Where to start.........

karinelleno

Hiya, I am a newbie to the site. For years now I have been hiding my head in the sand, not opening letters, not answering the door, not answering the phone, moving to avoid debtors etc.......

Now it has come to a point in my life when I can no longer carry on like this, I have 2 children and need to be more responsible for their sakes as well as for my sanity!!

I have a mental health problem which stops me from doing some of the everyday things I should be doing but to be honest I think that this situation makes my problems worse.

I really have no idea where to even start to sort out my ever growing pile of bills and debts.

Can anyone help me?

RAS

Hi

Some folk will suggest that you get your credit records for a start.

Given your situation, I would suggest that your first actions shouldbe to acquaint yourself with the legal situation and if possble to produce a rought timeline egarding your debt hitory.

You need to undrestand the rules regarding statute barred debts, if any of them are over 6 years old (5 years in Scotland), Consumer Credit Agreements and the OFT Guidelines before you even dream of tackling stuff.

Once you understand the rules, then find out what is outstanding and book an appointment with a debt charity. They can advise you of your options.

karinelleno

Thanks for the advice.

I have filled in the info on Experian now to get my credit report from them but they have to send me out a pin number in the post before I can access my report so I guess that will take up to a week to come through.

I have also downloaded the letter to send to my bank asking them to let me know the total of the bank charges that they have charged for the last 6 years.

Now that is 2 things down, hmmmmm probably another 50 odd to go!!

:rotfl:

GardenLover

Hi karinelleno,
I'm new here too so I can't advise you, but I just wanted to say welcome and well done for facing up to your debt - you've taken the first step in tackling this. I'm sure you'll get some advice here about where to start, and you'll also get support and encouragement on the way. There are lots of experts and truly decent people who use this site.
Good luck X

lisasdiary

Hi I suffer from depression some days I can be fine and other I feel like ending it all I put on a brave face for my son and bfriend but can get really low sometimes the debt I have makes it ten times worse. I have been alot better since I started asking for help from the doctor from friends and from here . People are so kind on this website and I have now arranged a DMP with cccs . I would advise when you get your credit file you should sit down and write a list off all the debts then decide if you want to go down the road of a dmp cccs were very helpful. keep in touch I will send you a msg later when i get home from work.

Pippilongstocking

Hiya
I so know what you are going through, my kids (bless) are trained to take a message if someone asks for me by full name - which I feel terrible about. We have moved alot - it doesnt help with credit history either does it?

Anyway - dunno if I can be any help, on own with two kids, left in a big pile of poo when ex left with not only everything but am tackling this alone with no support with two kids.

I have posted my under - SOA - trying to get head out of sand.... seeing myself detailed was very scary but am looking now and thinking ok, how do I do this -

Its scary facing it all I think, but I know I can't just go on the way I have been, we joke about our lives being held together by selotape - they so are - I have very bad days and not so bad days - so if you need a blether then MY ears ARE wide open (COS THERE'S NOTHING IN BETWEEN!!)

savingholmes

Just wanted to say you're not alone in having been depressed and that not helping your debts.... In my more depressed days I have been very much a spendaholic and avoided dealing with my debts. I am now feeling much better, and this year prior to joining MSE have already paid off £10K, looking to pay off another £3K by Christmas.

I do like this site as there are people at every level of debt and every level of society and I find it an encouraging place to be... even if every time I look at my debt figures and my income and my outgoings I spot that a bill is higher than I thought it was!

savingholmes

Just wanted to say you're not alone in having been depressed and that not helping your debts.... In my more depressed days I have been very much a spendaholic and avoided dealing with my debts. I am now feeling much better, and this year prior to joining MSE have already paid off £10K, looking to pay off another £3K by Christmas.

I do like this site as there are people at every level of debt and every level of society and I find it an encouraging place to be... even if every time I look at my debt figures and my income and my outgoings I spot that a bill is higher than I thought it was!

karinelleno

Thank you everyone for all your kind words and support. I really feel I need to sort this all out once and for all. I know that I am not going to like what I see at first but at least I can say I am doing something positive to change the situation.

Am so completely new to this all, can I ask what a DMP is?

Sorry probably being a bit thicky!! :rotfl:

Quietgirl

Hi there, had to add something to your post. I have a mental health condition, which was only diagnosed recently and part of my condition can be excessive spending, over the years I got myself into a lot of debt, lost my home, and ended up bankcrupt. BUT there is light at the end of the tunnel. I am a single parent with a lovely little girl who keeps me going, I have learnt my lesson with money and I am obsessive in managing my money, I do have the odd spend blow out, but not to an extent were it causes me problems. My life is not too bad at the moment, I am having counseling, working part time, after alot of time off ill last year because of medication, but I am getting there, I am not a particularly strong person so if I can do it you can!

Take Care and just take each day as it comes is my best advice.

karinelleno

Right, I have been and had a look on Payplan's website and have filled in the online contact form so hopefully they will call be back some time tomorrow