Statement of intent

setmefree2

StuartGMC wrote: »

I've updated the first post in this diary to capture the key items in August.
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=11324079&postcount=1

I really enjoyed your update:D Don't know what that says about me:rotfl: Keep up the good work:T:T

StuartGMC

Little_Mama wrote: »

Have you seen the !!!!!!!!!! solar phone charger? I entered a competition for one, so not buying one until I win but am considering it as it also does Nintendo DSs which I'm often finding plugged in at the mains charging up!:o

They are about £25 or so, I'll leave you to the sums, I'm not that clever. :rotfl:

A good point, must admit I haven't looked at this. I do occasionally charge up at work. We have USB leads for MP3, DS and phones,so maybe I should charge when PC is running....

Another thought, what about charging your phone up in the car? I don't know if this is cost effective, I only use my PAYG for getting stuck up a mountain with the small people.....not many of them in the sunny south coast

I'm not sure you should really plan to get stuck up a mountain?? :rotfl:

StuartGMC

EssexHebridean wrote: »

Our mobiles get charged either at work (preferable) or in the car - last time I needed to find the mains charger I keep at home for mine I struggled to locate it!

LOL - I should look at charging on USB when PC is on I think.

By the way, whilst washing machines are relatively safe to leave on indoors while you are out, tumble dryers shouldn't be left unattended as they are responsible for a fair number of house fires each year.

I guess flooding from the machine is less damaging than a fire... exactly why I'm a bit concerned.
Thanks

StuartGMC

setmefree2 wrote: »

I really enjoyed your update:D Don't know what that says about me:rotfl: Keep up the good work:T:T

Thanks - I'll make no comment about you, but appreciate your encouragement.

financialbliss

Hi StuartGMC,

Been following your recent energy / Scottish power comments but refrained from adding a reply until today. I'm also with Scottish power...

As far as I understand Scottish Power (on-line tariff) only require to to supply meter readings every quarter. I log our gas and electric readings monthly, but recently thought - what if I also enter these monthly into the Scottish Power website?

I supplied them with meter readings on 1st August and I've done so again today. It created a bill from 1st August to 31st August. 265 units of electric at a cost of 30.28 and and 9 units of gas at a cost of 14.43. Total cost 44.71

Now that I know I can do this monthly, I'm intending to continue entering my meter readings on-line monthly, so I can see the true cost on a monthly basis and it also gives me an incentive to try and reduce my energy bills.

FB.

SuiDreams

How did the Insurance hunt go by the way did you manage to get a good deal?

StuartGMC

financialbliss wrote: »

Hi StuartGMC,

Been following your recent energy / Scottish power comments but refrained from adding a reply until today. I'm also with Scottish power...

Now that I know I can do this monthly, I'm intending to continue entering my meter readings on-line monthly, so I can see the true cost on a monthly basis and it also gives me an incentive to try and reduce my energy bills.

FB.

FB - thanks; had just responded to your own post a moment ago before seeing this one - LOL.

Good luck with the reduction. Also this will give you a much better idea of consumption in kWh for each time you check on service providers.

StuartGMC

SuiDreams wrote: »

How did the Insurance hunt go by the way did you manage to get a good deal?

Just had formal renewal from Zurich £511.... so £60 more than 2007. Possible increase due to claim for sewer, but, service etc was excellent.

Have got online quotes ranging from £179 to £1400 (yes, £1400!!).

I'm trying to work through the "Key Facts" and PDF policies to see the "differences"... have to 27 Sept for renewal so a little time left for this "lovely" task. I'll post an update once completed.

StuartGMC

Isn't it interesting the things you overlook in commenting?

One such is that since August 2004, I've had Google Adsense running on my website. The income is in my spreadsheet but I hadn't highlighted it here.

The objective had been to earn enough to pay for the domain name costs and annual hosting fees. So it is a trickle feed converted from US$ once it exceeds $100 which is the threshold to trigger payment....

Just did a quick check:
Started 08/04
Paid 09/05 $107.22 13 months $8.25 / month
Paid 09/06 $104.69 12 months $8.72 / month
Paid 06/07 $111.45 9 months $12.38/month
Paid 03/08 $106.10 9 months $11.79/month
Expected by end Sept 08 $105.00 7 months about $15.00/month

So for no real effort, as ads are in the template I made and use when creating content and they don't detract from site itself, the income now has increased and covers hosting and domain registration in about 6 months, so the remainder is an excess. Dropping value of sterling will increase the conversion, but I'll not retire on it :rotfl:

I thought this may be worth noting for those of you doing the craft items etc and thinking of a small online site to advertise the items (rather than online retailing). You may be able to offset a lot of the costs this way.

StuartGMC

Been away on business so need to get some things moving:

Form for Direct Debit received and dates for switch from ScottishPower to British Gas (electricity 9 Oct, gas 13 Oct) received for the fix to Sept 2011.

I've updated spreadsheet to an estimated £100 per month, have been "only" paying £71 prior to increases so this £29 needs to come from cutting back savings and such.

Business trip away so no car usage last week, average spend for clothes etc dropping as the averaging cuts in.