Escape from Prison

pureaswhite

Hello All,

I'm new to the site and really getting into the money saving thing. :eek: That would very much shock many people who know me!!

Having ready through everyones threads you all seem very clued up and any handy tips you have would be very welcome.:rolleyes:

It has to be said that in the past I have been extremely nieve and reckless when it has come to money. You'll be pleased to hear that buying a house has put a stop to this. I am just working to fund this house now and because I cannot afford to do anything else, it feels more like a prison than a house that I enjoy at the moment.

Those reckless years have finally caught up with me. I'm paying off overdrafts, credit cards and loans, along with all the bills of my new house, which by the way needs a lot of work doing to it that I am mainly doing myself! Struggling is an understatement. It is fair to say that I will never ever be reckless with money again. However, right now I have none to be reckless with so it's easy for me to say that.

Every spare bit of money I have is going into doing the work on my house so that I will be able to rent a room to help with the bill's. Bit of a catch 22 really. I have done all the big things that Mr Lewis advises, such as look at utility bills/balance transfers/reclaiming charges (I'd love to hear from anyone who has done this as I am just starting the process and find it daunting).

The main areas I need to really watch are the small day to day spending that I hardly notice. I love the idea of the no spend days and will try that.

Look forward to your comments!:o

Horace

Hi and welcome.

Well done for doing the stuff you have done. Perhaps if you post your SOA we can see what's coming in, what's going out and give you tips on how to cut back even more. https://www.makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html.

If you fritter money away start a spending diary and note each purchase in it and the amount that you spent. Put spare change in an empty jam or coffee jar.

Jacks_xxx

:wave: Hiya sweetie,

As Horace says if you can give us a fuller financial picture we will comment until the cows come home.

(or is that just me?! - I do go on a bit sometimes! )

I've never seen a SOA that someone didn't have plenty to say about!

Sometimes it's really small changes we suggest, sometimes just a different way of looking at things - and sometimes great big life changing things. It all depends on what you tell us.

Over to you hon,

Love Jacks xxx

Bargainfinder_3

Hi pure; Well done on starting the journey and getting the good deals on the big things.
However, most of the debt free journey is about the little things; asking each and every day 'do I need that / can I afford that' , cutting out breakfast on the way into work and remembering to turn the lights off when you leave a room!!

If you post your SOA, there will be some people who are very well placed to ccomment on it. All the best xxx

pureaswhite

Hi

Thanks for some of the handy tips. I have just walked around my house and yes, every light in the house was on, not to mention my heating! I have rectified the situation! It's the small things that make a big difference but it's also the small habits that are hard to break!

I have tried a spending diary and have found I last no more than 2/3 days and then forget to complete it. I am quite a disorganised person away from work and quite enjoy life that way so these things do not come easily to me. I will try it again and put a sticker somewhere to remind myself to do it.

I'll post my SOA for all to see!

amyandjon

morning pureaswhite, i started my claim a month a go with halifax now have my charges back i used a company bank smart they do the work but take commission i didnt really understand how to do it myself and a couple of hundred is no loss to me.... but if you can do it yourself follow the guid on here good luck... look forward to seeing the soa !! Amy

Mozette

Stick to doing a spending diary! it's the only way. Try a spreadsheet; they can be addictive, or am I just a sad wotsit?

amyandjon

sorry i meant evening :P geesh

pureaswhite

Well done for getting your charges back. I think I understand it and am going to try myself! Do you mind me asking if the amount that you claimed was below £1000?

Mine are over and I am worried that it may be more difficult!