Cutting direct debits

LJD1_2

Hiya
Just thought i'd share this with you. When I started on here a while back I asked for help with a budget. I was given all sorts of ideas including dropping the gym membership (took me about 12 months to admit I could do this), only running one car (took even longer but have now been without my car for six months and haven't missed it yet), changing utility providers (i'm now with different providers for everything). It took me a while to get my head round people's ideas but eventually I got there!

Our direct debits were huge at over £800 a month and today i've just checked and they're down to £570. Don't think I can cut them any more but thanks to everyone who helped me save £230 a month xx

skintscotslass

Thats great!! Well done xx

postingalwaysposting

:j welldone ljd1, i hate direct debits, yes they are great for paying your bills but they are always scattered around the month and its like grrr :rotfl:

cat4772

LJD1

Wonderful - that's £2760 a year:eek: :eek: :eek: And as we all know every little bit helps. When I first joined, I was given similar advice and I decided that as we (Wayne and I) are in it for the long haul I could do one thing every month and it would still have a huge impact on our debts.

Cat.x

bathgatebuyer

postingalwaysposting wrote: »

:j welldone ljd1, i hate direct debits, yes they are great for paying your bills but they are always scattered around the month and its like grrr :rotfl:

I soooo know what you mean! I used to work on a simple basis with cash - paid on the last day of the month, all direct debits came off on the 1st and everything I was left with was mine for the month. Then I changed job and not all of my direct debits could be changed to suit. It was a nightmare trying to keeo track but it got worse when I went somewhere I got paid every 4 weeks! I was exhausted trying to keep track of money in and out.

Sammz

For those finding it difficult to keep track ... how about setting up a separate account? Will be a bit of a pain to organise at first but worth it eventually. I have enough to pay bills coming out of my main account in to one that the direct debits come out of.

postingalwaysposting

Sammz wrote: »

For those finding it difficult to keep track ... how about setting up a separate account? Will be a bit of a pain to organise at first but worth it eventually. I have enough to pay bills coming out of my main account in to one that the direct debits come out of.

Thanks sammz, i do use this stratagy however it still anoys me ~ i am not easily pleased :rolleyes: i like everything paid asap and then i can forget about them for a month but having direct debits coming out nearly 5 times in a month is just too annoying but i suppose we all have to live with it :cool:

millionaire_in_training

I use separate accounts as well. My wages go into the account that pays my direct debits, my minimum payments and other bills. All other money gets paid into another account and this is the one I use for living off of and paying extra from my debts. Works a treat. Hope that helps x

Lemon_Tree

i also have a second account for the DD's, i transfer in enough each month and then just forget about it, cept for checking the balance when i check the main account. I did this years ago during my first attempt to get in control of my finances, at least that bit worked even if nothing else did lol

Sammz

postingalwaysposting wrote: »

Thanks sammz, i do use this stratagy however it still anoys me ~ i am not easily pleased :rolleyes: i like everything paid asap and then i can forget about them for a month but having direct debits coming out nearly 5 times in a month is just too annoying but i suppose we all have to live with it :cool:

Most of mine are in the first week after payday but there is one on the 20th of the month and I have to admit it bugs me

LJD1_2

Hiya
I'm with all of you in hating direct debits but if I didn't have them i'd probably forget to pay the bills. Mustn't forget those savings we get for paying by DD too - this MSE is becoming ingrained! xx