we cant live anymore

cutchie

we have talked about it, to be honest we live in a very remote area of northern ireland, theres no shops, no doctors, no nothing for miles and miles, we dont think we would have many people interested in living here lol..

dancingfairy

Sounds like you are doing all the right things - sadly it sounds about right with the JSA thing as I had to rely on my partner as well 'cos he earned too much - yeah right (only in the governements eyes).
All you can really do then is pay token payments to the unsecured creditors until such time as things improve You may want to get support from one of the debt charities mentioned before to help with this but the simple fact is they can't have what you haven't got or maybe see about a mortgage payment holiday for a few months? don't know if this is something your bank do - not something that I'd normally suggest but you seem to have done most of the stuff suggested already.
Not sure how the loan thing works but as Tixy said do you have any PPI you can claim on for that or any other card/loan?
df

lossed

I cant give any advice, as i am new to this myself, but just wanted to say "hang in there" visit here every day or night and you will get sorted. Def change banks. I did it, at least that way, you know your money is there and nothing taken out, you can sort debts to old bank when you have sorted more urgent things out.

Just a thought, have you ever thought of care work, this not going to sound good but if you realy need the money, they usualy set people on with no experience and train on the job ? its probaly not what you want but its money, while you are looking for more suitable work

Stuckinarut

You can't get housing benefit if you live in an owned property, but you can apply for Council Tax Benefit which may still help you out a bit. you might find your local council has an online calculator you can use.

GeorgeUK

Here's the soa calculator.
http://www.makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html

Lube

Have you applied to council tax benefit or working tax credit seeing as your partner works. It best getting advice on what benefits you may get as they may not always back date stuff

dancingfairy

Wasn't there an alternative to housing benefit for people who owned their own house to help with the mortgage - some government thing? not sure if you would qualify for this though as your OH is working.
df

gfplux

hello cutchie,


you have done very well to start posting on this forum. you now need
to make out your SOA and post it here. (link - http://www.makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html ) This will automatically total the numbers. It can be saved (click on the help) and you can change it every day if you want.
When making out your SOA (Statement Of Affairs) try not to guess at the figures, dig out the paperwork! However remember a partial completed one is better than none.
It is in fact one of the most IMPORTANT things you will ever do to start on the road to recovery.
If you want a lot of help on this forum, posting your SOA is the first and most important step. After it is done it is very easy to keep it up to date.
In my opinion everyone should have an up to date SOA even if you have little or no debt. It is a great tool to manage your life with.


If you post it on the forum answer the obvious questions before they are asked so you get immediate feedback, such as :-
If there is “other” Income explain what it is
Mortgage – interest only or not.
Council tax is it over 10 or 12 months.
Electricity and gas any arrears.
Water rates meter yes or no.
Mobiles, how many and when are the contracts up for renewal.
If no contents insurance is it include with buildings insurance.
If pets cost money, what are they.
House or flat value, has it been valued by an Estate Agent and when.
The more that can explain about the financial figures and circumstances the quicker the post will get advise rather than lots of questions.
When you have posted it and it does not look right or you want to change it, do so and repost it.


You should do this together with your partner as this problem can only be solved it you work as a team on this.




Start a spending diary TODAY to find out exactly where your money goes. That knowledge will shock you but also give you power. You only need a pen and a paper.

If you have online banking you should be checking your balance every day. If you do not have internet banking get it.


Good Luck

schoolrunmum

Hello Cutchie,I have nothing new to add,just to echo some of the other already made suggestions. Best of luck with the job hunting, and why not pop into the daily chat thread for a natter,or even a rant...we don't mind, we're a friendly bunch over there.....SRM xx

Ames

Do you still have a TV? If you do then TV license is a higher priority than credit card repayments.