Living within my means-the challenge

jak

That is horrendous! Get them to check it again or change providers! No wonder you are having troubles with bills like that coming in!!! Well done for joining in the challenges! But be warned....it can become very addictive!!!!
J
X

Sue-UU

Hi Becks,

Many congratulations on your expected arrival, a wonderful time to look forward to, Birthday present too, same as my 2nd. Please don't allow yourself to be bullied into doing what THEY want you to do. Make your excuses, whatever they be, that you can't go until the time that it starts (you have on one to look after your little boy until.....) As has already been suggested, please put a (SOA) Statement Of Affairs on and let's see if we can help you, you never know.

Firstly though, why not change your electricity supplier as that would no doubt bring it down straight away as well as letting you know for certain if there's anything wrong which is causing your bills to be so high. You're definately doing all that you can with lights and standby lights and should be really proud of yourself.

One thing my hubby and I learned from watching Martin's "It Pays To Watch" the other week was that it really doesn't pay to FILL your car with petrol/diesel! By doing that we all end up paying so much because all the weight of carrying all the fuel you have is costing you SO much more than is ever necessary. So just fill it to a rate that'll see your through, then fill it up as and when in future.

Another tip, never go shopping until after you've eaten or you'll get encouraged into buying things you really don't want, let alone NEED!! If you can do so, only go shopping once, maybe twice a week, you'll find you won't be half so tempted that way.

All the very best with your finances Becky and be careful of your friends!

Sue

beckseven

Thanks Sue for your advice. I've already decided that my DH is going to get stuck in Birmingham on Friday so I won't be able to go for the drinks beforehand! They are very nice girls but have very well paid jobs and no kids at the mo so I don't think they realise how little i have to survive on. We meet up once a month but it is always to do something quite expensive-eg lovely restuarants where the bill can be up to £30 each. I feel too embarassed to say that I can't afford it as I feel as if i'm cramping the others style! In future I am going to fill up £20 at a time but I'm doing test run this time to see how long a tank of petrol will last me. My husband thinks that my car isn't being v efficient at the mo cos it seems to burn through petrol-it's a 1.4 so shouldn't be too bad. Think it needs a service...eeek!I'm doing a test on the shortest route to work as well at the moment. I went on the dual carriageway last night which was 8.5 miles and am going to try the scenic route this am to see what the mileage is on that to see which will be the best way to take. I will post SOA as soon as I get it all written down.

Sue-UU

Good for you on all the above Becky. As pricey as they are a service may well put your car right, you're right, is does seem to be costing you a heck of a lot as it is for a 1.4.

Will look forward to the SOA as it's good to help people IF it's possible or necessary.

Sue

Poosmate

Hi Becks and congratulations.

Shocking electricity bills! (no pun intended! lol) Your tumble dryer will be using a rake of that electric is there any way you can stop using it and put your clothes on the washing line to dry?

Regarding your journey to work, please remember that the shortest route may not necessarily be the most economical route. I work in Birmingham too and luckily can start after the rush hour in the morning and finish after the rush hour in the evening. I use the motorways because, although the journey is a few miles longer, I can do about 95% of it in 5th gear. The other way I'd be in 1st, 2nd or 3rd gear for about 60% of it. All that stopping and starting and slowing down for roundabouts etc.

I also told a little white lie (ok it was a blatent lie!) to my family when I was expected to get blind drunk in true family fashion at my SIL's 40th birthday party. There was a possibility that i was pregnant so I didn't want to risk anything by drinking so I told everyone I was on anti-biotics :-s. Only my brother and his girlfriend asked me outright on the night (they knew I was trying at the time) and I couldn't lie to them. They were very understanding.

What I'm trying to say is people understand you wanting to keep it secret for the first few months and will forgive any little white lies you may have to tell. They will just be delighted for you.

Hope some of this is making sense, it's very late and I should go to bed! lol

Good luck anyway and please post a SOA so we can maybe help you further.

Thanks

Poo

beckseven

Thanks poosmate and su. When I was pregnant with my DS I went on a hen do when I was about 10 weeks pregnant and didn't want to tell anyone. Unfortuanately the hen do was with a load of doctors so I asked a nurse friend of mine what antibiotic I could say I was on. I can't remember the exact one she told me but when people asked me why I wasn't drinking I dutifully reeled off my antibiotic to be met with strange looks. Thought nothing of it until the wedding when i could reveal I was pregnant and was told by these doctors that they all thought I had some hideous STD as that was what the antibiotic I was quoting to everyone was used for!

Poosmate

lol! Oh dear! How embarrassing! What a naughty friend! lol

I need to go to bed now and have a chuckle about that.

Good night... oh err morning! Oops I stayed up all night again! Doh! I must stop doing that!

Good luck anyway.

Poo

beckseven

Well I had a no spend day today as I spent the day in bed recovering from my nightshift! I've decided to start daily clicking to save up for Christmas. Also I've got some old mobile phones that I need to put on ebay-think I may go on a bit of an ebay rampage as well to raise some cash. I keep looking for mystery shops to do as well to raise a bit more cash. Think I am going to have to put my guinea pigs in boarding when we go on holiday at the end of june so need to put some money aside to cover this. I am a real animal lover and though I know people will have the best intentions such as my mum and dad I don't think that they will be able to have the confidence to put the piggies in their outdoor run and to stay in their hutch for 2 weeks would be too cruel. So need to find the cash to put them in boarding.

Sue-UU

beckseven wrote: »

I am a real animal lover and though I know people will have the best intentions such as my mum and dad I don't think that they will be able to have the confidence to put the piggies in their outdoor run and to stay in their hutch for 2 weeks would be too cruel. So need to find the cash to put them in boarding.

Hi Becky,

How about having some dummie runs for a while with your mum and dad to see if they can do it alright and possibly save you all that money that you so need.

Sue

beckseven

Thanks Sue-UU. That's a good idea-I'm just a bit worried because you do have to stoop quite low to catch them when their in their run and my mum and dad are in their mid 60s and not quite as agile as they used to be. My dad's got a hip replacement bless him. They used to look after my dog with no problem but for some reason I'm more worried about the guineas!