...I guess it's lightbulb day!

kar

Contact them somehow. Council tax is one where you really need to let them know your having trouble and how much you can pay and when.

Definately claim back your bank charges. I'm sure someone can provide you with the link tot he bank action group page.

Definately drop 'Premier' account these are always a complete waste of money.

And if you haven't already filed for the Council tax discount make sure you put in your letter/phonecall about being on your own with little one and that someone said you may be entitled to discount. (you are entitled to 25% off). ask them how you claim it (all if you don't already of course)

jitsuguy

Firstly go into Barclays and drop the premier account and ask them and see if they are willing to give you 6 years worth of bank statements (if you don't keep your statements that is). If they don't you will have to write a letter and give them £10 as that is a statutory amount. Once you have done this go through all of them listing all your bank charges. You will find more help on this at the bank action group:
http://www.bankactiongroup.co.uk/

Council tax and rent are a priority. Plus at the moment do you need the life insurance. Plus can you look at getting rid of the car, this might help with freeing up some money to help clear the debts quicker.

Have you looked at switching your home telephone and broadband? Have a look here:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?newsid1095003038,99872

The talktalk plan might be useful.

Plus if you are going to keep your car it might be worht driving it more economical, look here:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?newsid1136559784,69078

Hope this helps,
Jitsuguy

taplady

Hi Dina !

I'm no expert myself but it seems to me you have had some great advice already and you seem to be on the right road.Good luck! I know what you mean about telephones as I too am petrified about ringing people up that I do not know. I always write or email even though this takes longer. I find I just keep putting off phone calls which can make things worse.

I hope you succeed with your dream of buying your council house as this is what I would like to do when I am DF if possible.

Good luck!;)

DinaSaw

Jitsuguy, you're my new hero! I've ordered my bank statements, but I have a fair few of them from over the years and just be looking through them I've counted up just short of £1000 in charges over the last three years. I always thought that having seperate accounts for bills and general use etc. was a smart idea - and instead it turns out that I've been charged up to 3x£30 per account per month. Three accounts... £270! I'm waiting for the rest of my statements to arrive before I get the letters ready, but I'm so angry about these charges now. I'd even go so far as to say I may never have gotten into so much debt had I not had to pay these fees in the first place. It seems Barclays aren't the most receptive of banks about full refunds, but I'm ready to take them all the way!

I have my 25% Council Tax discount for this year, but I hadn't asked for it previously so I've written to the Council to ask if they can apply it retrespectively to my account. I understand the chances are slim, but it's worth a try.

I can't make a huge saving on my car insurance which warrants the charges for cancelling early, so I'll shop around closer to the renewal date for those. I detest driving, I hate it with a passion, but the logistics of getting my son to nursery and then me to work and back again would be impossible without a car.

The gas and electric is the most amazing thing - I'm switching to nPower monthly direct debit, they've accepted me with estimated savings of £365 per year, which is incredible.

My job today is to redo my SOA and set myself fresh, new budgets for everything. I'll work out how much I have to repay my debts, and write to each of them with an offer and see what happens.

You're all wonderful people, thank you to everybody!

Dina x

jet77

Am just posting to show my support and let you know that there are so many people in a similar position that have now sorted it. If you contact the no. on your council tax bill and explain that you want to pay off your arrears but have more going out than you have coming in, they will either 1) ask you how much you can afford each week - ask them what the minimum payment is as you can't afford more than £2 p/w or 2) post you out a form on which you have to breakdown in a v. simple form your expenditure - make sure that you include the cost of life, car, buildings + contents insurances on this breakdown (even if you haven't got them - get quotes) because they take these in to account as requirements - they do not take credit card/loan repayments in to account. If your include the above on the form it should definitely work out that you are in the red and you will qualify for the min. payment.

They will either send you anoying giro slips which are hard to keep the receipts for, a payment card u can use at the post office - again hard to keep the receipts for - they didn't used to offer direct debit but if they do now I'd def. say that this wd b the best option as you can easily keep track of how much you've already given them.

What ever you do sort the council tax out ASAP and u will feel much better!!

DinaSaw

You're absolutely right. It's amazing, in the space of a few short days I've gone from thinking it was all hopeless to actually believeing I can pay off my debts and have a reasonable standard of living - nothing short of a miracle!

I've spent the last few hours doing sums and writing letters and - shock horror - actually ringing people, and it's really paying off.. I hope!

EDIT - just to quickly substantiate that, I'm being overtaxed on my pay it seems, so that's being sorted, and I've missed two weeks of WFTC income which they've not repaid, so I'm chasing that, and back-claiming Children's tax credit, which I never received when it was around but apparently am eligible for to the tune of almost £1000!

Dina x

sanfrancisco

Dina

have you cancelled the monthly bank ac charge? Several people have mentioned it and you seem to have missed it? Dont want to nag, just wanted to be sure.

Also, about all the unfair bank charges, make sure you read all the info on this site (martin has an article) and on the bankactiongroup website. You can claim back 6 years, so you may be able to get loads. Good Luck.

MrsTinks

Hang in there and you'll get there in the end The OS forum is great for cutting bills on food and cleaning and you might just find yourselves eating a lot better and healthier too I know some folks are eating for £10 a week (i've chosen a compromise as I wanted to go for organic food and generally improve the quality of our food as well as save money, so our bill is a little higher...) and not starving

Even cleaning materials can be substituted with cheaper alternatives and bicarb of soda, soda crystals and vinegar are regularly used when I clean now

Keep chasing about any money that is due to you and come clean with the council, if you are honest with them then chances are they will be able to help you

There IS light at the end of the tunnel so keep at it

Caixta

The warmest of welcomes DinaSaw. Your little one is lucky to have such a go-getter for a Mum :j

DinaSaw

sanfrancisco wrote:

Dina

have you cancelled the monthly bank ac charge? Several people have mentioned it and you seem to have missed it? Dont want to nag, just wanted to be sure.

Also, about all the unfair bank charges, make sure you read all the info on this site (martin has an article) and on the bankactiongroup website. You can claim back 6 years, so you may be able to get loads. Good Luck.

Nag all you want!!

I haven't yet, I'm going to go see a personal banker next week. Truthfully, I don't remember why I took out this particular account aside from the rather hefty overdraft I have on it, and I need to be certain that I won't lose that before I do anything, as it's currently close to being maxed out and I'd be absolutely stuffed without it.

Tine, thanks - once I found that board I was there for hours, and I've put all those things on my shopping list for tomorrow, and much more - including loads of freezer bags and a big baking tray!!

Ciaxta - I love your sig!

Thanks to all, you're all being wonderful. Hopefully, as I learn, I can start being helpful to others too!

Dina x