hanging my head in shame

Crap_with_money.com

Hey WJ!

Well done on taking the first steps and big hugs to you!! ((Jim)).

Only thing I can suggest would maybe be to change your part-time job? Could you maybe find something that pays more? Or has the same take home pay for less hours?

I worked part-time in a call centre when I was at uni (and that was 4 years ago, so will pay more now), and at that time cleared £330 a month just for working 2 8 hour shifts over the weekend!

Plus, if the part-time job is the only thing you rely on the car for - if you changed that, you could maybe get rid of the car and free up a little more cash?

I'm by no means an expert on all things financial - so sorry if that's guff advice - it was just the only thing I could think of on reading through your posts that might help

xx

worried_jim

just has a call from the co op- told them the situation, wasn't as bad as I thought. whilst talking about my account they asked if I was aware that there was some adverse credit data on my credit file- I had a silent chuckle to myself.

worried_jim

polaroid wrote: »

just wanted to say. WJ. hope your morning is going ok.
It really might be worth speaking to the abbey, they might surprise you, as some of the OP's have said if you are bang up to date with them, there should be no reason why wouldnt change you to interest only or give you a short payment holiday. my credit is completely Fxxxxxd now but i managed to change my mrtgage with birmngham midshires.

i know the phones calls are awful, but this week i have sat down and spoke to them all as they have rang. to be honest once you explain your situation they are a lot more sympathetic. they just get more arxxy the more you ignore them.

sending hugs x

cheers polaroid ! As a grown man of 30 something the thought of calling the abbey and telling them that thru no fault of my own I now earn less then when I was 19 and can they help me does scare me. what if they think I am now too much of a risk, I fear talking to them would be "tipping them off " to how finacially tragic I have become. However I have no experince but I cen see you have and it worked for you, if you dont mind me asking, what did you say?

Appreciate your input and support.

worried_jim

thanks crap with money ! I've sent you a pm.

dancingfairy

Wow - it sounds like you are on it today. Seriously though - do not agree any payments over the phone - just say you are getting advice and leave it at that.
Have you had any bank charges over the years? I think it is up to 6 years you can claim back. Apply to your bank under the hardship clause and they HAVE to fasttrack it for you. Worth paying them a bit to get all your statements so you can sock it to them.
I know you are very worried about contacting your mortgage provider but they can only say no - the alternatives will be that you will end up going bankrupt or loosing your house anyway so you need to bit the bullet really. Sorry.
Best of Luck today
df

polaroid

I am by no means an expert but I am pretty sure that they would just look at your situation with the abbey. i.e you have always made all your payments on time. they can check your credit file anyway so it may not be a huge shock to them. you have to stop taking it personally. i know how embarrassing it is but you will just be speaking to someone in a call centre who really doenst care less as they hear it all day.
when i rang BM i explained my situation and they said they didnt want me to fall in arrears + the last thing they wanted to do was re-posses so they were willing to come to an arrangement. a lot of people are in difficultly at the moment so i think they appreciate it if you explain up front.

i am glad you have spoke to the co-op. one down....

good luck xx

dancingfairy

If you can save on the mortgage, cut back on the food budget and increase your income through work or a better job and reclaim bank charges you can probably hold on to your house. It will be tough but i do believe it is doable for you.
df

worried_jim

am working on the food budget, no more quails eggs for breakfast. next shop is Sunday and will be going to Aldi instead of Tesco, have been advised that the food is just as good but about 30% cheaper, all I need is salad, meat , eggs and vegatables.
I have no bank charges with my current bank, however there would be loads with first direct.
I had a £3k o/d limit and when I stopped using the account approx july last year it had an o/d balance of about £3.9k, I know that in the period '05 to july '07 there would have been lots (hanging my head in shame again) and lots of charges for going over the o/d limit and a few returned dd's @ £30/£35 a pop. As I abandoned this account last year and have only made periodic token payments of £10 towards it do I have any grounds for claiming any charges back. I am in no doubt about my claim for hardship, this I cant deny.

dancingfairy

I would think so. Am not an expert though but would certainly come in handy for you right now. Worth a try. You could start a new post on here entitled help with reclaiming bank charges - or something like that and then people who know more about it will be able to help. I'm sure Martin has written an article about it as well.
Are you doing a meal plan today ie what you need to buy and what meals you will be eating next week each day - it should save you money.
Best of Luck
df

worried_jim

thanks once again crap with money- your rant is most welcome ! and I am STILL smiling !