Some can't budget, they need to have it taken out of their hands. Back when I was working, I would often just forget to pay the bills. I took out SOs and DDs on everything I could do that I didn't need to worry.
Budgeting might seem easy to us, but if you have never learnt about money, it probably isn't. There are also plenty who have to decide whether to eat, or, to heat, so often go without heat.
I realise and understand that @punkdoc but I'm talking about people who have accrued quite a lot of money in their fuel accounts but are still allowing providers to take money each month for the company coffers.
I've just had a message from a friend thanking us for his birthday card. Why's that curmedgeonly I hear you ask? Well his birthday was on the 16th and the card was posted on the 12th December. Christmas cards in February anybody?
There’ve been some postal strikes … hadn’t you heard? They were well publicised 😉
It was my son’s birthday on the 22nd December … I planned ahead and posted about ten days earlier than I normally would, paying a bit extra for Next Day Delivery and writing ‘Not to be opened until 22nd’ … it got there in plenty of time and he opened his card on the right day. Just a little forward planning needed. 👍
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Budgeting might seem easy to us, but if you have never learnt about money, it probably isn't. There are also plenty who have to decide whether to eat, or, to heat, so often go without heat.
I realise and understand that @punkdoc but I'm talking about people who have accrued quite a lot of money in their fuel accounts but are still allowing providers to take money each month for the company coffers.
Well, that’s me. My £800 credit is a healthy buffer in case winter fuel bills are higher than I anticipate. I know the money is there if the winter is very cold or if our economy measures are not that efficacious.
I realise that I could take the money out and invest it but, as I pointed out up thread, the interest I would earn is just inconsequential. Should the surplus be significant next Spring when my energy usage tumbles I can withdraw the money then and use it to fund the Italy holiday I am booking in a few minutes’ time.
You were very lucky @Dovefromabove, we went a fortnight without getting any post whatsoever, although l did see a postman several times delivering parcels only. One of our neighbours used Next Day delivery (in a non strike period) and it arrived just over a week later.
Another neighbour talked to one of our regular postman who delivered a parcel, and he said we would get one delivery of "ordinary" post before Christmas, which we did. No sign of any post today, although l believe they are working. I am still waiting for around 15 Christmas cards, and l know that cards that were posted around the 4th December still haven't arrived. Apparently the Royal Mail and the union have been holding talks again . https://www.royalmail.com/latest-news?iid=HP_M2_1_LATESTNEWS
I'm not sure if it's changed now but the energy companies offered a better rate if you paid by DD, they certainly did when I took out my current contract. My particular deal also pays 3% interest on a positive balance, better than the bank.
We are on pre payment meters for both gas and electric due to it being a rented home. I have never understood why we are charged more as the whole point of pre payment is that we have already paid for it! Another thing that really annoys me is that big companies have help for people that are in debt and those on benefits but people that are hard working and making the sacrifice that's recommended, get no assistance from anywhere and still get charged a higher rate.
I've noticed the benefits of coffee mentioned regularly on the wordle thread. I don't drink coffee or tea - not keen on the taste and hot drinks make my nose ticklish. Am I missing out on something or does the coffee just get drinkers back to normal? Would a medicinal drink of coffee make me alert, bouncy, motivated and ready to face the day with optimism and enthusiasm?
Posts
Back when I was working, I would often just forget to pay the bills. I took out SOs and DDs on everything I could do that I didn't need to worry.
It was my son’s birthday on the 22nd December … I planned ahead and posted about ten days earlier than I normally would, paying a bit extra for Next Day Delivery and writing ‘Not to be opened until 22nd’ … it got there in plenty of time and he opened his card on the right day. Just a little forward planning needed. 👍
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I realise that I could take the money out and invest it but, as I pointed out up thread, the interest I would earn is just inconsequential. Should the surplus be significant next Spring when my energy usage tumbles I can withdraw the money then and use it to fund the Italy holiday I am booking in a few minutes’ time.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
One of our neighbours used Next Day delivery (in a non strike period) and it arrived just over a week later.
Another neighbour talked to one of our regular postman who delivered a parcel, and he said we would get one delivery of "ordinary" post before Christmas, which we did. No sign of any post today, although l believe they are working. I am still waiting for around 15 Christmas cards, and l know that cards that were posted around the 4th December still haven't arrived.
Apparently the Royal Mail and the union have been holding talks again .
https://www.royalmail.com/latest-news?iid=HP_M2_1_LATESTNEWS
Another thing that really annoys me is that big companies have help for people that are in debt and those on benefits but people that are hard working and making the sacrifice that's recommended, get no assistance from anywhere and still get charged a higher rate.