What shall i do ?

Mupeteer

Am I going to be kicked off for that? It's the wine talking. Chardonnay and a rubbish mood make bad companions!

linniestorm

Mupeteer wrote: »

Have you checked your credit file to see what is marked against you? The information could be useful in figuring out where to go from here.

Just to quote mupeteer a min this could be a good idea. If you do do it you might want to try clicking through quidco and you'll get some cashback. I think the credit expert trial from experian are still offering cashback on it. (edit: just checked and both experian and equifax are on but not call credit)

Money Saving warning!!! If you do sign up through there to get the free report and cashback, don't forget to cancel the free month's trial as soon as you get it. I did forget, and nearly ended up forking out a bundle. On the up side it's quite easy to cancel, and when I did they didn't make a fuss about it, it does take a phone call though for experian! If I remember rightly (cause I'm cheeky and have done them both!) you can cancel equifax online.

Oh! Nearly forgot *slaps hand* you can now get a free copy of your report from annualcreditreport.co.uk and this one is totally free (again I've done this one too!) The only con being they only provide you with a new one once a year, but the pro is you do get a free credit report once a year!!! I've had two now and they look exactly the same as the ones you get from the pay for companies so it's a pretty good deal if you just want to keep an eye on the information which is what I want. You just have to agree to keep signed up to the newsletter to keep receiving them, I get three emails a year from them, if that.

If you've got a lot going on in your life and feel you might forget to cancel trials of the others this might be the way to go. Anyhoo that's my tuppence worth on credit reports!!! Welcome!

haggisAThome

thanks for the link to the free report ... just filled in and awaiting the post :beer:

thank you :T

linniestorm

No problem! I'd recommend signing up to quidco or greasy palm or some other cashback sites too if you haven't already. Especially once you've posted your SOA! If people make suggestions about switching cards or utilities etc and you're considering changing you can do a lot of this through quidco and in some cases get big cashback amounts. You can browse through the site for some examples.

haggisAThome

the only one thing i know i can not change is the electric ( rented property and its a token meter) i know there not very good value and i pay more in the long run but i can not get it changed

MrsTinks

Well that's a bummer, but as you say - rented property and all... Just try to avoid leaving lights on and things on standby... I bought a standbysaver as OH has 50,000 gadgets plugged in to the socket with the TV etc and now he turns the lot off with ONE button it's great! (On offer at Betterware for £20 - spend over £35 you get free delivery and if you go through quidco you get 10% cashback i think it was...)
If you have a tumbledrier try to avoid using it! They absolutely DRINK electricity...
Don't leave chargers for mobiles etc plugged in or turn off at the plug when not using - there are loads of things you can do to help cut the electricity cost

misspoppy

Hi there is a company that offers competitive prices for prepayment meters

EBICo is a not-for-profit company, which was founded in 1998. EBICo aims to use its status as a national company to further its ethical goals. They offer the only gas and electricity tariffs in the UK where each unit costs the same, no matter how much the customer uses.

Contacts them to change it remains prepayment so it shouldn't affect your rental agreement.

The other thing not mentioned yet is www.freecycle.org this is where people offer up items they no longer need and you collect them for free you can probably clothe your kids through them. I've had all sorts and clothes for my nephew it can be hit and miss but it doesn't cost anything so nothing lost.

dancingfairy

Now the weather is getting warmer how about a car boot sale. I am sure with a child(ren) you must have lots of stuff they have grown out of /toys/games etc you can get rid of. It won't make a fortune but it all helps and you will have a good morning out and make some space.

Luckystepho

QUOTE; my wife is a driving instructor and has her own business , but work is very hit and miss

Sorry this conjured up all kinds of images and made me chuckle!!

Sounds as though you are doing all the right things, there is some brilliant advice on here so I'm sure you'll soon be turning things around. xx

haggisAThome

thank you misspoppy , never knew about them will give them a try :beer: