Just woke up

charlie030882

Hi DFW's,

Firstly, sorry if this post is really long.

Although I have posted on the website before with a question, I haven't posted on the DFW forum - so please be gentle! I just really wanted to post as I don't really have many people to talk to and especially not about the situation that myself and my fiance are currently in and I don't think that they would understand anyway. I also wanted to see if there was any help and advice that I could give through our experiences throughout our DFW quest - so here goes!

Both out of work, we finally came to the realisation that we couldn't keep struggling with our debts. It has got to the point where things like gas, electric etc were just not going to be paid. My fiance has always had the attitude that food etc is more important than bills but I am an eternal worrier and so have been borrowing from cash till payday companies to try and get everything paid. When I have tried to negotiate with creditors they don't want to know. I am unable to claim jobseekers as I hadn't paid enough N.I contributions on a previous tax year as I was out of work for a number of months due to depression and my fiance at the time was apparently earning enough for us both. I wish I could say that I had a great time spending the money but to be honest I was using it for rent etc.

Last week called National Debtline and they were really helpful, they sent me loads of info and it made me finally realise that if I haven't got the money for debts then I cannot pay it. I sent my first 3 creditors letters with token payments of £1 and S.O.A. I'm expecting problems but just need to stay positive. As soon as myself and my fiance are back in employment then we are going to go to CCCS and set up a DMP.

Just wanted to share my experiences along the way. Hope to speak to you all soon x

trancebabe

Hey charlie, welcome to the board!

Good for you that you've decided to share... there's loads of people here to listen and offer help, guidance and encouragement

Good luck to you

charlie030882

Thanks Trancebabe. That's really reassuring - I get very nervous and wouldn't normally write a post but from what I've read on the site everyone seems really friendly and willing to help.

GeorgeUK

Hi Charlie

If you post up a statement of affairs (SOA) we may be able to spot some areas in your expenditure that you can make some savings in.
https://www.makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html

haraltremorian

Well done for posting and taking the first few steps towards sorting the debt out.

It took me awhile to wake up and there are some amazing people on the boards with great advice and support.

If your paying rent have you applied to your local council for Housing Benefit and Council Tax benefit? I suspect you have but if not get on it straight away and at least get some relief from the pressure. You don;t have to be on JSA to get it. You probably know this already.

One of things I did was keep a note by the phone with a script on it when the creditors call with points you can say to them that keeps from getting to upset if they get way too shouty down the phone at you. Note on your income, telling them you have other accounts to service apart from them, say you've made token payments etc...

charlie030882

Hi everyone,

Many Thanks for all your replies. Have sent off for council tax and housing benefit forms but have been told that they can take 5-10 w.days to arrive but at least it's a step in the right direction - but I didn't know until I researched on the internet that we were entitled to them so thankyou to haraltremorian for mentioning it also as it may help others as well. The script idea is also good as I do have a tendancy to get upset on the phone.

I will also be posting my S.O.A tomorrow, thankyou for the link GeorgeUK.

doodledo_2

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Well done for taking that first step and posting.

A full SOA will be worth posting as it will amaze you what advice you will receive.

Good luck with the housing benefits etc.

Are you both actively seeking work? Do you have anything you could sell on Ebay or similar which could be thrown at your debts?

charlie030882

Oh well here goes:

Monthly income after tax................ 0
Partners monthly income after tax....... 0
Benefits................................ 0
Other income............................ 0
Total monthly income.................... 0

Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 0
Secured loan repayments................. 0
Rent.................................... 460
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Council tax............................. 105
Electricity............................. 15
Gas..................................... 38
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 50
Telephone (land line)................... 26
Mobile phone............................ 40
TV Licence.............................. 12
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 0
Internet Services....................... 0
Groceries etc. ......................... 90
Clothing................................ 0
Petrol/diesel........................... 80
Road tax................................ 0
Car Insurance........................... 70
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 0
Car parking............................. 0
Other Travel ...........................0
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 0
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 0
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 0
Buildings insurance..................... 0
Contents insurance...................... 0
Life assurance ......................... 0
Other insurance......................... 0
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 0
Haircuts................................ 0
Entertainment........................... 0
Holiday................................. 0
Emergency fund.......................... 0
Total monthly expenses.................. 986

Assets
Cash.................................... 0
House value (Gross)..................... 0
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 0
Other assets............................ 0
Total Assets............................ 0

No Secured Debt

Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
Abbey Loan....................6204......177.......0
Lloyds TSB C.C...............1503......33........0
HSBC Loan.....................4349......128.......0
Capital One................... 100.......5.........0
Lloyds TSB O/D.............. 250.......0.........0
Abbey O/D.................... 400.......0.........0
Cash till payday............. 1200......148.......0
Littlewoods................... 1500......42........0
Additions...................... 500.......14........0
Kays........................... 500....... 40........0
Empire......................... 142.21....40........0
Egg C.C........................1001......21........0
Total unsecured debts.....17649 648.......

Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 0
Expenses (including secured debts)....... 986
Available for debt repayments........... -986
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 648
Surplus(deficit if negative)............ -1,634

Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own).......0
Total Secured debt....................-0
Total Unsecured debt.................-17,649.21
Net Assets.............................. -17,649.21

We also have a HP agreement on a car £153 pcm, however we would like to try and get a smaller one but don't really know what we can/can't do on the HP agreement. Also the cash till payday cheques are a real nightmare at the moment, but again, don't really know what to do with them as I would like to pay them off but can't afford to do so.

I have tried to put everything on the list that I can think of. Things like shopping however can vary and I doubt that we do spend £90 a month on food as I try and get bargains as much as I can - however it is mainly frozen food and would like to try and start cooking properly but it seems so expensive - any advice? Also things like car tax we leave until we need it so don't save up for it - another problem. And would also like to try and go out once at month if possible as it's getting a bit depressing now.

Hope I've done the S.O.A correctly. Any advice and help would be great.

trancebabe

Hi Charlie... :0)

a couple of things to look at for you

Gas - seems a bit high. Have a look at the utiltiies tab at the top. Now's the time to switch (maybe see if you can get a better deal if you combine gas and electricity)

Mobile Phone - you can't afford it hun... need to rid yourself of this and put the £40 / month to better use!

groceries - check out the old style boards - there's a lady on there that's feeding her family of 4 on £20 this month (yes... I said £20 for 4 people... for a whole month!!!)

Car - insurance looks a bit high - I guess you're a young driver but it's worth checking out to see if you can get a more competative rate.

Ultimately you and your partner need to get an income of some sort - you can't sustain yourselves at that level for very long and need to bring in some cash to meet (hopefully exceed) the level of debt you have

What's your position on finding work - do you have any skills you can offer an employee (you can drive for a start... maybe do something along whose lines to make some money)

Good luck to you - I'll be watching your thread and willing you all the way

charlie030882

Hi Trancebabe,

Thanks for the advice. I forgot to mention in the first post who's debts etc were whose. The mobile phones are for both of us. Unfortunately I took out my contract only a few months ago when I was working so I can't downgrade yet, but I'll see if he can downgrade to a better deal.

As for the car insurance that's my fiance as he's the only one who can drive - I tend to rely on public transport for everything to try and save his diesel. That's the main reason as to why he's trying to get a smaller car if possible.

On the job front it's looking a bit more positive, he's managed to get an interview for next Mon, offering a really good salary and vehicle provided so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. As for me I have a lot of experience in admin but this has been mainly in temp work which I think is putting people off - don't know why really.

I'm off to find the post for grocercies. Hope everything is ok for you. Thanks again for the advice and best wishes.

nimbo

good luck sweets, and stay positive....

the peeps on the old style board are really helpful when it comes to shopping lists and budgeting in the supermarket...