Getting FIREd up 😀

killerpeaty

6 months?! It's just mind blowing to me. Obviously I have friends and family who have relied on benefits but I personally haven't. It really puts things into perspective.

greent

Oh yes - DH had 2 periods of no contracts - each one lasting almost a year. Each time he got 6 months jsa and that was it - for a family of 6. Good job we had savings- they plummeted each time.

CCW007

EF calculations look good.  Something we need to do when the financial dust settles a bit this year.

South_coast

It still doesn't feel like enough though 🤣! Need to trust my workings!

South_coast

I just did some ironing, in an attempt to feel I have at least achieved something productive today. I should NOT have set the ironing board up opposite the smart meter display, which I plugged back in yesterday after finding a new home for it - consumption jumped from 2p/hour to 42p/hour every time the thermostat clicked on 😱! And that's before my +260% rate increase starts next month!

I may have to return to embracing being un-ironed 🤣!

killerpeaty

Yeah.. maybe that was not a good idea. I think I was in blissful denial just prior to the jump, then panic when I saw my smart meter, but I've reverted to denial again. It's nice here, you should join me!

South_coast

The daft thing is, I didn't plug it in to see the consumption! I don't often look at it, it's just habit to have it going but been in a bit of disarray lately so not had it set up (it's also a handy nightlight for late-night trips to the loo 🤣). However, when you're looking right at it and it jumps up like that, you can't help but be alarmed 😮!

debtfreeoneday

Think the bigger picture helps. Looking at the meter daily or weekly or monthly. Ours seriously makes no sense sometimes though. If we go out for the whole day though then it’s a good smart meter day. That’s the answer. We just need to actually not live in the house. 😂😂

South_coast

South_coast said:

Bank switching, however.... You and Ed are totally right, I really should look into that again. I've also NEVER investigated matched betting. I am hereby putting both of these on my to-do list and will report back at the end of the month 👍!

Right, bank switching check-in:
* Donor account opened (that was painful 😳)
* 2x Direct Debits changed to come from donor account 
* Money to cover Direct Debits transferred into new account and standing order set up for May onwards
* SC waiting on Direct Debits to come out of new account at the start of May, whilst crossing fingers there are still some decent offers around then! There are some I can't have, as I've had them before (interesting to see some have changed their wording to "ever", as opposed to "within x years"), but looks like I should be able to collect £300 within the next couple of months if they stick around 🤞🤞🤞

Matched betting: Not even looked 😳!

* Note to those who have never switched banks before: It really is much easier than I am making it sound, and I would highly recommend it. I just don't want to switch my actual bank, hence setting up a new account just to have it to switch away from and then having to wait for the Direct Debits to come out for the first time so they count as "active" for the switch. If it's your regular account and all your Direct Debits are already set up, it's easy peasy! Just don't want my ramblings to put anyone off 🤣!

South_coast

debtfreeoneday said:

That’s the answer. We just need to actually not live in the house. 😂😂

Love this 🤣🤣🤣