Bills
Generally, if you are living in share accommodation or a private rental situation you will need to organise your money to pay for a number of bills.
- Organise your bills to come on a monthly basis. This will allow your bills to be regular, smaller and easier to pay
- Keep notes on the calendar stating when bills will arrive and when they are due
- Keep a book next to the phone to record the calls that have been made and who made them
- Try to keep the cost of bills down by turning lights off when you leave the room, cut back the time you spend in the shower, and monitor the use of your mobile phone
- Choose a home phone plan that suits your needs and try to make the majority of your phone calls during the cheaper time periods
Credit Cards
Credit is an appealing thing when it lets you get something you want now instead of later. Credit isn’t so appealing when you can’t pay and the interest is building up at a fast rate!
Getting into debt is easy, getting out of it is much harder. Before you apply for credit, you should shop around to compare different options. Some credit companies will provide different interest free periods of time. Try to make sure that you pay off your debt within this time frame to avoid paying interest.
Follow these tips if you decide to have a credit card:
- Limit the number of credit cards you have to reduce the annual fees you have to pay
- Be aware of the safety risks with credit cards...never give your credit card number to an unknown caller or person
- Don’t ever sign any blank forms or receipts
- Sign new cards as soon as they arrive and cut old ones up
- Check with your bank about a credit card that suits your particular purpose.
- You will pay high interest on any cash advances from your credit card
- Think about accessing a Visa Debit Card instead, these cards still have a worldwide acceptance of Visa while accessing your own savings. you can make purchases online and over the phone but you will only be spending the money that you have put into your accoung. Ask your bank about these accounts and cards
HINT
- Credit card fraud does not just happen if your card is stolen or lost - keep receipts, check your balances. Let your bank know if you think something is a bit 'fishy'.
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Questions and Feedback
Lower Eyre Health Services
Tel 08 8688 2629 or email ask@gettingout.info