Back to Wales, Back to Reality

Absolut_Wench

Hi there. Just found your SOA and had a nosey because of the title.

I'm also Welsh, am from Merthyr and went to Uni in Cardiff.

I now live in Hampshire, but come back regularly.

I've been meaning to find out for a while about the 25% student discount on council tax. Does anyone know if you have to be a full-time student to qualify?

I'm part time with the OU, but will become full-time from next week when I am (finally!!) made redundant.

ps I'm no expert, but it looks like a pretty good SOA

backtowales

Thanks for posting.

I know you definitely get the 25% if you're a full time student, but I'm not about if you're a part-time student, best to check with your uni/local authority.

Absolut_Wench

Checking is on my to-do list, as we've just had our new bill and its gone up :mad: although it was expensive enough BEFORE the increase :mad:

Re one of your previous posts - the Taff Trail is fabulous and free. Unless you stop at a pub along the way

When I lived at home I used to cycle regularly along the Taff Trail - lost loads of weight. I should probably start doing it again :rolleyes:

backtowales

Worth checking asap then Absolut_Wench. Luckily the council tax in Cardiff doesn't seem to have gone up too much.

I was going to buy a bike asap but used the money to pay off an wedge on a CC with an extortionate rate. Will get one in month or so when I get my back pay. I do like walking along the Taff Trail and I can borrow my bf's bike, but its too big!

Absolut_Wench

Does your workplace do a bike to work scheme?

I've just had a £300 bike and £150 accessories for a £90 salary sacrifice through the scheme.

backtowales

No we don't unfortunately. That would have been good though. Sounds like you got a bargain there!

There's a bike shop down the road from where I live so I was going to get one from there.

In_Search_Of_Me

Hi there, WOndered where you got to! Spott Market/car boot often have people selling bikes on a sat...theres also a second hand place on crwys road thats quite good...or the yellow free adds & could try freecycle?
Srry no reundency but at least youve sat down with bf and are tackling this togeather! Have you tried doing price comparisons on utilities? Do make sure you leave some money in the budget for fun! Its important to pay debt but there needs to be balance too....cheap hobbies, library, tesco bubble bath etc! Good to have you back!

backtowales

Hello In Search of Me, thanks for posting. I hope you're well.

Planning on getting a new bike with a frame guarantee as its going to get a lot of use off road as well as commute eventually. Its not going to be an expensive one, and i've seen a couple I need to go and look at in the bike shop in Canton.

There will still be money for fun as bf is making quite a lot on ebay and i've managed to sell two rugby shirts on there too. :T One good things is that there are plenty of free things in Cardiff to do.

No need to worry about bubble bath for the moment - the Lush basket in the bathroom is still full from Christmas/January Sales! Banned from there by bf at the moment!:eek:

backtowales

Come september Welsh Classes will keep me out of mischief!:D

Cleosmum

Is your mobile contract? Can you go PAYG and get it down to a tenner?