Pessimistic

Here I Sit
Broken Hearted
Paid 4 Grand for a car
That won't Start ...ed

Still no news on my car, garage had it for 2 days, I really am thinking the worst here.

Raining

It's bad news on the car front. It is the gearbox mounts. AA man was puzzled at first, but figured it out. Heaven knows how much this will cost. EF isn't even close to bailing me out of this one.

The only thing I am pleased about is that I knew something was seriously wrong and it would have been dangerous to drive it. Followed my gut instinct, despite Mr Marbles insistence that it was okay. Maybe I should do that more often. Anyway it totally depressed me yesterday, along with the clocks going back and it tipping down with rain most of the day.

Today is another day. No point moping around licking my wounds, I have to get things done. A whole list of housework chores to tackle aswell as get to work. So sitting here isn't going to acheive anything.

Car Trouble

Having read the recent car troubles other PF bloggers have experienced I had been counting my blessings. Right up until yesterday.

I'm no mechanic - wish I was. Loud clunk whilst moving off at a roundabout (my jargon leaves a lot to be desired) yesterday afternoon, now feels like driving a 10 ton diesel truck. Got to get it to the garage on Monday somehow. I think perhaps I'll call the AA first as I'm quite scared to drive it. A search on a few forums and I've made a self diagnosis that it's an engine or gearbox mount.

Mr Marbles is convinced it's just the fact the coolant was low, (he wasn't in the car when the 'clunking' happened ) and can't hear any difference in the cars movement. But then he doesn't drive it, and he's also no mechanic.

I've only had it for a year, it's 7 years old and I love it. So if there is car fairy out there please don't let it be expensive.

Frittering

This week I've made a silly mistake and an assumption that knocked my budget sideways.

My current account has a glamourous name like 'Gold' account from a well known High Street bank. I've been with them 23 years and have a good relationship with them - out of which they have obviously profitted. One nice little earner they have from me is this Gold account, if I use the OD facility I get charged £12. Well this month I'm in it up to the hilt, the charges plus interest are due out this week, £20 out the window. My silly mistake was forgetting this.

My assumption - some of my cashback would be in my account this month. Nope, not due until next month. £50 short.

I really have to get on the ball with where my pennies are going.

Update on reclaiming PPI. Neither bank that I requested the documents from have sent them this week. So the letters are going off anyway. Considering the MSE site is down this morning (due to a whole program on reclaiming PPI was on prime time TV last night) I think the sooner the better.

A bit of blog browsing turned up this post this morning, Paying Down Debt By The Penny by PaidTwice . I love the quote about frittering.

Friends

A phone call last night from an old friend. We used to work together some 20 years ago. A big re-union is happening for this company in a few weeks time. Mr Marbles and I have been asked if we are going by several former colleagues. The answer is always no. It's over 160 miles away. Before we even begin to think about getting there, where to stay etc there's children and dogs to consider.

Last night's call was the most persuasive yet. But it's not going to happen. I think we would both love to go, but it's not practical from any point of view, least of all financially.

Friend last night couldn't believe we weren't going. Wanted to know where the impulsive person was that used to do things on a whim. Mmmm, well she's gone and got herself all accountable and responsible at last.

We've stayed in touch with several of these former workmates, you know Christmas cards, the odd email or phone call. But in touch is all it is, so I question the realness of it all. As much as I would like to see them all, it would just be a nostalgic trip down memory lane for the evening at a cost of £100 plus. Then we go back to the Christmas card, email relationship.

Updates

Nothing very revealing or need to know this morning.

It's half term, kids off. Hubby (to be called H from hereon because hubby sounds naff) has taken the week off too, I have to go to work. I am relieved from all mad morning child/dog/lunchbox orientated rush duties. They have plans up to and including Wednesday. That's nice.

It will give me time to throw some more stuff on ebay, as payday is end of the month for many people anything listed for 10 days this week will hopefully appeal to the cash-laiden buyers :)

I have some decent cashback tracked amounts heading my way before the end of the year.
Top Cashback £184.45
Quidco £55.50
I think I may put half of that to EF. There are only two pay days til Christmas, add one son's birthday aswell, I have to be good. No choice.

Also registered on another survey site YouGov. Every little bit helps.

Happy Monday all.

Reclaiming PPI

Here's a thing - I had a loan from 2001 to 2006 with a well known UK bank that has had a lot of people queuing outside their branches recently until the UK Government agreed to to help them out.

The loan was originally a consolidation loan and had I stuck to frugal ways when I first took it out I would now be debt free. Anyway that's neither here nor there, but some parrallel universe that I didn't see the signpost for !

Now I hear the reclaim your PPI thing is kicking off and I'm going for it ! Got the template letters, got the orginal agreements and T & C's on their way so here we go. I believe I was misold the PPI over the phone to enhance my chances of the loan approval. This could work out to be over £2000.

For info on reclaiming your PPI check the MSE website:

PPI Reclaiming Guide

PPI Reclaiming Discussion

PPI Reclaiming Successes and Failures

Add to that I also have a 'flexible loan' with a division of Abbey/Santander, the only thing flexible about it is how high the interest rate has risen from an original 7.9% to 19.9%. Again I'm paying PPI on it which I don't recall asking for or being advised about. That's £30.99 a month.
I phoned them yesterday, cancelled it and can now start to pay the actual loan off.

The next step is my Next account, there is no visible PPI on any of the statements, am I being charged PPI ? All I can see is a service charge.

Once again if you dob't ask, you don't get.

A Day Off

I love Thursdays, it's my day off ! Before when I ran my own business I forgot the pleasure of not having to be anywhere at a certain time to do a certain thing. I guess I was always working.

Of course it won't be a leisurely day lunching and wallowing in selfish activities, I'll see the children to school, walk the dog - he likes Thursdays too because it means he can actually stop and sniff a little longer, rather than 'sniff on the go') and then become a domestic goddess ! Hubby will be back at lunchtime so this morning I am going flyladying . If the sun appears I may even treat the car to a wash and polish up with my trusty microfibre cloth. I live such an exciting life.

Talking of the car, I woke up yesterday and made a decision on the insurance. Went to the Prudential via Top Cashback, bought a policy for £184.80 and am awaiting cashback of £95 ! Policy started as soon as I purchased it online. I await the documentation. That's that saga over for another year. So just the tax to pay now, and of course that dropped on the mat yesterday morning, £99.

Had a few more surveys through, one I particularly like is Home Of Research (not an affiliate link) I've earnt £5.00 in the last 2 weeks, interesting surveys. Pay by paypal too.

Today is going to be a good day.

Stunned !

I got accepted for a 0% BT card ! Me ! With all my fretting, worrying, phonecalls etc I got a 0% for 10 months and £20.50 cashback !

Fair enough it's only a small transfer, £500, but it's one less marble :) Low credit limit but 10 months and an APR of 15.9% compared to 22.4% plus 0% again on balance transfers on anniversary for two years. Add the cashback by Quidco (not affiliate link). Anyone interested it's the Post Office card . Oooh I love the Post Office !

Only way is up .

I'm It !

Right, I'm quite excited ! I've been tagged by Momof3 at Working For Financial Freedom . Seven Things about me.

1. I'd love to take a car maintenance course.

2. I don't do pink.

3. I'd like to learn Italian

4. I can't make cheesecake, although I love it. It usually ends up in a real messy biscuit crumb pile, with my 10 year old clutching his sides in laughter. I've tried three times.

5. I love potatoes, mashed, chips, jacket just plain boiled, real comfort food.

6. I don't own a pair of heels, really missed out on the 'shoe' and 'girly' genes.

7. My favourite all time film is Heartburn, Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep.

Right who to tag?

Single Broke Female

Diggin' Out Diary

Dump The Debt

Ugly Debty

Debt Mom No More

Debt Diet

So Sick Of Debt

Snowball Reversal

I'm guilty by my absence. Things just snowballed this week, the wrong way. Had to be here there and everywhere, my time was not properly managed as a result I ended up buying groceries on the hoof so to speak. Throw in one lost school sweatshirt, football fees and a leaving collection at work I'm in mini meltdown again.

I think I need to take the cash only route. It's not that I use credit cards, it's my friendly debit card that gets plastered. As I've reported before I pop in to local supermarket to buy one thing, milk or dog food whatever, and it ends up being a £20 visit. I've done this twice this week and the £160 budget is now down to £126. In fours days. Keep going like this and I'll be £80 over budget.

On the plus side I've made £28 on ebay, and no I haven't put Michael Jackson up yet.

Need an inspiration catch up with other PF Blogs :)

Predictable

19.40 Monday night, phone rings. I knew it would be the late CC payment call. It was dealt with in minutes. I explained I had phoned a week ago and asked a note to be put on the account that I was aware I'd be 4 days late etc etc. No note on my account. Still plus side is I don't get a late fee this time. (Can BT in 34 months then ?:)))) and she assured my nothing detrimental would be on my credit report for this late payment. Hmmm, no comment.

As for the attempt at not smoking, well that's another blog now. Don't want to bore my other PF'ers with it so thought I'd start a selfish Diary of a nicotine addict blog.

Off to see what you are all up too.

Visualisation

When I think about this pile of debt I have, I see it as a huge mountain and me carrying away little bits of it at a time. Knowing it's going to crumble at some point in the future.(Tried googling images for a little cartoon, can't find one anywhere.)

Having still to beat this smoking business I dipped in to Allen Carr again yesterday. He says you should see the fight as already won, no mountain to climb. Once you've stopped you are at the top. Just stay there. I hate being a slave to nicotine. I'm trying again - today. I think the key is to relax through the craving, it's not going to last. I think I should relax more anyway. I don't always have to be doing something.

Something I did do yesterday was clear our junk cupboard, you know wghere it all goes 'cos it hasn't got a home. Amongst the various wires, scarts, odd gloves and freebie CD's the papers give away, I found an old Michael Jackson CD single. Man In The Mirror, 1987. Looked on ebay and other CD collector sites, seems people are asking £35 for this CD ! Note I said asking, can't see anyone buying. So do I keep or sell ? If I sell, I'm not sure where.

Whilst fighting through another pile of ironing yesterday I watched and immensely enjoyed Educating Rita [1984]. A real feel good, motivational movie. Films like that always get me thinking, reflecting and motivated.

Finally, on Friday afternoon I got a few surveys through from Lightspeed (not an affliate link). I think this was a direct result of my Cashcrate sign up. However Lightspeed surveys were very interesting compared to many I've done. Plus they convert points to cash and pay by Paypal. Recommended.

Things I Didn't Know

I have loads of mundane things to do this morning before I rush off to work, but I just found myself on The Daily Telegraph Money page reading 50 myths about money. Most of it common sense to any PF blogger or DFW.

I was aware defaults stay on your credit report for 6 years, I didn't know late payments stay on for 3 years. Being of the late payment brigade this month that's my card marked. It's not that I want anymore credit, it's that I want to balance transfer at some point to something preferably out of the the 20 percent area. Don't stand a chance of getting rates lowered at present.

Then there's the pension dilemma, I have some miniscule amount stashed away from employment in my 20's, and that's it. I guess it goes back to Ms.Jo's comment on my 'Attitude Change' post. Quote "I can understand the concept of saving for the future...but there is something to be said for today too...I mean...if I die tomorrow what good did all my sacrifices do??"

I know it's not advisable to look back, and yes I have learnt from my mistakes, but this road to become a money magnet certainly gives you food for thought.


CreditExpert - Check Your Credit Report for Free

Don't Ask - Don't Get !

I spent yesterday tieing up loose ends, found the process gave me a great sense of acheivement. It wasn't my plan to do so but postie brought some paperwork that required it.

In the post a £20 cheque from Mutual Points, £4.40 overpayment from National Insurance contributions. A letter from National Savings and Investments stating that they had found my old account and it had a balance of £1.00 ! Checking online I discovered I had £2.86 on the way from Quidco, £5.54 in Paypal, completed my self assessment Tax form and I've overpaid tax by £12.54, that all adds up to £50.00 :)

So an ebay listing frenzy ensued which stopped when I had a sudden brainwave that somewhere in this house is a box full of old mobile phones that need to be gone, can I find them ? I found the original boxes they arrived in when given as gifts on various Christmases and birthdays, complete with an array of fascias, chargers and instruction booklets, but the phones ?

Then on to car expenses. The AA wanted to charge me £108 for recovery and breakdown cover for the next year. I did a little research RAC, Greenflag etc. Got it down to £93, phoned the AA. A short discussion changed the policy to cover the car only. Bearing in mind I'm too scared to drive anyone else's car ! Got it down to £67 :))))

Insurance, whatever comparison site or insurers 'get a quote' link I use, and trawl through the same questions again and again, within minutes of me hitting submit the phone rings. Some broker somewhere asking what's my lowest quote etc etc.It's so tedious this car insurance thing. Add the jargon eg, voluntary excess, NCD Protection, legal protection . My head was swimming. The higher excess you pay the lower the quote, no legal protection brings it lower, but both of those those things are priceless if you have an accident. I'm still not 100% sure who to go with.

Right on with the day, after all it is POETS day again :)

Attitude Change

Tell me fellow PF bloggers, I hear so much about Dave Ramsey, is it worth me ordering from the library ? Or is much of his advice geared towards the American financial system ? i.e 401k IRS etc. I'm assuming he is the equivalent of our Martin Lewis.

My positive thinking and general change in attitude yesterday resulted in spreading a little happiness, at no expense, made two clients at work 'belly laugh' . Bearing in mind the people I work with are of the older generation and have to deal with ill health and dependency on many people for the little things in life some of us take for granted. Coupled with that upon arriving for work, one of the managers expressed a pleasure in seeing me because I was always 'bright and cheerful the mornings'.

That's more like it.

A bit more delving into the car insurance world, and I am happy to report one company can beat my cheapest quote of £189.95 by £10 and if I get it right online I also receive £95 cashback.

Pile of stuff ready for the ebay cheap listing day tomorrow, no procrastination allowed, I find listing on ebay tiresome, probably because I used to it as my 'job', but it has to be done.

Have a good day all

Milking the cow !

I'm not usually a philosophical person but I've been up since 5.00 am, not for a sleepless worrying reason, because I have things I must do. Less talk more action. Feeling positive and up - perhaps that penny interest yesterday was the start of my turnaround ?



My quote for the day :

“If you want milk, don’t sit on a stool in the middle of a field in the hope that the cow will back up to you.” Old English Proverb.



Think that's what I've been doing, sitting on a stool in a field waiting for a cow, oblivious to the fact there's a whole field just over there.



So I've checked my online accounts this morning and paypal came through as expected have £60.12, transferred £5 in e-fund, buying a weeks top up groceries, throwing the rest at the late credit card bill.

Today I will do something nice for a stranger, what goes around comes around. Law of attraction etc etc.

A Penny More

Went online banking this afternoon and although current account balance is a sorry state -£7.84 awaiting paypal injection tomorrow -my e-savings emergency account has been boosted by a penny ! A whole penny interest I didn't have yesterday. Yes I know the taxman will get his hands on a bit of my penny but for now it's mine.

Is Procrastination avoidable ?

October already. New month and a perfect time to set some goals. I seem to have been suffering procrastination (that always sounds like a painful operation to me ) again.

So October

• list on ebay - 4th October insertion fees half price, all the kids clothes that they are not going to wear, in particular the football boots and karate suits that haven't seen the light of day for over a year, but I'm sure I've paid for several times over.
• sort the car insurance out, for real, not due until the end of the month though.
• Grocery budget - £160, not a penny more, stick to menu plan.
• Get into a serious cash for searching/surveys routine. Registered with Cashcrate up to $7 , a little time consuming but easy money so far. Topcashback and Quidco also pay for daily searches.
• Pay minimum balances CC as soon as bills come in. Like others have said interest is charged daily, the sooner they are paid, less interest charged.
• Just one more little thing - tame the ironing monster as he really is becoming uncontrollable, rumour has it Lord Lucan was seen hiding behind by ironing mountain.

Right off to walk the dog in the rain !