We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

I want to be a better man

1246710

Comments

  • all_change
    all_change Posts: 118 Forumite
    ...the OP said skype not always an option...
    If you have a landline, I would strongly recommend looking into using a pre-dialler service, like 18185, which gives very very low or even free calls even to other countries. I use this after it was recommended on this site by Martin - it's probably discussed on the main site in the landline phone articles.
    All you need to do is use a normal landline but dial a 5-digit code first (no really long access codes, it's very convenient).
    Please do check current rates though, as I haven't checked in a little while.
  • totmalysh
    totmalysh Posts: 73 Forumite
    Hi Ashamed.

    Just a piece of advice: husband and I are foreigners in London (parents live in Estonia), so know quite a lot about calling overseas.

    I made some shuffling around with my phones and now am able to call landlines overseas for free with Post Office (weekends), free 0845 and UK landlines after 6 pm on weekdays, and all of that plus mobiles on weekends. Post Office has quite a list of countries to be called for free abroad, check yours might be listed.

    Secondly, both husband and I have O2 pay as you go phones with "your country" option that allows to call overseas, even mobiles, depending on the top-up. £10 - 50 minutes, £15 - 100 minutes. A life-saver for me as my family has only mobiles now.

    Last but not least, O2 just started home phone lines through internet, you need to have O2 broadband (which is cheap anyway - I pay £10 for 16 megabytes, slightly more without O2 phone) and has 22 countries to offer. Not good for me as Estonia not listed, but might be worth to look for you.

    Re: electric, we keep everything turned off all day, turn on boiler only when needed (ours is around 5 years old - no problems so far with turning on/off), keep all the appliances off (even a microwave!) until needed. Saves a little, maybe, but worthy in the end.

    Good luck with your road to debt-free!
  • Ashamed_2
    Ashamed_2 Posts: 135 Forumite
    Guys you are insperational !!!. We are plotting like crazy at the moment to get this underway.
    Wife is making phone calls to suppliers to get prices lower, I'm sorting out stuff to sell that's just lying around in the shed / loft or drawers.

    I've worked out that by just scraping enough together to increase monthly payments to the credit cards by £72 a month and add £3000 a year from my bonus. We can be debt free from the credit cards in 4 years !!!!. If we continue going as we were in 4 years we would still owe them £22,784.38.

    I think I'm doing it right. All the extra money just goes onto the card with highest APR until that's paid then move onto the next highest right ?.

    I'm going to have a look to see if we can buy an electric monitor as that would be very motivational. I'll add to this thread as we start to make changes and the monthly saving.

    As I've read previously I am now starting to be filled with motivation. The quote that this site is life changing is starting to become apparent.
    Present Day / 22nd May 2010
    Credit Cards & Loans - £54,032.81 / £63,645.64
    Mortgage - £160,794.47 / £166,894.02
    Total Debt Paid Off so far = £15,712.38
    Debt Free Date = Oct 2013 / Oct 2014
  • Krisp_3
    Krisp_3 Posts: 234 Forumite
    Hi there

    It sounds as if you are doing an amazing job already - that's fantastic!

    As for paying down your cards, you are right - aim for the highest rate one first. Here's a link to the Snowball calculator that helps you work this out, if you need it. http://www.makesenseofcards.com/snowcalc.html

    I bet you feel a whole lot better already?!
    :DAiming to be debt-free June 2011 at the latest!! :D
    :jPaid off £6,143 - Egg loan cleared 26 May 2010:j
    :p Save on lunches in June Challenger # 5 - £0 aim/£0 spent!! :p
    :) 8/15 NSDs June 2010 :)
    "I wish dear Karl could have spent more time acquiring capital than merely writing about it." - Jenny Marx
  • Ashamed_2
    Ashamed_2 Posts: 135 Forumite
    Krisp wrote: »
    I bet you feel a whole lot better already?!
    I feel Great :j
    Present Day / 22nd May 2010
    Credit Cards & Loans - £54,032.81 / £63,645.64
    Mortgage - £160,794.47 / £166,894.02
    Total Debt Paid Off so far = £15,712.38
    Debt Free Date = Oct 2013 / Oct 2014
  • laurz121
    laurz121 Posts: 251 Forumite
    Ashamed, you couldn't share with us what countries it is that you call could you? Somebody might have experience with that particular country and be able to offer specific advice :)
  • Bunnyinthelights
    Bunnyinthelights Posts: 15,278 Forumite
    Just a quickie-
    My family lives overseas and I FINALLY downloaded Skype and now pay nothing for phone calls. That has saved us massively.

    Also, 2 kids LOVED Nick Jr etc (and they are 5 and 7-I got massive grief!) but they are used to it now. Your daughter will do better for not watching as much tv. Trust me. I have lived the pain. Get rid!

    £500 for food! OMG. That is outrageous. Sorry, I dont care where you live-I have a family of 4 and we spend £250-£300. I shop mainly at ALDI. Its not posh but we eat well...very well in fact (I have the bottom to prove it!)

    And finally-cigarettes...it is a filthy smelly disgusting habit (can you tell I am very anti smoking???) and it kills you. End of. Do you want to watch you beautiful precious daughter to watch you die of cancer or even worse, start smoking herself!?!?!?!?

    Making those small changes will save you easily £200-300 per month.

    Well done on making the changes.

    Has anyone mentioned www.quidco.co.uk yet? Its a must!
    Empty pockets never held anyone back, only empty heads and empty hearts can do that -Peale
  • Fitzer2000
    Fitzer2000 Posts: 308 Forumite
    Well done Ash, I'm gonna call you Ash from now on cause you've nothing to be ashamed of and you really should change that name! Keep focused and have a great weekend with your family!
  • Well Done Ashamed!

    I think the term a problem shared is a problem halved is so true on this site... I honestly thought I was the only one in my situation until I came across this site and now I think its incredible, just one tip and I know it sounds obvious but keep coming on here everyday, I came on for the first time since March just a couple of days ago and in that short period of time I managed to get myself into a bit of mess and feel that I am back at sqaure one, genuinely believe it wouldnt have happened if I had kept posting every day! but hey ho what can ya do! best of luck xxxxx
    :j6 debts cleared since joining MSE:j
    :eek: Remaining debts... Very / Halifax Loan/ A&L / Virgin cc / Lloyds / Sister :eek:
    :smileyheaGetting Married 04.12.10 - The MSE way :smileyhea
    :dance: Making this house a home :dance:
  • joedenise
    joedenise Posts: 17,934 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Before buying or renting an electricity monitor check with your provider if they will give you one. E-ON are currently giving one away on their website if they are your provider. I've ordered mine but not received it yet (it takes up to 28 days to arrive!).
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 352.1K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.6K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 454.2K Spending & Discounts
  • 245.1K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 600.7K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 177.5K Life & Family
  • 258.9K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.