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Prepping: the new world...
Thought it was about time for a new Prepping thread... Please keep it on topic, friendly and realistic for life in the UK (i.e. no hurricane basements, no guns, no politics). For those that don't know, the Guides & Scouts among us will be prepared, but are the rest of us ready? IMPORTANT NOTE: this thread is a resource for…
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MSE News: Energy firms to trial ‘low or no Standing Charge’ tariffs from April – here’s what we know
Four energy suppliers will introduce 'low or no Standing Charge' tariffs on a trial basis this year, regulator Ofgem has confirmed to MoneySavingExpert.com (MSE). The firms taking part are British Gas, EDF, E.ON and Octopus. We don't have all the details yet, but here's what we know so far… Read the full story:…
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Air to air heat pump?
Hello everyone. I’m in the process of renovating a 1950s 3 bed semi, and my priorities are insulation and heating. The current heating system is old storage heaters, and immersion for hot water. I’ve been researching different heating systems for a while now, and would appreciate any input to help in my decision. I’ve…
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Parking charge for failing to display Blue badge
I'd be most grateful for some advice on whether I should contest a parking charge issued for failing to display a blue badge. It was a genuine oversight - a disabled passenger suffers with incontinence following a stroke and in our rush to get to the nearest toilets we forgot to display the blue badge. A notice to keeper…
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Smart Parking - POPLA check
I'll keep this as concise as possible, as I think I'm pretty clear on next steps thanks to the main thread. Just a couple of outstanding questions. CONTEXT I paid for parking in a Milton Keynes car park - managed by Smart Parking. Had some issues with RingGo, but finally sorted payment (180 minutes). I thought I'd…
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PCN by Parking Control Management Ltd. Appeal failed as third party representation, next steps?
I received a Parking Charge Notice at an Airbnb flat from PCM (Parking Control Management Ltd.) for "Parked without clearly displaying a valid PCM UK permit". Except it was on the dashboard in such clear view the warden took several close ups of it! We appealed, and on advice not to name the driver (me), the company has…
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PCN reminder before further action - CEL
Hi all, Looking for some advice on a parking charge I’m currently dealing with. I got a PCN from Civil Enforcement Ltd for a visit on 25 October 2025 at a village hall / football ground (Clapham, Bedford). The reason given is for "exceeding the notified maximum free parking period of 2 hours without obtanaing a permit".…
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UKCPS PoFA received - behind Leeds Railway station
Hi, I have read the NEWBIE forum/posts and I am still unsure on how to appeal this, or if I even should! I received the below PoFA (NOT non-PoFA, which is confusing me based on reading other threads...) on 17/12 for stopping on the yellow lines behind Leeds Railway station/opposite the multi-storey on 10/12. They have 3…
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DCB legal defence, Eurocarparks - Paragraph 3 check please
Hi - I have received the standard claim form from Europarks via DCB legal, for overstaying in a free car park longer than the maximum time allowed This alleged contravention was dated 04/05/2023. Claim form issue date was dated 19/03/2026 AOS submitted on MCOL 30/03/2026 Based on SoftwareMad’s document, I should have 33…
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71 Year Old OAP Trying To Get My Money Back From Wren Kitchens
Hi, I hope I'm posting on the right board, if not, perhaps someone can direct me to the correct place? I paid in full for the units back in January 2025, almost 16 months ago. I'm a 71 year old OAP Wren had a New Year sale 40% off, is not a big posh expensive kitchen, cost £4,631.41 with 40% off, just wanted to replace my…
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Letter of claim
Hi all, i need some advice. I received a penalty charge notice from Smart parking almost 3 years ago in June 23. I moved house in Dec 2023. This week, in April 2026 i received a letter of claim from Dcb Legal demanding i pay £170. This was for parking for 19 mins, at the Cat & Fiddle pub in Macclesfield, while i checked if…
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Questions on alcove storage design
I'm playing around with a design for alcove storage. I'm thinking about 19mm oak faced ply for doors and trim, and 18mm birch plywood for a carcass. The exterior frame is visible, but the doors are flush as per the 1st image. By the way, if you see an issue with how the carcass is designed please let me know, I'm not an…
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Dubai with Emirates Holidays Late June 26
Looking for advice and wondering if anyone else is in the same boat. I booked a package holiday with Emirates Holidays back in February — flights with Emirates and 4 nights in Dubai, late June. The balance was due early April. With the FCDO advising against travel and no end date in sight, I called Emirates Holidays on…
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Royal Mint Issues?
Is anyone else having issues with Royal Mint's website? Have (had?) some investments there in digital gold. Couldn't log on for weeks, now I'm in and my digital gold all seems to have vanished… As has the function to buy any more. As have the records of a few small purchases I made as gifts over the last 10 years. And the…
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Work completed as a cleaner unpaid
Hi all, I was wondering if anyone would have any sound advice. I have taken a employer to a small claims court for an unpaid month of cleaning. Payments have always seemed late and always questioned. Finally, at some point I was questioned over some hours I had signed and that allegedly people had been there and they had…
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Busting this debt before 42
New year, new car and new loan, equals new diary. My previous dairy; Why am I doing this s**t agin? Right…because last year I had a midlife crisis and succumbed to the ‘shiny new car’ syndrome. Buggers. I very much enjoyed the challenge of debt busting last year so lets gooooooo round two! My finances so far: Sinking Fund:…
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UKPC Parking Charge Carlisle
Hi all, I recently received 2 UKPC parking charges whilst unloading and loading our car whilst stopping at a hotel in Carlisle. The car park in question is right next to the hoteI and I had assumed was part of the hotel, but was infact owned by the Pub next door, which had closed down. As soon as I was informed not to park…
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Annual Pension Statement
I am retired and resident in Spain. For 7 years my tax advisor has requested the annual statement from the DWP for my pension. I have, so far, NEVER received such a letter and have been able to provide a summary of the payments into my bank. This year, however, the personal statment is not being accepted and I am being…
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YNAB robber needs help to execute the plan
Right, I am going to finally start a diary on here. I am being supported financially by my OH to allow me to help my sister care for my 90 year old father. I have an expensive event in Feb that I need to save for. I have been using YNAB since Feb so I have an accurate record of my spending for 6 months. It's not pretty. I…
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MSE Forum poll: Do you keep an emergency fund?
An emergency fund can be a real financial safety net, whether it’s there for a broken boiler, an unexpected bill or a sudden loss of income, but not everyone is in the same position when it comes to building one up. We’d love to hear how you approach it
