Tuesday 24th Nov daily chat-Xmas Eve 1 month away....

Lucifa73

Queen.Bess wrote: »

Thank you all who nipped over to my thread and spotted where savings could be made!

What I did at lunchtime was go into Halifax (our joint account for utilities etc) and because of their new 'simple charges' policy from 6th Dec, there was the potential to be charged £31 per month for being overdrawn. There wasn't any chance of us being in credit, so we've upgraded to the Ultimate Reward account, which charges £12.50 per month, but gives us a £300 interest and fee free overdraft, plus other benefits. As I say, I don't think it's particularly DFW and in the past I scoffed at these sorts of accounts and I still don't know that it was the right thing to do, but the best thing for our circumstances at the moment.

Oh dear, I hope I've not done wrong by MSE!

I don't think you have. You made a decision that will save you £18.50 a month and given you peace of mind. Sounds like you've been proactive which is what I think DFW is about - taking your head out of the sand and tackling debts in the way that best works for you:T

redsquirrel80

Lucifa73 wrote: »

Afternoon lovely peoples x

QB - how much does that work out to a day? Set it as a challenge and couple it with a week or so of storecopbpard/freezer living and you could squeeze through...

I got my JSA assessment through today and I'm getting the full amount. TBH after the trouble folk on here have had with them I am surprised at how quick its been done (only started claim last Thurs!) and feel a bit guilty that it has gone so smoothly:o Sorry Bookie - hopefully my PM will help you get one of those jobs and then you can tell them where to stick their JSA:D

That means that the budget we did last night is actually slightly in surplus each month once we have reduced all possible payments. Am going to spend some time this evening looking for an okay PAYG deal to do through Quidco which will half my mobile costs. Will go back to contract when I get a job (unless I get a work phonein which case why bother) and earn more cashback:D. I seem to have got my debt-busting money managing mojo back:D

That all sounds very positive Luc Did you hear anything back about the job?

sallyx

Luc sounds like you have def got your DFW head on I think PAYG is great until of course you need a new phone. Ive been on it for over 2 years now and its saved me a fortune. When we have money again I too will go back to contract and get a nice new shiney phone

sallyx

QB could you now put that money you have saved into a savings account to pay off the OD and then put you in a position where you can change back to having a free account and freeing up more money each month?

Lucifa73

redsquirrel80 wrote: »

That all sounds very positive Luc Did you hear anything back about the job?

No but I have been out all day today so will call back tomorrow morning if still nothing:rolleyes:

Lucifa73

sallyx wrote: »

Luc sounds like you have def got your DFW head on I think PAYG is great until of course you need a new phone. Ive been on it for over 2 years now and its saved me a fortune. When we have money again I too will go back to contract and get a nice new shiney phone

I'm thinking I will maybe just treat myself to an Ivan when I get a job:D

sallyx

Lucifa73 wrote: »

I'm thinking I will maybe just treat myself to an Ivan when I get a job:D

sshhhh me too

Queen.Bess

sallyx wrote: »

QB could you now put that money you have saved into a savings account to pay off the OD and then put you in a position where you can change back to having a free account and freeing up more money each month?

That's a good idea sally - thanks. The contract lasts for 12 months, so we'll be paying until December next year, by which time DH should be safely employed, we should hopefully be putting in £1000 per month between us and so we can then go to their free account that pays the £5 per month. The offers available on this £12.50 pm account are quite good, but probably not worth £150 per year! We'll see if we use any of them and then make a decision.

2010 is going to be our year to turn things round, but this has helped us for the next few months at least!

sallyx

Ok I seriously need to re-look at our budget and get realistic about it
I so want to pay off this stupid debt but Im just spending money willy nilly

postingalwaysposting

sallyx wrote: »

sshhhh me too

Me three, however it will never happen. Sadly I never use my mobile (ie I top up £10 every 2/3 months) so I compromised for a touch. Just means I have to be in my wireless range to use tinternet. Suits me :j

Wait till you download the sneezzies game, too addictive! That a bejeweled, mr ahhh and the sims and my night is over. Suppose its the same for all of you on farmville :rotfl: