absolutely desperate

jetcat

hi, i have been reading this site for a while, in the hope that it will enable me to take control over my fincances. i have unsecured debts of approx £8000 (i think - too scared to work out the exact amount) and have been threatened with court, bailiffs etc. problem is, i know what i should be doing, but i have health problems which means i find it incredibly difficult to concentrate long enough to sort things out. it seems like such an impossible task. my total income is made up of benefits, including disability living allowance (medium care and low mobility). my friend has been with baines and earnset for a few years now, and although he pays a fee of £30 per month, it seems like a hassle free way to me (which is what i need). where do i start? i have read previsouly not to go with debt management companies, as they charge, but i need someone to come in and take charge! i am not looking for the easy option here - i genuinely have health issues which impact on my day to day life. any advice would be great.

magentadreamer

Jetcat -don't go down the route of paying a debt management company, take a look at payplan or CCCS -they'll do it for free. your friend might well be paying Baines etc "only" £30 a month but that's £30 a month or £360 a year that could go towards debts!

lynzpower

hiya jetcat

Have you posted up your SOA yet? If you can , that will help us offer you the best help we can. I understand its difficult to work out what you owe, but can be cathartic, once its done its done!

All the best
Lynz
x

Janey51

Hi Jetcat. Welcome to MSE and sorry to hear you feel so overwhelmed at the moment. I think most of us have felt like you.
Can't you bring yourself to contact the CCCS who will sort this out for you rather than go to a debt management agency? Would your friend not be able to help you if you don't mind discussing things with him/her?
We are in humungous debt but CCCS seem to be getting things sorted for us now. It isn't easy at first but at least you have taken the first step.

jetcat

thanks for your replies guys, most welcome. sorry to be ignorant, but what is CCCS and how do i post a SOA?

magentadreamer

CCCS is the consumer credit counselling service - if you look up at the top in the blue bit you'll find a link to them plus Martins budget planner which will help you do a SOA

moozie_2

CCCS is the Consumer Credit Counselling Service which is free and should be able to help you out. The link is at the top of this page.

You are making a great start by posting here, hang in there :grouphug:

moozie_2

Also for an SOA have a look here: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=107280

black-saturn

jetcat wrote:

thanks for your replies guys, most welcome. sorry to be ignorant, but what is CCCS and how do i post a SOA?

A SOA is just a list of your incomings and outgoings and a list of debts with their APR's.

bank_of_slate

Hi Jetcat and welcome to MSE

You'll get lots of support & advice on here, we're not here to judge.

By posting an SOA we can help to spot where savings could be made, for example switching to the lowest cost utilities, reducing grocery bills etc...
Keep posting, you'll soon have lots of new friends on here!
...Linda xx

david78

Welcome to MSE Jetcat.