Bills bills bills!

Over the last few days, we have been doing lots of research into bank accounts, bills and finances and I've realised I have a lot to learn! Every task seems daunting, but between us so far we've managed to muddle through.

First off was setting up a bank account. Our first issue was choosing a bank, but thanks to Google and word of mouth we made a decision on the best one for a joint student account. We needed to all be able to pay into it, and create a direct debit to pay the bills we need it to. Then, we had the issue of trying to find a day when everyone was free to go for a meeting at the bank. One of my housemates was back at home and only in Southampton for certain days, and my other housemate was on placement for her course and so was only free on certain days. Eventually, after many unproductive phone calls to the bank trying to set up an appointment that worked for at least two of us, we decided it would be better to set up an account in just one of our names, and then we could add the other two at a later date when we were all back in southampton and everything was more settled. One of my housemates will be in Southampton on placement over the summer, and so she will set up the account in case anything goes wrong and she needs to go in to the branch about it - it wouldn't be much use for it to be me if I'm at home!

Then, we looked at bills. We are lucky in the sense that our water and internet bills are shared with the house we are joined to (our house is an annexe on the back of another student house, both rented by the same landlord), and so we don't have to worry about that until we move in. Electric, however, we pay ourselves. I was able to chat with the student currently living in our house, and she didn't set up her electric until they moved in...and all we have to do on the day is ring up, give them a meter reading and set up a direct debit. Another task sorted for now!

We then had other little things to think about, like a TV. We are still deciding on whether we want to get a TV license, as it is quite expensive. Obviously we need one to watch TV, but we could just watch programmes on catch-up. One of my flatmates has a TV, but we are researching into the right box we might need and how to go about setting it all up. I feel like I am learning a lot!

In terms of furniture and small appliances that we might need, for example a toaster, microwave, chest of drawers, we were able to find most of the items we needed between us from family members etc...but our plan B on move in day? Ikea. The students currently in the house were selling a few items of furniture as well, so that was helpful.

Being the organised person I am, I have been drawing up lists of things to accomplish. I'd definitely recommend this, as I always feel like I've forgotten something if I don't have it all written down! Plus, you then have the satisfaction of crossing a task off your list when it's done! You don't realise when you start out quite how many things you are going to have to sort before you can move in. But for now, we are on top of it all - and it all seems a lot easier than I imagined once you get started!

Thanks for reading!

Laura