Newbie says hi - and thanks!

slowlyfading

I'd put it in some water and freeze it! That way you're not tempted
sf x

SuSu1871

Aaaah..... the emergency credit card!! I used to do this, but after a few months of being good, I'd end up using it for an emergency such as food shopping! Before I knew it, I was using it more and more, and I ended up back in the same mess I was before. So... I wouldn't recommend having an emergency credit card.

What kind of emergencies are you expecting anyway? If you did have a real emergency, wouldn't your folks help you out? I've read on here of people putting their credit cards in the freezer - apparently it does them no harm and it makes you stop and think before buying a new CD on Amazon becomes an emergency treat (yep, that was me, too!)

newleaf

Izzie_Wizzie wrote: »

I still have my barclaycard (the others were cut up as soon as I opened them for the low lob interest rates) which is burning a hole in my purse. I don't want to cut it up in case I need it for emergencies. I think I can easily manage on £10 per week cash but where's the best place to keep my barclaycard safe? (and unused!)

If I leave it in my purse I'll just use it!

I have heard some people say they keep theirs frozen in a tub of water, that way they have to wait for it to defrost before they can use it, and the time and effort this takes means they have time to consider the prospective purchase and whether it's really worth it.
Personally I just keep mine in a safe place at home. I know where it is, but I don't take it out with me so I can't use it on impulse.

auntie_brenda

I agree with the comments on life insurance. You have no dependants so don't need this - cancel it.

Is Northern Rock a loan? Do you have PPI on it - if so cancel it.

What did you spend the money on? Can any of it be ebayed?

Good luck!

Izzie_Wizzie

Quote

Outgoings
Petrol £150.00 - any way you can reduce this/walk to work/use public transport? I I work 20 miles away from home, if I took public transport it would take twice as long and probably cost as much. I'm currently looking for another job. Rent £150.00
Dad £34.50 (my half of broadband and sky) - this seems pretty high - have you got the best broadband deal? Broadband is £22.99 per month (wanadoo), sky is £46. This figure is for my half. What's the cheapest decent broadband deal?
Life Ins £14.07 - hmmm....do you really need this? can it go on hold till you're debt free? Never really thought about this to be honest. Now you've mentioned it, I'm covered for 4 times my salary in work anyway!! I'll be looking into cancelling this!
Car Ins £31.16 - have you tried quidco? get cashback on car insurance when you renew Will be looking into this too!!
Mobile £25.00 (6 months into 18 month contract - what was I thinking??)
Optician £13.00 - what's this for? contact lenses? have you tried shopping around for better deals? Contact lenses - will be shopping around this week!![B]
SuSu1871[/QUOTE]

Izzie_Wizzie

auntie_brenda wrote: »

I agree with the comments on life insurance. You have no dependants so don't need this - cancel it.

Is Northern Rock a loan? Do you have PPI on it - if so cancel it.

What did you spend the money on? Can any of it be ebayed?

Good luck!

Yes NR is a loan taken out in Feb of this year (5 years but can pay additional payments when I like so I'm planning to snowball this when the others have gone. I'm not paying PPI - I work for a financial institution (:o ) so I know how totally worthless this is.

I've already sold an old mobile phone for £65 on ebay :T - guess I could sell some of the other stuff too. If anyone wants a silver PS2 in excellent condition (used it 4 times!!) let me know!

Thanks for all the advice

Izzie

SuSu1871

Re your broadband: I have broadband with wanadoo and they called me to offer me a reduced price, so it's now £17.99 and the speed and all that are exactly the same. It's worth putting in a call to them to see what they can do.

Also, now that Wanadoo is owned by Orange, you get 2 for 1 cinema tickets on Orange Wednesdays. Just text FILM to 80241 on the Wednesday that you're going to the cinema, Orange will text you a code, and you give that code at the cinema to claim your 2 for 1 tickets.

Re your sky: £46 is pretty steep! Do you have all channels? Can you reduce this, or ask your dad if you can pay, say 1/3 instead of 1/2 (does he know the extent of your debt?)

Hope this all helps. Looks like you're making steps in the right direction. Remember, it's often the little savings here & there that add up :T

Izzie_Wizzie

SuSu1871 wrote: »

Re your broadband: I have broadband with wanadoo and they called me to offer me a reduced price, so it's now £17.99 and the speed and all that are exactly the same. It's worth putting in a call to them to see what they can do.

Also, now that Wanadoo is owned by Orange, you get 2 for 1 cinema tickets on Orange Wednesdays. Just text FILM to 80241 on the Wednesday that you're going to the cinema, Orange will text you a code, and you give that code at the cinema to claim your 2 for 1 tickets.

Re your sky: £46 is pretty steep! Do you have all channels? Can you reduce this, or ask your dad if you can pay, say 1/3 instead of 1/2 (does he know the extent of your debt?)

Hope this all helps. Looks like you're making steps in the right direction. Remember, it's often the little savings here & there that add up :T

Thanks for the wanadoo tip - I'll speak to them tomorrow. Sky includes an additional £10 for an extra box that I have in my room - to be honest it's really not worth the money but we're tied in for another 10 months.

My parents have no idea about the extent of my debts - I know that a lot of people on here have bitten the bullet and told their partners etc of the extent of their debt but I really don't want to burden them with my problems. I'm sure that they would be fine with it (eventually!) but I got myself into this mess in the first place and I intend to get myself out, however hard it is - guess it'll be a lesson very well learned!

Izzie

whatatwit

Hi Izzie Wizzie, have a look through quidco and Pigsback when you check out new deals for contact lenses.
Also I agree with cancelling the life insurance.

If you are on monthly disposables for lenses, do you change them every month, or can you sometimes make them last an extra week or so. I only ask as my mum has stockpiled a load of lenses and i have now talked her into cancelling and using up what she has, then looking for a better deal.

Good luck.

monkeymonkey_3

Izzie_Wizzie wrote: »

I've managed to get the lowest possible interest rates on my debts but if anyone can suggest how I could shave any more off I'd be really grateful!

Izzie

Hi, how have you done this? Did you swap cards, or have you just phoned and asked them?