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Rent increase was served late
Hello, my landlord (HA) increases my rent every year without fail. Usually get the notice mid February for an increase starting 1 April. However this year they've sent it late. The letter is dated 2 March for an increase starting 1 April. So one day late I did discuss it briefly with a member of staff, who stated awww it…
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Alternative living to escape the rat race....
Has anyone here managed to escape the rat race and semi‑retire before 35? I’ve been part of this forum for around 15 years, and it’s been an incredible resource for navigating all things money. But until about six months ago, I was like most people—caught up in the rat race. Constant bills, rising mortgage payments,…
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What is essential insurance coverage for a Private Road?
I have tried to source the answer myself but understanding what insurance is actually 'needed' for a Private Road wildly varies as much as the price; so far giving the same insurance brief has resulted in quotes ranging from £191 to £660. I'm not asking for a referral here, but to understand whether what I'm asking for is…
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Mazda 2016 1.6 diesel issues
Hi. This is a long on complex issue. I purchased a 2016 1.6 Mazda Diesel in October 2023, it has a DPF light on when viewing the car but I was assured this was because it had stood idle for several months but I was assured it would be sorted before collection before if I went ahead with the purchase. This should have been…
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Valuation Office Agency Change?
Hey everyone, Not sure if other people received similar letters, however, a couple of weeks ago we were told they (Valuation Office Agency) were assessing council tax bands, and would let us know if ours were to change. Today, a new letter, sadly it's changed and been revised upwards. So we're now band F rather than band E…
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Virtual / P.O. Box address for new business
Hi, I’m starting my own company but I don’t want the address of the business to be my home address. I’m assuming the best option is for a virtual address that you can pay for? Is it basically a mail forwarding address and therefore does it take twice as long for mail to arrive? Can anyone recommend a reputable company and…
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Very late ambulance bill
I had an accident as a pedestrian in Cologne in November 2024. An ambulance was called and I was taken to the local hospital for treatment. I was given a bill by the hospital for 621 Euros which I had to pay before being released. The client I was working for said I could claim through their insurance, which I did and the…
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Table top dishwasher
My niece purchased a new Table top Dishwasher. Within months it started to fail, and display error messages, When contacting supplier, was told to contact Manufacturer. Alternatively. The other option was to send an engineer out. At a cost of £120. Who told her that she was using wrong size tablets. Now appliance is…
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Accessible switch or extension lead
So I'm setting up the house for post op and for some time need everything easy to do. No bending, ballet moves or contortion 😉 I have not found a way to turn off the switch from a distance. Tried crutch, grabber and piece of wood. Would it be an idea to get an extension lead that has an off switch on the extension? I could…
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February 2026 Grocery Challenge
Welcome to the 2nd Grocery Challenge of 2026! As always this challenge is to reduce your own grocery budget to levels that you will be pleased with, not forgetting that we always recommend that you stay inside your own comfort levels and take things gently one step at a time. Remember that this is not a competition....it's…
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MoneySaving for cyclists discussion
Hi, We've written a new guide on MoneySaving for cyclists and would love your feedback. This is only the first iteration, and we'll be adding more to it in the coming weeks. But please let us know if it was helpful and if there are any other tips you'd add. Thanks for your help!
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Halving our income and still aiming for mortgage free!
Hi everyone, A long time lurker of DFW forum, and then here. Finally starting my own diary as I feel it will help keep me on track! As the title suggests we are halving our income as I have resigned my job in order to keep sane and support DD with home educating for the next year. The last two years we have managed to…
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What action to take after incorrect calculations by HMRC re salary reduction
I've had a message from HMRC about my estimated income tax for 26/27, saying that it will be significantly lower than what I will pay for 25/26. Looking back at my income tax history this seems to have been triggered by my employer reporting me as having left the organisation at the end of May 2025, but then having started…
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Cash ISA Dates & Promotions
Sorry if this is a basic question, there's a lot of promotional ISA rates at the moment (12/3/26) are these ISA for the current tax year 25/26 or do they apply to 26/27? Or more simply if I open an ISA now will it start from April, is there any benefits opening one now and adding £20k today or waiting until April and then…
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Lloyds switch offer 6 January to 3 February 2026
https://www.lloydsbank.com/current-accounts/switch.html * How to get the switch offer To qualify for the £250 switching offer (“the offer”) you must switch to a new Club Lloyds Account, Club Lloyds Platinum Account or Club Lloyds Silver Account using the ‘Current Account Switch Service’ to switch from a bank account held…
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Any Issues with a Smart Meter from Octopus?
If I get a Smart Meter from Octopus are there any known issues? Anyone any idea what model of Smart Meter they use? Do they bill correctly when on variable direct debt with Smart Meter?
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10 years to go .... maybe, with a fair wind
Hi, I've been lurking on here for years, but finally decided I should post a diary - more for my own sake than anyone else's!! So a little about me and my house ... I'm a 40 year old single mum with a lively 7 year old son. We live in a fairly ordinary terraced house on the edge of a large northern city, just a close walk…
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Introductory rate ISA vs long term rate
Hi, I need to put aside a few grand, and think an ISA is probably the best way. I am looking for interest rates of >4%. Would there be any reason not to go for some of the 1-year introductory deals of c.4.5%, and go for a product with a slightly lower variable long term rate of 4.3% (e.g. Hargreaves Lansdown)? Are there…
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Current Accounts for Newly Self-Employed
Hi, I’m newly self employed and money coming in from my new career is going to be quite low over this first 12-24 months. I have a business account set up separately for my business needs and now want to change my personal current account. I want to keep business and personal separate. From the guide on the website it’s…
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Reporting change to value of estate
If a further bank account is found for a deceased after HMRC has provided the executor the unique code, but before the application for a grant of probate, how should the executor deal with the probate application? It is a relatively small sum (say £900 approx) and there is no IHT payable at on the estate. HMRC say do not…
