Credit Cards on Benefits?

Little_Miss_Road_Rage

hewhoisnotintheknow wrote: »

not being rude but you shouldnt really get a credit card unless you really need it, as you dont have a job it can all quickly get out of hand

I only want a credit card that has a low apr or 0% as I want to shift my debt around to make it cheaper. If I hadn't got ME/CFS and became too ill to work it would've all been paid off and I'd be able to get the house finished and go on hols but nevermind. I thought it was a long shot.

MABLE

With a very limited income how on earth would the OP be able to pay any monies back. If the OP is unable to manage now I really cannot see how a credit card is of any help.

benf90

hewhoisnotintheknow wrote: »

not being rude but you shouldnt really get a credit card unless you really need it, as you dont have a job it can all quickly get out of hand

MABLE wrote: »

With a very limited income how on earth would the OP be able to pay any monies back. If the OP is unable to manage now I really cannot see how a credit card is of any help.

Have I missed something? There's a few posts in this thread which seem to have been posted without the posters actually reading what the OP has put.

The OP comes across to me as an intelligent person. It seems like people have been a bit too eager to hit that reply button and give the usual basic warnings when it's clear the OP knows what they're doing and just wants to get a better deal, not to get into more debt!

MABLE, as they have "never missed a payment" I don't see how you're able to come out and say they're unable to manage. Especially as they've stated twice already that the only purpose a new card is a 0% BT offer. They sound like they know what they're doing so a new credit card may be of help and it's plain to see that.

The OP is after a better deal to help pay off their debts quicker, which they've stated would have already been cleared long ago had they not fallen ill.

dmg24

Access75 wrote: »

You WILL NOT get a credit card if you are out of work. If anyone says otherwise they are an idiot. Simple as.

Ignore Access75, they are just trolling.

Too much beer on a Saturday night, methinks!

Little_Miss_Road_Rage

benf90 wrote: »

Have I missed something? There's a few posts in this thread which seem to have been posted without the posters actually reading what the OP has put.

The OP comes across to me as an intelligent person. It seems like people have been a bit too eager to hit that reply button and give the usual basic warnings when it's clear the OP knows what they're doing and just wants to get a better deal, not to get into more debt!

MABLE, as they have "never missed a payment" I don't see how you're able to come out and say they're unable to manage. Especially as they've stated twice already that the only purpose a new card is a 0% BT offer. They sound like they know what they're doing so a new credit card may be of help and it's plain to see that.

The OP is after a better deal to help pay off their debts quicker, which they've stated would have already been cleared long ago had they not fallen ill.

Thankyou. I am not unable to manage. Between my hubby's wage and my small contribution from my benefits we can manage all the bills it just means we can't go out much, go on hols or buy presents for people. I was wondering if I could get a better deal as my previous deal has run out so that more of the money I'm paying in pays off the debt.

I'm hoping if i continue improving slowly that I can return to work and stop being a benefit bludger.

margaretclare

You should not even be thinking about buying presents for people if you are on such a low income. Going on holidays is not essential. Benefits are only meant to keep body and soul together i.e. the essentials of life - they don't allow for luxuries like holidays and presents for people.

I can see your point about possibly applying for a 0% card to reduce debts, and you can always ask! But what I said above applies - you say you're not unable to manage, and yet you're in debt. Those two things do not go together. I agree with your idea of paying off debts quicker (therefore less interest) but I don't agree about wasting money on presents and holidays.

HTH

jamesd

Your husband may do better. Either of you might find using Zopa Listings possible, with likely rates in the 12-15% range. Note that there's also a fee of 94.25 so the APR can be quite high for small loans over short periods of time. Better to contact Zopa first by email with a description of the whole household income situation so that they can confirm whether you meet their minimum criteria.

SouthernSoftie

Don't know about now, but I got my first couple of credit cards when I was on income support, and the only actual wage I got each week was the allowed £5 or £10 I was allowed to earn.
They were handy to have to buy things cheaper, ie before I had one I would have to go to catalogues for my furniture, which over the time cost a fortune compred to when I used my card and was strict about paying it off a.s.a.p.
Not only that they can offer a way of buying online, again to save money.

It was scary though, as because I was always paying it off and never got into trouble the limit rose dramatically and it was only now I am fully employed that it's difficult.

Little_Miss_Road_Rage

margaretclare wrote: »

You should not even be thinking about buying presents for people if you are on such a low income. Going on holidays is not essential. Benefits are only meant to keep body and soul together i.e. the essentials of life - they don't allow for luxuries like holidays and presents for people.

I can see your point about possibly applying for a 0% card to reduce debts, and you can always ask! But what I said above applies - you say you're not unable to manage, and yet you're in debt. Those two things do not go together. I agree with your idea of paying off debts quicker (therefore less interest) but I don't agree about wasting money on presents and holidays.

HTH

I didn't say we were buying presents or going on hols I said we didn't do those things as yes I know they are luxuries so is hair cuts and anything else like that.

I'm in debt due to my mum dying and me going shopping for about 6 years but I gained control and was getting the debt down quite fast but when I fell ill we could only pay the minimum. We are paying all our bills, mortgage etc and all our min payments on the debt so i would say that was able to manage wouldn't u?