Clear Your Debts With Tips from Scrooge

Scrooge went a bit over the top when it comes to saving his hard earned cash. If you are in debt you don't have to copy Scrooge but it might be worthwhile using some of his techniques to help you clear your debt. You can still be generous with your love and affection, just a little less generous with your purse or wallet. It's time to get Thrifty.

The best way for you to get thrifty after Christmas:
a. Return unwanted gifts and replace with things you want
b. Buy next years gift wrap & cards in the New Year and box them up with the Christmas decorations so you can easily find them
c. Use up the food in your freezer.
d. Make your own homemade soups with leftover veggies.
e. Make bubble and squeak from your Christmas leftovers
f. Visit your parents and friends - they'll feed you!
g. Avoid the January sales - it encourages you to spend money you don't have to spend and usually it's the junk noone else wants! It's good marketing that suggests its good. Instead plan your visits to worthwhile sales, like the mid-season sales for items you need.
h. When food shopping - make a shopping list. Don't be tempted to add to it when you are there. Remember stores are laid out to entice you to spend.
i. Avoid ready meals or prepacked foods as these actually cost more. Plan some time to cook in bulk and freeze.

Some tips to get your debts back on track after Christmas:
a. Spend some quiet time reviewing your finances and options.
b. List all your debts, along with interest rates and due payment dates.
c. Clear off the credit card that has the best 0% balance transfer fee and then transfer your other card balances to this. This is a short term option though. Don't see this as the end of the matter. Instead start clearing off your highest interest rate debts first and then clear off the 0% balance.
d. Look at ways you can add extra money to paying off your debts, if you eat out a lot then try making special meals atr home instead, if you buy a takeaway pizza and a DVD rental every friday night, try making your own pizza. This can be great fun with a group of friends. Then use the money saved to pay off your debts.
e. When you have transferred your balance to "X" credit card, cut up "X" credit card to avoid inadvertently spending money on it and thus incurring fees.
f. Sell all the old things you have on ebay or other auction - alternatively have a car boot/garage sale!

Some ways you can cut back on bills:

a. Review your current bills - are you getting the best deal?
b. Being more energy efficient - for example, avoid leaving things on standby like the TV's (including bedroom ones!), computer, lights etc.
c. Turn your heating down by one degree can reduce your bills dramatically.
d. leave all your credit cards at home when you dont need them
e. do your food shopping on the internet - it will reduce the likelihood of spontaneous purchases.f. MAKE A DECISION and just do it!

22nd January is officially known as the most depressing day of the year - Here are some tips to avoid the Blues:

a. Make sure you have something fun planned for the week - something you enjoy doing that doesn't cost anything.

b. Make a list of activities you like doing or would like to do but have never done. Then work out which ones won't break the bank and do it!
c. Plan some fun actitivies - physical activity increases your circulation and "happy hormones" flood the body. Try out any physcial activity that you enjoy and will increase your heartrate. Just a brisk walk might be all you need. Try walking or other physical activities like going to the park with kids - but make sure you wrap up warm though, it's so much more pleasant walking on a cold day when you feel snug and warm! Or try cycling with the family or with friends.
d. Just spending leisure time with family or friends, chatting and having fun. A friend of mine is a knitting expert and organises a Stitch and Bitch session - in otherwords they get together and knit and chat about anything and everything. What's your "stitch and bitch" called?
e. Window shop - without the credit cards to tempt you, leave them at home.
f. Plan some great nights in with friends rather than night's out. Host a "bring a friend" party - that way you'll feel like you are on a night out.
g. Make Sunday a family day and play board games or the new X box game.
h. Why not spend time meditating? It's relaxing and gives you time to focus on your dream life.

More hints/advice for a thrifty start to 2007:

Make some realistic financial goals and review them on a weekly basis - especially whilst paying off your debts, that way you will find yourself more motivated to find ways to rid yourself of the burden by redirecting the money you dont spend to pay off your debts.
Trade in your unwanted gift for a great receipe book and start making some interesting meals that you look forward to eating and take it in for lunch rather than buying lunch at work.
Shop around for cheaper petrol - get to know the cheaper suppliers in your area.
Make a list of consumeables you buy regularly and find the most cost effective supplier in your area.
Look for ways to reduce your costs, how about walking the kids to school rather than driving them? or cycling to work etc
Reduce your mobile phone costs - call your supplier and ask for discounts, often they will oblige. And how about reducing the text messages and calls.
If you have a water meter - avoid running the tap while brushing your teeth.
Buy more efficient appliances. A Grade appliances are best.
Insulate your house - you may even be able to get a grant for that. Draft excluders, Carpet rather than laminate, turn radiators off in rooms you dont use regularly.
Put a brick or a bag of gel in your toilet water tank - this reduces the amount of water rquired to fill the tank up. If you have a toilet with half flush then use it.