It's post's like this that this that jolt me back into reality.
I'm currently living the life of a 1950's housewife with the benefits of the 21st century (joint bank accounts etc.).
I'd be completely flummoxed with having to deal with gas/electric bills etc. if my husband dropped dead tomorrow.
My auntie (in hospital) was complaining (to me) about being kept awake by the lady in a neighboring bed filling in forms at 2am to ensure her disability benefits form were submitted before the deadline.
Is this the reality for the vulnerable in Britain today?
I submit my readings online and imagine the consternation with my supplier when my last reading was lower than my present reading - only because I had entered it incorrectly last time! They didn't know quite how to deal with that.
Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
I'm not a very technical sort - I don't feel comfortable with computers, even though I can use one for things like this, and all these online accounts worry me. So I have moved from being an independent woman, managing her own affairs to someone who leaves it all to her husband. Like Kitty, I would be lost if he wasn't here. The problem for older people, I think, is that you HAVE to use computers for banking and utilities, there is no longer a friendly face at the bank or Post Office or the electricity showroom to help you out. If, with age you are also confused or isolated you can be exploited like these old people. It makes me angry, too, but what on earth can we do about it? Will the government and ombudsman sort it out? In your dreams.
When Mum died, I took over paying the household bills for Dad (he was blind). I stopped all the Direct debits for gas and electricity and closed the accounts, partly in order to open new ones in my own name. Mostly because this forced the utility company to repay to my Dad's account the money he had overpaid by DD. He had one contract for gas and electricity. On a small 2 bed bungalow in mild mid-Cornwall, the total refund was £1200.
That's not a typo.
The only slightly better one was the water utility who, without prompting, noticed that the water usage had dropped substantially on the meter (Mum was a keen gardener) so they stopped the DD from their end and the bills until the £100 or so built up on the DD had been caught up.
I'm with Marygold's OH. Direct Debit payments are a con
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
it's illegal for companies not to pay back any credit now. It should never become more than a month's payment.
I don't understand why anyone nowadays doesn't monitor their usage and jump ship if there's a better deal. It's not difficult if you have a computer - or a smart phone. Companies also have to inform you if they have a better deal and have to make it clear what that is. I change mine almost every year, unless there's a better deal with the company I'm with.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
If you're not confident doing stuff online, book yourself in at a Barclays Tea & Teach session - friends have said they're really helpful, - its not just about online banking
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Posts
It's post's like this that this that jolt me back into reality.
I'm currently living the life of a 1950's housewife with the benefits of the 21st century (joint bank accounts etc.).
I'd be completely flummoxed with having to deal with gas/electric bills etc. if my husband dropped dead tomorrow.
My auntie (in hospital) was complaining (to me) about being kept awake by the lady in a neighboring bed filling in forms at 2am to ensure her disability benefits form were submitted before the deadline.
Is this the reality for the vulnerable in Britain today?
I submit my readings online and imagine the consternation with my supplier when my last reading was lower than my present reading - only because I had entered it incorrectly last time! They didn't know quite how to deal with that.
I don't sleep well at all
. Planning my puzzles for tonight's session with the Brainiacs.
I'm not a very technical sort - I don't feel comfortable with computers, even though I can use one for things like this, and all these online accounts worry me. So I have moved from being an independent woman, managing her own affairs to someone who leaves it all to her husband. Like Kitty, I would be lost if he wasn't here. The problem for older people, I think, is that you HAVE to use computers for banking and utilities, there is no longer a friendly face at the bank or Post Office or the electricity showroom to help you out. If, with age you are also confused or isolated you can be exploited like these old people. It makes me angry, too, but what on earth can we do about it? Will the government and ombudsman sort it out? In your dreams.
My OH refuses to pay bills by DD. He says he wants to know how much we owe before paying. We usually submit our own readings each quarter.
When Mum died, I took over paying the household bills for Dad (he was blind). I stopped all the Direct debits for gas and electricity and closed the accounts, partly in order to open new ones in my own name. Mostly because this forced the utility company to repay to my Dad's account the money he had overpaid by DD. He had one contract for gas and electricity. On a small 2 bed bungalow in mild mid-Cornwall, the total refund was £1200.
That's not a typo.
The only slightly better one was the water utility who, without prompting, noticed that the water usage had dropped substantially on the meter (Mum was a keen gardener) so they stopped the DD from their end and the bills until the £100 or so built up on the DD had been caught up.
I'm with Marygold's OH. Direct Debit payments are a con
it's illegal for companies not to pay back any credit now. It should never become more than a month's payment.
I don't understand why anyone nowadays doesn't monitor their usage and jump ship if there's a better deal. It's not difficult if you have a computer - or a smart phone. Companies also have to inform you if they have a better deal and have to make it clear what that is. I change mine almost every year, unless there's a better deal with the company I'm with.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I also do the same as Fairy and Verdun
If you're not confident doing stuff online, book yourself in at a Barclays Tea & Teach session - friends have said they're really helpful, - its not just about online banking
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.