Prosperous soul, mortgage neutrality & creativity Year 2

EssexHebridean

Yep - a meter out of certification date would prompt a chase from the supplier to switch, and yes, they only fit Smart meters these days. As MF says still look to take readings yourself monthly, although you shouldn't need to send those to the supplier. Miles better for keeping a regular check on use though - plus of course if you use the IHD you can see at a glance if you're using more than you might expect and be able to track down things left switched on, etc. I must get round to booking our replacements - we've not been prompted yet but it's probably only a matter of time as the gas meter must be over 15 years old now. No point in getting that without getting the leccy one done too!  

I'm loving seeing the monthly interest on various accounts now with the higher rates - astonishing isn't it! 

LadyWithAPlan

Oh a shiny new diary - how great and I think its very helpful to reflect on a years progress.

The garden sounds like it is coming together and well done on all your pension avcs.

I am thinking 2023 I will really get into re-focus on spending less and saving more. This deposit of mine is not going to grow itself

savingholmes

Thanks and welcome Ohsh and MF and EH and @LadyWithAPlan

EH - ironically my gas meter is with another supplier - presumably I should book an appointment with them too then.

Things are coming together in the garden. Went to bnq after counselling - and bought 8 half price grow bags for £3.50 each, also got half price primroses (pack of 6) for £5 and some measuring jugs. Best bit was I got a five pound off voucher I could use towards it. Worse MSE bit - I then went to HB and spent £42 - mostly on unnecessary things. Note to self - don't shop after counselling!!!

I had a really tasty £3 chicken and bacon pizza though that I added onion and sweetcorn to. I accidentally let it defrost and I think it made it better.  

I've unpacked and packed the dishwasher already today. 

Am have sent me a voucher for £7.90. Love free money. 

badmemory

As far as I know a smart gas meter will not work as a smart meter unless it was with the same supplier

MovingForwards

Can you return the HB things?

beanielou

That's the good thing for me about not being able to walk round the shops anymore.
Every cloud & that!

savingholmes

Hi BM - yes expecting to need separate appointment for them. 

MF - not returnable though - too many little things that added up... stocking presents and the like. Junk food!

Ah well today is another day. I booked a short notice day off but worked part day. I still owe 3 hours though as prior to that I owed about 8!  Not good! 

In better news I did some stuff in the garden. I have 3/4 filled my new compost bin / potato planter using stuff from the garden, raw fruit and veg peelings / harvest leftovers, shredded paper (from years ago), cardboard and a thin layer of well rotted manure. I have dropped some 'volunteer' potatoes I found in the old raised beds in there and will see if it does anything over winter. I have put two raised bed frames where I want them and have laid down some cardboard. I want to do some more pruning and the layer some of the pruning on top of the cardboard etc - and basically use them as a form of compost bin - between now and when I come to use them. The compost I put down in that area a few years ago is still looking good. 

The handyman appeared to have dug up some of my fruit bushes along with the bamboo. I have therefore rescued quite a few of these stems with roots and re-planted them in various containers around the garden. I am hoping they then give me lots of fruit next year. They were originally under an apple tree which offered them shelter from the birds but restricted their growth. Hopefully - they will do better now they are out in what should be sunnier areas. I have planted one straight in the ground. Will see how that one does too. I'm hoping to grow more shade loving veg under the tree moving forwards.

I have bought some 65p garlic which is being delivered with the rest of my groceries  - which gives me 3 bulbs - which should then give me 30+ individual cloves to plant tomorrow. That way I will feel I have 'started' my veg planting. Tomorrow - I also want to plant some old flower bulbs that are in my garage and just see if they come up.  

badmemory

Better to work those "missing" hours on a day when the temp is minus (expected here next week) than on a day when even if not warm at least the sun is shining.

savingholmes

I agree BM - I took a long lunch and did some stuff in the garden and then rang boss and asked about priorities versus time off. Went with the time. It was a lovely dry, bright day here. 

Had several lots of good good news confirmed today. As well as backpay in Dec and my next increment - I'm getting a one off payment in Jan. So I'm going to up my AVC to £450 a month from Jan and see how I go on. This was helped by BG telling me following the latest meter reading that I am overpaying on electric. They said I was around £80 in credit and suggested I went from £130ish to £55. That felt extreme and short sighted given the increased costs forecast next year - so I compromised and went to around £80, a saving of around £50 a month compared with my budget forecast so I am really happy with that. Just hope they don't change their mind again!! I will keep an eye on it though - as I'd rather play a comfortable flat rate than have a huge hike when my fix ends at the end of June.

While my old small DC pension mortgage neutral pension pot is still unhappy - my new AVCs are showing a profit so all good so far there too. My biggest concern financially is whether the government raise my pension age again before I get there which they are considering. That could have huge implications.

Humdinger1

@savingholmes loving your new diary! Yes I agree re pension age; it is changing the terms mid stream which if it wasn't the gov't doing it would give rise to successful legal actions in my opinion! Ah well, onward and upward; things are tight but I'm so grateful I had my lbm years ago and paid off £140k debt then because there's no way on earth I'd be able to do it now.  Lessons learned then about budgeting are coming in darned useful now.  The friend who tried to pressurise me (spoiler alert: it didn't work) into spending money I couldn't afford on a big present for admittedly a much loved friend was telling me the other day how worried she is about money, dipping into savings every month needed for her next house move with her current work not covering all her outgoings.   She considers herself frugal and good with money....as I said at the time, climbing out of serious debt rewires you permanently.   I don't want to be mean, and don't think I am...but I am very clear on my priorities.   Grateful for the like-minded company I find here.  Love Humdinger xx