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I want to be a better man
Comments
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AllieBallie wrote: »...the OP said skype not always an option...
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.0 -
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!0 -
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 20140 -
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?!Aiming to be debt-free June 2011 at the latest!!
:jPaid off £6,143 - Egg loan cleared 26 May 2010:jSave on lunches in June Challenger # 5 - £0 aim/£0 spent!!
8/15 NSDs June 2010
"I wish dear Karl could have spent more time acquiring capital than merely writing about it." - Jenny Marx0 -
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 advice0
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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 -Peale0 -
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!0
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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:0 -
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!).0
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