Laura's K.I.S.S DFW diary

laura2481

So annoyed today! :mad:
Had a letter from Halifax saying they were putting up their intrest rate on the credit card too

Halifax.....Was 16.94% Now 21.9% up 4.96%:mad:
HSBC........Was 15.90% Now 19.9% up 4% :mad:

this is about 34p per month extra interest per £100- and with my balances that's about an extra £10 per month per credit card.

I literally cried when read the letter (not y'know floods of tears, but tears of frustration)It's so annoying when I'm trying so hard and making over payments and not using the cards and they keep moving the goal post.

:mad: It's like being on a treadmill and someone keeps speeding up the bloody belt.:mad:

However, there was a little bit on the bottom of the letter saying that you have a right to cancel the account, keep paying it off at the current rate but not be allowed to use the card for purchases etc. Well that is fine by me! I'm gonna do that, and I may well see if I can do that with the HSBC card as well. Still annoyed that they didn't notify me of their APR hike.

I'm just so pleased that I now notice and care about these things. 6 months ago I'd barely have noticed and a year ago I would have neither cared or noticed! So progress there at least

GT60

Hi Laura
Just jumped from page two to here if you have got your new mortgage now have you tried to get your cards onto interest free or the fixed rate life balance thing.
Sorry if this has been tried etc just thought of it after your last post

laura2481

niall24 wrote: »

Hi Laura
Just jumped from page two to here if you have got your new mortgage now have you tried to get your cards onto interest free or the fixed rate life balance thing.
Sorry if this has been tried etc just thought of it after your last post

Oh you missed out all the good stuff! :rotfl:
Well, we are sticking to current mortgage and dropping to SVR as that will be cheaper than fixed rate!
Can't apply for interest free on CC's just yet as last had a late payment 5 months ago so I don't think the CC companies will like me just yet. Gonna ditch those high interest suckers ASAP though:D Other than those pesky CC card folks things is actually going quite swimmingly.. makes a nice change

laura2481

1. [strike]Sort out buildings and contents insurance[/strike] Done. Saving £192 per year:dance:
2. Cancel income protection insurance (don't even know what I'm covered for.. )
3. Close Halifax Credit Card account so continue to pay it of at lower rate.
4. Over pay £100 off of HSBC credit card
5. [strike]transfer £40 from Barclays account to ING christmas savings.[/strike] Done. Also received £20 bonus for opening account. Total saved so far £125:j
6. [strike]Ring Virgin Media re. TV package. Why are we suddenly not able to get tv choice on demand after 18 months?!Grrr[/strike] Done. Seems we have been benefiting from an error for the last 18 months and we should never have had it! £7 extra per month if we want it. Think we'll probably leave it.:o OH not gonna be happy, has been watching the Sopranos, and West Wing and stuff on demand.
7. Find out poss. prices for a locksmith to improve locks on patio door (anti-lift & top and bottom locks)
8. Find batteries for camera and put couple of items on Ebay
9. [strike]Join Flylady thread[/strike] Done! Tidy house here I come! :rotfl:
10. Make doctor's and dentist's appointments

mooomin

laura2481 wrote: »

1. Sort out buildings and contents insurance
2. Cancel income protection insurance (don't even know what I'm covered for.. )

B&C is very important, so definitely get that.

Don't cancel income protection until you know what it does for you - a lot of policies will pay out X% of your income in the event of illness/accident, and some will also pay out in case of redundancy. Speak to the adviser/company who sold you the cover and make sure you really don't need it before you cancel.

laura2481

flying_fresian wrote: »

B&C is very important, so definitely get that.

Don't cancel income protection until you know what it does for you - a lot of policies will pay out X% of your income in the event of illness/accident, and some will also pay out in case of redundancy. Speak to the adviser/company who sold you the cover and make sure you really don't need it before you cancel.

got B&C- just paying over the odds for it!:D
Income protection- well, it's with the same company we've been paying over the odds for B&C with. Def getting ripped off, is all I know and not even covered in case of redundency. I'm gonna cancel them and sort out a policy where I know why and what I'm paying for.:D

mooomin

laura2481 wrote: »

got B&C- just paying over the odds for it!:D
Income protection- well, it's with the same company we've been paying over the odds for B&C with. Def getting ripped off, is all I know and not even covered in case of redundency. I'm gonna cancel them and sort out a policy where I know why and what I'm paying for.:D

Good plan Batman!!

laura2481

Why thank you Robin!

just sorted new B&C policy. Paying £21 per month. £16 cheaper than currently. So saving £192 per year :j (only pity is, it was through direct line so no cashback from TCB or quidco oh well, can't have everything!)

laura2481

Thought I'd pop back for a proper catch up. Been a less than fun day for me as had to go to BF's grandad's funeral. Was quite sad (as most funerals are) and at one point was sat between BF and his brother hugging them both as BF's brother had no significant other with him for support so he needed hugs, but then so did BF! Very tiring. But at the end of the day BF's brother gave me a hug, a kiss on the cheek and said thank you which is the most physical contact we've had in the nine years me and OH have been together. (Nine years!!:eek: Where's my diamond ring?!!:rolleyes: )

On the up side: looking forward to next week as it is my birthday and I have a couple of days off. Wednesday I am having a nice facial at the local beauty parlour type place ( I have some gift vouchers from Christmas to use to still very DFW!:D ) and then on Thursday it's my birthday (the observant among you may even me able to work out how old I am:eek: ) BF is taking me shopping, will have lunch out (on him) and a trip to the cinema too (also on him, I hope! ):D

So, even though today has been a bit carp at least I have something to look forward to!

mooomin

laura2481 wrote: »

But at the end of the day BF's brother gave me a hug, a kiss on the cheek and said thank you which is the most physical contact we've had in the nine years me and OH have been together. (Nine years!!:eek: Where's my diamond ring?!!:rolleyes: )

Me and t'other half have been together nine years this year and also no ring for me. Grrr :rotfl:

Also, don't worry about cashback through Quidco etc as if you're saving £16 per month that's £192 per year, which is plenty saving in my book, so well done for a bargain well hunted :T Just make sure you're properly covered with them (I used to sell insurance and am paranoid about being underinsured :rotfl:)

Have a nice weekend!