Is there something wrong with me?

Jon

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I am beginning to wonder!

I just don't seem to be able to do the things that others I see online ( and in real life! ) do to save money.

Change energy suppliers - Too much faff

Organise a water meter - Took me about 4 months

PPI Claims - Were like pulling teeth with me

Getting a new boiler when our last one was on its last legs! - I even dragged that on because the thought of spending £1000 on a new one wound me up even though at that point we were paying out of pocket for repairs on the old one each year + service.

Weekly Shop - I just use Tesco online even though everyone says Aldi and co are cheaper.

Cutting down bills or ending a contact - If it requires actually talking to a human being I will put it off for WEEKS!

Even in my 'business' life if I change Social Media or Hosting Provider or whatever it's like this huge drawn out process for me

Is anyone else like this or is it just me?
 

AngeBot

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It's not just you. I do the same with Tesco. I've found though that I spend less with an online shop because I'm not tempted by all of the junk food offers in store. I can't resist in person!
 
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Karonher

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My dad is. He never changes energy suppliers but to be fair when we have asked for quotes from others they where not that good.

A couple of years ago his car insurance renewal came in at about £600 - he is 88 and drives the car around the block once a month but ho hum he wants to keep the car. When I did a price comparison there were loads of lower quotes including the company he was with. He was all ready to change then found out he would have to phone the current company for the proof of no claims document so said he would stay with them.:rolleyes:. In the end I phoned them and said he would not be renewing and when I told them why they matched the lower price so he did stay.
 

unicornrider

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I couldn't be bothered to change energy/internet suppliers this time, I stayed with my current car insurer as I had an accident last year (not my fault) and they lowered my premium this year so stayed!

With regards to Lidl/Aldi, despite living in a town, my nearest one is a 30 mile round trip, not sure I'd save much money when I have a Waitrose and Tesco less than 2 miles away. As a single person Waitrose can actually be cheaper than Tesco as I buy less rubbish and it lasts longer. Mind you I get fed my main meal at work 5 days a week so I don't spend much on food these days!

I also so procrastinate on phoning people to end contacts....
 
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The Reverend

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I am beginning to wonder!

I just don't seem to be able to do the things that others I see online ( and in real life! ) do to save money.

I suppose its whether you perceive it to be money saved or money earned. I'm trying to think of all saving as 'money earned'. Earning money takes effort and graft where-as saving money is usually boring and the payoffs feel smaller.

Change energy suppliers - Too much faff

You aren't the only one who thinks this but it just isn't the case. Like LOADS of people I have moved to Bulb from AON. I filled in one form on bulb website and that was it. I got a £100 joining bonus (as did my referrer) and it is both cheaper and more ethical (apparently) than AON. I can also leave at any time.

Currently I'm building up my winter credits so will re-evaluate whether I stay next spring.

Organise a water meter - Took me about 4 months

Although this would be cheaper for me (3 bed/2 bath house with 2 adults), there is a chance I will rent this property out if we move out. I bought it from someone who rented to 3 unrelated adults so a metered water supply would add big £££ to the bills for them so no meter for me even though it WILL save me money.

PPI Claims - Were like pulling teeth with me
I didn't find this hard work at all. All my banks had links on their websites to claim. Filled stuff out once for each bank. Didn't get anything from them, but I did try.

Getting a new boiler when our last one was on its last legs! - I even dragged that on because the thought of spending £1000 on a new one wound me up even though at that point we were paying out of pocket for repairs on the old one each year + service.
I guess this will happen to me at some point. I waited 2 weeks before replacing my thermostat that was stuck on 25 degrees!

Weekly Shop - I just use Tesco online even though everyone says Aldi and co are cheaper.

I have a Lidl near me. Been in it twice. Didn't enjoy either shopping experience. I don't see why I should make shopping a painful thing when for £10-ish extra I can enjoy my shopping experience. Quality wise I know their savoury stuff is quite good but I've yet to try enough of their fresh meat/produce to say whether the quality is worth it.

Cutting down bills or ending a contact - If it requires actually talking to a human being I will put it off for WEEKS!

Even in my 'business' life if I change Social Media or Hosting Provider or whatever it's like this huge drawn out process for me

Is anyone else like this or is it just me?

I'm dreadful for this and have to use the 'money saved becomes money earned' trick otherwise I don't do it. Hey! I've been paying £40 a month for my phone contract for 2 years. I'm used to paying £40 so I'll just keep paying £40. This time round I moved to EE (using a mates friends and family discount) and I pay £20 a month for unlimited calls, text and 60gb data. I was also able to get the £100 Quidco so although its a 12 month contract, I'm paying about £14 a month for it.

Just to add, I'm not perfect. My flatmate moved out in January and I've STILL not told the council so missing my single-occupier discount. Its about £25 a month....I will get on that this week.

:)

The Reverend
 
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katykicker

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I am the same as @The Reverend I think of it as money earned not money saved. Just by keeping a tight rein on household bills we have saved over £100 a month. That money then covers the top up we have to pay now Daisy gets 30 hours 'funding' for nursery. So it's well worth while.
 

Jon

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Well the water meter is now in!

I've no idea what to expect but I'm hoping it will be a fair chunk since whatever rate they had us set up for 'profile wise' is very much now what we are now!
 

Jon

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Well yorkshire water has written to us and our water bill has now gone down by 55%
 
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Queen Jess

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In regards to having to ring people, I find that live chat is your friend.. I changed my mobile phone to a cheaper deal online over live chat. Much simpler and easier :)

Didn't do PPI as never ever took any of those deals. Already had a water meter in our house when we moved in. Refuse to move home phone and energy supplier as had such terrible experiences with customer services in the past that I try to use ones with really good customer service and won't move unless there is better customer service that is also cheaper. Don't care if it costs more, it saves me time!

Really boring things like house insurance switching/quotes I relegate to my husband :)
 

Jon

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So.. fun story

We are going back to paying a set price for our water

when we moved into a meter they set us at £25 a month, then last week Yorkshire water sent us a bill for £119 a month based on our usage!! Why the heck did they set us so low to begin with!!
 

homie

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So.. fun story

We are going back to paying a set price for our water

when we moved into a meter they set us at £25 a month, then last week Yorkshire water sent us a bill for £119 a month based on our usage!! Why the heck did they set us so low to begin with!!

How are you managing to use £119 a month of water? Do you have a pet dolphin we don't know about?
 

Jon

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How are you managing to use £119 a month of water? Do you have a pet dolphin we don't know about?
Nope 2 adults! Even we questioned it but they sent an engineer round who said the meter was fine / wasn’t flooded
 

Mattam

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Come on Jon, you should join a forum or something that helps you save money because that just isn't good enough :)

Change energy suppliers - Too much faff

I do this as soon as I'm out of contract and always save something. I also switched my parents after years of stagnation with the same supplier and they saved a FORTUNE!

Organise a water meter - Took me about 4 months

Did it years ago but can't remember if it was a hassle or not to be honest.

PPI Claims - Were like pulling teeth with me

I followed a DIY templated approach and ended up with £5/£6k back from deals I didn't even realise included PPI. In honesty, I also tried to chase a few more through and got zilch back from them so did end up putting some work into this one.

Getting a new boiler when our last one was on its last legs! - I even dragged that on because the thought of spending £1000 on a new one wound me up even though at that point we were paying out of pocket for repairs on the old one each year + service.

Yep, I've been guilty of that too tbh until Mrs. M lost patience with me last year and we replaced ours.

Weekly Shop - I just use Tesco online even though everyone says Aldi and co are cheaper.

Guilty as charged as it's just more convenient.

Cutting down bills or ending a contact - If it requires actually talking to a human being I will put it off for WEEKS!

What about web chat or similar then? Maybe not as big a discount available but probably less hassle.
 
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Mattam

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Nope 2 adults! Even we questioned it but they sent an engineer round who said the meter was fine / wasn’t flooded

Do you have a VIP supply of spring water or something?

We have 5 adults in the house and pay about 30% of that.
 

Jon

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I don't even have a pool!

giphy.gif
 

Queen Jess

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That's insane. My water bill is £30 a month for 2 adults and a child. It is a water meter, but it was already here when we bought the house.
 

mrcbo

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Could be the amount of times you shower, I was always 2 bath a week person :p ;)
 

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