My first SOA, all ideas welcome

mstopham

falady wrote: »

PS - take a packed lunch!!!! This will save you loads of moeny - you just need to be a bit organised. If being so organised sounds a bit daunting (it did fopr me at first0 jsut staret slowly and take a packed lunch 3 days per week. You'll soon notice the difference.

Also, get less moeny out of the cashpoint each time you go. If there's only £10 in my purse i feel like i've got less to spend than if there was £40 and will be less frivolous.

Ali x

The cashpoint one is a great suggestion, I have already done this to myself. As mentioned I only now spend the cash given as the rent/bill money. Since I started looking at my finances seriously about 3 weeks ago I have drawn cash out once one Sunday and that was because my housemate had to go to Northampton for a few days so was late in getting my cash to me. Have put the amount back now.

The packed lunch thing I do need to look at. I waste so much bread when I buy it, about 2 slices get used. I like a minimum amount of time from waking to being at my desk in the morning (I work well under pressure, time is short I can get myself into gear and moving). The main issue is that during the week I am rarely certain if I am sleeping at mine or my gf's. I have got better though. I buy a boots meal deal which works out at £2.45 a day as you get the 6th free and get 8p on the advantage card per one. (I often buy paracetamol at £0.15 and get an extra 4p) though I have 4 spare packs now so no need for a while.

Horace

Not wanting to appear rude - can you not shift your credit card debts to a 0% balance transfer card? That way you pay zero interest? Don't spend on the card or cards either because you will just increase your debt.

One thing about pigsback that wasn't mentioned is that they have what they call local vouchers that you can print off and gain discounts in the stores/restaurants etc listed on them. These may help if you are gadding about on the town a lot.

HTH

mstopham

Horace wrote: »

Not wanting to appear rude - can you not shift your credit card debts to a 0% balance transfer card? That way you pay zero interest? Don't spend on the card or cards either because you will just increase your debt.

One thing about pigsback that wasn't mentioned is that they have what they call local vouchers that you can print off and gain discounts in the stores/restaurants etc listed on them. These may help if you are gadding about on the town a lot.

HTH

You are not being rude! However I am not currently after CC advice. The balances are mostly on 0% or 6/7% for the life of the balance. Due to the amount I have in terms of no of cards and total of debt I have been refused an ASDA card (I wanted this two fold, to get a 0% deal and to get 2p off per litre of fuel). I am therefore guessing that currently there is little point in trying for more cards as I am just going to be adding flags to my credit report.

Last month on a CC debt of >£18k I paid £73 in interest.

I am trying to put my days of gadding around the town behind me and therefore save money!

I do have an empty barclaycard however with a limit of £1300 so when my next 0% deal runs out I intend to put the full £1300 on there and have the 7% for life of the balance running.

mstopham

Well woohoo, had some good news!

Phoned up SP to sort out my utility bill and they have issued a refund for £337 and have lowered my monthly DD to £57 from July. Thats an extra £25 in the kitty each month and a chunk to come off my debt! Though it will be best part of a month before it does, 10 working days for the check to appear. The next sat to get it in the bank (If its the 21st I am away) Wait for it to clear and then electronic payment onto a credit card.

But I am feeling happier now, was £80 more refund and about £5 a month more than I was expecting!

angedema

I had a similar refund from SP in March and they reduced my monthly DD, put me on a better tariff etc. Then last week I had a letter saying they were increasing my DD by £40 a month as I wasn't paying enough!

mstopham

angedema wrote: »

I had a similar refund from SP in March and they reduced my monthly DD, put me on a better tariff etc. Then last week I had a letter saying they were increasing my DD by £40 a month as I wasn't paying enough!

I will have to watch out for that, though on the graph of my consumption over the last 12 months I worked it out to around £60 a month and recently I have been spending more time at my GF's so using less anyway. Hopefully the checking and the less usage should avoid any nasty jumps!

They have told me they will review in August so I guess I will put the savings aside until the review is done just in case.

angedema

By the way, sorry to put a downer on your good news. You will probably be OK if your consumption is decreasing. Have you spoken to customer services and checked you are on the best tariff for your circumstances? They don't tend to offer this info, you have to ask for it:rolleyes:

mstopham

angedema wrote: »

By the way, sorry to put a downer on your good news. You will probably be OK if your consumption is decreasing. Have you spoken to customer services and checked you are on the best tariff for your circumstances? They don't tend to offer this info, you have to ask for it:rolleyes:

I have thanks! I switched tariffs about 2 weeks ago, means I am totally online and input meter readings online.