How can I save?

AliceBanned

Ophelia-Jane wrote: »

Sorry you are feeling so down, money really is a constant worry I think for most. Its not easy to cut down when you arent spending much on things in the first place. I also think though that one becomes accustomed to a certain level. I have been absolutely in the gutter financially, literally emptying the penny jar to pay for a pint of milk, but conversely I now have some modicum of security. And when I say that, its all relative. I rent (£900p.m), own a car and have to pay to get to work. I have £10k debt, but I also earn a decent wage. |However instead of paying of my debt I go for expensive nights out and feed my shopping addiction. Its all good fun at the time but in my moments of clarity I wonder what future I am facing. A poor one Ill wager at this rate!

I hope you find happiness, and as easy as it may be for me to say, Im not sure your finances are the thing that is making you so down :-|

HI

No I'm not saying that at all - that my finances are the reason I feel down. Far from it but it is one thing I am determined to sort out as the interest payments don't exactly cheer me up! I'm working on things on all levels and one of the problems is work, I was just saying that with debts it increases the feeling of being trapped in a job I don't like. AT least that is an incentive to get rid of more debt as then I will feel less afraid of change.

AliceBanned

Just had notice of cashback on its way from Quidco - £75. Will add this to Halifax cc repayments!:j. This was part of my new phone deal which already worked out well at £15 per month for a smartphone inclusive of internet, 600 mins and unlimited texts. My old phone had packed up so I replaced contract via Quidco. Found it to be pretty good site with some deals better than others but some of the special offers are pretty good - just takes 3-4 months for the cashback to come in.

thevinternet

AliceBanned wrote: »

Just had notice of cashback on its way from Quidco - £75. Will add this to Halifax cc repayments!:j. This was part of my new phone deal which already worked out well at £15 per month for a smartphone inclusive of internet, 600 mins and unlimited texts. My old phone had packed up so I replaced contract via Quidco. Found it to be pretty good site with some deals better than others but some of the special offers are pretty good - just takes 3-4 months for the cashback to come in.

Yay! Well done. Getting cashback is great. I too have generally had good experiences with Quidco - I have only had one problem that I have had to raise a claim for, which I am currently waiting on - fingers crossed it comes in soon The bonus with it coming in a few months later is that you have generally forgotten about it by the time it arrives!

AliceBanned

thevinternet wrote: »

Yay! Well done. Getting cashback is great. I too have generally had good experiences with Quidco - I have only had one problem that I have had to raise a claim for, which I am currently waiting on - fingers crossed it comes in soon The bonus with it coming in a few months later is that you have generally forgotten about it by the time it arrives!

Thanks. Yes, it is handy when it comes in at any time but nice to know a small windfall is coming. Hope you get yours sorted. I only had one problem when I hadn't properly understood the cashback conditions, otherwise always got the cashback -around £450 in the past 1.5 years.:)

Chrisblue1962

Chrisblue1962 wrote: »

Cars...mmm...mine has MOT due on Monday coming and I know its going to cost bigtime:eek:

Good Luck Alicebanned.

Hi Alicebanned

Update:

Car passed MOT once it had a new tyre and front brake pads , total cost £120.00

Bad News: Gearbox now noisy

Time to get rid I think...

thevinternet

AliceBanned wrote: »

Hope you get yours sorted. I only had one problem when I hadn't properly understood the cashback conditions, otherwise always got the cashback -around £450 in the past 1.5 years.:)

Nice going! Proper MSE that! :money:

How have the last couple of days been? x

AliceBanned

Chrisblue1962 wrote: »

Hi Alicebanned

Update:

Car passed MOT once it had a new tyre and front brake pads , total cost £120.00

Bad News: Gearbox now noisy

Time to get rid I think...

Hi Chrisblue

Glad it has gone through for now. Is that usually a sign of gearbox on the way out? I've never had this so not sure.

AliceBanned

thevinternet wrote: »

Nice going! Proper MSE that! :money:

How have the last couple of days been? x

Thanks. It was fairly easy actually as they were all essentials such as mobile phone, utilities. I think in one case it was internet and I do seem to be paying quite a lot for that (last bill £30 for phone and internet) when the initial offer sounded a lot less, so maybe I haven't quite "saved" all that in cashback. But I've tried and the internet service is good. Seems a bit steep.

Past few days ok thanks. I saw my ex at an event so that has upset me quite a lot (though it's all very civil) but I liked him a lot. My food bill has drastically reduced - loss of appetite since then.:(

AliceBanned

I was hoping for some lower interest borrowing (balance transfer so that I can pay off cc more quickly, not for more borrowing) after my CCJ dropped off file, which it did today.:). My credit score is 678 with all three agencies (public score higher but I know both scores are not always used). According to checkmyfile.com I can only get 4 credit cards at 34.9%! I do have one default remaining (paid in full) from Feb 2007 so I wonder whether this is causing the still low score. Or is it an ok score? I could pay off the cc with credit union loan but I don't know whether this would even speed things up as that would be 12.9%. Or I could leave things as they are and continue to snowball the Halifax cc payment as I am doing ok with the new budget now.:D. Thanks to support from this thread too.

PedroMatias

AliceBanned wrote: »

Oh i also pay for counselling at the moment but forgot to add that.

Hi, I just noticed you said you pay for counselling. It'd be worth getting an NHS referral, or see if your employer has a counselling service (you'd be surprised how many do).

Seeing as this is all anonymous, do you mind me asking what for? I've suffered from bipolar for years, and went to a ton of counselling sessions. In the end, a £2 book from Amazon helped me more than meds or talking ever had! I'm not suggesting you're the same, and maybe you've found the one counselor who suits you, but it seems like an easy area to save a few bucks... and you'd be amazed how much that improves mental health!

Keep your chin up :T