Small Steps Out Of Massive Debt!

Naomim

GeorgianaCavendish wrote: »

Thought I'd post this here after chatting to a friend. She was amazed that I haven't bought a new phone for "years" (3.5 years, not a big achievement) and that my phone has no damage to the screen.

I bought a really good case that makes it practically indestructible. The case was expensive (I think RRP is £70 although it was on sale when I bought it and I used some of my survey-reward Amazon vouchers as well) but so worth it - my phone doesn't have a scratch on it. Even after the time I dropped it in the airport and it skidded about 10m along the hall.

I also made sure that our phones are covered on our contents insurance policy (we've got an 'items away from home' add in that covers mobiles) but that is another story.

I must admit I'm pretty good and only upgraded from SIM only last time because my phone was on it's last legs and I secured a much better deal with cashback with another provider.

however, I must check my insurance policy and see if our phones are covered at all as I don't have any separate insurance for them.

Naomim

GeorgianaCavendish

EssexHebridean wrote: »

Oh the "save the change" thing you mean? It does seem like a good idea in theory - if you make a lot of transactions though and always do that it could certainly risk throwing a budget off kilter.

Definitely something to keep in mind! I'm not sure how many transactions I make over a month (off to check that now) but I can imagine that if everything was rounded up to the next £ it could prove a nasty shock!

Naomim wrote: »

I must admit I'm pretty good and only upgraded from SIM only last time because my phone was on it's last legs and I secured a much better deal with cashback with another provider.

however, I must check my insurance policy and see if our phones are covered at all as I don't have any separate insurance for them.

Naomim

It is definitely worth checking in the wording. Our current policy covers them as part of the "items away from home", but in a previous policy with a different supplier we had a separate add-on for electronics that included mobile phones in & out of the home.

[Deleted User]

I have the save the change thing and it doesn't ruin my budget because I always round up to the nearest pound in my budget anyway. So if I've spent £6.18 in Aldi, I'll take £7 off the grocery budget.
I save on average £15-20 per month with it.

GeorgianaCavendish

Moguline wrote: »

I have the save the change thing and it doesn't ruin my budget because I always round up to the nearest pound in my budget anyway. So if I've spent £6.18 in Aldi, I'll take £7 off the grocery budget.
I save on average £15-20 per month with it.

Does your bank offer the service or do you use a 3rd party app? Turns out that my bank (HSBC) doesn't offer it any more

[Deleted User]

Yes, my bank offer it. I think only Lloyds and Halifax do.

BISCUIT1

Hi I have just read from start to finish today-very inspiring and well done-reading this has given me more momentum to keep going with my credit cards debts x

MidlandsMumof2

Hi GC
I’ve read your diary over the past 3 days (usually during my 2 year old’s nap time) and have found your journey inspirational. I’m really pleased that you didn’t decide to delete this diary a couple of years ago because your situation back then really resonates with me now and reading your progress has helped to motivate me to start to battle with my own finances.
So, thank you! And good luck for the rest of the journey; particularly now the personal loan is paid of.
Can someone tell me how I can subscribe to this diary? X

janb5

Hi MidlandsMumof2 ! Go to Thread tools at top of page and then click on subscribe to thread. HTH

db2016

read from mid 2019 to date, good progress!

im with you on the phone case, i pay £30 at least on a case, and they always pay for themselves.
not so much from drops etc, because i have a simple rule, unless its being used, it goes back in the pocket - it annoys me seeing people leave it on tables or whatever to get messed up / risk of a drop.
and the last 3 phones going back about 5-6 years i have bought sim free - and this at first was a big it out from the "upgrade with network" trap i wouldnt go back now.

then when it comes to sell i get the best price because it's in best condition (and the case goes with so the new buyer gets it safe too).

savings going sim only, even when i have unlimited everything are big! even if i did buy a new S10+ outright! but i done it right, on a 0% card etc and got £300 for old one.
and i have a thing of, do my gadgets work for me, eg my DSLR, its produced photos that have sold for £1000+. so its paid its keep. my PC (a price many would screech at), but it's produced work thats paid for itself in a year. same with my phone, its again produced work or pics that have paid its cost.

also a top tip is, skip a version - eg i have had galaxy s4 - 6 - 8 and now the ten. when the 11 comes out eg, there wont be much of a "jump" in performance etc,
and i have a friend who has had the 5 - 7 and now the 9 and we had a play with each others phones and theres not much difference between models at all,



so from now on she goes up the "odds" side, i do the "evens" / or miss one version (every 2 years) and it works out great.

GeorgianaCavendish

BISCUIT1 wrote: »

Hi I have just read from start to finish today-very inspiring and well done-reading this has given me more momentum to keep going with my credit cards debts x

Thank you so much Biscuit! Good luck with your credit cards, we can slay the debt together!

MidlandsMumof2 wrote: »

Hi GC
I’ve read your diary over the past 3 days (usually during my 2 year old’s nap time) and have found your journey inspirational. I’m really pleased that you didn’t decide to delete this diary a couple of years ago because your situation back then really resonates with me now and reading your progress has helped to motivate me to start to battle with my own finances.
So, thank you! And good luck for the rest of the journey; particularly now the personal loan is paid of.
Can someone tell me how I can subscribe to this diary? X

Thank you Midlands Mum, I really appreciate you reading I'm glad that this has struck a chord and good luck with tackling you finances!