I am waiting for the electricity man to arrive. It appears that my meter has been stuck in the "let's fund Hawaiian holidays for the Electricity Company Bosses" mode for ages. As in years. It is stuck in the highest tariff thingy and the timer has not moved for ages, which is why my electricity bill looks like the national debt in comparison to people who have houses twice the size and bills half mine. Groan. I need a refund. They will be here this morning. It is 11.34 as I speak.
It was driving me crackers. I use the energy saving bulbs in the lights we switch on. I switch off everything at the plug. I rarely use a tumble dryer, and we all know the dishwasher is dead. The washing machine is on 3 times every 2 weeks. I switch off the oven at the wall, and nothing is on standby. Hot water is on one and a half hours a day. I had reached the stage where I was considering candles and the bbq. So hopefully the bills will plummet.
Margaret, the garden fairy, has been here this morning, tidying up my front flowerbeds. She makes me smile - there is no stopping her. She brought more beans from the allotment too.
Jean and I went to Lidl yesterday, and I emerged with 4 carrier bags, £24 later, and masses of stuff. It is really cheap. Lidl and Aldi here are having a boom time, as shoppers are switching from the huge chains like Tesco, Sainsburys and Morrisons. Anything to save a little money where we can.
I must use up my apples....... I think I will go and make a couple more cakes. Not to eat, Theresa - to freeze!
I can relate, I haven't had a dishwasher in a few months now. And you scared me for a second with the cakes, LOL
ReplyDeleteOoops, that's the wrong account again, sorry.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, my electricity has always been sky high. For a small home where I am running a gas stove and a gas dryer, I don't get it. Maybe I should call...again.
ReplyDeleteHope that you do get a refund. Nothing like some "found" money. Did you happen to read Suzanne's (The Farmer's Wife) post on that the other day. Quite interesting...
I'm glad that you are getting that checked out, Linds. There must be a problem of some sort.
ReplyDeleteI remember when we lived in Epsom that the gas man would come to collect our coins. We had a meter in our kitchen and paid for the gas we used. He wouls sit at the table, sort out the coins into piles and then he would take some and return some to me. I could never figure out the logic of all that, but it was nice to get some returned to me.
Apple cake? Yum!
oops....that is "he would" sit.
ReplyDeleteWe have an Al*di's here and that is where I do the bulk of my shopping. We have to drive 11 miles to it (one way) so I have to add the cost of a gallon of gas to my bill. Wish they would build one in my little town :o(
ReplyDeleteSusan
A refund on your utility bill would be great!
ReplyDeleteSounds like Lidl is a great place for grocery bargains. We don't have either them or Aldi's here. They also decided not to build the Fresh and Easy I told you about.
xo
No Aldi's around here, though I have seen them while traveling in other states.
ReplyDeleteI do the bulk of my grocery shopping at Walmart Supercenter. Overall they're about the cheapest I can find. Other stores have occasional specials that are cheaper, but by the time you factor in the gas to run to and fro you haven't saved any money.
Hope they get your electricity sorted out and give you a refund!
Happy Wednesday evening to you, Linds.
Love and hugs,
Diane
I hope you get your electricity sorted. It dements me that tradepeople never turn up when they say they will!
ReplyDeleteWe have Aldi here, & they have our custom for everything we can get. Still have to go to the biggies for a few items, but we have made really good savings, using Aldi.
I wo
ReplyDeleteYou are a great example - and inspiration - of things to do to lower one's electricity use! I hope this gets sorted out and you see a wonderful decrease in the bills. I just came home from Superstore, which seems to have the best food prices around. It's an hour's drive from me so I keep a running list and only go when I can combine it with other errands. So far this fall I've been adding a few Christmas presents each time to try to get ahead on that front. And I've resorted to checking for day old bread and the slightly damaged vegetable bin. My, how times have changed in the last 5 years!!
ReplyDeleteI heard Gordon Brown discussing the British recession today and I thought of you and what it really means to live there as you share it.
((( HUGS )))
How good would it be if the insurance money and the utilities money (refunds) came at the same time? I'm thinking mountains! You?
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of those stores - I still shop where I always have because it's convenient and I know where everything is. But I definitely do the sales and use coupons!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe they've been overcharging you all this time - well, maybe I can!
Margaret is a wonderful friend.
"The secret of health for both mind and body is to live the present moment wisely and earnestly."
ReplyDeleteYou have had some fabulous adventures in the past - and it has been thrilling to read them. At the moment you are stuck with an injured knee - bound to get you down.
I believe that you will find a way to fulfill all your dreams - even if it means getting a flower power van with triple glaze and a big sleeping platform that can accommodate all your family (especially the grand kiddy) friends and new people you are yet to meet along the way.
Be patient. There is way too much life in you to be worried about the possible lack of stories to share from your rocking chair.