Wednesday, 14 October 2009
Airport Parking On A Budget
I recently went on the trip of a lifetime to Hong Kong and Thailand. I got a fantastic price on the holiday, got a good deal on travel insurance but when it came to getting to the airport the prices just didn’t add up.
Flying from Manchester to Heathrow wasn’t cheap and neither was the train. In addition both these methods of travel would have incurred the cost of a taxi to the original airport/train station. The Coach was inexpensive but the thought of a long coach ride down to the airport filled me with dread. This left travelling by car as my only remaining method of transportation.
Petrol in my small engine car was about £50.00 for the round trip but car parking at the airport was going to be an additional £70.00 to £130.00 depending on proximity to the airport (transfer times range up to 20 mins). I then discovered the website ParkatmyHouse.com
ParkatmyHouse.com is a website which enables people to rent out their unused driveways to motorists at a discounted cost to private carparks. For a 16 day stay I paid just £45.00, a saving of around £25.00. My car was parked on the driveway of a very friendly guy, on a quiet cul-de-sac, literally over the road from the airport. I even got a transfer from the driveway owner to and from the airport included in the price.
There is a certain level of trust required, but the ParkatmyHouse.com website has a feedback feature, much like that of eBay’s. I was able to check what other motorists had said about our host and was confident that he was a trustworthy guy, which he was.
I cannot recommend this site enough. If you would like to save on your next trip, take a look at the website. It’s also useful for commuters travelling in and out of major cities, where even more bargains can be found.
Flying from Manchester to Heathrow wasn’t cheap and neither was the train. In addition both these methods of travel would have incurred the cost of a taxi to the original airport/train station. The Coach was inexpensive but the thought of a long coach ride down to the airport filled me with dread. This left travelling by car as my only remaining method of transportation.
Petrol in my small engine car was about £50.00 for the round trip but car parking at the airport was going to be an additional £70.00 to £130.00 depending on proximity to the airport (transfer times range up to 20 mins). I then discovered the website ParkatmyHouse.com
ParkatmyHouse.com is a website which enables people to rent out their unused driveways to motorists at a discounted cost to private carparks. For a 16 day stay I paid just £45.00, a saving of around £25.00. My car was parked on the driveway of a very friendly guy, on a quiet cul-de-sac, literally over the road from the airport. I even got a transfer from the driveway owner to and from the airport included in the price.
There is a certain level of trust required, but the ParkatmyHouse.com website has a feedback feature, much like that of eBay’s. I was able to check what other motorists had said about our host and was confident that he was a trustworthy guy, which he was.
I cannot recommend this site enough. If you would like to save on your next trip, take a look at the website. It’s also useful for commuters travelling in and out of major cities, where even more bargains can be found.
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
Budgeting help from Netspend
If you find yourself going into your overdraft each month, despite all your best efforts, there may be a product out there for you to help you stick to your budget.
Netspend is a Prepaid Debit Card that is loaded with money you place onto it. This means you cant go into your overdraft and incur any nasty charges.
Leave your credit and debit cards at home for emergencies and use the Netspend card as your everyday card, reducing the temptation to spend on unnecessary items.
Used in conjuction with the Budget Planner, you will be on top of your finances in no time.
This post was sponsored by a third party
Netspend is a Prepaid Debit Card that is loaded with money you place onto it. This means you cant go into your overdraft and incur any nasty charges.
Leave your credit and debit cards at home for emergencies and use the Netspend card as your everyday card, reducing the temptation to spend on unnecessary items.
Used in conjuction with the Budget Planner, you will be on top of your finances in no time.
This post was sponsored by a third party
Labels: budgeting, credit cards, debit, help, prepaid
Friday, 20 March 2009
Budgeting for your dream holiday
Do the constant bad news stories about the credit crunch make you feel like escaping to a beautiful beach in the sun? New research from the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) shows many of us plan to do exactly that – despite the depressing economic outlook.
The survey found that people were planning to spend an average of £630 each on their holidays this year, which is more than the average in 2008. Follow these tips and you may be able to join them.
Know what you can afford
Be realistic – there’s no point aiming for Caribbean luxury if your budget will only stretch to a package on the Costas. Work out how much you can comfortably afford (the Budget Planner can help) and remember to include spending money, including meals and drinks if you’re not going all-inclusive. If you need to borrow to fund your time in the sun, take a look at your credit report before you book. This personal history of your credit accounts – such as mortgages, cards and loans – shows what you owe and how well you’re managing repayments. If you’re already struggling, it’s unwise to take on more debt.
Choose the right destination
Longer haul destinations are good value because they are outside the Eurozone and often have favourable currency rates. Popular countries such as Turkey, South Africa, Egypt, Mexico and Thailand may involve a relatively expensive flight but are cheap once you’re there. Closer to home, countries that don’t use the Euro include Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Croatia and the Czech Republic. For ski trips, try the East European resorts, like Bulgaria, Romania and Slovakia, which are much less expensive than France, Austria or Italy.
Play your cards right
Many credit and debit card providers impose charges on foreign currency transactions, so do your research and find one that doesn’t. When you apply for it, the lender will look at your credit report as part of a process of assessing whether you can afford to repay what you borrow. It paints a picture of your credit history that helps lenders to decide whether to make you an offer and what interest to charge. It’s a good idea to check it before you make any new applications to ensure all the information it contains is up to date and accurate – you can see your Experian credit report for free.
Get a good package
Package holidays are almost always the cheapest option and many companies are offering free places for children to a wide variety of destinations this year. Others are also slashing deposits on summer breaks for 2009. Cruises are increasingly good value and have the benefit of including all your costs in one package, so you know exactly how much you will spend.
Put safety first
Book through a reputable agent or tour company. They should be ATOL (Air Travel Organiser’s Licence) bonded and also be members of either ABTA or AITO (the Association of Independent Tour Operators). Use your credit card to pay the first £100 of the cost of your holiday or flight. That way, your expenses are covered by the card company, up to £30,000, if the travel firm or airline go bust. You can pay for the extra any way you like.
Book early
This will give you time to do the necessary research on your chosen destination but also get the pick of the deals – last-minute offers may not be so thick on the ground these days, as travel operators have reduced the number of holidays they are offering, so the later you leave it, the less likely you are to get what you want. Remember that you’ll get cheaper deals off-season and if you travel mid-week.
Get ready to haggle
Haggling is no longer reserved for markets in hot countries – hotels will be competing for customers so you’re in a strong position to negotiate prices or get extra nights at a reduced rate. Look out for offers such as refunds if you’re made redundant. Try price comparison sites to get an idea of the best deals.
Plan ahead
Research the cheapest routes to and from the airport or, if you’re driving, pre-book your airport parking, which can halve the cost. If you’re travelling abroad more than once this year, you’ll save money by taking out annual travel insurance and if you’re visiting exotic locations get your jabs done at your local GP clinic. They don’t normally charge for common vaccinations.
Don’t phone home
Using a mobile is much more expensive abroad, so check with your provider to see if they offer any international roaming packages. It may be worth changing to a cheaper provider if you’re coming to the end of fixed deal or you currently have a pay-as-you-go phone.
Stay on the money
Remember to tell your bank and credit card issuer that you’ll be abroad and where you’ll be – some of them may suspect a fraud if they suddenly see a flurry of transactions in a foreign country and block your account. Don’t buy your currency at the airport because it’s almost always the most expensive option. Your best bet is to pre-order it over the Internet and pick it up an airport bureau de change. When you’re abroad, keep a close eye on the exchange rate to ensure you always get the best deal in hotels, banks and on card transactions.
Cap your spending
You can’t spend what you don’t take, so you could consider loading a prepaid card with your holiday money, using a debit card or taking cash – although that could be a security risk. If you keep credit cards in the safe you can use them in an emergency but won’t be tempted in the shops. Keep all your receipts so you can reclaim VAT if you’re out of the EU. Finally, remember to check your credit report, bank and card statements when you return, to be sure that there are no suspicious transactions and your accounts haven’t been misused.
The survey found that people were planning to spend an average of £630 each on their holidays this year, which is more than the average in 2008. Follow these tips and you may be able to join them.
Know what you can afford
Be realistic – there’s no point aiming for Caribbean luxury if your budget will only stretch to a package on the Costas. Work out how much you can comfortably afford (the Budget Planner can help) and remember to include spending money, including meals and drinks if you’re not going all-inclusive. If you need to borrow to fund your time in the sun, take a look at your credit report before you book. This personal history of your credit accounts – such as mortgages, cards and loans – shows what you owe and how well you’re managing repayments. If you’re already struggling, it’s unwise to take on more debt.
Choose the right destination
Longer haul destinations are good value because they are outside the Eurozone and often have favourable currency rates. Popular countries such as Turkey, South Africa, Egypt, Mexico and Thailand may involve a relatively expensive flight but are cheap once you’re there. Closer to home, countries that don’t use the Euro include Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Croatia and the Czech Republic. For ski trips, try the East European resorts, like Bulgaria, Romania and Slovakia, which are much less expensive than France, Austria or Italy.
Play your cards right
Many credit and debit card providers impose charges on foreign currency transactions, so do your research and find one that doesn’t. When you apply for it, the lender will look at your credit report as part of a process of assessing whether you can afford to repay what you borrow. It paints a picture of your credit history that helps lenders to decide whether to make you an offer and what interest to charge. It’s a good idea to check it before you make any new applications to ensure all the information it contains is up to date and accurate – you can see your Experian credit report for free.
Get a good package
Package holidays are almost always the cheapest option and many companies are offering free places for children to a wide variety of destinations this year. Others are also slashing deposits on summer breaks for 2009. Cruises are increasingly good value and have the benefit of including all your costs in one package, so you know exactly how much you will spend.
Put safety first
Book through a reputable agent or tour company. They should be ATOL (Air Travel Organiser’s Licence) bonded and also be members of either ABTA or AITO (the Association of Independent Tour Operators). Use your credit card to pay the first £100 of the cost of your holiday or flight. That way, your expenses are covered by the card company, up to £30,000, if the travel firm or airline go bust. You can pay for the extra any way you like.
Book early
This will give you time to do the necessary research on your chosen destination but also get the pick of the deals – last-minute offers may not be so thick on the ground these days, as travel operators have reduced the number of holidays they are offering, so the later you leave it, the less likely you are to get what you want. Remember that you’ll get cheaper deals off-season and if you travel mid-week.
Get ready to haggle
Haggling is no longer reserved for markets in hot countries – hotels will be competing for customers so you’re in a strong position to negotiate prices or get extra nights at a reduced rate. Look out for offers such as refunds if you’re made redundant. Try price comparison sites to get an idea of the best deals.
Plan ahead
Research the cheapest routes to and from the airport or, if you’re driving, pre-book your airport parking, which can halve the cost. If you’re travelling abroad more than once this year, you’ll save money by taking out annual travel insurance and if you’re visiting exotic locations get your jabs done at your local GP clinic. They don’t normally charge for common vaccinations.
Don’t phone home
Using a mobile is much more expensive abroad, so check with your provider to see if they offer any international roaming packages. It may be worth changing to a cheaper provider if you’re coming to the end of fixed deal or you currently have a pay-as-you-go phone.
Stay on the money
Remember to tell your bank and credit card issuer that you’ll be abroad and where you’ll be – some of them may suspect a fraud if they suddenly see a flurry of transactions in a foreign country and block your account. Don’t buy your currency at the airport because it’s almost always the most expensive option. Your best bet is to pre-order it over the Internet and pick it up an airport bureau de change. When you’re abroad, keep a close eye on the exchange rate to ensure you always get the best deal in hotels, banks and on card transactions.
Cap your spending
You can’t spend what you don’t take, so you could consider loading a prepaid card with your holiday money, using a debit card or taking cash – although that could be a security risk. If you keep credit cards in the safe you can use them in an emergency but won’t be tempted in the shops. Keep all your receipts so you can reclaim VAT if you’re out of the EU. Finally, remember to check your credit report, bank and card statements when you return, to be sure that there are no suspicious transactions and your accounts haven’t been misused.
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
Bored of the Credit Crunch
A lot of my time is spent reading article upon article about the current financial crisis, all offering numerous tips on how to reduce debts, reduce costs and improve my finances.
I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m getting a bit bored of the doom and gloom. So bored am I, that this is the first and last time I’m going to mention the dreaded “Credit Crunch” in this article. No more! Instead, I thought I’d suggest a few ways to turn the negative situations arising from this “predicament” into positive ones.
Unemployment
The last few months have seen numerous redundancies and employers reducing the hours of their workers. If this is you, or you foresee this happening to you, I can empathise but let me try to put a positive spin on this.
So you’ve got a bit more free time on your hands? It’s often said “there aren’t enough hours in the day”. You’ve now got a few more to play with. Why not build on your skills by enrolling on a training course? There are plenty out there, ranging from floristry to plumbing, teaching to alternate therapy. Check out your local college- you may even be entitled to government funding. Click here for more details.
Temporary work is also a good way of filling the gap while you wait to find something more permanent. There is an array of different opportunities that may even lead to a permanent position. It also shows future employers that you are willing to put in some real effort and not just wait for something to drop into your lap.
It might not be possible for you to enrol on a course or find temporary work so use your time to get rid of that dreaded list of odd jobs about the house. Not only will it help keep your mind off any worries but it may even lead to a future career as a handy-person or painter-decorator.
Living the good life
Now would be the ideal time to start producing your own food. Not only will it save you money, you’ll also reduce your carbon footprint whilst knowing exactly what’s going into your food. Lets face it, self sufficiency and home cooking IS the new rock and roll! Want some tips on how to start your own vegetable garden? Visit the BBC’s guide.
Improved Health
With less money to spend, our automatic reaction is to cut back on the luxury items that normally cause us the most harm. Takeaways and alcohol are two offenders when it comes to piling on the pounds but will also probably be the first things we cut down on, not only helping our wallets but our waistlines too.
Interesting Town High Streets
A year ago, the town of Pudsey in West Yorkshire consisted of a small variety of shops and commercial property. It was dominated by estate agencies, travel agents and betting shops amongst others. This made for an extremely dull town centre with very little going on. Look at it today and over 50% of the estate agencies have vanished and it’s likely that a number of the other stores will go too. Let’s hope this signals a re-birth of town centres with independent retailers returning and offering the more personalised service we’re all in need of.
Concluding Thoughts
So instead of reading the online articles and watching the news and letting it get you down, try looking for the positives. The Budget Planner, used regularly, can help take care of the negatives and leave you to concentrate on the positives.
I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m getting a bit bored of the doom and gloom. So bored am I, that this is the first and last time I’m going to mention the dreaded “Credit Crunch” in this article. No more! Instead, I thought I’d suggest a few ways to turn the negative situations arising from this “predicament” into positive ones.
Unemployment
The last few months have seen numerous redundancies and employers reducing the hours of their workers. If this is you, or you foresee this happening to you, I can empathise but let me try to put a positive spin on this.
So you’ve got a bit more free time on your hands? It’s often said “there aren’t enough hours in the day”. You’ve now got a few more to play with. Why not build on your skills by enrolling on a training course? There are plenty out there, ranging from floristry to plumbing, teaching to alternate therapy. Check out your local college- you may even be entitled to government funding. Click here for more details.
Temporary work is also a good way of filling the gap while you wait to find something more permanent. There is an array of different opportunities that may even lead to a permanent position. It also shows future employers that you are willing to put in some real effort and not just wait for something to drop into your lap.
It might not be possible for you to enrol on a course or find temporary work so use your time to get rid of that dreaded list of odd jobs about the house. Not only will it help keep your mind off any worries but it may even lead to a future career as a handy-person or painter-decorator.
Living the good life
Now would be the ideal time to start producing your own food. Not only will it save you money, you’ll also reduce your carbon footprint whilst knowing exactly what’s going into your food. Lets face it, self sufficiency and home cooking IS the new rock and roll! Want some tips on how to start your own vegetable garden? Visit the BBC’s guide.
Improved Health
With less money to spend, our automatic reaction is to cut back on the luxury items that normally cause us the most harm. Takeaways and alcohol are two offenders when it comes to piling on the pounds but will also probably be the first things we cut down on, not only helping our wallets but our waistlines too.
Interesting Town High Streets
A year ago, the town of Pudsey in West Yorkshire consisted of a small variety of shops and commercial property. It was dominated by estate agencies, travel agents and betting shops amongst others. This made for an extremely dull town centre with very little going on. Look at it today and over 50% of the estate agencies have vanished and it’s likely that a number of the other stores will go too. Let’s hope this signals a re-birth of town centres with independent retailers returning and offering the more personalised service we’re all in need of.
Concluding Thoughts
So instead of reading the online articles and watching the news and letting it get you down, try looking for the positives. The Budget Planner, used regularly, can help take care of the negatives and leave you to concentrate on the positives.
Labels: beat the credit crunch, bored of credit crunch, budgeting, credit crunch positives
Monday, 1 December 2008
Budgeting for your weekly food shop
I woke up yesterday morning and opened up my fridge. It was completely empty bar a few cheese slices, half a pint of milk and some random condiments. But instead of being disappointed, I was thrilled!
The empty fridge signalled that our weekly shopping plan is working. Before we started planning our weekly shop, my girlfriend and I would buy all sorts of things that we just wouldn’t eat and end up throwing out. Not only a waste of food but a waste of money.
Now before we go shopping each week, we take 5 mins to decide what meals we are going to have. This involves selecting meals from our ‘Repertoire list’ (The list of meals we like and can cook) and then work out what ingredients we will need. We then add on the items from our blackboard in our kitchen, which we write on when we have run out of a general item, e.g. tomato puree, cooking oil.
We don’t stick rigidly to the list, there is always something we haven’t thought of or that takes our fancy. We have though reduced the amount of food we throw out and probably a few extra £’s.
Some more useful food shopping tips.
The empty fridge signalled that our weekly shopping plan is working. Before we started planning our weekly shop, my girlfriend and I would buy all sorts of things that we just wouldn’t eat and end up throwing out. Not only a waste of food but a waste of money.
Now before we go shopping each week, we take 5 mins to decide what meals we are going to have. This involves selecting meals from our ‘Repertoire list’ (The list of meals we like and can cook) and then work out what ingredients we will need. We then add on the items from our blackboard in our kitchen, which we write on when we have run out of a general item, e.g. tomato puree, cooking oil.
We don’t stick rigidly to the list, there is always something we haven’t thought of or that takes our fancy. We have though reduced the amount of food we throw out and probably a few extra £’s.
Some more useful food shopping tips.
- Don’t go on an empty stomach – everything looks appetising!
- Check the reduced item shelves and fridges. If you can find reduced meat in there buy it and freeze it.
- If you collect reward points, remember to re-use your old carrier bags (we use old Ikea bags), some supermarkets will give you extra points for doing this.
Labels: food budgeting, food planning, shopping budget, shopping plan
Thursday, 20 November 2008
Christmas Budgeting Ideas
With 5 weeks left until the big day itself, Christmas is fast approaching and as per usual I haven’t even started on my preparations.
I’m not worried though because I have it all under control and I’m happy to reveal my secrets with you now.
P.S. Here’s a voucher for 40% off wines and champagnes instore at Threshers (valid until 2nd December 2008) Threshers Voucher
I’m not worried though because I have it all under control and I’m happy to reveal my secrets with you now.
- This year my family and I have agreed a spending limit for Christmas presents; we’re spending no more than £10 per person. Not only is this going to save me money, but it will also hopefully reduce the amount of time it takes me to get my shopping done as the choice of gifts available for under £10 is a lot smaller! If you don’t think there’s anything you can buy for £10, why not agree to pool your money and organise a Secret Santa? This way you get one big gift for everyone in your family instead of lots of smaller gifts.
- December is typically a month when I spend and eat excessively but no matter how much I eat there is always some waste that gets thrown out. This year I’m making a shopping list and only getting what I need; I’m going to gain some pounds in my wallet and save some from my waist!
- Christmas is a time of giving and receiving and it’s time for the companies that I’ve been loyal to over the year to give me my rewards! Time to redeem my Nectar and Clubcard points then. I’ve just received my Clubcard bonus for the last quarter (which totalled around £10) and I have just over a 1000 Nectar points so another £5 to add to my total. If you use cashback websites or credit cards you might also want to redeem any rewards you have amassed on these too.
- Organise my Christmas payday. Each year I get excited about the early December payday but then regret this excitement towards the end of January. This year however, I’m going to take 15% of my November pay and 15% of my December pay and put this in a separate account for use at the end of January.
- And finally, you’ve worked hard all year and it’s time to play hard so budget for extra nights out and activities. Christmas is a time for seeing friends and family but there is normally an extra cost involved in this such as travel, meals and drinks. Just remember to budget a bit more than you normally would for leisure expenses.
P.S. Here’s a voucher for 40% off wines and champagnes instore at Threshers (valid until 2nd December 2008) Threshers Voucher
Labels: christmas budget, christmas tips
Wednesday, 12 November 2008
Is it a good idea to take out a loan to pay off debts?
I recently took out a £5000.00 loan over 4 years to pay off my student overdraft, three credit cards and a car loan.
I was paying out £190.00 a month in total but am now only paying £125.00, a saving of £65.00 per month. I've calculated that if I had continued with my original payments I would have paid off my debts in around 3 years time but would have paid around £1000.00 more than what my loan will cost me, if I was to pay the standard credit card rates.
In this instance I think I made the right decision in taking out this loan, although I am paying it back for longer it is cheaper on a monthly basis and overall. Obviously, if I transferred my debt to interest free credit cards this might not be the case, but I have tried this in the past and find myself starting with good intentions only to gradually reduce my repayments to the minimum level. Plus, who’s to say with the current global climate that these deals will still be around in a year’s time and if they are there is no guarantee that I would be approved credit.
What do you think? Do you agree that debt to pay off debt is a good idea? Let me know your opinion.
I was paying out £190.00 a month in total but am now only paying £125.00, a saving of £65.00 per month. I've calculated that if I had continued with my original payments I would have paid off my debts in around 3 years time but would have paid around £1000.00 more than what my loan will cost me, if I was to pay the standard credit card rates.
In this instance I think I made the right decision in taking out this loan, although I am paying it back for longer it is cheaper on a monthly basis and overall. Obviously, if I transferred my debt to interest free credit cards this might not be the case, but I have tried this in the past and find myself starting with good intentions only to gradually reduce my repayments to the minimum level. Plus, who’s to say with the current global climate that these deals will still be around in a year’s time and if they are there is no guarantee that I would be approved credit.
What do you think? Do you agree that debt to pay off debt is a good idea? Let me know your opinion.
Labels: credit cards, debt, loans
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