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Topic: Credit Crunch Corner  (Read 1008 times)

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Credit Crunch Corner
« on: October 09, 2008, 04:56:41 PM »
I just thought I'd start a thread to share tips and tricks to beat the rising cost of everything these days.

Many of you will be familiar with Martin Lewis, but his site is indispensible:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/

We're in the difficult position of moving in the next few months, but we're trying to help the inlaws out in any way we can. We'll probably switch her electicity provider, we've switched her phone company, and we're looking for better deals for car and home insurance.

I make my own baby food and freeze it, which saves us a fair bit as the littlest one is well on solids now. We alternate between cheap but good diapers from Lidl and cloth.

What are you doing?

When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life. ~ John Lennon


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Re: Credit Crunch Corner
« Reply #1 on: October 09, 2008, 05:13:52 PM »
Nothing.  I'm only being cheap because I don't make alot of money and wifey stays home with the kids.  Sure food prices go up but oh well we gotta eat.


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Re: Credit Crunch Corner
« Reply #2 on: October 09, 2008, 05:21:46 PM »
We are switching out providers and trying to keep the heating off for as long as possible :)  Not easy as I am always cold!   ::)  I am trying to make bread and we are going to start getting a fruit and veg box-I think that will cut down on what we spend at the grocery store!  Other than that, I am always looking for any suggestions on how to cut costs! 
Even after all this time the sun never says to the Earth "You owe me."
Look what happens with a love like that, it lights the whole sky.
-Hafiz


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Re: Credit Crunch Corner
« Reply #3 on: October 09, 2008, 05:27:20 PM »
Nothing.  I'm only being cheap because I don't make alot of money and wifey stays home with the kids.  Sure food prices go up but oh well we gotta eat.

I've also not made any changes. I've noticed that food prices are slightly higher, but not enough to change my eating habits. I would rather spend more money to eat healthier, higher quality food. The same with clothing, etc. Saves me more money in the long run.

I don't spend extra money when times are good, so I have enough saved up to continue the same lifestyle when times are bad.

I expected a huge increase in utility bills and planned for it, and they were surprisingly lower than I had planned for, so I ended up with a surplus.

I pay all my credit cards before the end of the month, and I rent, so don't have a mortgage, so I don't have to deal with rising interest rates on credit cards/loans. I never buy anything if I don't already have enough money in the bank to pay for it in full.

I may move some money in my bank accounts around to deal with changing interest rates.
« Last Edit: October 09, 2008, 05:39:24 PM by sweetpeach »


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Re: Credit Crunch Corner
« Reply #4 on: October 09, 2008, 05:32:55 PM »
Our mortgage payment will soon be going down because of the interest rate cut yesterday - woohoo!  [smiley=2thumbsup.gif]  :D
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in...

- from Anthem, by Leonard Cohen (b 1934)


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Re: Credit Crunch Corner
« Reply #5 on: October 09, 2008, 06:40:37 PM »
We're going to try to cut expenses some- probably drop to a lower cable package, get serious about bringing lunches to work, et cetera.  But right now our biggest worry is the fact that I don't have a permanent job- I've been working either as a temp or on a fixed term contract for a year now.  :-\\\\  And we don't have any savings due to being just out of uni types and spending about £1300 on immigration fees in the last 9 months. I'm actively looking for a permanent job so hopefully I'll get one soon so we can breathe a little easier!
Now a triple citizen!

Student visa 9/06-->Int'l Grad Scheme 1/08-->FLR(M) 7/08-->ILR 6/10-->British citizenship 12/12


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Re: Credit Crunch Corner
« Reply #6 on: October 09, 2008, 07:47:31 PM »
I'm hearing different stories.
A survey with small shops in Southampton said the owners are having a good year.
I don't think it has trickle down yet.
Milk is down to $2 a gallon.
Gas company has asked for a rate "decrease"
Gasoline is down to $3.50 a gallon.
I can't keep up. ;)


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