My options are bleak advice please

Wanna_Bee_Free

I can see you've already had lots of good advice about the mobile phones, magasines, general spends etc. Bit of a long shot but I've so far hung on to my car even though it's a luxury so thought I'd suggest car pooling or lift sharing as an idea to cut your work commuting costs. Might be worth looking into although it's an outside chance I know.

Good luck!

Bee

Horace

I have a suggestion that really is simple - keep a spending diary so that you know where you are spending money i.e. nights out, lunches at work, the odd magazine etc. It all adds up.

I think that you should ditch the car for something more economical - there is time to be a petrol head and that time isnt now. To help the car become a bit more economical you need to learn to drive it properly, don't be so heavy on the accelerator, give yourself plenty of time to brake, close your windows. You can still be sporty and economical at the same time - think of something like a Yaris or even a Honda Jazz.

Look at the freebies board for any handy freebies such as cinema tickets, money off meals etc - it all adds up so that you can have some fun nights out without unnecessary expense.

Could you post your SOA to show the APRs on your credit cards and loans?

https://www.makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html

Why do you have two mobile phones? It seems strange to me - is one provided by work and if so why are they not paying for it or do you use it for personal calls too?

Good Luck.

mariagti

The only thing i can think of to save you money on your car fuel is an ASDA credit card. I have this card and it saves you 2p a litre off the pumps price everytime you fuel up. And asda is normally the cheapest for fuel nowadays. But of course you should only use it to buy your fuel and pay back in full each month.

Like somebody said previously could you car share with anyone?

Also you insurance is pretty high, it nearly £1k a year. Have you gone on compared.com and confused.com for the cheapest price? Then if you go on a cashback site like Quidco they can normally offer you around £50 cashback. Also are you a member of any BMW online clubs/forums? As most online clubs give a 20% discount for Adrain Flux insurance for being a member. Adrain Flux are pretty good for young drivers with fast cars. If you are young?!

Rik178m

Ok so after reading all the advice I have been given on here and some long decision making I have decided. I'm keeping my car as all the major bills have just been paid, I just need to improve my economical driving as I do motorway miles mainly so bang the cruise control on at 65mph. Shell clubcard, 5p off vouchers from my parents etc

I've gone Ebay mad, loads of stuff for sale that I don't use. Selling my e30 parts from a car I dont use and will probably be split for parts to sell.

I want to get ads on my car but there is a problem with the registration on the site.

My going out spending has to be reduced but only time will confirm howmuch it has gone down but it will be alot!

I'm goin to stick my loans out but my credit cards are just paying interest and not going down. Any advice what to do with these?

Rik178m

Also thinking about doin some executive driving. Limos etc. My next door neighbour does it so will have a word.

Happytogetdebtfree

on egards to the credit cards why dont you apply for 0 balance transfers ? that way what you pay on your credit card is onthe credit balance and not the intrest eh x

Horace

Can you try and get a 0% balance transfer card (you will have to pay a small fee) but then you get zero interest for a period. Don't whatever you do spend on that card.

Don't use the cruise control on your car either, don't drive above 60 - I do a lot of driving and have noticed that even drivers of large cars have started to stick to the inside lane and only use the other lanes for overtaking.

As for contact lenses - can you not get them from Boots and get a Boots Advantage card (just collects points) to handover when you pay for them? I also don't know if you can get them via a cashback site such as Quidco (it might be worth a look).

Instead of paying everytime you go out with your girlfriend - get her to pay on alternate times to help spread the cost.

Rik178m

I tried that but none of the cards offered a limit to cover them.

Gemmzie

Could you fill in your SOA here: http://www.makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html as Horace suggested. It's the same format as CCCS or Payplan will use and it's much easier for us to help you

RAS

Rik178m wrote: »

I tried that but none of the cards offered a limit to cover them.

Given the typcal APR on Cap 1 and MBNA, if you can move even part of your debt across to a low LOB or 0% card it will help you.