How has MSE changed you in 2005?

Gillby1

Hi All,

Since finding MSE just over a year ago, I have made some huge changes to my lifestyle and spending habits, and have paid of a large chunk of my debt :j . Here are just some of the things that have changed due to Martin and MSE over 2005 - I have:

Saved £120 in internet connection costs.

Saved £££ in CC interest and stopped spending more than i earn!

Budgeted for Christmas, car insurance, holidays and surprise bills.

Stopped spending a fortune on magazines by using the 3 issues for £1 offers.

Made the most of meal planning and supermarket offers.

Stopped wasting so much food :rolleyes: .

Stopped buying clothes and shoes that i don't really want or need - shopping is a real treat now!

Learnt to cook from scratch - becoming I'm healthier and losing weight without even trying! :A

Bought almost every Christmas pressie for much less than full price.

Paid for a full service and MOT (yesterday) using Tesco Clubcard Deals - saving me £220 during the most expensive month of the year.

And, best of all, paid off over £2,500!!!

I have no idea where to start thanking you all, but i wanted to try. MSE has made such a difference to my life and my finances - and i'd love to know how it's changed your year...

moggins

My husband now looks at me as if I am a financial genius and not a total moron

Bargain_Rzl

I've made my colleagues envious of all my home-cooked food, and of how little it all costs me.

I've discovered the joys of stoozing.

Best of all, I'm even winning over my rich extravagant boyfriend to the idea that however much money you have, it's worth using it wisely!

Avogirly

I get less work done than ever, because I am always on here!!!

My Mum and Dad always ask, when talking about money, whether that was one of Martins money saving tips! It's become a bit of a standing joke now!

Gillby1, Isn't it great that Cford now has a £shop!!! Have you visited yet?

I have only been MSEing for the last few months, but already I have done the following:

Got rid of PPI, saved me £5000.

Budgeted.

Learnt to cook (sort of!)

Sold nearly everything on ebay!

Started planning for xmasses, bdays etc

Urmmmm! Loads of little things, like giving myself certain amounts of spending money per week.

The thing I am most proud of is that this is all beginning to rub off on my Mum now, who reckons she spends £80/week for two!!!!!!

Every day I visit this site I find another little hint or tip that helps me make my debt free date closer. However, I'm not leaving once debt free because I wanna save save and save!!!!!

xXx

Gillby1

Avogirly wrote:

Gillby1, Isn't it great that Cford now has a £shop!!! Have you visited yet?

Thanks Avogirly.

No - i haven't been yet, but may pop in a lunchtime today. Depending on the queues!

Avogirly

Yeah, tell me about it! I'm avoiding it like the plague!

Let me know what it's like!

newmum1

hi since finding this site a few months ago i have changed the way that i look at my finances, ive managed to live well almost within my means and gained a lot of useful advice from all you MSE'S out there. Im in the process of getting a ppi refund, I have BT to a 0% card, these are things that i would never have thought of doing. And most importantly i now watch and know what i spend my money on, and to be honest cannot wait for my DFD which will be in late 2010. Thanx to all MSE'S

taplady

Thanks to MSE I have sorted out a debt repayment schedule leaving me debt free in 5 years (4 1/2 now!) , learned to budget and live within my means, started cooking from scratch, made bread, and generally saved lots of money!!! :j , We eat better for less thanks to the OS board and its nice to hear from people who have come out of the other end of debt problems, giving us all hope!

I look forwards to completing a whole year with MSE and seeing how far we've come.
Thanks to everyone for all their inspiration! :A

xela_17

MSE has done wonders for me over the last year. I am proud of the fact that I can now give advice on credit cards, loans, SBTs, savings accounts and the wonders of vouchers, all knowledge gained from here. My friends think it's funny that I now try never to buy anything without a voucher!

During the year I have:

1. Bought a car by using a 0% credit card to SBT money to my current account.

2. Paid off my bank loan by using another credit card, saving £150.

3. Used the 3 for £1 magazine offer several times and on several mags.

4. Got a tesco credit card to save tesco points for a new MFI kitchen.

5. Budgeted for Christmas.

6. Opened two savings accounts (one instant access, one long term).

7. Got my bills down to minimum by cutting out what we don't need.

I'm sure there's other things. MSE has saved me so much money and I want to thank everyone for all the tips!

tattooed_lady

OMG, where do I start?

Have saved on countless things inc phone, mobile, food, infact ALL shopping as I use MSE to find the best deals on everything.

Have started saving (which is a big achievment for me).

Use a Tesco cc for the points and put the money I spend on it in my savings until the 0% runs out.

Not afraid to haggle or complain about poor service.

Have helped my family cut back a bit with my MSE tips!

Basically I have a totally different attitude toward money and debt and have become much more aware of what I do with my money.

SuiDreams

Well due to MSE I am currently getting free phone line rental for 12 months (saving of £10.50 per month, By using call 1899 I have cut phone bills down by £10 per month, I have recently reduced TV package even further saving another £5 per month. After using the Old Style board have cut shopping bills down by £50-100 per month and still working to cut them back even further.