Memorygirl's SOA - do your magic!!

Memory_Girl

frosty wrote: »

Hi,have you checked if your entitled to free school dinners?this would save you £60 a month,if you have a read of the old style board you will find lots of help on how to cut back.

My son doesn't go to a State school so no free dinners I'm afraid.

The OS board is my bible - seriously they are the only reason I was able to make any savings in my account to go towards the big bills in the first place. Few pennies off a meal here and there really add up to a huge difference when you are on the breadline so to speak.

Memorygirl

Memory_Girl

WASHER wrote: »

How you paid your mortgage this month? Are you in arrears at this moment in time with either the mortgage/council tax/gas or elec? If not, excellent news, if so, post and let us know.

I am paying off a little bit of arrears on last years Council Tax because it took so long to get a bill organised - but I was paying it off and had budgeted for it fine.

Mortgage has always been paid and owe no-one else. No Credit cards, no scary catalogues, no store cards - not evena library fine LOL.

I just need toget on an even keel again - because I was managing the little we had - sweaky but you can get there.

Memorygirl

Memory_Girl

Answers below

WASHER wrote: »

Does your son get any DLA/or any other benefit for being Aspergers,I'm sorry I don't much about the disorder, or the benefits system, but it seems far far too low to me.

Nope - but I am going to look at the benefits again

Ok, I agree with the car, I wouldn't want to you walking up some dark hill in the winter months.

I have thought about biking it though - not that I have a bike but I may be able to borrow one - or freecycle.

Have you thought of bankruptcy, as regards to this debt? I don't know much above business debts either I'm afraid but someone will.

I will consider anything. Got a meet with CCCS on TUesday and I guess that will be part of the conversation.

WASHER.x.

Thanks Washer - keep it coming

Memorygirl

Memory_Girl

WASHER wrote: »

Does your son get any DLA/or any other benefit for being Aspergers,I'm sorry I don't much about the disorder, or the benefits system, but it seems far far too low to me.

WASHER.x.

Pants!!!!!

Doesn't look like I'm entitled to a penny more than I'm getting.

Although if I was an alcoholic, a junkie, and obese mother of 7 (see todays paper BTW) there would be plenty more help .

Still it was worth a try thanks

Memorygirl

misspoppy

Hi
Couple of things that might help you out.

Have you called the mortgage co and asekd for a payment holiday next month and explain the situation? You've got nothing to loose by asking

If you set up the direct debit now for your next tv licence you won't need to worry about finding the money when its due they have loads of ways to pay these days have a look at this link http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/waystopay/index.jsp

you need to offically complain to the bank about freezing benefits (which you've already been advissed about) and the way they treated you, you can ask for financial compensation for some thing like that.

Fire_Fox

Sorry to pry but you don't seem to get any child support for your children? Is there any possibility you could take in a lodger for extra tax-free income, or would that be too much for DS?

I think your main priority is to get access to the money in the bank - don't wait for the letter to arrive, the bank is not allowed to freeze your benefits as this is the minimum the government says your family can live on. I would take the letter into your branch and ask for it to be faxed to whoever while you wait, and then send a copy recorded delivery as well.

No financial institution is allowed to discuss your debts with or in front of anyone, this is a breach of data protection. Exhaust the bank's complaints procedure and then ombudsman if necessary.

babymoo

Hi,

I know absolutely nothing about aspergers i'm afraid but I'm almost certain that your son will be entitled to something as he has to attend a special school.

http://www.asdfriendly.org/board/index.php?showtopic=17007

Have a look at this link and around the forums, I found it doing a quick google search. I could be wrong but there is no harm in applying even if you get turned down for it. If your son does get DLA you can then claim Carers Allowance aswell.

Hope this helps

Memory_Girl

misspoppy wrote: »

Hi
Couple of things that might help you out.

Have you called the mortgage co and asekd for a payment holiday next month and explain the situation? You've got nothing to loose by asking

Sorry - but my Mortgage is with the Clydesale so I don't think they will give me a payment holiday - could be an interesting conversation though!!

If you set up the direct debit now for your next tv licence you won't need to worry about finding the money when its due they have loads of ways to pay these days have a look at this link http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/waystopay/index.jsp

I don't currently have an operational bank account that I can set up direct debits, or any money in an account to cover a DD, or any guarantee of when I'm actually going to start receiving my benefits again. AS soon as my new account is open and I have some funds available I will look into setting one up though.

you need to offically complain to the bank about freezing benefits (which you've already been advissed about) and the way they treated you, you can ask for financial compensation for some thing like that.

I'm hoping that CCCS can help me with this on Tuesday - just need to keep us going through the weekend.

Thanks for all your help - but I feel like I'm not being helpful in return, although I promise to answer all of your questions truthfully without making excuses for this sorry situation.

Memory_Girl

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Sorry to pry but you don't seem to get any child support for your children? Is there any possibility you could take in a lodger for extra tax-free income, or would that be too much for DS?

Fraid not - Dad has upped and left the country and lives in SA. Hes in a lovely new relationship though so I'm not expecting him back here anytime soon. Don't get a penny - although he fwds stuff from Amazon for Christmas and Birthdays. Crap innit!!

I think your main priority is to get access to the money in the bank - don't wait for the letter to arrive, the bank is not allowed to freeze your benefits as this is the minimum the government says your family can live on. I would take the letter into your branch and ask for it to be faxed to whoever while you wait, and then send a copy recorded delivery as well.

I will contact CCCS and ask them if they can give me the wording of a letter - don't want to shoot myself in the foot by saying the wrong thing.

No financial institution is allowed to discuss your debts with or in front of anyone, this is a breach of data protection. Exhaust the bank's complaints procedure and then ombudsman if necessary.

I most certainly will be - but first step is to get my wee bit money back. I won't be on benefits for ever and I have set a huge goal for myself this afternoon.--- this makes me laugh just thinking about it.

"In 2010 I am going to appear on a prime time television programme talking about this situation and how I not only survived being kicked when I was down - but turned our lives around and created an abundant life for my children.

I will then present the head of Clydesdale with the framed 71 pence (the total amount they left me with on Tuesday) and thank him for his attendance.

I WILL THEN EMPTY £10000 IN USED FIVERS FROM A BRIEFCASE ALL OVER HIS HEAD AND AS IT CASCADES DOWN ALL OVER HIM AND ONTO THE FLOOR I WILL THANK THE HOST, RISE ELEGANTLY FROM MY CHAIR AND EXIT THE STUDIO HOLDING MY HEAD UP HIGH. LEAVING HIM TO SCRABBLE AROUND FOR EVERY BLESSED PENNY ON THE FLOOR"


Of course in this little fantasy I am a perfect size 12, wearing a gorgeous dress and fabulous high heels. As far from the tearful single-mum-of-two standing humiliated in the bank branch as you can get.

Oh!! and whilst I'm at it - I walk out of the studio straight into a limo with some damn hot silver fox!!!!!!!!!!!!

You gotta laugh:rotfl:

Bless you all for help - please keep it coming. As you can see I'm already feeling more hopeful - delusional but hopeful

Memorygirl

Cat_Addict

Hi Memory Girl - I love your spirit and I'm no expert on these matters and I can see you're getting good advice. I just wanted to stick my oar in about the car. It's a hobby horse of mine.

Having spent 6 years on buses with three kids I think not having a car is far more expensive - buses are extortionate. I took my DS to a hospital appointment before we had a car and had to take DD with me. The whole trip cost £18 on two buses each way, took half a day and cost me £40 in lost wages. Did the same trip in the car after I passed my test and it cost me about 32p, took one hour (therefore only £10 in lost wages).

Watching 7 Days on the Breadline the other night reminded me, when Keith Allen took a trip on the bus with a child and was shocked it was over £5 for one journey.

You hang on to you car as long as you can, I can't see you being financially better off without it.

(I'll get off my soapbox now LOL ;o)