My Turn for a SOA

andystev

A quick update…

Bills:

NTL is in herself’s name. I’ve asked her to give them a ring & talk discounts, threaten to leave etc. This may or may not happen depending on how much nagging I’m able to get away with.

I’ve muscled my way in to the shopping & the cooking somewhat, although she’s starting to resist. Some savings are likely to show.

I can get gas & electric almost £10.00 a month cheaper, but both are in arrears, I need to work out if I still save by paying the arrears with the overdraft, taking a hit on interest (BG arrears is effectively interest free borrowing) & switching suppliers.

Bought 2 mains timers (eBay £7.44), 1 for the washer, 1 for the tumble dryer (although I’m not using the dryer at the moment with all this great weather. And, yes, laundry’s my job)

Haven’t managed to cancel the lottery yet, this is proving difficult. I got as far as the confirmation page, but bailed at the last minute. [Shamed]

Budget:

I’m watching every penny like a hawk. MS Money’s categories are really good for this, although I can’t get on with its budget. Now I know how we’re doing day to day it should be easier to control cash flow.

Debt consolidation & reduction:

I’m steadily working through “stuff” to put on eBay. I’ve got 3 auctions up at the moment, more to come soon. Do eBay allow the selling of children?

I’ve not heard from I.F. or A&L yet, hopefully these will come through soon.

A similar lack of response from RBS to my DPA request, but that’s early days yet.

I could, theoretically save myself a few quid by transferring the RBS loan, but I’ve had 2 credit searches this month, so I’m going to leave it a while. Just not too long if the noises I’m hearing about interest rates are to be believed.

Thanks to all for the suggestions & encouragement so far, you’re all stars.

nic82

Just a quick suggestion....your house insurance seems pretty high.

I've got mine through Esure for just under £18. I don't live in a shoebox, but I don't live in a mansion either! 3 bed semi on the outskirts of town.

Don't know if it's worth you shopping around for it?

missk_ensington

Sure this has ben said, but pay off that 20% CITI CC as a priority and clear it and cut it up!

andystev

your house insurance seems pretty high

Tell me about it! 5 bed mid terrace (5th bed is a loft conversion). House insurance is due for renewal next month. Have read through Martins article & I can’t find the same cover any cheaper. Esure were almost £10.00 a month more expensive.

andystev

pay off that 20% CITI CC as a priority

Absolutely, the Intelligent Finance balance transfer card is imminant. [fingers crossed]

SaveMoreMoney

Extreme measure I imagine, but with your OH smoking, at £160 a month, if she won't stop immediately, what about gradually - can you not buy a load every week - say £25 worth and then that's it for the week. It's easier said than done I'm sure..........depends on how much she wants to clear those debts and be healthy.

Have you shown your OH all the credit card statements ? As this might well be an incentive to cut down on a slowley slowley basis !

Don't use the dish washer and take the take the fuse out of the tumble drier.

On the Lottery, if it's only £1 a draw (£2 a week), then I'd be inclined to keep it - I know others might think differently on this, but if you are making clear and big savings on everything else, then there is no harm in having a lottery ticket - especially if you have used the same numbers for years.

Finally, on the NTL tv deal - don't wait until September, look into it now - otherwise, it'll be very easy to leave it into Oct and then it's Xmas and other priorities come into play !

lynzpower

Also, do check out the CIS for your insurance. Mines wit them and it was the cheapest by at least 20 a month.

I used to be lotto mad ( not that I ever won anything) but we have given this up in favour of premium bonds. If you are committed to "gambling for the big moeny" you could do much worse than P bonds, as you gfet your original stake back. You do need 100 though, so why not set up a jar for all the lottery money you dont buy tix with, then transfer to P bonds. Is worth doing we think. Then if you get really depserate you can cash them in. :T

chriz1000

I understand you don’t want to stop playing to lottery as the hope of a big win is too much to give up.
How about sticking £100 a year into premium bonds, that way you still have a chance of winning up to a million! At least then its savings rather than expenditure, the great thing is every year your chances will increase if you keep putting the £100 into the account, and if you ever want the money back you can just withdraw it.

chivers1977

Have you tried Barclays for your insurance as I believe they are still matching your cover or giving you £50 and reducing your premium by £1!

andystev

can you not buy a load every week - say £25 worth and then that's it for the week.

Not really... Bakky comes in half price from a friend at work whose husband has a friend who knows a bloke... You get the idea Thing is, it’s non too regular, so I’m buying 10 or 20 packs at a time.

To be fair I’ve overestimated the fag spend somewhat. I was guestimating based on what we used to spend when she was on real fags & I was still smoking. It’ll need a little more time to settle down to an average, but it looks like its going to be less than that.

Jan: £374.92
Feb: £322.54
Mar £299.46
Apr: £142.66
May: £70.66
June: £10.98 (Haven’t bought any bakky this month yet)

Have you shown your OH all the credit card statements

Oh yes, she sees them. CC, bank statements, gas & electric bills, I make sure she sees them all. Trouble is she’s having a hard time understanding that what she sees is bad. I’m fighting against statements like “Every body’s in debt, we’re no different. That’s just the way it is. We don’t earn enough”. She’s starting to come round slowly.

Don't use the dish washer

Dishwasher strategy is to only use once, on the timer overnight. Working ok so far. Although the kids are grumbling that thy have to do too much washing up by hand & herself is moaning ‘cos it woke he up a couple of times when it came on.

take the fuse out of the tumble drier

LOL! Bit drastic. To be honest, now I’ve got the laundry organised it’s rare the drier’s needed. Really only if there’s something that needs drying asap.

On the Lottery, if it's only £1 a draw (£2 a week), then I'd be inclined to keep it

Yeah, but... Every little helps, and lets face it, the lottery’s tantamount to gambling. And we all know that’s a big no-no for DFWs Moot point at the minute ‘cos I can’t bring myself to cancel the subscription.

on the NTL tv deal - don't wait until September, look into it now - otherwise, it'll be very easy to leave it into Oct and then it's Xmas and other priorities come into play !

Fair point, you’re absolutely right. It’s in herselfs name & I’ve asked her to ring them. Hasn’t happened yet mind.

Thanks for those, some good suggestions.