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Transferred balance, should I reduce credit limit?
Hi, I've just applied and been accepted for a zero per cent (Virgin) balance transfer card, transferring £8000 and leaving my existing (MBNA) card with next to nothing on it. I'd like to keep that existing MBNA card for day to day purchases, leaving the balance transfer Virgin card with only the zero per cent balance to be…
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Inheritance tax 'normal expenditure' for married couple
For demonstrating gifts out of surplus income, I believe it's expected that household expenses will be split equally between husband and wife. That's easy for major items such as energy, Council Tax and car insurance. But we pay randomly for food shopping, meals out, petrol etc. It depends who goes to the supermarket. We…
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My Off-grid and need to be frugal diary
New year, new start - trying to save in 2025.
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Appliances Online - excellent service!
I'm not often impressed by the delivery services of companies, but I am making an exception here. Ordered a microwave on Tuesday, at the lowest available price, with free delivery - supposed to come within a week or so. Got a confirmation straightaway, then a message to say it would be delivered the next day. And it duly…
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Activating new HSBC physical secure key - no activation prompt when try to login?
My old HSBC physical secure key stopped working two weeks ago - battery stopped working and it wouldn't switch on. Requested a new one by phone - after informing them - and my old one should therefore have been deactivated? Received my new key yesterday. The unhelpful instructions just tell you go to hsbc.co.uk to activate…
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Jewellery valuation for probate – what’s actually required?
Hi all, Looking for some advice from anyone who’s been through probate. I’m helping administer an estate and need to value some jewellery. I’ve had two quotes: - Local jeweller: £75 for the first item, £59 per additional item - Auction house: £150 for the first hour, then £75/hour There are multiple items (mostly gold…
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Sealed Pot Challenge ~ 19
PLEASE READ THROUGH THE RULES AND THE CHANGES FROM NOW ON! A very warm welcome to another Sealed Pot Challenge, our 19th! Due to the Cost Of Living, I suggest we all save in the best way possible for each of us: if some still prefer to stick to cash, then please do so. Those wishing to use debit cards, or save via the bank…
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Few tips for Thailand holiday please
We have booked for three people (two adults, one child) return flights to Thailand from the UK in April. We are changing in India each way, not "self-transfer". This was all done in one transaction on the airline's website (Indigo) (so 12 flights in total) But we have not yet booked any accomodation. In general I am…
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A Ditherer's Diary (again)
I'm baaaack. When I started my original diary "A Ditherer's Diary" My kids were littlie's aged 5 and 15 months. Nothing except their age and the amount of debt has changed, it's all got higher! They are now 11 & 7. Having had a quick read through, a lot of it was me coming and going with a few months/years in between. I…
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IKRT Ketogenic Therapy
Has anyone heard of IKRT Integrative Ketogenic Research and Therapies? The courses are £1999 for a year and £3999 for 3 months with personal support. You can pay in instalments but when I enquired further I got this message "Regarding the program fees, you are liable for the whole amount, even if you do not complete the…
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Wifi calling on RWG/NOW
At last. Long time coming
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UKCPS invoice - started court claims
So, my wife went to a Dental Surgery (NHS) a while ago. There's a private parking there with bays allocated to specific businesses, operated by UKCPS. The signage is hard to see but it is there, fair enough. The thing is - all bays for the Dental Surgery were taken, so she parked in another bay. the bay she parked in was…
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Paypal
Trying to help a friend out who has nearly done 6 years post BR Paypal is showing as closed on all credit reports with the correct satisfied date showing However Friend can still log into Paypal - it does say account is limited - but is unable to completely close the account The reply from Paypal is - we acknowledge the…
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Claim papers received, please help I am confused
Hello, I got a claim and really need support. I used this forum in the successfully but it seems I did everything wrong as I now received the small claims paperwork. I am panicking please help. I read the newbies thread but am really confused and afraid to proceed on my own. The worst bit is that everything is in the name…
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Windows 10 false updates
I have a windows 10 laptop I didn't want to transition to windows 11. Although it shouldn't do any updates, for a long time its kept telling me that it has updates and to restart. Now it wont't allow me to shut down without updating. I don't want to do this as it could lead to leaving the OS in a confused state. Do I have…
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EV Parking Fine - Reading Station
Hi all, Looking for some advice on a Parking Charge I received last week at Reading Long Stay Car Park. I arrived at reading station and connected my car to the EV charger. There is no signal within the car park that was strong enough to establish a connection so I went outside where I reconnected and the holding payment…
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Metre readings
Hi My Mother who lives on her has 3 storage heaters and has economy 7 heating she currently pays £370 a month to British Gas and they have just put the DD up to £760 a month as they have said she is under paying. I have since looked at her bills and her day readings are a lot higher than her night readings. She has a smart…
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Pick'n'Mix - the joy of the chaz in '26!
In response to the cry for a shiny new thread for 2026, its time to start listing our chazzer finds! Last year I took a 3-month detox until the end of March, which I thought would have cured me of my lust for a bargain....but I fear I more than made up for it in the following 9 months of the year! So I now find myself…
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Time to Face The Music
We have decided as a couple that it is time to face the music and start paying down some of our debts. We are lucky that we are both in jobs that pay ok but we have at times been living beyond our means and now it is time to start reining in the spending and making a concerted effort to cut the debt. Moving house last year…
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Washing own duvets and pillows?
Just been ripped off - £20 to wash and tumble dry three pillows and £30 for single duvet and a few mattress protectors. The pillows never washed or duvet in years. He claimed he'd use special sanitiser etc and do me deal. Works in rich area where don't question handing over any amount of money. If I do it myself what…
