot justify the amount currently 76.9p per unit that the earlier installations get when so many people are struggling with theirs bills. Same with the electric cars I cant be doing with all that journey planning etc. But I do enjoy reading all the comments and know obviously newer installations dont get as much but cannot see its worth all the bother really. I have a small house and car for my slim self and just use what i need. I have not been on a plane for 26 years and dont buy stuff for the sake of it. In my mind I am already a low impact on the planet resources.

Organgrinder

In sixth months I've had to plan a journey once and despite a few errors it was hardly a problem overall.

This weekend we have another journey where I'll need to charge before coming home. Again not an issue. Though if I had to do it all in a day I may well not be so enthusiastic!

MeteredOut

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82173858#Comment_82173858

Not a dig, but there is a lot of out of date thinking in your post. If you don't want to get solar, or an EV, then that is absolutely fine, but i'd suggest basing those decisions on where things are at now.

• Yes people getting 76.9p kWh is probably too much, but they're going to get that whether you do or do not get solar
• There are proven ways to stop pigeons nesting - just ensure you get a suitable fitter
• Do you have any evidence of issues regarding wide scale need for inverters to be replaced?
• Have you looked at your own driving needs to determined that you would need to do journey planning? Are you aware of what range you can get, and the charging infrastructure you'd need to use.
• Are you aware you can save money on your household bills using both solar and EV charging with tariffs such from Octopus, EDF or others?

otb666

I appreciate the comments but think I will stick to my guns. I worked in the industry for 12 years. When I went to buy a new car sales man had gone back to petrol. I prefer not to mess about with when i want to use electric and car prefer it to be available at set price. I dont think its fair that its all supported by generally poorer folk so you have a two tier system where rich get richer and poorer folk have to support them with added costs to their electric bills. I dont want to get political and know there are arguments on both sides this is just my thoughts on it. I do admire you all for giving it a go though and guess we need trail blazers for progress just not me.

Clowance

What is the range Organgrinder? I saw a used Kia Soul at auction this week which went for less than £3500 but of course with the risk of further repairs, but it only has a range of 70 miles. Too little even for me, as although ok normally there are occasions I need it to go to airport etc.

Organgrinder

Advertised 200. Real world....I'd say 150 - 160 but that's more to do with me not wanting to get down to really low battery figures.

In the past six months I've had no single trips more than 140 so it hasn't been an issue.

QrizB

I saw a used Kia Soul at auction this week which went for less than £3500 but of course with the risk of further repairs, but it only has a range of 70 miles.

I've been looking at electric Kia Souls too. There have been two different generations of them. The earliest ones (like this) had quite small 27kWh batteries which wouldn't quite get to 100 miles even when new. Then in 2018 or so it got a slightly larger 30kWh battery that would take you past the 100-mile mark. Finally from 2020 or so (like this) the new model has larger 64kWh batteries that are good for more than 200 miles.

So make sure you know which generation you're looking at!

Clowance

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82174659#Comment_82174659

Sadly the newest ones far out of my budget of thruppence ha'penny. Currently driving a high mileage (133000+) toyota verso from 2011!

Organgrinder

Well it's been an entertaining few months juggling my new "how much to live on" figures.

My teacher pension was calculated incorrectly (not by much but every little helps" and HMRC have given me a K code on this to recover tax.

Then the few hours I do work have been taxed at basic rate with no tax allowance.

It's all very frustrating although it will sort itself.

My stoozing has as mentioned previously finally caught up with me and no new credit cards are in the pipeline. But, I'm making use of several regular savers now at between 5.5% and 8% so that helps. Additionally Chase now offer 2% cashback on supermarket, eating out and travel spends and they have also launched a 6.5% regular saver so I'm moving the money in their measly 2.25% saver into that so I still qualify for the cashback. Currently averaging about £10 a month on that.

The teachers pensions are currently moving from Capita to Tata and the whole process has so far been an absolute shambles. So fingers crossed come November it'll all be functioning again and hopefully with a better service too.

helensbiggestfan

HMRC move at a glacial pace. Lol. I have just received a tax rebate for overpaying in 25/26. So far they haven't amended my code for 26/27, still on a K code. Maybe there will be an adjustment soon, or perhaps that won't happen until the new tax year and once again they will owe me a full years refund. Fortunately I have some wriggle room and am not desperate for the money but I would rather it sat in my account than theirs…….😉

Although I do monitor my finances regularly I feel it's time for a review of all things banking, saving and insurance related. So that's next on the agenda. It's all part of the Swedish Death Cleaning.

On that subject it is going well. I found a company who work with a number of charities and who do a door step collection. 6 bin liners of clothing and household linens went last week. I have booked another pick up for mid November so am currently filling more bags…. I have also had two sessions in the garage and my handyman took all that to the recycling centre. I also paid the council to remove some unwanted furniture items. £45 for up to 6 items which I thought was very reasonable.

I know I could have probably made a bit extra cash by selling on vinted or eBay but I decided to get the job done quickly. Anything I think might have any real value will go to a local auction house at some point. But for now I am going for speed and convenience.

I have never been a hoarder and I was always in the habit of having fairly regular decluttering sessions but this time the purge has gone far deeper than any previous attempts. I am really starting to notice a difference now. It feels good. Very liberating!!! I shall keep going. 🤪