Don't know what to do

LittleOne83

Ok....I really really don't know what to do with my situation and am hoping you guys can give me some advice please?

Brief overview of my situation: Student midwife, qualify Oct 09, first pay Nov 09. Before I started the course I had 2 credit cards pretty much clear. Then I was stupid and now have £2771 on one and £2415 on the other and can't keep up with repayments.

My SOA:

IN
NHS Bursary: £520

OUT
Rent: £285
Housekeeping £10
Travel expences £50
Clothing £10
Laundry £10
Mobile £35
Prescription costs £7
Food/toiletries etc £60
RCM membership £1.65

Using the budget sheet from national debtline I've got minimum pro rata payments of MBNA £28.50 and Nationwide £24.85

I sent offer letters to both credit cards.
MBNA have been very nice and I can't fault their customer serivce. They are considering it BUT...It looked like they were going to accept my offer of reduced payments but they just phoned to ask what my course is...told them, they asked when it will be completed...told them next year....and mentioned that then I'll be able to get a job and my situation will be much improved.
This was not the best thing to say as I was told that the offer would now more than likely be declined and debt collection agency will be involved. However the guy on the phone said that we don't want to go down that route.

Nationwide however have just sent 2 letters with the same date. One aked that I phone within 7 days or I'll get a default notice, debt recovery and possible legal procedings.
The other letter states that if I don't contact them in 72 hours they will instruct their collectors to visit me at home or if that's unsuccessful they'll instruct an agency to collect the debt or instruct their solicitors.

I have nothing more than my offer amounts to give them. I can't get a job as every 5 weeks I'm on clinical placement...working 13 hour days, nights and also having uni work to do. Either that or I'm in uni all week. I'm also on call 24/7 sometimes for births etc. I've been to temping agencies to see if I could get a temp job however because I can't say when I'd be free they can't take me on.

I know my debt is nothing compared to others but I can't manage it. I don't know what to do next.

Please help me
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RAS

Hi

Have you contacted your University about student hardship and what are often known as "summer funds". As an NHS student, you may not be eligible for them all but may get some help.

And I know you cannot get normal work but most of the midwifery students I know are able to work some bank hours. it is more difficult with the EU Requirements and needing to get the required number of births in. Since you know when you are on placement and when in University, you should be able to give the agency some idea of avaiablity.

If you are doing 13 hour days and nights and are in Uni all week, I think you need to check how many hours your are doing on your course.

You need 2300 hours practice which is 21 weeks at 37 hours and 2300 taught, which is 57.5 weeks over the 3 years, but that includes directed study and reading weeks etc.

it looks like you are doing a lot more than that.

LittleOne83

Thanks RAS. I'll look into bank work...don't know why I didn't think of....so stupid of me.

My uni have 45 week academic years (and 8 weeks time off to include self managed study)....50% theory 50% practice. Even in practice there is 1 day at uni. However the number of hours is set by the uni...not the NMC as the uni's would have you think. The EU/NMC state your birth numbers, antenatal check number, postnatal check numbers, baby check numbers and various other numbers. They state what we should be proficient in at qualifying, that we should qualify with a minimum of a diploma, that we have done 50/50 practice/theory. But that's by the by.
Yes some have jobs and cope, some don't. I personally get burn out quite easily thanks to depression and I would like to come out of this alive!

Any advice regarding what to do with the credit card companies at the moment?

TIA
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Quietgirl

Hi just wondered if you were entitled to any working tax credit? I had something through the door the otherday stating that if you were single and on a low income and where working over 30 hours per week that you could claim. But is your training classed as working? Just a thought that sprung to mind when reading your thread don't know if it helps.

LittleOne83

Thanks Quietgirl. Unfortunately I can't claim any benifits as my course isn't classed as work. I checked when I started the course!

OberonSH

Hey,

The banks can decline based on 'what you might earn in a few years' but that doesn't change what you can pay now, right?

I have a feeling the other one is getting shirty because in their minds 9 out of 10 people are trying to underpay. Stick to your guns - send them another letter re-iterating your position, and a copy of your budget. Then if worst coes to worst, you can prove that you offered to pay.

And don;t panic - until it goes to court, and an order give, the 'Debt collection agency' can't take anything, do anything apart from ask you nicely to pay. Then the fact that you offered payment etc stand you in good stead with the courts - except it won't get that far love, don't panic.

LittleOne83

OberonSH I really hope you're right and it doesn't get that far. Thank you for the advice. I'm sending another letter to Nationwide tomorrow, asking them to reconsider plus the same budget sheet they got last time.

Do you think it would be benificial to send a copy of my NHS bursary award letter? Would this prove to them that I'm getting what I say I'm getting!? Just a random idea....or clutching at straws!

LittleOne83

Just thought I'd update with what's going on.

Nationwide are still being a pain in the backside and have now referred the debt to a DCA....who will apparently visit me at home according to Nationwide. Gearing myself up to sending many more letters and many more budget sheets to the DCA once I get their details.

MBNA are being a lot more helpful. The guy I'm dealing with has that they don't want me to damage my credit rating and not be able to get credit/finance for the next 6 years (the damage has already been done tho right?). So my options are to ask for help from friends/family for the next year until my situation changes or go ahead with the minimum payments I offered and have it on my credit rating.

I have a friend who has just inherited some money...not sure if I should or if I can bring myself to for that matter, ask her to help me out. Or do I just go for the payments I've offered to MBNA and deal with the DCA for Nationwide?

Miss_R_4

Hey dont worry.

As RAS suggested try bank hours....i dont know what hospital u r based at but i do a few bank hours to boost my income on the main hospital switchboard and the hours r pretty varied and flexible and the pay is not bad. check it out.

is it possible to transfer CC debt to 0% interest??

if i think of anything else i will let u know.

LittleOne83

Thanks Miss R.

Will look into bank after my current block of placement...doing all the hours at the mo to make sure i have enough for the year.

Can't transfer to another card...already tried and was refused. I'm guessing that as I'm a student, technically unemployed and 'earn' £5000ish a year I wont be able to. Plus my credit rating isn't too healthy.