Guest Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 We got our cavity wall insulating done through the local council at a reduced rate. It has made a huge difference an we have a 4 bed semi. I believe it cost about £250. Your quote of £1000 Pengy sounds very high!! Perhaps see if you can arrange for them to come and give you a quote in the evening as some will! Good luck We have a 4 bed detached with a LARGE one bed bungalow attached. Also they have to use scaffolding to do upstairs at the back as there is a large pitched roof extention all along the back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 I am horrified by what some people are paying for water/electricity and gas I agree, have been sitting here reading the posts with my mouth open Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 Our water is now £54.00 a month. My gas is £65.00 per month and my electric is £62.00 per month. I am tbh a right pain in the bum over it and march about turning things off. Our water used to be £65.00 per month and our gas bills hit £90.00 a month at one time so cutting back does help. We sound similar to you we're water £42 electric £85 we have oil or actually we don't have oil so its extra jumpers all round Theres five of us and we live in aparticularly bitter place with the wind coming off th enorth sea. I don't think a water meter would help us at all so there is no way of getting the amount down as they guess how much you use. I suspect we use a lot less than out neighbours but it wouldnt count for a thing. I'm fiding it a lot harder to cut down mor eon electric as dh refuses to spend evenings by candlelight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 Pengy: My parents are here with me at the moment, adn I have just read this out to them. They are OAP's but on no benefits. They had their cavity walls done for free this summer. It was because a leaflet plopped through thier door in the summer from a private company offereing to do it. Apparently, certain companies have been given the money to do it. My mum and dad were really sceptical, thinking there could be a catch, and so rang up the council to check this wasn't a scam, and they finally said "oh, yes, that's right, there IS a scheme". But they were very reluctant to admit to my folks that they COULD have it done. Seems councils are trying to still plug their own services. Don't know how you could find out, but my parents are very pleased with the work that has been done, and all for free! (They're in Cambs, but this IS a national scheme apparently). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 By the way, I have been trying to cut back since OH left in the summer, hoping to hold onto the house, and I am pleased to say that through getting rid of luxury direct debits (RSPB membership, magazine subscriptions etc), a few cut backs (different hairdresser, fewer new clothes ), sensible food shopping and swapping insurance companies, telephone and braodband companies etc, I have saved a whopping £300 a month! Can't quite believe it! I have also taken on a Monday to Friday lodger. It is working reall well. The money I am saving is going in a seperate account and I am so excited to see it growing steadily. I have never had to budget before in my life, and found it really frightening at first, but now I am loving being in control of it all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 Well done Annie. It must be nice having a new face around the place but still getting the house to yourself at times Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 we were paying nearly £700 a year in water rates about 10 years ago I've not paid more than £200 a year since I had the water meter put in about 8 years ago. just OH & I most of the time then teenagers decend most week ends with friends. my solar panels have paid for themselves, you can get a government grant to have them installed now, check with your council if you are elegible for a grant for cavity wall insulation and loft insulation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted October 31, 2008 Author Share Posted October 31, 2008 By the way, I have been trying to cut back since OH left in the summer, hoping to hold onto the house, and I am pleased to say that through getting rid of luxury direct debits (RSPB membership, magazine subscriptions etc), a few cut backs (different hairdresser, fewer new clothes ), sensible food shopping and swapping insurance companies, telephone and braodband companies etc, I have saved a whopping £300 a month! Can't quite believe it!I have also taken on a Monday to Friday lodger. It is working reall well. The money I am saving is going in a seperate account and I am so excited to see it growing steadily. I have never had to budget before in my life, and found it really frightening at first, but now I am loving being in control of it all. Well done AnnieP! I'm not in control at the moment, but at least now I am working on it. I did have a lodger for 8 months but she got a new job and moved on. The council still haven't given me back my single person discount Another money saving area to chase up! I think I could save about £100 a month on direct debits, if I get myself organised. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
