Help needed in my concerted effort to get debt free!

Dumbledore55

OK - having a bad month (AGAIN!!). My boiler broke and cost me £185 to repair, the tenants from my rented property left, I had new tenants ready to go in but still waiting for the credit checks to be completed so it looks like I'll be losing a month's rent during the changeover period - boo!
However, some good news, just got accepted for a new credit card - Co-operative - 0% on balance transfers and purchases for 6 months. That means I can transfer the balance from Intelligent Finance to that one and I don't start paying interest in February!! Gives me a bit more time paying capital only. I'll be sending the IF card back so I can apply for a new one nearer May 2006.
Still not managing to plan for unexpected events - had to spend some of my Christmas money on the boiler but still feeling positive - at least I had Christmas money!!

Alleycat

This is better than Eastenders, lol!!

You sound like you really have your head screwed on with all this 0% business! I just wish I was credit worthy enough to be able to balance transfer as well, but I am stuck with my rubbish new Cap One card for groceries to desperately try and improve my rating! Not used it yet, so still all shiny. I've not had a credit card for a couple of years and to be honest, I don't really want it, but if we are going to get debt free as soon as possible, a better credit rating is needed.

Keep posting, and good luck!

Alley

Dumbledore55

Alleycat

Thanks for your encouragement - I learned it all on here!!

Have you checked your credit rating - you can do a free 30 day trial with Experian or Equifax to find out what's on your record. I checked mine and found record of credit cards I'd cut up and stopped using ages ago but hadn't formally cancelled. Also it looked like I'd not paid for a mobile phone bill for 3 months when in fact I cancelled the contract and it was O2's error. I sorted all these out which may have helped with my credit rating. The only problem I have now is that I look like I've got a lot of credit available to me due to the high credit limit on my cards - that was the reason Barclaycard gave for refusing me a card however the Co-op was no problem and geva me a limit higher than the one I asked for!

Can't wait until February when I can re-mortgage my house and get a better rate!

Good luck with your debts.

Dumbledore55

November Update

Capital One - £11864- £365 per month - 0% until August 2006

Intelligent Finance - £7340 - £147 per month - 0% until February 2006

£200 savings for Christmas

Total debt now below £20K :T

$17mma

Well done! you are doing well :T

Dumbledore55

OK, I need an opinion on this - is it Ok to buy family Christmas presents off E-Bay?

I got out the Christmas catalogues, chose the items I wanted for people and now I'm bidding on them on E-Bay. I am only bidding on brand new items and on 2 presents alone I've saved £18.44, but I feel guilty!!

frugglewump

Dumbledore55 wrote:

OK, I need an opinion on this - is it Ok to buy family Christmas presents off E-Bay?

Yes of course - if the item is in suitable condition then it doesn't matter where it came from. There's no difference between buying from eBay and finding something in a sale during the year.

FrankieM

Dumbledore55 wrote:

OK, I need an opinion on this - is it Ok to buy family Christmas presents off E-Bay?

I've bought most of my children's presents on ebay..I think its great. If it saves you money its gotta be good!!!

tattooed_lady

Definately agree! Sometimes you get some cheap new stuff too!

Dumbledore55

I've just been out Christmas Shopping and can't believe how much money I've saved:

I got £10 off boots by cashing in my TOPs points for buying petrol, £15 for cashing in my Nectar vouchers at Argos, I saved £16 in Boots using their 3 for 2 offer, £6.50 in M&S using their 3 for 2 offer and £27.50 in Allsports with their 50% off sale. Topped with the savings by buying some items from E-Bay, I've saved £102.44 all together!!

It was fun hunting round for the bargains too!