Planning a successful D-I-Y Project

More of us than ever are spending our lockdown time tackling those Do-it-Yourself projects that we’ve been thinking about for long enough.

Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned Do-it-Yourselfer, it can be hugely satisfying to enjoy the results of your handiwork.  Often it can be a great way to save some money as well.

Always keen to help our members to make the most of their money, we’ve put together some top tips to help you to make a success of your project:

Get inspired!

Think about what you are hoping to achieve.   What is your project for?   Do you want to add colour or warmth to your drab living room?   Maybe you’re aiming to make life easier by rearranging your kitchen?  Making extra wardrobe space for your clothes?  Or modernising your bathroom fittings?   Whatever you have in mind, Pinterest or Instagram are good places to look for ideas and inspiration.

Do your research

Before tackling any project, you should take time to gather as much information as possible about it. Read, research and watch tutorials to be better prepared. Look around and see if anyone you know has done anything similar.  If they are enjoying their finished work, they may be happy to share some tips about their experience. 

Set an overall budget for your project

Think how much you can afford.  It’s important not to overstretch yourself, as your enjoyment will be short lived if you end up with huge unexpected bills.  Or if you have to leave it unfinished because you run out of money.   Shop around – look on the internet to get an idea how much things cost and compare different suppliers. Try to cost the whole project out, so that there will be no surprises, before you start buying.   Perhaps a Credit Union Loan could help you by spreading the cost over a reasonable period?

Divide your project into stages

Dividing your DIY work into stages may help you to decide what needs to be done first and how much time you have to do it.  If you are working on a tight budget, it could also help you decide on your priorities.  Working in stages with clear time allocations gives you focus and discipline, aiding you to complete your project in ideal time.  You may need someone to help you with certain tasks, so plan ahead to make sure they’ll be available at the vital time.

Buy some decent tools

You’ll most likely need to buy some tools or equipment.  Don’t necessarily go for the cheapest you can find, as they may not perform to your expectations.  If you are new to DIY, then simple, easy to use tools could be best.   And it might not be such a good idea to use Grandad’s 100 year old tool kit!   The tools may look strong and sturdy but are probably worn and not as sharp or effective as a new set.

Learn how to use your tools and equipment

Be sure to follow the instruction guides, as they contain sound advice on safety and good practice.  For many items, there are handy online tutorials that show you what to do.  Some of the well-known DIY stores have help available both for novices and more experienced hands, both online and in-store.

Make a survey of the job

Before you start knocking walls down, survey the DIY site and make a list of everything that will need doing.  Do you need to move a light switch or socket? Are there any pipes or cables in a wall that you’re going to alter?  Where will you put the furniture and belongings while the room is out of use? Where will you do your sawing, pasting and so on?   Write down your plan of action – step by step – so that you don’t forget any important tasks.

Buy everything you need before you start

Try to buy everything you need at once, otherwise you may have problems if supplies run out.  You might not be able to match up the exact shade of wallpaper or the tiles you selected so carefully may be out of stock, and you may have to pay extra for a small quantity.   It’s not a bad idea to buy a little more than you think you will need, to cover breakages or faulty estimating.  It can be very stressful to run out of materials near the end of the job and have to rush to the shops for a top up. 

Don’t rush it

Finally, although you’ve made a plan and have a good idea of your intended timescale, take care and don’t rush your project.  Hopefully, you’ll have done everything necessary to enjoy working on your project and soon you’ll be able to sit back and savour the fruits of your labour for a long time!

Good luck!

This week, ending 3 July 2015

A chance visitor during Co-operatives Fortnight!

It was a pleasant surprise recently to welcome to Central Office an unexpected visitor, all the way from the Isle of Man!    David Talbot is one of an enthusiastic band of Manx residents who are beavering away preparing the ground for the Island to have its very own Credit Union.  David happened to be passing through our fair city on the way to the North Sea Ferry terminal en route for a family holiday and, finding himself with a couple of hours to spare, called in to Brook Street to take a look at us!

I hadn't taken a break so it was a perfect excuse to go for a coffee with David and learn a little more about the Manx Credit Union's ambitions.  For me, it was something of a trip down memory lane because I had previous connections with the beautiful, magical Isle of Man, having been the Chairman from 1999 to 2009 of the Manx Co-operative Society. (If you haven't been to the Isle of Man for a holiday, I can wholeheartedly recommend it!)  I well remember back in those days the idea of a credit union being talked about, and something that was generally felt to be a good idea.  The problem was that, unlike in Britain where we have our Credit Unions Act 1979 and its regulatory framework, there was simply no legal provision for them!

However, David tells me that the idea has gradually but steadily accumulated a groundswell of support - the Church and some key Manx Government officers are backing it - and we all know that when that happens, you find yourself knocking at an open door.  Some very patient and determined folk have spent a lot of hours putting together a legal framework to allow a credit union to be registered and to enjoy similar protection for its members' funds as we enjoy.  So, with a fair wind, it won't be too long before the founders' dreams are realised and we can witness a credit union coming into flower in that part of the world.

Everyone here at HEYCU certainly wishes David and his colleagues every success and we hope to keep in touch as their plans unfold.   You can find out more about their progress at http://www.mcu.im/

With so much ground to cover, I'm afraid our coffee break became extended and it must have been very boring for David's wife having to roam around Hull's shops while waiting for him!  Apologies Mrs Talbot!

The above chance meeting seemed very apt for Co-operatives Fortnight.  But what else has the CEO of Hull & East Yorkshire Credit Union been up to this week?

North Lincolnshire Council sign up days

I have spent a couple of days over in Scunthorpe, with David Martin, promoting our Credit Union to the employees of North Lincolnshire Council.   A fair amount of interest was shown with Council staff especially keen to take up the offer of the £10 matched bonus on our Christmas Saver, which is open across Northern Lincolnshire until the end of July.  The events took the form of a couple of "drop in" sessions at the Civic Centre and Church Square, but also set presentations to those teams who wanted them.  We had employees very excited about the payroll deduction facility - several of them quoting "once set up you won't miss it" while others were asking about loans for car purchase, and saving up for children.  The Housing Team were particularly interested in how we'll be able to help local residents to sort their rent payments in the new world of Universal Credits (the new state benefit that has now washed its way into Lincolnshire).  We also met Councillors who were keen to join and become CU Champions.

We are most appreciative of the Council's support and they'll be seeing more from us, with another sign up day on Wednesday 8 July at Hewson House, Brigg from 10 am to 2 pm, and an advert and feature in their next residents' magazine, North Lincolnshire News Direct.

School banks project

Earlier this week a lady called Jessica visited us from our trade association, ABCUL. The purpose of the visit was to find out how we run our school banks and just what sort of administrative challenges they pose.  Jessica is visiting several CUs who operate in schools and she hopes to create some ideas for sharing good practice, streamlining systems and helping to make school saving even more appealing to today's "tech savvy" rising generation.   It was nice to meet her and we look forward to reading the results of her work.

Meanwhile, we're still receiving enquiries about opening more school banks and this week we launched at Paull Primary, a tiny gem of a school near the Humber foreshore just east of Hull.  Aldborough Primary, on the Holderness coast, has also been in touch.   It's "all go" in school just now, even though the summer holidays will soon be here!

Staffing matters (it really does!)

On Wednesday I attended a meeting of our Personnel Committee.  This Committee, comprising four of our volunteer directors, is responsible for overseeing our role as an employer (of 22 staff).  We meet four times a year to discuss staffing topics, training and welfare and, importantly, to review our personnel policies, making sure that we're not only keeping on the right side of the law, but also honouring our ethical intent to be a "good employer".

It's an area of work that our members popping into a branch to make their transactions perhaps wouldn't realise we do, as it's "behind the scenes" but a very essential one nevertheless.  This time we discussed an action plan following our successful award of the Bronze Standard of Investors in People.  It's very important that we don't rest on our laurels, but strive for the next awards - Silver and then Gold!  So we're planning to re-run a training session for our staff on the Credit Union's Values and Principles, but this time extend it to volunteers as well.  We will also introduce a set of Members' Promises, to monitor how well we are improving our customer care.  It will be exciting to see these plans come to life and I am leaning heavily on our new elected Employees' Council to help me in this work.

Which brings me neatly to . . .

Summer E-News

I hope those 4,000 or so of our members who have given us their email address have received our Summer E-News, which was issued on 2 July.  It's packed with snippets of information about our products, services and projects.   But there's also an opportunity to take part in our 2015 Member Satisfaction Survey which offers a chance to win a £50 prize as our "thank you".   I hope you will take part in the survey, it only takes about 5 minutes and can be done on your computer, or if you prefer on paper in a branch.  The directors take these surveys very seriously and we have brought in several changes as a result of the things members have suggested.  We'll also share the findings with you at the AGM in December. 

Online Loan Applications

I am so thrilled to announce that you can now apply for a Credit Union Loan on line!  Take a look at our Loans page and then why not have a go?  You'll need to scan your bank statements and (if any) payslips when prompted, so have them at the ready.

Are we falling out with cash?

According to the Payments Council, cashless payments have overtaken the use of notes and coins for the first time ever.  Apparently in 2014 the use of cash by consumers, businesses and financial organisations fell to 48% of all payments.

Electronic transactions, ranging from high-value transfers to debit card payments, and cheques made up the remaining 52%.  Over the next ten years, they say we're likely to see cash volumes fall by 30%, with the moves towards debit card, contactless and mobile payments driving the change.

The Payments Council, which oversees the system of transactions, says that 4.4% of adults rarely use cash at all, and only 1% of consumer payments were made by cheque last year.   Cash is still the most common method of payment, though, with a staggering 18 billion cash payments worth £250 billion in 2014.   In fact it was used in 8 out of 10 purchases in pubs, clubs, and newsagents last year, but only 3 out of 10 in petrol stations.

Did you know there is to be a new 12-sided £1 coin entering circulation in 2017 while the Bank of England is to bring in plastic £5 and £10 notes over the next couple of years?   Well, I never!

 

Could our Prepaid VISA card help you this holiday season?

Going abroad this year?  Take your money with you on one of our Pre-Paid VISA cards. It’s a hand way to keep things separate!