Heeeeelp

Franko43

re the Mobile phone - I also need mine for work, was with Orange, average £37 pm. Changed to Easymobile PAYG - now £21 pm. Plus was refered by someone on this site and got an extra £5 calltime. Scrapped the internet too.. £21 per month. Have use of it at work, was hard at the start for OH but 3 weeks later we don't even miss it. Food a little high also - LIDL for fruit/veg, do you take lunch to work. I now save a whopping £50 every month by taking stuff in. Once you start to see the savings you will get a great buzz from it. Good luck evab....take one month and use the 'Shock and Awe' approach to saving. Absoloutely nail every last penny....ease up a little on yourself the next month and then go again. Amazing how much you will save...

evab_2

HI thanks all,

Sorry have just been to pay my rent in cash and talk to my childminder weho was lovely.

I'll definately look into reclaiming charges.

As for your other suggestions:

* We haven't been able to get a credit card, dont know whether its because we've been in rented accomodation for a short period of time? We both got out credit reports done and nothing wrong on them. Will try again though.

*Water - not on a meter, moving house in a couple of weeks so will definately look into it
*Car insurance - probably not the cheapest and is up for renewal in November so will definately shop around
Elec - It is high, and have recently changed to the provider (Npower) only 2 months ago
* Life insurance - currently covers value of our old property accident and sickness.
* Food - 3 of us in the house, we do belong to a food co-op and do menus every week, but we could probably do better.
*Odds and ends - I think thats where we probably fall down - will definately do a spending diary.

The_Tax_Mans_Cash_Machine

You must have paid a months rent to your landlord as security?

If your moving out in a couple of weeks why don't you work out with him that he uses that to cover the arrears & settle the balance between you once you're actually moving out.

evab_2

Yes we did pay a deposit and will get it back, but I've literally just been to the estate agents to pay the rent so thankyou but I didn't think of that! :-)

lambo_3

Just an additional thought that hasnt been mentioned yet - what about changing to talk talk and get free broadband? Its the best one on the market at the mo - its 25.00 a month - after looking at your sOA it wont save you loads (three quids or something>) but evetythings something (make sure you read martin lewis' article on this site first as he gives an overide number for cheap mobile cals and 0845 numbers from the landline to ensure you dont go above 25.oo per month)

It sounds like your are going through the storm to get to the calm which is coming. Its a horrible feeling when you are struggling and down and then the bank comes along and kicks mud in your face. Give them a bit of pay back when you are back on your feet and GET YOUR MONEY BACK FROM THE B**STARDS! keep smiling itll all get better

Jessiepig

I know there will be loads of people along with more help.
The best advice I could give is to write everything down. Think twice before buying anything.
I found I bought a lot of mazagines to read and hve noe joined libriary.
With the shopping I look carefully and check for all special offers and slowly swapping to stores own brands. Its amazing ho much it goes down.
If you put the effort in you should be back on the straight and narrow soon
Good luck.

evab_2

thankyou all , doesn't seem so bad when you can talk to others. R.e talk talk, are with them for phone but can't get free brodband due to where we live (wales) but i will have a look to see if it would still be cheaper through them

msmicawber

evab wrote:

* We haven't been able to get a credit card, dont know whether its because we've been in rented accomodation for a short period of time? We both got out credit reports done and nothing wrong on them. Will try again though.

Hi Evab,

I see you've had loads of fine advice on your problems, but noticed that no one's answered this point of yours. I'm no expert, but have picked up a couple of pointers from the site. As I understand it, things that can affect credit applications include: if you've recently moved, which you have; other credit checks that have been performed on you (possibly by the rental agency?); whether or not you're on the electoral roll - if you moved recently, perhaps you didn't get yourselves onto the electoral roll and that's what is causing the problem.

Good luck.

moozie_2

evab wrote:

* We haven't been able to get a credit card, dont know whether its because we've been in rented accomodation for a short period of time? We both got out credit reports done and nothing wrong on them. Will try again though.

I would think the reason you are turned is because you've moved recently. Wait a few months before you apply again as too many searches on your file, do not look good and may affect lenders' decisions.

The Estate Agents may have done a check on you but that is very different to ones by CCs/Banks - more to do with confirming your identity - so that wouldn't affect your credit rating in a negative way.

evab_2

hi msmicawber - thanks for the advice, we are on the electoral roll :-)