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

Floss

@Wednesday2000 are you on a water meter? I live alone & pay just over £21 to United Utilities for metered usage so £24 was probably too low for a couple. Perhaps you are also bringing your account up to date if they've been undercharging you since you moved in?

Wednesday2000

Floss said:

@Wednesday2000 are you on a water meter? I live alone & pay just over £21 to United Utilities for metered usage so £24 was probably too low for a couple. Perhaps you are also bringing your account up to date if they've been undercharging you since you moved in?

I did think maybe they just realised that we are being undercharged. I am not on a meter, but I would have thought £45-50 would be about right, like in our old house.

Floss

Wednesday2000 said:

Floss said:

@Wednesday2000 are you on a water meter? I live alone & pay just over £21 to United Utilities for metered usage so £24 was probably too low for a couple. Perhaps you are also bringing your account up to date if they've been undercharging you since you moved in?

I did think maybe they just realised that we are being undercharged. I am not on a meter, but I would have thought £45-50 would be about right, like in our old house.

That sounds like it is water rates, maybe set for a solo occupier before you. Have a look on their website as you might be better off on a meter, the usual guide is if you have more bedrooms than people 😉

YorksLass

@Wednesday2000 - I'd also be looking at a water meter but, if like us, it's not possible to have one fitted, you could be put on an assessed bill.  This is worked out using the number of people and the type of property (eg house, flat) and assesses what you would be likely to use if you could have a water meter.

Siebrie

My father passed away a fortnight ago, and last week my Mum and I went through the pantry, cupboards, drawers, fridge and freezer and got rid of all the food she won't eat. Quite a bit was thrown out, but I took home 3 5kg bags of bread flour and 3 1kg bags of selfraising flour, and lots of in-date dried fruit. The flour needs to be used quickly, so I've unearthed the breadmaker and baked the first loaf. It was decent, but not overwhelmingly nice. I'll continue baking and slipping my family members the odd slice in their lunch boxes. I think the bread needs to bake a bit longer, but I can't change the times on the rather simple machine.

Wednesday2000

Thanks for the info. There are two bedrooms and two of us so I'm not sure if a water meter would benefit us. I am just looking on the Anglian website for my account now to try and work out what to do.

New_in_the_fens

I’m also with Anglian Water. When I moved into a three bed (2 people) in November, they predicted £30. At my new bill from April it was down to £17. I’ve asked them to keep it at £20 as that seems low. We don’t bath. Only shower daily. Washing machine gets used probably more than it should. Wash up by hand as no dishwasher. 

Never had a water meter before, but wouldn’t go back now as only pay for what we use 😃

YorksLass

Condolences Siebrie.

I definitely get more done when it's bright and sunny so have been busy again today.  

I've sorted through my winter clothes and have put 4 pairs of leggings and 5 long sleeved tops (all still good but I don't wear them) in the CS bag.  Or should I say a second bag.  

I've also put 3 hand knitted cardigans that are too big on the mending pile to unpick them/unravel the yarn at some stage.  It's lovely yarn that I will definitely re-use so I'll not need to buy more.   

The space under the stairs has had a clear out - a few items returned to their proper "homes" and others binned (not even sure why I was keeping them) so it's all tidy again.  It now houses just my wally trolley, a garden kneeler/seat and the two CS bags.  I'm planning a trip to the CS later this week so they'll soon be gone.

Next, I made a bit of a change around of my linen cupboard (it was an airing cupboard originally) and have moved the storage boxes that I use for curtains from the top shelf to the bottom shelf - they're too heavy for me to manage easily nowadays - and have replaced them with two smaller and lighter storage boxes that contain just nets and voiles.  I also came across two acrylic throws that I'd forgotten about.  I think they'll be destined for the CS - another bag!  I think I'll need the wally trolley when I take this lot.  

Today's culinary efforts - a large loaf, 4 individual pots of fruit & jelly and 4 hard boiled eggs - two for tonight's salad and two for sandwiches later in the week.  There was a slice of gammon left from yesterday's dinner that I used up for today's lunch, finely chopped and mixed with cream cheese for a filling for wraps.

Good deed for the day was taking in a parcel for my next door neighbour this morning.  

All in all, a good day's work - and now I'm pooped.

Bluegreen143

Sorry for your loss Siebre. 

Hand baked bread is much nicer than bread machine bread IMO - some people just mix the dough in the machine then bake in the oven, is that an option for you? No knead bread is also quite simple and you usually get a really nice, crusty bread with the recipe I use:

450g flour
2tsp salt
2tsp instant yeast
About 375ml warm water

Just mix, leave to rise for about 2hr, then shape into a ball and put into a Dutch oven lined with floured baking paper (it can stick otherwise). Slash the top and bake in a preheated oven at 220C for 30 mins with the lid on. Uncover and bake for a further 5-15 mins depending how crusty & dark you like it. 

This is what the recipe says but I tend to reduce the salt a bit. 

YoungBlueEyes

Sorry to hear about your father @Siebrie.