just want to cry :(

Oneday77

Hi OP. Glad to see you have found us here. It's just the best place to get help & support. Also a great place to sound off with issues regarding debts.
All the advice so far is spot on.
A DMP if that turns out to be the recommended route will in no way leave you short. TBH how much more short that £30 a month to live on could you be.
I am with the CCCS and they have set everything up for me and I have felt so much more relaxed the last few months, I don't dread the postie or my phone ringing any more.
A few tips from your SOA. If your mobiles are due upgrades either get a sim only deal and keep your existing phones. It can be good getting PAYG but cheap sim only deals with bundled texts and minutes help keep the landline bills down ie phoning the OH when their away at work. Even if your not near the contract end, some providers let you drop a tariff band or 2 within contract, worth asking.
As for the Virgin, phone/internet/tv package. Do you really need the TV, freeview works and is cheaper TalkTalk as an example do a phone line/calls/internet bundle for about £18 a month.
The Old Style board is a haven of money saving Utopians selling their advice of holding onto your cash for FREE.
Stick in there, ask and we will provide

burntcookie

Hi,
First of all, well done for realising what is happening, a lot of people stick their heads in the sand until it really is too late to do anything.

Have you gone into your bank for a financial review? Or considered Debt consolidation?

Bringing all of your credit cards, loans and store cards onto one loan. Not only have you then got one monthly payment to worry about, but this could be lower than all of your payments put together now. What appears to be about £763 a month on repayments, you could lower this to £500 is, depending on apr of the loan. Loans tend to be lower than credit card and store card apr so could save yourself money on the interest too.
With less money going on debt per month, and a few extra cuts here and there with food etc you could be a few £100 better off per month.

Good Luck with everything

Ames

Please, please don't consolidate. You end up paying interest on interest and it costs you more in the long term. Plus, if you're like most people on this forum then you wont learn your lesson and you'll soon run the credit cards up again.

pepe2008

Ames wrote: »

Please, please don't consolidate. You end up paying interest on interest and it costs you more in the long term. Plus, if you're like most people on this forum then you wont learn your lesson and you'll soon run the credit cards up again.

DONT SWAP UNSECURED DEBT FOR SECURED!

Sorry, was I shouting?:D

Speak to CCCS or Payplan, get a DMP sorted, its a lot easier than going it alone.

Ask yourself 'Do I realistically think that I can clear all these debts inside the next five years without any help?'

Ames

I don't know Pepe, if there was a way of securing a loan onto a property I was renting I'd go for it...

Sorry, being cheeky, I couldn't resist! I totally agree with you, why risk your home for a few credit cards? It's a no brainer really.

spendtoomuch

Hi there, did not want to read and run. Just a thought, will you get more Tax Credits with two children? Don't you get a bit more for the first year after birth? Also your family allowance will go up a bit. The very best of luck to you and let us know how you get on. x