2023 Frugal Living Challenge

annieb64

That sounds like an excellent idea. I'd be interested in how you get on. We have DGS(11) in the holidays and I was thinking about doing some simple cookery with him. 

Glittering_M

Frugaldom said:

 also still using up the gallons of homemade apple cider vinegar - the ponies love it.

How do you give the ACV to the ponies please? I'm wondering if my horses would like it. 

RateTartExtraordinaire

I've just logged onto my energy provider's website and it is offering me a 1 year fix.

I've put in all the rates into the MSE 'Should I fix or stay on the cap?' calculator and it says it is worth considering because it is about 1% below the July rate. However, I've already taken this provider to the ombudsman for poor customer service. Do I really want to fix with them? The exit fees are £75 per fuel, so £150 for me. 

Other thing they do is over estimate the readings at the more expensive rate if I send in meter reading before 1 July. I don't want to do my meter readings until the deadline at 1 July. On my usage I've calculated that it would only save me including VAT £3.65 per fuel in standing charges (literally a 1p less difference on both gas and electric) and the rates are £0.0032 less a KwH for electric and £0.0020 less a KwH gas.

What would you do?
  

fionaandphil

@RateTartExtraodinaire we have been offered something similar which would save us about £25 per year, the £75 exit fee put us off though so we are going to stay on variable for now.

If you've got a complaint ongoing I wouldn't be signing up

cw18

RateTartExtraodinaire said:

I've just logged onto my energy provider's website and it is offering me a 1 year fix.

What would you do?
  

I help my Mother look after her account.

We've received an email with the July rates - and also an offer for a fix.   In her case the fix is lower than the current rates but more than the July rates, so she won't be taking it.

With a saving as small as you're being offered I still wouldn't be taking, as they are anticipating a further reduction in October.   I'd be even less likely if I had a complaint in place.   Apart from the fact I may not want to stay with them for a full year, I'd be worried that signing up to a fixed deal with them could make my complaint look less significant.

RateTartExtraordinaire

The complaint was settled last year and I got a pay out, so not current. 
I'm inclined to agree, but couldn't decide if I was letting emotions get in the way of a good deal. 
I don't think it is such a great deal with the other cut on the way in October, but who knows what is down the line...

kayannie

RateTartExtraodinaire said:

I've just logged onto my energy provider's website and it is offering me a 1 year fix.

I've put in all the rates into the MSE 'Should I fix or stay on the cap?' calculator and it says it is worth considering because it is about 1% below the July rate. However, I've already taken this provider to the ombudsman for poor customer service. Do I really want to fix with them? The exit fees are £75 per fuel, so £150 for me. 

Other thing they do is over estimate the readings at the more expensive rate if I send in meter reading before 1 July. I don't want to do my meter readings until the deadline at 1 July. On my usage I've calculated that it would only save me including VAT £3.65 per fuel in standing charges (literally a 1p less difference on both gas and electric) and the rates are £0.0032 less a KwH for electric and £0.0020 less a KwH gas.

What would you do?
  

If I'd had poor customer service, then I wouldn't fix. I had very poor customer service from a provider when I moved home a few years ago. There were several problems, including being billed for my own electricity as well as that for someone else in the same postcode area. When it was eventually sorted out, after several months, I changed supplier the very next day. 
KA

RateTartExtraordinaire

I am usually the first to switch but I've been holding out for a switch opportunity.

Maybe I should go for the best of a bad bunch.

I've been looking at the Which recommended provider who is Octopus. 

Wraithlady

Well, if you decide on Octopus I'm happy to give you a referral code if you would like (£50 credit iirc)

cw18

My Mum recently had an electricity account transfer from Bulb to Octopus.

Initial impression was fairly positive.

Then it fell apart because of problems getting a bill corrected across the April price change.   Took 6 weeks and raising it to an official complaint to get it sorted - the person I was emailing didn't have a clue, and changed the bill twice without managing to correct it !!   That was all done by email due to them only being open when I'm at work.

Had to phone them today with a couple of follow-ups queries, and the chap I got was wonderful.   Although I didn't come away having had exactly the answers I was hoping for, I have come away feeling I have honest answers for the first time.

We shall see how things progress going forwards before I decide if I can give them the glowing references so many people do when questions are asked about providers in a couple of FB groups I follow.



I'm with Shell.   No problems with them, but I have read reports that they're looking at leaving the domestic energy market.   So I could be looking to switch providers sooner than I'd hoped to be having to, as I've no idea where a forced transfer would land me and there are a couple of companies I want to avoid.

My daughter is with BG.   I don't like how infrequently they bill her, and it appears that the only way they'll bill her monthly is if she gets smart meters (another family member is with BG, has smart meters, and gets monthly bills / statements).   I don't want smart meters, and I think it's wrong that they can pressure people using those kinds of tactics.