Other 'big questions' you want answered

matt_snowdon

How about a section on the best deals for existing cardholders? There's lots of stuff available on 0%, balance transfer etc but all rely on you applying for new cards. It would be nice to see rankings/advice for the cards I already have.Matt

MSE_Martin

Hi Matt

If you read the credit card shuffle its all there - (though its due an update) and Jim there are articles on all those subjects regularly updated already

(Im taking notes on teh other suggestions though - keep them coming

Martin

patrick_Cavanagh

With the ever rising cost of electricity and gas what are the costs and projected returns on solar heating systems?
Which is best, How long will it take to pay for installation costs against projected savings. Are there any planning permissions needed and I know some grants are available but this varies to where you live. If the goverment gave a grant to install these systems would we save dramaticly as a nation and therefore not need to build new power stations.

I know its a lot to answer, but it's something to get your teeth into and the saving could be vast.

Tamesis

Hi Martin

Having just gone through this for the second time, I have used your site to find any ways I can of minimising my outgoings and making the money stretch for as long as possible.

I think a really useful top 20 checklist of how to deal with redundancy and having no money would be great. I have gone through the ranks of things like balance transfers on credit cards, asking for free months from insurance companies, payment holidays etc and many have been successful, but there are a lot of reports, posts, responses and blogs to look at. One of my most beneficial wins for me was asking the mortgage company for help when they couldn't offer a repayment holiday. They halved next month's payment and then switched me over to interest only payments for 6 months to bring down the outgoings. Now while this means I still have to pay out a large amount of cash each month, it will make things easier.

In a nutshell, when the bad news sank in, I looked at the monthly outgoings compared to my wife's income, and being the major breadwinner, my salary covered most of the bills. Now we are on less than a third of our combined income previously, my mortgage, council tax, electricity, water and gas account for more than we earn.

So, if you could pull together an emergency digest-like report on what to do immediately, and over the next few months, it would be a great help to people. It would also be good to note the pitfalls too though. For example, I had a Capital One credit card from ages ago, with about £3000 of space on it. We looked upon this as a safety net should we need it. Then I read an article about asking the credit card company to accept lower monthly payments on your existing balances. I followed this up with Capital One, and they have been very good so far (still awaiting final verdict), but the first thing they did was stop my card and ask me to return it. Makes sense I suppose, but I hadn't considered it initially and was suddenly £3000 closer to trouble than before! This made me feel even more under pressure, and has made me loathed to try it with my other cards.

Anyway, enough of my guff. Your knowledge and the knowledge of your readers covers a multitude of great ideas and ways to sort your finances out. But much of it is about ways to spend less when you are spending. What we need to know is how to turn water into wine as it were with the cash we have left.

Thanks
Rodger

Our_John

Suggestion :- What to do with free shares, sell, keep, pay off debt, cheapest way to deal etc...... Standard Life, BG, Bradford & Bingley etc.

pinkubingulbingul

I am about to embark on my first University course, and I am fully aware of the commercial vultures just waiting to part me from my much-needed money! I have been looking around at different student insurance deals, but I seem lost as to whether it is worth getting all the expensive extras alongside the basic low-cost insurance. For example - I have a laptop worth about £1000, is it worth paying the extra £60+ to have it insured, or would it be cheaper to get this insured seperately? If you have any advice on this, then that would be tremendously appreciated!!:eek:
Thanks from a much confused and mis-guided future student!

Juke_2

Before finding your site I was advised to 'solve' my debt problems by taking out an IVA. I now believe this was bad advice but am stuck with the fact that although I settled the IVA early over 3 years ago I am stuck with it on my credit history. Despite now being much more solvent with no debts other than a mortgage, I am still being penalised for my poor credit history when it comes to applying for loans and improving my mortgage deal. I would like an article that would give me suggestions on how to repair my credit rating so I can fully make use of your other tips. Thanks

Ivor_Beef

For all of you who are self-employed: Spend a few minutes with this last years bank statements. Add up all bank charges paid.
How can you get:-
FREE banking
NO minimum balance required
NO monthly service charges
All cheques and automated credit and debit transactions FREE of Charge
Bank at your local Post Office FREE of Charge
Attractive rates of interest paid on your entire balance

Easy. Join the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and get FREE tax insurance.

Then change your bank to The Co-Operative Bank. https://www.co-operativebank.co.uk for personal and business banking

MSE_Martin

Lots of great ideas above - many going on my list.

I especially like Tamesis idea on redundancy. And so to get this underway am going to be putting this Great Hunt in the email this week or next.

Martin

sophie_maxwell

My big question is why when I post a thread asking for help do I get a whole load of abuse in return? Is that what this site is about? :rolleyes:

Don't get me wrong, I got some helpful replies but a large number were plain abusive towards me. It's completely turned my impression of this site upside down.

Sophie