Help can't pay my bills - starting to receive demands!

lily23_2

You wouldn't know how hard it was to get the £50 a month out of him (one of the reasons we split) but at least he's stuck to it so far. Yes i know never never lend money, believe me i'm learning that the hard way. I will ask him though.

I'll phone the water company and go into bank on monday and see if i can sort a payment arrangement i can manage. Their demands for immediate payment in full just aren't realistic given my circumstances. Like you say even if they take me to court it won't help them get paid any faster as i can't pay what i don't have. Hope it doesn't come to that though.

GeorgeUK

If you go to the bank, don't feel pressured into taking out a loan or anything - they'll probably try to offer you something like this.

You should definately contact CAB and one of the free debt charities who will help you set up repayments - we can help with that too.

Make sure you put your CV onto the online employment websites such as monster.co.uk too.

lily23_2

Will be going to CAB first thing Monday, looks like it's gonna be a busy day. Thank you, i'll let you know how i get on. Won't be taking out any loans as I realise the folly of taking credit to pay off credit especially when unemployed. Banks should have realised this by now too given the current crisis.

loupee

Just a wee hint possibly, it might be different to where you are.
I went to my CAB on friday, the office opened at 9.30, I was waiting from about quarter past and was the 6th person in the queue, I didn't get seen until 12.15, so IMO get there early, take something to drink, and a good magazine or book, cos all they showed on the telly was sky sports :eek:
Although it may be different where you are.

lily23_2

Good advice thanks loupee i'll get there well before it opens just in case, guess they are extremely busy at the moment. Didn't know they had telly, i'm not much of a sports fan either.

amberowl28

Definately get to the CAB early - arrived 5 minutes before it opened and was turned away as all appointments for the day had already gone, quite a few people were ahead of me.

I'm job hunting and struggling financially too and know how hard it is too keep motivated. I'm sure things will start looking up soon!

Best of luck

loupee

good luck to you for all your endeavors tomorrow.
I'm sure the answer is out there
be sure and let us know how you get on.

Lou x

lily23_2

Thanks for the advice everyone, i got there 1/3 an hour before they opened and there were already two people ahead of me. After visiting CAB, i've let the water company know about my situation and offered them a payment plan i should be able to afford. Waiting to see if they accept it.

Bank has agreed to let me keep the full overdraft for another 6 months. They did suggest a loan, even offered me an amount that would pay off what i owe, but the interest was phenomenal and i'd be paying it off for years. All i said was do you really want to offer more credit to someone who's unemployed? She laughed and said had i considered working in a bank, they could use someone like me!

Not heard from council regarding housing benefit yet so will be yet another week at least before i can pay landlady!

Ex gave me an extra £20 on top of normal payment too, which helps a little.

loupee

Hey,

I'm glad things have started working in your favour, i hope it's not all as scary now, and that your feeling better in youself. :j
You've taken the first steps, and you know now you can see this through.
I'm still fairly new here but it has already made a huge impact on me.

Lou x

lily23_2

I appreciate all the support lou. It does feel better now i'm dealing with it - hopefully no more nasty letters. With luck i'll be able to get enough in to pay all bills at the end of the month and pay rent soon. Really need a job and house mate asap though as living on £400 a month simply isn't possible with my rent!