Leaving false economy behind ... my blog

blu2u

I've just spent time typing out the start of this blog, only for it not to post 'coz I got timed out. Ok, lets start again and do frequent post previews ...

Starting this blog in a bit of a pinch ...

• Power steering not working on my car
• Freezer packed up
• Washing machine making weird noises

I thought I'd do something different this month - transfer some money from my everyday account to one I don't use often. This money is for petrol and my water aerobics class fees (so I don't eat into it!). Nice idea except I can't remember the pin number. I've tried it 4 times in various sequences and got the thumbs down every time. I have approx £1 in my purse, 1/4 of a tank of petrol and no access to money unless my employer is in a good mood on Monday. We're lucky enough to have a half day each week. Am hoping he'll agree to me splitting it over 2 days just so I can get into the bank. If not, I'm in the smelly brown stuff until Friday.

Apart from that all is cool, lol. 95 % of my bills have been paid. Only overdraft usage fees (about £6) and NHS prepayment certificate direct debit to go.

Right, off to look for some extra income ideas. The only way from here is UP!

moo2moo

Try freecycle for the freezer and washing machine and a salvage yard for the power steering pump.

You're lucky you got 4 goes at your pin. I tried mine 3 times and the machine ate my card. Phone the card supplier and get a new pin sent out asap.

mcjordi

hi good luck as for your power steering check your fluid reservoir the fluid may be low

halight

Hi,
Good luck with your blog and your debts.
I will pop in from time to time to have a read and to keep upto date.
all the best

blu2u

Been thinking about these credit cards.

• HSBC is sorting itself out - 4.9 % interest, never used it for anything apart from the initial balance transfers. I don't even have the card. Chopped it up as soon as it came through the door.
• Capital One - greedy wotsits are charging me 30.09 % interest because I was daft enough to get cash out of a machine with it! I cancelled the card protection a few months ago but because I'm stretched to my limit (income wise) I end up re-using what I pay off each month - balance goes down by £40, their interest charges knock about £17 out of that so I have a £20 emergency cushion. I know that's not the way to think of it really ...
• Egg - 17.9 % interest. I'm not so bothered by this one. I don't have the card now. I'm thinking along the lines of transferring £100 from Egg to Cap1 as soon as it's available to (hopefully!) knock it down quicker. I've cancelled the card protection insurance for Egg too.

Am a happy bunny. I have a 2 tier steamer that has never been used (unwanted Christmas present as I already had a 3-tier one). It has been in its box gathering dust for about 3 years. I've found a new home for it at last. The person has said she'll pay but I'm not sure what (if anything) to charge. My soft spot coming out. She's an elderly family friend and it feels wierd charging her for anything.

MrsPorridge

Just popped in to say hi and good luck.

Regarding the steamer, yes it is difficult to charge friends especially an elderly one.

Have you got anything else gathering dust that you could Ebay? I thought I had ebayed everything in sight then had another look around and found more items and made just over £100 last month. Found some more stuff this month put six items on, but only two sold and I made £12 (still better than nothing).

Its a good idea to put money into a separate account. A couple of months ago I opened a second current account. I transfer a small amount into it each month and then almost forget about it! I use it for my savings account for Christmas and birthday presents and unexpected things that crop up. I can then pay for things straight from this account.

blu2u

Well, I did manage to split my half day this week. Finished at 3.30 today just so I could drive 11 miles and visit my bank. The bank was next door to my gym and about 1 mile from my Mum so it wasn't a wasted drive. Yes, there is a closer branch but didn't fancy tackling flash floods just to get there lol. There wasn't as much in the account as I thought. Enough to get me through the next 2 weeks though. New PIN number requested too.

I've been applying for Christmas work this evening. Filled in the online form for Boots and printed off one for Argos. I'll try a few of the local supermarkets too. I've only really got weekends free as I work full time and my evenings are taken up with training for the 2010 London Marathon (I had a gold bond place and walked it this year - 9.5 hrs :-)). I'm also contemplating the London-Brighton bike ride ... maybe even a triathlon in the next 5 years.

Back to the job applications ... I'm sure something will come up. PMA is the phrase of the day :-)

Time to go. Catch up soon.