Crisp £ note lightbulb moment!

Forris

Crisp_£_note wrote: »

My husbands income based on his recent Tax assessment was £40 a month last year and with the state of the economy as it is now I think it is unlikely to improve but possibly worsen this year!

I am not going to include his SOA as finacially we live separately to be honest (I pay for the roof over our heads he pays for his business overheads and van) but I am aware of his income and expenditure. I think it is unfair to post his personal SOA on here without his permission and if he really wants to he should do it himself and deal with his own debts. :rolleyes:

Sorry to be personal, but if your husband's business is only making £40 per month why is he still in business? Why does he not try to get a permanent job and start making a contribution to the household?

Crisp_£_note

Forris wrote: »

Sorry to be personal, but if your husband's business is only making £40 per month why is he still in business? Why does he not try to get a permanent job and start making a contribution to the household?

Thanks. He does have a part time job which is seasonal (March - November) and 2 -3 days at a time which brings him £100 - £150 each time and he puts this towards his own debts and bills such as Van Tax, MOT, perol and treats. Hence I dont include it as I say the SOA is for me only. The reason why is a bit of a sore subject which has been sour for some time so just dont go there please (asked with the greatest of politeness and respect).

Thank you

Crisp_£_note

Have been looking about the posts and had a thought that might help me clear debts off faster.

I have PPI on all my 4 Credit Cards but surely if I am on IB it is useless to me? At the time of taking out the policies I was Self Employed so I could have been miss-sold? So would I be entitled to claim this back somehow?

By the way all 4 cards were cut up a year ago and I have just been repaying the minimum they have asked me for each month.

The same goes with a bank account I had which was closed by the bankand turned into a loan to cover the overdraft. I am sure I am able to claim back unlawful charges?

Can anyone tell me who could take a look and apply on my behalf - I wouldn't know where to start and maths was never my best subject

Thank you

Fire_Fox

Crisp_£_note wrote: »

I have just been on the phone to Eon who have taken a look at the situation and have re set a new Direct Debit at £121. per month for combined fuel.

They said my monthly consumption is £38 Gas and £44 Electric so an average usage of £82. a month.

Your ongoing energy consumption is massive for two people. :eek: We have a DD of £34 a month for our electric, no gas in flat, and we do not get into arrears. This needs looking into ASAP. Loads of threads on the 'Gas and Electricity' message board on this site from people shocked by their bills, and loads of advice on how to reduce them.

RAS

Crisp_£_note wrote: »

I have PPI on all my 4 Credit Cards but surely if I am on IB it is useless to me? At the time of taking out the policies I was Self Employed so I could have been miss-sold? So would I be entitled to claim this back somehow?

The same goes with a bank account I had which was closed by the bankand turned into a loan to cover the overdraft. I am sure I am able to claim back unlawful charges?

Definately do both. There is a whole reclaim forum on here annd they can talk you through it if you need help.

As for your groceries, you have to cut them further. IF OH can aford treats, you can cut back in the basic household costs. You cannot afford to live like this.

RAS

A few more thoughts

1. You need totally review your fuel usage. Check the temperature of any hot water cylinders. Go round the house and turn off all the stuff on stand by. Turn off the TV at the socket at night.

2. Join www. freecycle.org. Like e-bay but the stuff is fre. You might get clothing, kitchen gear etc.

Forris

Crisp_£_note wrote: »

Thanks. He does have a part time job which is seasonal (March - November) and 2 -3 days at a time which brings him £100 - £150 each time and he puts this towards his own debts and bills such as Van Tax, MOT, perol and treats. Hence I dont include it as I say the SOA is for me only. The reason why is a bit of a sore subject which has been sour for some time so just dont go there please (asked with the greatest of politeness and respect).

Thank you

Ok, I will not pry but I think this one sentence may be the source of all your problems and sorting this out (one way or another) is the key to your future wellbeing. I also think you already know this!!

monkeyboots

hi there, just wanted to say for you to check your meter readings and your meter serial number against what they have put down on the bill as I had huge problems where they had the completely wrong info and reckoned I owed them £1400 after months of fone calls and arguments they have finally agreed that I actually only owe them £35 so they got it just slightly wrong lol. Have you looked at cashback sites, surveys and mystery shopping to earn a few extra pound that could be put toward the debts? Or ebay and amazon for any thing you dont use? Also maybe have a look at the old style board for ideas on how to reduce your shopping bill, Good luck with it all though

Crisp_£_note

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Your ongoing energy consumption is massive for two people. :eek: We have a DD of £34 a month for our electric, no gas in flat, and we do not get into arrears. This needs looking into ASAP. Loads of threads on the 'Gas and Electricity' message board on this site from people shocked by their bills, and loads of advice on how to reduce them.

Thank you. I think the bill is so high as we are repaying what we have built up. I am looking into the bills and trying to find out if there is any fault either by me or by eon in meter readings or by payments sent / taken. It will take me some time though as this goes back a year. Last January our combined payments were only £55 a month for both gas and electricity so I feel something has gone funny somewhere.

I will go to the message boards you suggested thank you and continue to seek ways to reduce our usage.

Thanks again

Crisp_£_note

RAS wrote: »

Definately do both. There is a whole reclaim forum on here annd they can talk you through it if you need help.

As for your groceries, you have to cut them further. IF OH can aford treats, you can cut back in the basic household costs. You cannot afford to live like this.

Thanks. I have had a look at the reclaims board and it all still seems so complicated, as I said Maths wasnt and still isnt my best subject. Do you know if there is anywhere I can go who will look at the paperwork for me and help me complete and send the info off? FREE or donation of course as I know there are many companies out there who will do it but charge.

Beleive it or not we have already cut back in household costs and are struggling (thats even without the dogs included). I must find other ways to reduce costs yet stay healthy. Oh and thanks for pointing out I cant afford to live - I know which is why I am trying hard to deal with it (see sig below). lol :rolleyes: :rotfl:

Thank you