Time to finish this off!

savingforfreedom

Hi all, I just wanted to post and get myself into the habit of checking the site (which I've already been using thanks to the amazing tips).

I've been in debt since uni in 1997 (at most £12,000). I had my ups and downs with money but have lived a lot along the way as well.:D

I turn 30 this year, have no savings, and am just over £3000 debt at this point. To some it might not seem like loads, but I really want to kick that last debt out of my life and feel free to move on. I'd especially like to do this by July, but that's probably being optimistic. In July I have some relationship decisions to make, which could involve a career change and even country for a while, hence my hope!

Anyway, I'll be around reading more of your stories and looking for inspiration to remove this weight from around my neck.
-Sam

savingforfreedom

Think I need to use this as a sort of diary.. just thought of some other stuff I want to write down...

I got my overdraft charges list from HSBC by calling them - it totals £1096. Due to the test case and wondering if I should call them instead of writing I didn't follow it up yet.. but clearly should.

I have an upaid invoice for £500 which should come through soon too.

I'm terrible with spending money on impulse when out with friends (I'm based in London). I think that's one of my biggest money drains.

I hate shopping, and hence don't think i'm good at shopping for bargains.

Gemmzie

Hi, well done on clearing so much and good luck with your final push!

I don't think HSBC will respond to bank charges and it's all on hold, you're better off sending them a letter ASAP and then they should reply saying it's being reviewed but it's on hold. At least then you're prepared and so are they.

Tiglet

Hi Sam,:hello:

Since you're in a hurry to get debt-free, I'll give you the quick version...:p

1) Post a full SOA. There's a sticky at the top of the board, or look at how other people have done theirs. Then we can all come up with lots of clever ways of saving money.

2) Read the credit card shuffle article. This explains how to use your existing cards to reduce your interest

3) Have a look at the snowball calculator. This explains how to pay off your card debts as quickly as possible.

4) Keep a spending diary. Record everything you spend and see what your wasting.

There, that wasn't too difficult, was it?

savingforfreedom

Thanks!

I'll do my SOA tonight probably, and I want to prepare the HSBC letter to print at work tomorrow to get that rolling. Got paid today and switched some money about so I'll have a look at that too. Read the matched betting thread too.

Also trying to figure out what my Credit Card interest rates and conditions are - I remember I got the Barclaycard because it was a low interest for life one, and the Egg was possibly in my anniversary month so I must check that.

-Sam