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

GeorgeUK

It may help to keep a spending diary so you can see exactly where your money is going. Also post up a statement of affairs.
http://www.makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html

10past6

Hi pureaswhite :hello:

Welcome to the forum, when your out and about, just before buying anything ask yourself:

Do I need it - or do I want it, if you need it buy it, if you want it, well that's for you to decide.

Ex-Spendaholic

Hi and welcome

There is a forum on here dedicated entirely to reclaiming charges. Take a look at it. It isn't daunting. Its just a matter of using the template letters. The credit card charges claiming is all going ahead but bank account unauthorised overdraft charges claiming is currently on hold. Take a look.

eco

just wanted to say, I've been in that boat and it's not easy but it really does get easier, and just keep taking small steps to getting things sorted

pureaswhite

Hi,

Just thought I'd give you an update.

I'm proud to say that I have started the process of reclaiming bank charges. Felt sick when I added them all up. Over the years I've paid nearly £6000 :eek:

Anyway, I have sent letter to Halifax and RBOS and have two more to send this weekend. Already had a letter back from Halifax saying they are looking into my complaint and I will hear from them in a month. Is this normal?

Anyway, just wanted to say it is quite a positive experience going through bank statements and adding up charges. All those years of feeling helpless as you watched your unauthorised overdraft get bigger and bigger due to the charges they kept putting on. It feels very empowering to think you now have the right to charge them back!!!:T

Thanks for your support! x x