Head spinning need advice - debts/babies/bills etc!

Bargainfinder_3

Thanks Y-L
mwa, further to firesmaid's post, as I understand it, Tesco will take money off vouchers for ANY supermarket?!! xx

Debt_Free_Dreamer

Bargainfinder wrote: »

Thanks Y-L
mwa, further to firesmaid's post, as I understand it, Tesco will take money off vouchers for ANY supermarket?!! xx

I never knew that. Even more free money! :j

firesidemaid

Bargainfinder wrote: »

Thanks Y-L
mwa, further to firesmaid's post, as I understand it, Tesco will take money off vouchers for ANY supermarket?!! xx

they won't take (for example) coupons for items that have come out of a asda or somerfield magazine, but they will take the coupons (eg. from sainsburys) that say 'get £4 off a £20 spend'.

i have done this in my local tesco - but i always check with cs each time.

it's a whole new couponing world.....and i'm enjoying it while i can....

mwa

That is a brilliant tip - will have fun coupon hunting this weekend!

Does anyone have any more thoughts on the mortgage break/paying off debts idea? Or would I be better off posting in the mortgages board I wonder?

firesidemaid

just done a few sums - you will be gaining just over 10k by taking a 12 month mortgage holiday.

you say this will cost you £70 extra a month for the 26 year term - that is nearly £22,000.

the only way to beat this is to go all out in 2009 to pay off all your debts, so that once you have done that you can then overpay some of your then extra money (freed up from paying of debts) to reduce the mortgage term.

mwa

Thankyou Firesmaid - I had not thought about it like that at all! These mortgage people certainly get their pounds worth don't they. I will chat to hubbie and see what he thinks but it doesn't seem a very good idea long term really does it.

MWA

fairy2

firesidemaid wrote: »

you obviously already use quidco, but using this site there is still money to be saved in lots of places/ways.

where do you do your shopping? asda and tesco both take money-off coupons even if you do not buy the items (as long as they sell them). generally tesco will take unlimited different ones, asda 10% of your bill - ther are threads on her for this PLUS threads for 'printable coupons' - free money! i save loads per week. cut coupons out of mags, papers etc, pick up leaflets, ask friends....

use tesco clubcard deals for presents (eg. mag subsciptions), meals out (i ordered my pizza hut ones this am) etc

can either of you take extra hours/ job to earn more money to throw at debts?

Is there a particularly part of the board that links to all these coupons? Thanks

firesidemaid

mwa wrote: »

Thankyou Firesmaid - I had not thought about it like that at all! These mortgage people certainly get their pounds worth don't they. I will chat to hubbie and see what he thinks but it doesn't seem a very good idea long term really does it. MWA

but it doesn't need to be long term. once you have paid the debts off you will have more free money. then, either decrease your mortgage term so that you finish it off early by paying more per month or make regular overpayments - check, but most lenders allow it - so that either way you are 'paying back' some of that money borrowed/interest accrued.

once your debts are paid off you can hop over to the mortgage-free wanabees, it's equally as addictive x

firesidemaid

fairy2 wrote: »

Is there a particularly part of the board that links to all these coupons? Thanks

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=906957

this is the link to the printable ones - you should have a field day! it does seem that stores vary, so just try it and see.

my local asda will take up to 10% off my bill in coupons including printed ones. my local tesco lets me use as many different coupons as i like/have, which is great. but they don't let me use printed ones unless i buy the item.

i also complain if an item is faulty, or buy the items that say 'try me or your money back' etc. there is even a thread on this kind of stuff too!

savingholmes

mwa wrote: »

Xmas savings are tricky as we are both from a big family (11 siblings between us all with kids!) and we thought it best to save as previous years have caused debts after Xmas. Birthdays are tricky too - I do have a present cupboard where I stash any real bargains I get in sales and use these wherever I can.

See the finished baskets thread for present ideas. Also do you buy for the adults or just kids. We have an agreement where siblings have kids just to buy for them.;)