Feeling bit down :( as my house sale has just fallen through - now will have to struggle on with my mortgage.

Has anyone got any good money saving tips - especially on broadband/home phone bundles, cheap ways to feed 3 cats and 4 dogs, etc.

Thanks!

Sorry your house sale has fallen through. Have you been on to www.moneysavingexpert.com this website is great for deals with broadband and phone deals (not to mention lots of other tips). On the cheaper ways to feed your cats and dogs, I guess it depened what you feed already but if it is a particular brand for all then perhaps you could register on a breeder scheme?

(((hug)))

Tiscali did do a deal earlier this year - broadband & home phone (Including line rental & free calls) for £20 a month - you may need to check if they do this still.   Broadband Checker can tell you about what's available in your area.

Personally I'd rather skrimp on my food than alter my animals diet but that's maybe just me?

> Personally I'd rather skrimp on my food than alter my animals diet but that's maybe just me?

Perhaps the op has already done this!

I think in the current climate there are alot of people who cannot afford to give their dogs the "best" diet, and I for one feel nothing but sympathy for anyone in this situation

Not sure what food you currently feed your gang, but there's a thread on MSE (moneysaving expert) pet forum about costcutting with pet grub.

I always keep an eye on petsathome.com and bulk buy when the food is on offer - they have had jameswellbeloved and royalcanin on buy one get one free recently. I also use own brand canned food / pouches from Tesco which is heaps cheaper than brands. Asda is cheap too. Waitrose own brand meant to be good if they are fussy.

HTH
A

Think tiscala as mentioned previously will be the cheapest broadband for you, but as im into starting property developing and interior design (my other hobby), i like to think i could help people improve their house so it can be sold quicker or to get more profit. I know your low on budget atm, but how is the decor in your house? alot of people dont have an eye for change and if its not a blank canvas how they would like it they have their minds made up, too much work etc. Some people (not me) like to move straight into a house whereas ive been recently looking for run-down properties at auction for a huge investment potential. with the market the way it is at the moment loads of repos and the mortgage co.s just want there money back. 3 bed bay fronted town terrace huge house large garden 3 reception rooms 2 bath etc on market for 89,950 dropped from 107 i think if i wanted it i could get it for a silly offer of 73. needs alot of work mostly just plastering and a good clean, junkies lived there beforehand. Area not too bad and ive been to view it and i can see potential.

Anyway back to the point, is there anything you can think even if it wont be your taste you could change to improve the salebility. My mum has terrible taste, terracotta walls in living room, blue carpet miss matches furniture, bad tile job in the kitchen and when it comes to her selling it, im guna go in and blitz the place. I know many people are not buying at the moment but not everyone isnt, just make your house a not to be missed and im sure you will get offers soon. Lick of paint here and their neutral colours, lots of light, new curtains modern accesories a throw for the sofa little things like that for asthetic purposes.

Not trying to say your house isnt like that at all, but just if it has any cheap improvments to be made.

Louise

"Anyway back to the point, is there anything you can think even if it wont be your taste you could change to improve the salebility. My mum has terrible taste, terracotta walls in living room, blue carpet miss matches furniture, bad tile job in the kitchen and when it comes to her selling it, im guna go in and blitz the place. I know many people are not buying at the moment but not everyone isnt, just make your house a not to be missed and im sure you will get offers soon. Lick of paint here and their neutral colours, lots of light, new curtains modern accesories a throw for the sofa little things like that for asthetic purposes."

Just thought I would point out that the OP did not have trouble selling, the sale just fell through as so many do nowadays.  :)  :)

I know it fell through, but even so a few more bidders putting in offers would be good. Cant be a bad thing improving saleability.

Sorry if i offended i didnt mean to.

Quite a few people are reading the press about falling prices. Dropping sales and trying to renegociate lower figures. But its not a sellers market. Trouble is with fuel prices going up, moving up is a problem as well.
Money saving, smaller cars, shopping around for fixed gas/electric. Bit of grow your own, visit meat "farms" to buy meat in bulk in sizes you want to buy, instead of premium supermarkets. Tri Lidel's there cheaper than Sainsburys.
Lodgers? I dont know your circumstances, but when I had a spare room I let it out to students.
Car share, theres on line sites. Not much else I can think of really, do some dog walking, ironing is popular here?

I dont know how this would work in practice but - many people like me have lots of dog food kicking around that they don't want. Free samples, bags of food given as prizes, puppy packs from vet and makes that we have bought and the dogs don't like.These 'surplus to requirement' items often get given to dog shelters but if I had friends who could use them I would prefer that.
Do you know anyone who is stockpiling such things?  Perhaps they could let you have them cut price.Just an idea.Every little helps.

Regarding cheap broadband, if you have a mobile phone contract with O2, they do their own broadband for £7.50 per month which is a fantastic deal - I'm sure its an unlimited use package too because we are moving to it in October when our time is up with BT and my husband wouldn't have chose it if it wasn't unlimited. One money saving tip that I find invaluable is to always plan meals for the week and make a list for shopping and stick to it. I save lots by doing this. Sorry about your sale falling through - I've been there and its soul destroying  :-(   I hope you find another buyer real soon.

Hayley

Thanks for all your advice all of you - I really appreciate it!  :)

Don't know what food you're feeding but this company do a range of foods at different prices.   I've found them excellent ;)  - far better than you'd expect from the prices.  I switched from Burns and the dogs are in the best condition they've ever been :-)

http://www.csjk9.com/feed/index.html

> Has anyone got any good money saving tips - especially on broadband/home phone bundles, cheap ways to feed 3 cats and 4 dogs, etc.

Not a cheaper way per se but if you feed dry food to your pets it makes sense to weigh it.  I started by weighing portions for the puppy and I was surprised how innacurate guestimating can be.  I probably get more portions from my sacks of food than I used to and I know the dogs are both getting the correct amounts for their size/weight.

Just a thought - I save money by doing some of my supermarket shopping online.  I know I have to pay delivery charges but it saves me petrol.  As I can see the totals adding up as I shop I'm more ruthless about 'treats' and I can check for cheaper products and multibuy options.  I stick to my shopping list more easily and I'm also less likely to get sidetracked by the kids asking for things or 'hungry shopping' that happens at the bread counter!! I'm sure it costs me between £10 and £20 less. Worth a try if you aren't within walking distance of the shops.  Good luck with your sale - it's heartbreaking when a house sale falls through as a buyer or seller...