gas and electricity management

Hey ho,

There is a lot of talk about Gas and electricity prices in the UK right now.

I guess that they (the big energy companies) do not care about how each consumer will pay the increases? that ritually occur every winter. Essentially, in the end I think it will out that the energy prices are being rigged, just as LIBBOR was.

So, how to fight back..

First write to your MP complaining about the constant rises.

I did this today.

Secondly, write to your energy company, requesting the breakdown of how they are justifying the energy price increases under the freedom of information act.

The only way to beat the energy companies at their own game is to use less.

Try the following:

Switch off all sockets at the wall every night;
Wash and dry on economy seven,if it is available to you;
get free insulation if you haven't already got it;
Invest in warmer bedding so you don't need the heating on during the night;
Use hot water bottles to give warmth when first retiring at night.

Switch off heating 15 Min's before going to bed;
do not leave central heating on  during the day if you are out, try to use a low power oil filled radiator or similar to keep temperature at least bearable.
Lag your pipes;
Ensure the oven is full when you bake/cook, maximising the heat generated;

Don't turn on the heating unless absolutely necessary. I just put on a jumper.

I believe that we have been somewhat duped by the 'monry advice' experts. Unless you are living in a technological bubble, you should be on an OK tariff. try switching, the most you will save is around £80 p.a. Thus, a better approach is to ring or mail your supplier, asking for the best deal. Try it..

Many thanks

epiphany

Hey ho,

I have been on a journey of discovery, looking introspectively at what makes me tick, and what I want from the future.

It is very simple, I am scared of not having enough money to survive on in old age and I am 48.
Thus, my epiphany is a vision of hard facts, i.e. not enough money in retirement, coupled with the emotional drain of worrying about every body else and their needs, especially financially.

Motivation came today from a blogger who really can put things into perspective. see....
http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/10/18/why-your-time-is-worth-way-more-than-25-per-hour/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MrMoneyMustache+%28Mr.+Money+Mustache%29

http://earlyretirementextreme.com/


The vision of the future can be really scary and must be tempered with the here and now of the daily grind.But I am a practical person who likes to get things done, thus there is no point in self-pity, just set a goal....

I have decided to aim at 55 as a maximum retirement age. This may come to fruition if I plan the exercise. Here goes:.....

I am current 48 years and xxx days in age. Thus, I have 64 + 2190 days until I retire - total 2254.

My goal, to have £1000 per month minimum income per, month for my remaining years from the age of 55.

Thus, I must attempt to secure £25 per day between now and then, the clock is ticking.

My eureka moment happened not in an instant, but from long and thoughtful contemplation of what can I do for others, not 'what is in it for me'. I have discovered that my vision of self actualisation comes from pleasing others though social actions, not through financial interactions that realise a gain, i.e. the interactions you have in a typical place of work, doing, fetching, making,communicating for a boss or company. this does not give self actualisation only a salary.

What am I going to do? let's talk money.

2254 days until I want to leave my job, x £25 target per day savings, = 56350.
With interest at 3.01% this means I accumulate approx. £60201.
OK it is a start.

I will continue to do the maths, but I am determined that even if my calculations go awry, and my calculations are all wrong, then I will have to adapt to either earn or save more.

Note -bear with me, the calculation's come later...

The other part of this double-header is the emotional want of pleasing others.
This will take time, but I guess i am over the hard bit, what is it I want to do - serve others for the greater good of the community..... talk soon x