Facing up and cracking on

remote_control

Thank you! I did find two bits today for ebay! Just channeling Marie Kondo and minimalist blogs I've read. A couple of items that probably cost £100 which I haven't used for years (but did use a lot). I hadn't wanted to part with them as there is nothing wrong with them and I suppose I might need them one day. 
3 bags went to the clothes recycling bin today. Really nice that a couple of clothes drawers close easier today!
Made about £7 on surveys. Reduced my giffgaff to a smaller monthly payment as I'm not using my data. We've massively over paid on gas and electric but they're not getting back to us about reducing the DD. 
Enjoying meal planning and making sure my online shop each week comes under £100.

remote_control

Forgot to do a 1st of the month update. I found four things for ebay which sold. It all felt like a bit of a faff but after procrastinating a lot I got them listed and they got bids on pretty quickly. Sold for £8, £10, £30 and £79. Obviously a lot in fees but that's probably about £100! Pretty good! I always think I've sold everything possible already but I guess I need to check a bit more often.
We've been using up quite a bit of odd food. Trying to find meals that incorporate the random jars or things that have been in the freezer for months! Cupboards are starting to look quite bare. 
I've got a market research next week.
Sent a few bits off via a book selling app.
Cashed out some top cash back.
So all in all feeling quite flush this week. 
Got through to the energy company eventually and that is sorted now. 
I applied for a 0% balance transfer as mine is up at the beginning of May. I know it's a bit soon but I only own £2900 on that card and I could pay that off with savings. I'd rather transfer it though so if I'm accepted I'll transfer and if I'm not I will pay the card off before May. We're enjoying having savings and in these uncertain times I would rather have the debt on 0% and the savings there. There seems to be fewer 0% cards on the market.

remote_control

Didn't get accepted for the 0% card, first time ever! They said they use Experian so I joined that and my score was 999. I am so confused! I might write to them as they say you can if you want to query it. Anyone got any ideas? I've only got £2900 in my name. In 2019 we spent £35,000 on 0% credit cards and had much higher credit limits! Is it just coronavirus?

remote_control

I wrote to the credit card company and asked why, they gave an address to write to if you had any queries. I just want to know for next time!
I downloaded the app for the card I have in my name which stands at around £2900. Took a while to get the log in sorted with all the verification codes etc but I'm in now and it is so easy to make a payment as it stores my debit card details. I am going to put little payments towards it from here and there e.g. any sales. I sent some dvds and cds off to a selling place and they arrived today so that will probably be my first payment towards it. I really think I've ebayed all there is to sell though! 

remote_control

Really enjoying the app for my 0% credit card. Made a few little payments here and there, mainly from tiny ebay sales. 
Any money savings are just going to the general savings pot, I transfer any money I have in my account on payday to the savings account. 
Coming to the end of our decluttering challenge, there is still a lot of the kid's stuff I'd like to go that they don't play with but they want to keep it. 
I've logged back into swagbucks to try and get that up to £5 pay out - I really don't understand how people make sb. If anyone has the time to explain to me I would appreciate it. What can I do other than getting screened out of surveys???
I would like to join a DFW Challenge but I don't know which one. A mixture of ideas to save money but also making money.
Plan: Have a look through decluttered bags to see if anything will sell on ebay. Finish decluttering challenge. Find as many surveys and market research to do as possible. 

Sarahwithlove

I think it's just coronavirus is making them tighter on credit cards tbh. What's your utilisation on your current card? As generally it needs to be around 30% to get a higher chance of being accepted. So it might be worth trying nearer the time when you have less on it and maybe just transfer some from whichever card is due to come to next as well when you do it. 

remote_control

Thanks Sarah, my utilisation is about 20%. I have one card I don't use so I was thinking of cancelling it but then that will change my utilisation figure a lot in the wrong direction! 
I joined the MSE Credit Club and it says I have v. poor disposable income (I can't quite remember what the category is). I'm very confused by this but never mind.

I took a look at your diary Sarah, you're doing so well!!

remote_control

A tiny £7 to debt 3. That's all I've managed to day but also don't think I've spent any money! Heating on all day and I have a blanket on my lap and hot water bottle!

Sarahwithlove

That means you have quite high commitments in terms of rent/mortgage/loans usually which is probably what is stopping you getting new offers. Have you tried ringing your credit card companies up to ask for them to pause or lower the interest? Just explain you are struggling and in current circumstances they have a duty to help. 

remote_control

Hi Sarah, 
The two cards are on 0% until May so our plan is to overpay as much as we can until beginning of April and then see what we can get. We've got a few options, if we can't get a balance transfer card we'll get a 0% on purchases one (if we can).
My Halifax card always seems to have an offer, current one is fee free balance transfer and then you pay 3.something% interest on that debt.