Sort 7 financial things in 7 days

[rising from the ashes]

Originally Posted by mineallmine

I think my current isa earns about 0.10 interest. So once I find my paperwork I'll ring them to get onto a better deal ASAP. Ideally I should shop around but if I can move quickly and easily from 0.10 to about 2% that's progress. Not perfect but progress. I'll get the papers together and go from there.

I find isas confusing. For instance, if you:-
Have an isa with bank "a" from previous financial years.
Open a new isa this financial year with bank "b".

Can you transfer bank "a" existing funds to a better rated account at bank "a" and also start a new isa, with your new isa allowance, the same year with bank "b"? On paper that feels like 2 new isa accounts but only, rightly, using one's years isa allowance.

I've in the process (ie have the paperwork to sign - ohhhh can't remember if that's got a number or not! ETA - have given it No 6!) of moving last years' monthly saver boiler fund (only £300!) to this one - pays 3.10% to Nov 2013. 60 days notice but if you're looking to stick some money somewhere longish term might be worth a look:
http://www.coventrybuildingsociety.c...cash-isas.aspx

I also find them really confusing as I don't understand why I can't pay more into last years ISA?

[mineallmine]

Right I'll bear that offer in mind

I understand, hopefully it's right, that each years isa allowance is visually like a different colour pig! And said pig can only consume so much in total for that year/and overall. So purple pig(!) for 2012/13 = that years isa allowance. So it's almost as if they're sealed shut after year end.

Damn confusing stuff!

[rising from the ashes]

Originally Posted by mineallmine

I understand, hopefully it's right, that each years isa allowance is visually like a different colour pig! And said pig can only consume so much in total for that year/and overall. So purple pig(!) for 2012/13 = that years isa allowance.

Will tell DF that one!

He tried to explain it to me but I ended up getting even more confused

BUT what I don't understand - is, if the pig's aren't full for for that year - why can't you pay more to them after that & why do you have to start a new one?

[mineallmine]

I know what you mean rising. Opening one each year is a pain. And the horrendous deal that my one now is just shows how these things should be reviewed and refreshed every year. I guess even if at the very least you ring your existing one to get a better deal for the coming year. Clearly this isn't something I've done for a long time.

It feels like spinning plates!

But I'm hoping that as I simplify things and sort things like this that all this will become easier and less daunting

[rising from the ashes]

OK .... a wee update - this has highlighted one of my (many!) problems.

I just can't seem to start and finish something (unless really important!)

I guess I'm a bit restricted atm .... but still!

Originally Posted by rising from the ashes

1. Write to bank to close old savings account & request a cheque for outstanding balance (only around £3 but hey ...)
2. Write to old employer's pension agency to advise of change of address (moved in 2007 ) and request update pension forecast * have found all pension paperwork ready to write letters - have also discovered a pension I'd forgotten about (tiny one & have tried to close / transfer it in the past which I can't & is a bit of a pain as it's never going to be worth anything!)
3. Write to CU to increase salary deduction to savings account to £20 / month (have been meaning to do this all year)
4. Financial filing - sorting through bags of old stuff from the "forgotten years" # 1 big bag left shredder overheated earlier so hoping it'll work again once it's cooled down!
5. Start new DFW Diary DONE
6. Sort out new ISA for 2012 monthly saver money (boiler fund) Form to sign arrived yesterday BUT it says to enclose a cheque for payment - when it said I could do the transfer online..... no idea where my cheque book is (it will be somewhere safe .... just where is the problem)
7.

[mineallmine]

How about requesting another cheque book rising, online, at ATM or in branch. Good to have a spare

[WelshWoofer]

Not a tremendous amount to report - I did stay in this weekend and so saved money on going out.
I have looked at the direct debits and can't find anything to cut down on - apart from Sky and I don't have movies or sports so there's not much else I can give up apart from the whole thing - not wanting to do that

4 days to payday - not over drawn and have paid all bills and don't need food shopping or petrol so should make it without going into the red.

I get extra pay this month - about £200 - for doing some extra work over half term - its going straight into the sofas account and will then pay off the new sofas on Saturday - no interest paid and 6 months free sofas!

[purple.sarah]

Here is my debt free diary:
A Debt Free Journey From Stress to Success

[mineallmine]

Originally Posted by mineallmine

1. Close an old savings account and cancel the standing order (yes I know this should be straightforward )
2. Open a new savings account with best rate etc
3. Get an ISA for this financial year, again with best rate
4. Check interest rate on old ISA. Consider transfer.
5. Do an up to date inventory of all monthly/yearly direct debits. Check through it.
6. Reconnect the Energy Monitor. See what the thirsty lights/ appliances are. Think how to reduce energy usuage.
7. Research options for loft insultation top up (DIY, MSE newsletter offers)

Anyone want to join me? I'm starting tomorrow 6/12/12.

No 1 is DONE
No 4 is partly DONE
No 7 is DONE. We're going to DIY this.

Slow progress but progress nonetheless. How's everyone else doing?

[mineallmine]

Originally Posted by purple.sarah

Here is my debt free diary:
A Debt Free Journey From Stress to Success

Great diary

[rising from the ashes]

Originally Posted by mineallmine

No 7 is DONE. We're going to DIY this.

Ohhhh you've reminded me I got a leaflet offering us insulation (free) on Saturday - must dig it out to ring tomorrow! Ta

ETA found it! Have put on the table so I can't miss it in the morning! (and will add to my daily to do list)

[purple.sarah]

I've joined these challenges:
Pay off as much as you can in 2013 challenge
I'm going for £3000. I'm not actually sure how we're going to achieve this but we can look for jobs and opportunities to up our income. The New Year feels full of new possibilities!

No Buying Unnecessary Toiletries in December
Previously, I've bought toiletries because they looked nice and never got round to using them, so now I'm going to save money and go through my 'stash'.

We Are Decking the Halls with NSDs December Challenge
I'm going to go for 10 NSDs total and 4 in a row.

Daydream thread continues.....
For people who dream of owning a smallholding or a house with loads of land.

Foraging Challenge 2012
The challenge is to supplement your families food with one foraged item a week. I've always wanted to try foraging for food but not got around to it, so this challenge has inspired me to go for it. I'm not sure my family will so enthusiastic though!

[mineallmine]

The toiletry thread is a great one to do. It's so easy to get lured into deals, offers etc. But we can only use so much of this stuff.
My mum used to have one boujois blusher. We don't need loads of stuff

[rising from the ashes]

I started the Toiletries one in November - I inventoried everything and think I had around 180 items (not incl nail varnishes etc!). I did keep track of the use ups etc for a while but then lost track

I've only bought 2 new things since - both needed - and think some things will last for most of next year!

[mineallmine]

Progress update! Got quite a bit done now. It still feels hard and like a minefield reading through everything. But it's worth it. To know money will now be working harder for it's keep.This will definitely be a rolling 7 days challenge as I'm thinking of things to do once I've done this list. Things like get an up to date credit report

Originally Posted by mineallmine

1. Close an old savings account and cancel the standing order (yes I know this should be straightforward )
DONE!

2. Open a new savings account with best rate etc

3. Get an ISA for this financial year, again with best rate
DONE!

4. Check interest rate on old ISA. Consider transfer.
PARTLY DONE... AWAITING TRANSFER FORM (WHY IS THIS SO COMPLEX?)

5. Do an up to date inventory of all monthly/yearly direct debits. Check through it.
PARTLY DONE, SOME CHANGES STARTED/MADE

6. Reconnect the Energy Monitor. See what the thirsty lights/ appliances are. Think how to reduce energy usuage.

7. Research options for loft insultation top up (DIY, MSE newsletter offers)
DONE!

Anyone want to join me? I'm starting tomorrow 6/12/12.

How's everyone else doing?

[ChopinonaBudget]

Originally Posted by mineallmine

Progress update! Got quite a bit done now. It still feels hard and like a minefield reading through everything. But it's worth it. To know money will now be working harder for it's keep.This will definitely be a rolling 7 days challenge as I'm thinking of things to do once I've done this list. Things like get an up to date credit report

How's everyone else doing?

Sounds like you're making a load of progress there

I've been waylaid... Accountant has asked for paperwork, I just spent the last few days trying to find it I've found some of it, and was up till late lat night organising £2,700 worth of receipts (oops)

But, both my savings accounts are now open, I can start looking at a car at the end of this month (well, put money aside anyway) so that's excellent news as I haven't had one for probably 8 years

[mineallmine]

This is a really good thread about current ISA offers http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/...d.php?t=401374

[mineallmine]

Originally Posted by ChopinonaBudget

Sounds like you're making a load of progress there

I've been waylaid... Accountant has asked for paperwork, I just spent the last few days trying to find it I've found some of it, and was up till late lat night organising £2,700 worth of receipts (oops)

But, both my savings accounts are now open, I can start looking at a car at the end of this month (well, put money aside anyway) so that's excellent news as I haven't had one for probably 8 years

Well done on the savings accounts And the prospect of a car
I find looking on YouTube for some things help. So could you search for something like... how I organise papers for my accountant? Worth a punt?

Now crack on and find the rest of the receipts

[ChopinonaBudget]

Originally Posted by mineallmine

Well done on the savings accounts And the prospect of a car
I find looking on YouTube for some things help. So could you search for something like... how I organise papers for my accountant? Worth a punt?

Now crack on and find the rest of the receipts

Not unless it has a channel with someone telling me to look in the the "wicker basket in the cabinet, no not that one, the other one, well try behind the printer then, or down the back of the piano"

Ta for the support though I'm really chuffed about the prospect of a car, I don't really know how imminent it actually is, but this is the closest I've got yet, so I'm takin it!

[rising from the ashes]

Making progress ..... slowly

Originally Posted by rising from the ashes

1. Write to bank to close old savings account & request a cheque for outstanding balance (only around £3 but hey ...)
2. Write to old employer's pension agency to advise of change of address (moved in 2007 ) and request update pension forecast * have found all pension paperwork ready to write letters - have also discovered a pension I'd forgotten about (tiny one & have tried to close / transfer it in the past which I can't & is a bit of a pain as it's never going to be worth anything!)
3. Write to CU to increase salary deduction to savings account to £20 / month (have been meaning to do this all year)
4. Financial filing - sorting through bags of old stuff from the "forgotten years" # 1 big bag left shredder overheated earlier so hoping it'll work again once it's cooled down!
5. Start new DFW Diary DONE
6. Sort out new ISA for 2012 monthly saver money (boiler fund) Form to sign arrived yesterday BUT it says to enclose a cheque for payment - when it said I could do the transfer online..... no idea where my cheque book is (it will be somewhere safe .... just where is the problem) DONE! Found cheque book (last cheque written in 2009 ), completed, in envelope & sitting to take to post the next time I go out! ETA have just remembered to move the funds to the account that the cheque will be coming out of!
7. Sort mobile cashback claim - recorded delivery returned by RM .... DONE! Turns out they'd moved all sorted now! (hopefully - will see if the cheque arrives!)

Have added my No 7!

Not going to make 7 in 7 days tho!

I do think it needs to be some sort of rolling list ..... I've ended up doing lots of little extra things that've cropped up as working my way through!