It's getting tough out there. Feeling the pinch?

YoungBlueEyes

Two for one card…? @elsien

elsien

https://www.gardenersworld.com/2-for-1-gardens/

KxMx

Once I find a friend or family member with Octopus Energy to make use of the referral scheme, I'm making the switch from British Gas.

I was very unhappy last year when I moved to be stuck with them (SMETS1). Bad experience with them over how they mishandled my late Nan's account after she died, not even a word of apology when they were proven to be in the wrong. 

I got used to the convenience of having a smart meter and didn't want the inconvenience of getting new meters installed. 

Well, now my meters are finally enrolled onto the smart meter data network, I find out that they are not compatible with Octopus! 
But having compared the rates I'm paying BG on SVT, to what I would pay on Octopus SVT, I'm making the switch and will put up with the inconvenience of dumb meters, for however long it takes me to get SMETS2 installed via Octopus.

I've got my ESA rise now to tide me over until the UC rise kicks in for me 2nd June. Can't come soon enough because while I usually have a little left at the month, the money I do get just doesn't stretch much these days. 

linz

KxMx said:

Once I find a friend or family member with Octopus Energy to make use of the referral scheme, I'm making the switch from British Gas.

I was very unhappy last year when I moved to be stuck with them (SMETS1). Bad experience with them over how they mishandled my late Nan's account after she died, not even a word of apology when they were proven to be in the wrong. 

I got used to the convenience of having a smart meter and didn't want the inconvenience of getting new meters installed. 

Well, now my meters are finally enrolled onto the smart meter data network, I find out that they are not compatible with Octopus! 
But having compared the rates I'm paying BG on SVT, to what I would pay on Octopus SVT, I'm making the switch and will put up with the inconvenience of dumb meters, for however long it takes me to get SMETS2 installed via Octopus.

I've got my ESA rise now to tide me over until the UC rise kicks in for me 2nd June. Can't come soon enough because while I usually have a little left at the month, the money I do get just doesn't stretch much these days. 

You will be glad you switched. I did the same about 2 months ago - British gas to Octopus. BG customer service is atrocious. Almost impossible to get through to a human isn't it? You will be pleasantly surprised at Octopus, they're brilliant. Hope they sort you with a SMETs 2 meter soon. 

elsien

My local Lidl is closing since they opened up a new store a little further away and say they can no longer afford the rent on this one. 

The difference being the other one needs a car, and my local is in the town centre and walkable to for people coming shopping. 

They reckon they get 1000 people in a day but it’s still not financially worthwhile.
There is no other proper food shop in the middle of town other than Farmfoods so it’s going to be a huge loss.

amber03

I live in a village and have to travel to either al*i or Li*l, both companies have said they would love a store in our area, ( as quite a few villages doted about), but sadly there’s nowhere suitable. I go once a month by car and stock up on certain items, but it’s annoying if I forget something.x

YorksLass

When our nearest local Co-op closed I was very disappointed that it changed to a Nisa.  It didn't last long - less than a year - and I can't say I'm surprised, given the poor selection of goods and exorbitant prices.  I wish Aldi or Lidl would take it on but I think the stumbling block is the lack of car parking space.  Also, the chap that owns the building/site also owns the next door BP garage - rumour has it that he's hanging on to it so he can demolish the building and extend the garage.  I'm not sure he'd get planning permission though since it's next to a major roundabout and  would mean a complete re-jig of the road system.  Like elsien, we're not car drivers so are very limited in our choice of stores that we can walk to (well, me really).  We have another Co-op, a largish Sainsburys and an M&S food store but they're all in different directions so a visit to any of them has to be a separate journey   

Checked my final salary pension tax coding yesterday and yes, it's correct.

Two malt loaves made yesterday; they're now wrapped and I'm waiting for a couple of days before eating so they get suitably "sticky".  They look and smell lovely, so it's going to feel like a long wait!     

Dinner today is roast lamb slices and gravy from the freezer, mash and the last of the greens.  I've also portioned up and frozen a pack of cooking bacon - 6 small/medium size chops and a tub of lardons, all for 85p.

We didn't get the planned emergency text today, but our mobiles aren't smart phones, just PAYG ones that we're quite happy with, but I expect we'll have to upgrade at some point.  Well, I might but DH probably won't bother - he's not in the least bit techie and doesn't like using phones.  

Toonie

We got the alerts but at 14.59. A few friends who are on the 3 network didn't get any alerts even though they have smart phones.

I've done a delivery order from Sainsbury to come tomorrow as my knees are giving way quite a bit so can't manage the walk around the shop. Hoping everything will come, or at least the essentials to keep us going this week. Definitely noticed price increases online, but possibly as I scrutinise the prices a little more closely when shopping online. I did want some minced beef but that will have to wait until I go to Lidl as I'm not fond of the new vacuum packing Sainsbury are doing with their minced beef. Last time I couldn't break it apart and it seemed really wet.

As we didn't go shopping, today is a freezer standby supper of sausages and chips. I'll have mine with peas and green beans and DP will have spagetti hoops.

KxMx

linz said:

KxMx said:

Once I find a friend or family member with Octopus Energy to make use of the referral scheme, I'm making the switch from British Gas.

I was very unhappy last year when I moved to be stuck with them (SMETS1). Bad experience with them over how they mishandled my late Nan's account after she died, not even a word of apology when they were proven to be in the wrong. 

I got used to the convenience of having a smart meter and didn't want the inconvenience of getting new meters installed. 

Well, now my meters are finally enrolled onto the smart meter data network, I find out that they are not compatible with Octopus! 
But having compared the rates I'm paying BG on SVT, to what I would pay on Octopus SVT, I'm making the switch and will put up with the inconvenience of dumb meters, for however long it takes me to get SMETS2 installed via Octopus.

I've got my ESA rise now to tide me over until the UC rise kicks in for me 2nd June. Can't come soon enough because while I usually have a little left at the month, the money I do get just doesn't stretch much these days. 

You will be glad you switched. I did the same about 2 months ago - British gas to Octopus. BG customer service is atrocious. Almost impossible to get through to a human isn't it? You will be pleasantly surprised at Octopus, they're brilliant. Hope they sort you with a SMETs 2 meter soon. 

Thank you for the endorsement. 

I didn't like BG to begin with and then experienced a few niggles. I found Live Chat easy to talk to someone, but when I registered myself to take over the account and agreed to go on the Priority Services Register, they never got in touch as promised to talk about my requirements. I knew it had gone through because UK Power Networks eventually contacted me about it. 
BG only recently added an online form where I could update my details on the PSR.
Then when I did have an issue and needed a response, and was promised one, I didn't get one. 
(I thought it was my meter, but found out subsequently elsewhere that it was an issue on the smart data network). 

Anyway, my cousin has given me a referral code, and I've emailed Octopus because after some further digging into their FAQ, I think my SMETS1 meters may carry over after all. 

Wraithlady

KxMx said:

Once I find a friend or family member with Octopus Energy to make use of the referral scheme, I'm making the switch from British Gas.

DM me and I'll happily send you a code