The Diary of a reformed Ostrich! (no more head in the sand!)

petrafyde

Good Afternoon everyone.

Today I've so far clicked like a mad thing on Quidco (earnings so far are good!) and started rooting things out for eBay this evening (best time to sell pottery on a sunday night!). I took a picture of my hastily put together sealed pot and popped that onto the thread concerned to give me more inspiration.

I've decided to make the scary voyage into the credit files. Was wondering if anyone can give a bit of advice on which ones to go to? Experian and Equifax I know of, are there any more? I've read Martin's guide to getting the files for free, so I think I'm ok there but any advice is welcome.

Keeping_Motivated

Not sure which credit file is best but do you know you can go through Quidco for cash back of £7 and get a month free with Experian?

Been reading your thread by the way and you have done so well I can't believe it! Well done x

petrafyde

Hi, can I call you KM? Keeping Motivated is a lot for a lazy typer like me

Didn't think of Quidco for that sort of thing, thanks! and thanks for the encouragement, it was hard keeping going yesterday but I feel much better now

Just taken 126 photos - we're gonna list his old 45's today

Keeping_Motivated

Yes KM it is. You put me to shame all this listing you have been doing I make promises all the don't time and only do very small amounts and not very often

You haven't mentioned your OH much is he as on board with all this as you are? Is he amazed at the change in you?

petrafyde

OH is 'Ju' - he's contributing with the likes of Vinyl etc, I can't help wondering if he's waiting to see if I carry on with it all. Poor bloke has put up with the partner from hell for all of these years, don't blame him for sitting back and watching to begin with!

He's very surprised in my new 'money saving' ideas - I know that much!

katie2407

just found your diary and wanted to say how well you have done in such a short time

petrafyde

Thanks very much for taking the time to post that, its posts like that that really are keeping me going. I feel so good today and it's such a wonderful feeling after so many years of feeling less than worthless

Naomim

Hi PF,

Glad you have had a good day :beer: I'm amazed to see how much you have made on Quidco, I can never find any clicks on there.. I'm obviously looking in the wrong places :mad:

You know, please feel really proud of yourself as you are being quite an inspiration as I have loads of stuff I have been too lazy to list on ebay and clicks to do. Seeing how determined you are is really kicking me into gear :j

Naomi x

petrafyde

Hey Naomim

I'm listing as we speak and it's boring me to tears :P

Quidco - because I have surplus (omg!) over the bank charges I've been making some changes and did a small, and I mean a small amount of shopping online. I've literally scoured this site for codes compatible with the places I need to shop at and have got free delivery from most!

There are some Quidco clicks you can get 15p for for just registering to get their email (then I block the domain to my email addy! :O )

mandragora_2

Hi Petra,

Just a quick bit of info on school trips - I've cut & pasted below from Herts Ed dept, but the same is true for all funded education establishgemnts in England & Wales. Don't be too proud to ask to see someone in Senior Management and tell them clearly how much of a worry this is to you. Schools have money allocated to them to do this very thing - it can get lost in the greater scheme of things, but its called Social Inclusion, and millions of taxpayers money has gone into it - so go and get it back!

'If your child is going on a school trip or residential activity you do not need to pay for the educational aspect or for the travel, as long as the trip or activity meets these criteria:

• it is taking place wholly or mainly during normal school hours, or
• it is to do with the National Curriculum or religious education, or it meets the requirements of the syllabus for a public examination.

Schools are entitled to invite parents to make a voluntary contribution towards the cost and, if too few parents do so, may have to cancel the activity for all.

However, for residential activities a charge can be made for the cost of board and lodging, except for pupils whose parents are receiving:

• Income Support
• Income based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Support under Part V1 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Child Tax Credit (providing that they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income, assessed by HM Revenue and Customs, that does not exceed £15,575)
• The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit

If you are receiving one or more of these benefits, contact your child’s school about claiming remission of charges.'

Don't be too proud to ask for help - they have a responsibility in this case - SMT should see you, and have an obligation to be discreet about it.

All the best,

M