Realisation has just hit. Don't know where to begin.

mad-mum_3

Have you claimed housing and council tax benefit. If not then contact your local council their housing benefit department will help you to complete all the forms.

I do not know what the policy is at your childrens school but at my childs school thye often ask for money towards events etc but I did find out that if a childs parents do not pay the "fee" they do not prevent the child from attending the event ( this is of course in relation to things in school time such as a visiting theatre company coming into the school) Also if there is more than 1 child in the school then the amounts can often be reduced.

good luck and best wishes

tawnyowls

Hi wotnext. Big hugs and hope we can help

wotnext wrote:

1. Open a new account with whom I have a card for a Link machine. I currently have a basic Lloyds account, but I can only withdraw money from a Lloyds bank machine or Post Office. This means a car journey - which equals more money in petrol. If I had a link card, I wouldn't have to drive as much and would only need to take out money that I require, rather than take out bulk and keep it with me (which is always a temptation).

Que? Who told you this? I'm with Lloyds (and several other banks, come to that) and I have no trouble taking money out of Link machines or any other sort of machine with any of the cards, and my Lloyds account is ancient, so I'm sure you'd have no trouble. Would advise going to your nearest machine and giving it a go, anyway.

wotnext wrote:

Phone Telewest and see if I can haggle a reduction off the bill.

I'd be inclined to leave them altogether TBH. The TalkTalk deal might be cheapest for you. Read up Martin's article about saving money on phonecalls and change over to one of the companies like 18185.co.uk that you just dial a prefix to use, and as moozie points out, there are loads of suppliers for broadband for less than £15/month.

It doesn't sound like your OH is helping you a great deal here. I think you might find it less stressful to take over managing the finances yourself - at least that way you'd ensure the bills were paid.

wotnext

Que? Who told you this? I'm with Lloyds (and several other banks, come to that) and I have no trouble taking money out of Link machines or any other sort of machine with any of the cards, and my Lloyds account is ancient, so I'm sure you'd have no trouble. Would advise going to your nearest machine and giving it a go, anyway.

I have a basic bank account with them - designed for people who do not have a monthly wage and who, therefore, must be totally incompetent when it comes to holding on to a chequebook or cashcard. It is stated in the T&Cs that I can only use their machines or the post office. I can't even get help over the counter at Lloyds - only by telephone. I'm not even worthy of treading on their carpet!;)

PeachPickle

wotnext wrote:

I can't even get help over the counter at Lloyds - only by telephone. I'm not even worthy of treading on their carpet!;)

I'd give it a go anyway. I've got a hsbc basic account and was told I could only withdraw from hsbc cashpoints. There's no link symbol on my card or anything, but I have no trouble using any old machine. I can't get service over the counter either which can be mucho frustrating - I was trying to deposit money once because the machine was broken and the moron behind the counter kept saying I couldn't. I had dds coming out the next day so kicked up a fuss til the manager sorted it. A bit embarrassing, but it worked!

Mrs_Sparkle

Sending you a BIG hug. Please don't be scared. I can't add anything to the excellent advice the others have come up with but couldn't read and run.

beanielou

Hi wotnext
Just to say I think you have made a fantastic start.
Im sure that things can only get better from now on.
Why dont you try you local CAB/money advice team.
Welcome aboard

wannabedebtfreebeth

Hi
I used to be a school governor and unless the law has changed and I don't think it has, then school trip payments are VOLUNTARY - they cannot refuse to take a child because their parents have not paid - all they can do is decide that if not enough parents pay then they cannot afford to do the trip. It might be embarrassing but next time they ask just say that you are sorry but at the moment you cannot afford the voluntary contribution but would like Jack/Jill to go.

moozie_2

Well done on talking to your OH and tackling this together. You are doing so well. Just take it one day at a time and it will all fall into place - promise

tawnyowls

PeachPickle wrote:

I'd give it a go anyway.

Definitely. What have you got to lose? Worst that'll happen is it'll spit it out at you again. There's no Link symbol on mine either. I must admit, I don't pay much attention to instructions of that sort.

Let us know what happens!

MCBIRNIE25

Hiya,
i just wanted to give you a massive hug and say hello.
The advice is good advice. Phone cccs or nationaldebtline, believe me, they have seen this 3million times before.
Need to cut downon the bills a little.
Telewest how much? My mum gets telewest tv phone and broadband for 30 a month, are you paying for extra channels?
My advice would be to subscribe to talktalk for 21.99 a month, this covers broadband and line rental and unlimited landline calls.
Then get a freeview box for around 20 quid if you must have this, in your 1st month this will leave 34 quid a month, thne subsequent months an extra 53 quid saving to go towards paying bills.
500 quid is high for food, the old syle thread is good here, I also now, join forces with friends and go to my local wholesalers(same palces that your shops use) and buy from there, you do have to mainly bulk buy, but for staples its worth it, we all spend about 100 quid each and that does us 2-3 months. If you have a wholesalers pop along and say you are a car booter,they will let you in then.Shelter is another good option. Childminding is useful, use other peoples houses, or maybe approach your kids local school about starting an after school club or something similar, let me have tea and get brainin gear and will think some more.
Keep smiling,


MCBIRNIE25