Garfie's DF goal!

maganan

Hi there,

Just saw his on the freebies thread thought it might help!

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3055022

Clarie_2

No idea about the mortgage sorry.

But the Barclaycard 6.9% apr for life is (afaik) for existing customers. We found it on Martin's site, shifted our pre-existing barclaycard balance off, transferred another on, and got it. We recently paid it off and now they are offering us 0% for bts till August, returning to the 6.9 after. Which isn't bad!

SOT2011

Only something small and apologies if someone else has already suggested it, but if you have not had the MOT yet, before you take the car in, check all the lights are working ok, fill up screen wash and check all the seat belts work and the tyres are at the right pressure. Should be quite quick to check but might help prevent a fail? Sure there are other things you could also check but the above are the bits I always mean to do (but don't always get round to)

Garfie

This is going to sound really dumb, but what is afaik, Clarie?

Maganan that looks a really good offer but not my area unfortunately; will check out if there is anything like that in my area. I do have a big stash of newborn nappies already where I've had vouchers for free packs, so they will last me a good while to start us off.

ebsaver we're planning on doing all that this weekend; I'll check oil, radiator, wipers, lights etc and get hubs to check tyre pressure. Unfortunately hubs is terrible with cars so although I've asked him to check tyre depth tread I'm not sure he's done it right - I'm convinced we need a couple of new tyres but he hasn't done anything about it, and being 30 weeks pregnant with bad hips I cant get down to look myself! Never mind, we'll do all we can and just hope for the best!

Thanks for the help x

PurpleFairy26

Well done on what you have done so far. Just my 2 pence worth. I used mothercare smart nappies for my DD now 14 months and still in them. Don't buy newborn as they grow out too quick and all the freebies you get tend to cover the newborn need. They go quite cheap on eBay and often new as people buy them and don't get round to using them. Check your council website, mine did £30 cash back which covered one pack. Really easy to apply for and get. I have saved loads of money using them. I just use 7 disposables per week, as I put her in them at night. Hope that is of use. May also be looking at nct website for nearly new sales in your area, loads of fantastic quality goods as cheap prices. Just get there early!

t4mof

"afaik" = as far as I know

I would say now you've got MBNA/Virgin and Barclaycard you should be able to move your debt around regularly between them and save loads - they are the 2 companies that we get regular deals from. In fact in a couple of weeks I'll be transferring a balance that has gone from MBNA to Barclaycard and will be going back to MBNA on a 0% :T

[Deleted User]

talk to your mortgage lender,5.95% is high,even if its a fixed deal they may offer something better depending on how long youve had the mortgage and the loan to value ration
last summer ours was 4.99% a 2 minute phone call got it reduced to 3.99% fixed for 3 years so worth a try

Garfie

Wow woodbine thats a nice saving on the mortgage! We've not had the mortgage long; 18 months through a 3 year fixed deal, was best we could get at the time of taking the mortgage out, so not sure if they will offer us anything but definitely worth a phonecall as they are offering lower fixed rates at the minute.

Jonno those reusables sound like a great idea, will go check out ebay and council website now before I get distracted by shiny things!! lol.
We've luckily got everything we need (eg cot, highchair) from our first son; he's in a big bed now and we bought bunkbeds in the Bensons sale as they will be sharing a room - worked out cheaper then a single bed!! No idea how!! My son is starting nursery in September and between then and Jan we have to pay, but have already got some money set aside for that, and the increase in child tax credits will pay the remainder, so at least wont have that to worry about.

t4mof I'm kinda hoping they will keep offering me better deals with switching the money between, but know I cant rely on that, but fingers are crossed!!

Thanks guys, lots of help!! G

Garfie

Well the car passed its MOT!! So pleased, as I've also managed to overspend this month - hubby spent some on his credit card and didn't tell me, so will have to use some of the money normally used for the council tax to repay that! Rather annoyed at him!!

Means we won't have any extra this month to pay off the credit cards, but at least the car passed so we don't have to worry about that for a while

Have also transferred over our balances onto the two 0% balance transfer cards; just waiting for them to clear off the original cards but no idea how long that will take, any ideas?! One of the balances has hit my MBNA card but not showing as gone from the BC yet... getting a little worried!!