Another debt diary

weeg

Because this way I may actually have to do the things I said I would.

Like switching energy supplier. Won’t that be an exciting way to spend a Friday night? I get all the fun of digging old bills out, and standing on a chair to read the meters, all so I can check with uswitch and start the fun of actually changing. And ofgen wonders why so many folk are still with british gas!

On a brighter note, when someone asked the APR on my overdraft I had to go look it up on the bank website, and discovered they do another account which not only has a 10% lower APR, but also gives you 1% cashback on debit card purchases. Phoned the bank and they’re sending me the forms to switch. My account number won’t even change. Magic!

Now, what’s next on the list? Oh yeah. The power people.

Welshlassie

Glad to hear you are able to get a cheaper o/d and will get cashback. Let hope this means you will be clear of your o/d that much quicker with less interest to pay.

Have fun with uswitch and remember to go through Quidco to get the cashback, every penny (on in this cash quite a few pound) helps.

weeg

My theory about having to do the things I said I would has not come to pass. I will however try to tackle the bank account switch (the forms arrived) and the power companies later this week.

Does it count as saving if you stay in over the weekend and go to the pub on monday when it's 1.50 a pint?

Still, at least I had a cheap weekend - the joy of doing gardening for my parents. I was too knackered to go out. (whoever heard of having to use a hacksaw to repot plants?)

And I have downloaded forms for the following free stuff: lucozade, train ticket to London, and a haircut (ok, I had to buy shampoo to get the haircut, but I had run out of shampoo and the Avon lady hasn't been in ages).

On a happy note, tomorrow is payday. I get to be rich for 5 whole days until d/d day.

weeg

So, Apparently I am a very poor diarist.

But, for the record, as of today I own my car outright! Pops a very small champagne cork.

But the HBOS are in my bad books. Big time. I got a letter yesterday, dated 30the April, tellinng me that as I'd ignored their previous letter (what previous letter? I open and file EVERYTHING) my mortgage payment is going up by £55 in less than 2 weeks - that's nearly 20%. Barstewards. There goes the start of my slush/car costs fund.

Mind you, how else would I have learned that there are nice people on the mortgages board?

weeg

My almost monthly posting.

Sorted the mortgage thing out through a broker. Still with the HBOS sods, but better rate, and fixed.

STILL not sorted the utilities. Could someone hit me please?

However my new, free hobby of sending-off-for-free stuff is doing well (4 free cans of beer, a gillette razor and some coffee so far this week). And I used the free haircut 0 I'm very pleased with the results.

I have taken my car payment of £209 and this month paid £50 to my other overdraft/ slush fund, and £150 to my credit card. Won't be able to next month as I have to pay my buildings insurance and car insurance.

Skint_Catt

Go do your uswitch NOW!! And do it through Quidco so you get even more money back in your purse!!!!
Go on - 15mins of work to cut God knows how much off your outgoings!!!! :j
C xx

weeg

can't do it now! Need to take the readings and work out how much I use first!

But thankyou very much for the kick. I promise to do it when I sit down to do my filing/bill paying/correspondance, which will be tonight or tomorrow.

DontDoDebtKids

Yes, stop messing about and sort it out. Do it tonight. It actually doesn't take too long so DO IT.

DontDoDebtKids

Don't forget to use the £15 per utility cashback people through this site...

You haven't posted an SOA - if you do, we might be able to help identify stuff to cut back on and cheaper deals.

Seaxwyn

HI weeg

Don't feel too bad. I still haven't changed my life insurance despite resolving to in January! (recalcritant OH part of the problem).

How did you get the free beer?

weeg

Overposting (sorry)

I just remembered something. I was feeling a bit sorry for myself the other night. So I opened a bottle of wine (bad for both waist AND wallet). And 2 glasses later, I reactivated my dormant Match subscription. Theres £22 I won't see again. Maybe I'll find a rich husband, and can therefore class it as an intelligent investment?

I want a computer with a built-in breathalizer. On the mouse would be easiest.

cut and paste of SOA from a while back.

---

Hmmm, an SOA.

(NB I don’t have all the paperwork to hand, so there may be some vagary in the figures)

Income (after tax and pension) £1570
Mileage from work was £769 last year, varies from month to month.

Outgoings: Every Month
Mortgage £345
Council tax (inc water) £92
Student Loan £117
Landline: £11
Mobile & broadband £32 (more than a year left on contract)
Electricity £15
Gas £15
Cinema £11 Please don’t ask me to give this up. That’s an all-in cost for 6 nights out a month, and goes a long way to keeping me sane.
Institute of Civil Engineers £21 until August.
Petrol £20ish
Groceries (inc toiletries) £100ish
Charity £10 ( but I get a free holiday every year)

Other – not paid monthly.
Factors £27/quarter
Buildings insurance (paid through factors) 2 installments of approx £140
Car Insurance £350ish
Car Tax £110/year
TV licence £140/year
Car Servicing ? Say 350/year? Still under warranty, so unsure about figures.
Weddings: £200/year
Birthdays £120/year
Christmas £120/year

Things I haven’t forgotten but cost between 0-50/ year. Make up, hair cuts, dentist.

Reasons I got into debt: Home refurbishment, buying PC, buying car, 4 months unemployment 3 years go. In addition to the obvious spending more than I earn. (Not any more!)

Debts: £2065 Egg 7.9 APR pay £300 month
O/D limit £1350. Normally at limit by end of month
Student Loan £3500 ish at last statement