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Teetering on the brink

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  • EatingBeans
    EatingBeans Posts: 351 Forumite
    100 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 1 February at 3:46PM
    Another random thought I am pondering as I wake up. Why on earth is Equifax giving me a ‘credit score’ of 819 out of 1000, and at the same time telling me the UK average is 585 and my area is 574? Don’t worry, I know we don't really have a credit score anyway but in what world can someone look at where I currently am and tell me I am doing way better than average? Seriously? The scores are clearly pointless. 
    End of
    		 Dec-24 May-25
    Brother  £  5,400.00  £  5,200.00
    Overdraft owed  £  1,349.90  £            -  
    MBNA CC  £ 10,534.20  £ 12,056.18
    Barclaycard CC  £  9,667.21  £  8,138.15
    Fluid CC  £            -    £     732.50
    NatWest CC  £ 12,018.14  £ 11,774.23
    Total debt  £ 38,969.45  £ 37,901.06

    Paid off in the month
    -£     914.90
    Total paid off 2025  £  1,068.39

  • ellen_vannin
    ellen_vannin Posts: 424 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 100 Posts
    edited 1 February at 5:33PM
    Just commenting on your decision to leave in any word/ doubts etc. I think it is a really good idea.
    Then anyone else reading along knows it's not easy but can be done.
    Thanks to the mention of topcashback gift cards I didn't know that. Even found I had a credit of £4.80 on the site I had forgotten about. Probably because I usually use Quidco. 
    Retail therapy can be manageable with this I think. 

    Keep going you are doing so well.
     
  • ellen_vannin
    ellen_vannin Posts: 424 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 100 Posts
    If you like playing games on your phone and have spare time try downloading the Coca cola app for free. Fun games earn you points which you exchange for competition entries for small weekly prizes. I have won socks and an umbrella. Also daily instant draws for pizza and shopping vouchers.
  • EatingBeans
    EatingBeans Posts: 351 Forumite
    100 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Haha @ellen_vannin, that is so funny. I would never have thought of winning socks and an umbrella from coke! I’m game for giving most things a try atm so thanks! 

    To be honest I’ve noticed there is a theme running through the posts I have read about people entering competitions. So far I am not entering anything so I feel like I am missing a trick here. If you (or anyone else reading) has any other competitions they would recommend, please do share. 😁 The only other comp I have heard of is the Tesco one although so far I haven’t been able to find more details for it. 
    End of
    		 Dec-24 May-25
    Brother  £  5,400.00  £  5,200.00
    Overdraft owed  £  1,349.90  £            -  
    MBNA CC  £ 10,534.20  £ 12,056.18
    Barclaycard CC  £  9,667.21  £  8,138.15
    Fluid CC  £            -    £     732.50
    NatWest CC  £ 12,018.14  £ 11,774.23
    Total debt  £ 38,969.45  £ 37,901.06

    Paid off in the month
    -£     914.90
    Total paid off 2025  £  1,068.39

  • ellen_vannin
    ellen_vannin Posts: 424 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 100 Posts
    edited 1 February at 6:15PM
    There is a load of competitions listed on this site.
    I can't post a link as on phone at moment and better at link's on laptop.
    I usually just put mse competitions into Google and you can navigate from there. Well worth a go - just choose the free entry ones at first.
    Also try Loquax site for competition listings.
    Instant wins are posted by Super lucky di which you can also Google. She has listing of top 5 comps to enter weekly and lots of advice for newbies.
    I pay for a monthly magazine which is called Compers news but try the free sites first.
  • ellenvan
    ellenvan Posts: 227 Forumite
    Third Anniversary 100 Posts Photogenic
    Not sure if this is an old login of mine on laptop anyway some links to comp sites

    All can be found on Google if you dont want to click links

    HTH



  • EatingBeans
    EatingBeans Posts: 351 Forumite
    100 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Thanks both, I have been trying to navigate through MSE to find them and clearly go off on random tangents… oooo shiny….. what was I looking for again? 🤔🐟🧠 It never occurred to me to just google MSE comps! 🤦‍♀️ Sorry.

    Thanks.

    I’ve been too busy off playing games on the coke app, and then randomly signed up to the costa app too. Apparently they give you something on your birthday too! 🤣 Fortunately for me I live right next to town and Greggs and Costa are just opposite each other! I can see me having a little wander very soon. 😁
    End of
    		 Dec-24 May-25
    Brother  £  5,400.00  £  5,200.00
    Overdraft owed  £  1,349.90  £            -  
    MBNA CC  £ 10,534.20  £ 12,056.18
    Barclaycard CC  £  9,667.21  £  8,138.15
    Fluid CC  £            -    £     732.50
    NatWest CC  £ 12,018.14  £ 11,774.23
    Total debt  £ 38,969.45  £ 37,901.06

    Paid off in the month
    -£     914.90
    Total paid off 2025  £  1,068.39

  • stymied
    stymied Posts: 655 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Thanks @EatingBeans Do you have another box you’re eyeing up next? 😀
  • EatingBeans
    EatingBeans Posts: 351 Forumite
    100 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    I finally got an Aldi bag from TooGoodToGo! 


    Three loaves of bread - two have squeezed into the freezer.
    Baby Spinach
    Salmon
    Carrots
    Dip selection

    Not quite what I envisioned but still, nothing will go to waste. I am not a big bread eater so that we likely last me the whole month. The dogs and guinea pigs eat carrot every day and all the humans like them too. I like the spinach, and what I don’t eat will go to the guineas. The salmon is MINE! lol And the dips, well, I have some cucumber that needs up so it will get snacked on. 

    I was hoping for some kind of yummy treat I could share with dd2 but not this time. That said, I don’t think she deserves a treat this evening! 

    dd1 broke the ‘no takeaways at home’ rule and strolled in with a kfc snack box. She proceeded to sit on the floor in front of me to scoff it, offering the fries to dd2, who TOOK THEM! 😱 Traitor! Apparently the support for my crazy no takeaways adventure rule is only possible for a month at which point they stop listening. In an apparent appeasement gesture dd1 offered me the wrap! My favourite BBQ chicken wrap, (which smelled divine), that I then had to turn down! I stayed strong and managed to make a point that the rule still exists and no I cannot be bribed! 💪 Good job it wasn’t yesterday! Haha
    End of
    		 Dec-24 May-25
    Brother  £  5,400.00  £  5,200.00
    Overdraft owed  £  1,349.90  £            -  
    MBNA CC  £ 10,534.20  £ 12,056.18
    Barclaycard CC  £  9,667.21  £  8,138.15
    Fluid CC  £            -    £     732.50
    NatWest CC  £ 12,018.14  £ 11,774.23
    Total debt  £ 38,969.45  £ 37,901.06

    Paid off in the month
    -£     914.90
    Total paid off 2025  £  1,068.39

  • ellenvan
    ellenvan Posts: 227 Forumite
    Third Anniversary 100 Posts Photogenic
    edited 1 February at 11:57PM
    I think that Aldi bag is pretty good - I make it about 50p an intem? - probably worth trying now and then as will always probably be different.
    Some Gregg stores do them and they may have more sweet treats?

    Well done for staying strong on the takeaway rule. Shame the teeneagers couldn't stick to the ban longer.
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