In for a penny in for a pound! My diary.

paybacktime2008

Orange contract ends 22nd January....Need to ring them again 22nd december. Job one done!

notanexpert_4

just to motivate you;

I called my internet provider the other week asking to change to a different tariff. The wireless systemsthey offered is not available in my area so they reduced my phone tariff...and gave me the same internet for less. Now, instead of paying €50 per month for landline and internet I'm paying €28.88. Very pleased with myself!!! (Am not in UK so can't advise you who to use)

Feeling all powerful I then called my car insurance broker and told him I thought I deserved a discount, the policy was due to be renewed the next day. He changed my policy which saved me 10% off the previous one.

Good luck!!!

notanexpert_4

payback,
why don't you be really cheeky and ask orange to transfer you to a cheaper contract NOW... all the phone providers are competing so hard with each other that they might rather keep you as a customer than risk you going elsewhere at the end of January?

Not sure if it would work, but you don't get unless you ask!!

Jesthar

Hi paybacktime, and welcome!

Most things have already been covered, particularly groceries, but just a couple of things:

You'd probably be better of shopping around for your insurance than trying to negotiate something better with your current provider - try the comparisonsites, and don't forget to sign up to whatever you decide to through a cashback site if you can so you can get some money back.

At £36 a month, your water rates seem VERY high - I'm single and living on my own, and that would more than cover my quarterly bill! Are you on a water meter? If not, and you are on a flat charge for water, you should ask about getting a meter fitted - if you do, with careful water management you could halve that bill, I think!

If you already have a water meter, check your bills to see if your readings are estimated - they can be horribly inaccurate! My estimated bill for the first six months of this year was so high that when my final bill for the year arrived I didn't have to pay anything on it, they'd overcharged me so much that even after the second 6 months I was still in credit! :rotfl:

If you are already on a meter and the readings are actual readings, though, you need to take a serious look at your consumption habits (and check for any leaks), as that figure is one I would expect to see for a family of at least 5 on a meter... :eek:

Hope that helps,

~Jes

paybacktime2008

Ive been thinking about swapping to a water meter but at the moment have two leaky taps and a dodgy cistern..if and when i get then fixed i will definately look into it. At the moment it is flat rate charge. Also rang orange and asked if they would change contract and they said no. Boo hoo to orange.

paybacktime2008

Very very excited. Just had a quote for buildings and contents insurance for £130.00 with £25 casback on top...Wahey! Currently paying £41 a month so a whopping saving and I'll be really smug ringing the Halifax (who have been useless) tomorrow to cancel! Haha.

tealady

Hi Payback and welcome to the boards. I am going to nag so if you don't wan't to hear it then just skip the next bit

I am an ex smoker, have saved loads and my health is better. If you wan't to give up (and I know loads of smokers do) then there is a fantastic giving up smoking thread running on these boards.
Put the amount you spend each week into the snowballer and see how quickly giving up would clear your debts.

If you don't want to give up (and many don't) well that's your choice and as an adult we are allowed to make choices for ourselves.
Whatever you decide, good luck.

shabbychicfan

Hi Payback and welcome. The spending diary online is a great idea - have just signed up myself. Just one question - do you put all your bills in there as well? or just ad-hoc spending during the month after you have paid all your bills?

Shabby

paybacktime2008

Yep I put EVERYTHING on there. Mortgage, bills, debt payments the lot! I'm even consifering adding the interest I'm charged as i get statemments more as a motivator to get it shifted quicker!

Good luck

paybacktime2008

tealady wrote: »

Hi Payback and welcome to the boards. I am going to nag so if you don't wan't to hear it then just skip the next bit

I am an ex smoker, have saved loads and my health is better. If you wan't to give up (and I know loads of smokers do) then there is a fantastic giving up smoking thread running on these boards.
Put the amount you spend each week into the snowballer and see how quickly giving up would clear your debts.

If you don't want to give up (and many don't) well that's your choice and as an adult we are allowed to make choices for ourselves.
Whatever you decide, good luck.

It's on my do-do list! Honestly it is. Well done for giving up your addiction to the evil weed.