Is this too easy a way out?

southernscouser

Check with Barclaycard whether that offer is subject to another credit check. If it isn't I'd personally take it. Then depending on the limit, transfer the debts with the highest APR on to it!

You have around £150 a month spare according to your SOA. Start a spending diary and this will tell you where that 'surplus' money goes!

Annie_Fanny

Hey Ellimae

Just a couple of things...

You don't mention internet access in your SOA...did you overlook it or are you accessing it from work etc?

People have mentioned paying off Ikea & Next first - if you look at this link:
http://www.whatsthecost.co.uk/snowball.aspx
It will help you target your debts strategically and efficiently. It will also give you an idea of your Debt Free Date. Play around with figures i.e. see what difference paying an extra £50 per month off your debt makes.

Good luck!

Annie

oops_a_daisy

Hi there and welcome. Just my two penneths worth to add to the rest. Do you get maintenance ? I had to fight to get mine and managed to get an increase at the beginning of this year which really helps me. All the best and good luck

newleaf

Welcome :hello: . Please don't think your problems don't warrant support and advice. I wish I had woken up to my debt when it was much smaller, I wouldn't be in the mess I'm in now. Good Luck!

sashacat

Definitely ditch sky and is that £30 phone for mobile and landline? Can you change your mobile. Also lots of people on here sell stuff on e bay...why not give that a try? good luck

beanielou

Hi & welcome.
Check out tac credits as they do not take into account any main tenance you can hopefully get.Every little helps.
As others have said good on you on looking at things now.
Best of Scottish!

Ellimae

Hi peeps

Thanks for all your suggestions. Let's see if I can answer everything....

I don't get maintenance. He was desperate for a child and when I fell pregnant he thought I was trying to trap him so I asked him to politely go away (honest!!) He came to see my daughter intermittently but without her knowing who he was. When I explained who he was to her, he thought I had done the wrong thing and now avoids her like the plague. Better off without I say. I know I could fight for maintenance but I don't want the stress of the fight and she doesn't deserve me as a mental mum.

I regularly claim tax credits but what I get on one hand gets taken away due to my earnings so i'm due the minimum £500 approx but I have nothing this year due to overpayments previously.

My £30 phone bill is for BT landline and I will seriously have to look at the bill as I'm not a heavy user of the phone. I have a mobile but it is a work mobile for my job.

I work 29 miles from home and need my car for my job (support engineer) so can't really car share. We get mileage for business use but this dries up over the summer months with the holidays. Car insurance was due beginning of month and I reduced the payment from £74 pm to £37 cos I woke up to the robbing sods.

I DID forget about broadband. This is £10.99 per month but I also have access at work outside core time.

Have no arrears for gas and electricity but they have come down. I will check out USWITCH.

My Endowment Insurances - I don't know what IO means. When these mature they will pay off 25k of my mortgage but will still have some capital to pay off.

I will check out new Buildings and contents Ins.

The Poll Tax arrears have about 2 years left. These are from years ago when Scotland was the guinea pig for poll tax. I have the single person discount currently.

I knew Sky would have to go but can anyone tell me if I can still use my Sky digibox to receive freeview once they turn it off.

Finally, I will phone Barclaycard tomorrow and ask about the 0%.

Thanks again

GardenMillie

Just a quick tip re: phone. I switched to Primus in May which gives you free calls to landlines after 6pm every evening and all weekends, much cheaper than BT, but you can still keep your BT number and you still pay line rental to BT. It costs £2.99 per month but for the first year I get £5 back per month (paid quarterly). Keep checking out U-switch and of course MSE for great tips.

Well done for getting started.:T