Need to sort out my debts- CCCS?

BeenieCat

Hello everyone, i really waqnt to sort my debts out, and have in the past been in touch with Christians Against Poverty. They set me up on a budget plan and everything but in the end i told them i would do it on my own after that.

My reasons for doing that was purely because i felt like they were taking over completely, and i got a bit stubborn thinking that i should really do it myself as i'm only 20 and don't want to have failed by getting someone else to sort out my problems!

Anyway, i have has CCCS recommended to me, although i don't actually know anyone who has had contact with them. Problem is, i've been putting it off ringing them, but have tried loads and loads of times, every single time it is engaged. I tried emailing them and got a swift response basically telling me to keep on trying, however it is still engaged, i've never actually heard it ring!
The number i'm calling is 0800 138 1111.

Thing is, am i right to try and get advice elsewhere? Or am i just being lazy and can't actually budget very well myself.

I don't owe a huuuge amount of money, probably about £2,500, but i'm paying loads and loads out in interest, and i'm also at court on the 5th April for some Rent Arrears.
If i was to ever get in touch with CCCS or someone similar, what would they do? And is it worth it for what might seem like a relatively 'small' debt?

southernscouser

Why don't you post a SOA (state of affairs) and let us see what we can do for you.

Have a look at this thread for a guide!

The CCCS are amazingly well thought of on these boards. Although as you know, they are extremely busy! :rolleyes:

BeenieCat

Okay, a rough guide to my SOA...

Incomings:

Wages: £300 (p.c.m)
Child and Working Tax Credit: £490 (4wk)
Child Benefit: £68 (4wk)

Sometimes do overtime, giving me an extra £70 or so, but not always.

Outgoings (all monthly):

Rent inc Arrears: £120
Council Tax : £25 (i'm getting benefit for rent and C.Tax, that's why they are quite low!)
Nursery Fees: £199
TV License: £11
Contents Insurance: £8
Barclaycard: £30
Capital One card: £30
Kay Lifestyle: £50
LX Direct: £10
ArgosCard: £5
NTL Phone and BB: £45
Sky Digital: £30
Mobile Phone: £15
Gas and Electric: £40
Transport: around £45

Not too sure how much i spend on food and ciggies etc....

BeenieCat

Debts are roughly this:
Barclaycard -£500
Capital One -£500
Overdraft - £400
LX Direct- £500
Kays Lifestyle-£140
ArgosCard - £200
Rent Arrears- £400

Also owe Studio about £200 but i've been ignoring them:(

moozie_2

Hello and welcome

You are at the right place for good advice and support. Now, are you able to post APRs and minimum payments for all the debts?

BeenieCat

Thanks moozie, to be honest, i don't really know what the interest rates are, will they be on the statements?

moozie_2

Some thoughts from me but the real experts will be advising you more soon.

Incomings:

Wages: £300 (p.c.m)
Child and Working Tax Credit: £490 (4wk)
Child Benefit: £68 (4wk)

Sometimes do overtime, giving me an extra £70 or so, but not always.

Looks like your monthly income is £858 plus any overtime.

Outgoings (all monthly):

Rent inc Arrears: £120
Council Tax : £25 (i'm getting benefit for rent and C.Tax, that's why they are quite low!)
Nursery Fees: £199 Is there anyway you can reduce this?
TV License: £11
Contents Insurance: £8
Barclaycard: £30
Capital One card: £30
Kay Lifestyle: £50
LX Direct: £10
ArgosCard: £5
NTL Phone and BB: £45 These 3 add up to £90 monthly. You should be able to reduce that by getting a better deal on TV/BB/phone and reducing use of your mobile.
Sky Digital: £30
Mobile Phone: £15
Gas and Electric: £40
Transport: around £45

Not too sure how much i spend on food and ciggies etc.... [/QUOTE]

BeenieCat

Can't reduce the nursery fees, as i already get the childcare element of tax credits, which is included in the amount i stated.

I will be reducing the sky to £20 in the next month or so, and i could only reduce my mobile use to £10 really.
I don't want NTL tv so i can't think of how else to cut that side of things.

moozie_2

I could have understood this wrongly but your income is £858, your payments are £663 therefore you have £195 surplus.

If you look at the grocery shopping, cigs and entertainments maybe you can make some more savings and then use as much of that as possible to pay your higher interest debt first.

I don't know what your APRs are obviously but maybe you could look at transferring some to lower APRs...?

kathfisch

Hi and welcome!

Moozie has given you some fab advice, nothing much I can add. I'll have a think though...

You say that you don't know how much you spend on food, this is one area where people often find they can save a lot. Why not make a note of what you spend for a month, keep your receipts, that kinda thing. Then you can try to find areas to cut back on or find cheaper alternatives. Have a look at the money saving old style board, there are lots of discussions there about cheap eating and household things.

I think it would be worth continuing to ring CCCS, hopefully you will get through soon! You could also try Payplan, they are very highly thought of here too.

And, of course, keep reading and posting here for advice and support!

Best of luck

Kath

BeenieCat

Ok this is all i can find at the minute,
Barclaycard- 27.9%
Argos 25.9%
Capital One- purchase interest monthly- 2.207%
Kays lifestyle 29.9 %
LX Direct: 32.9%

I think the catalogues are variable though, with some of it being interest free etc...

Sorry i can't be more specific!