Somewhat scared of debt, please help.

lisa.m_3

Hello to all that read,

I really need advice I have problems with debt and I dont know how to handle them!

I contacted money advise in my area, they gave me some forms to fill out which explain my in/outgoings but wouldn't give further advice as I'm not on benefits!

I don't know where to turn I'm scared to pick up the phone because I really cant afford to pay much, I have told them what I can afford and am still waiting to hear from them in writing but in the meantime they ring all hours of the day.
Yesterday I explained I am still waiting to hear about my payment plan I set up with another caller and he was so rude to me I just feel so intimidated by them.

Advice please ?

claudia123

Hi Lisa.m

You have taken the first step to sorting your problems out by posting on here...peoples experiences will help you a great deal on here as they have helped me..

You dont say what your debt is but i would recommend ringing Payplan or CCCS and asking about a Debt Management Plan (like im on).They are non charging agency so no need to go with a fee paying one....you pay them a certain amount per month and they negotiate with your creditors on your behalf....

Hope this helps

x

leanne82duke

http://www.cccs.co.uk/ they are a charity and will help everyone x

you can also post a statement of affairs on here
http://www.makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html

our friendly bunch will have a look and see if they can help you make some savings in your outgoings etc x

dont let these people intimidate you, take a note of the number that shows on your phone when they call you and dont answer it, you can also send them a letter (link below)telling them that you will only deal with them in writting, you dont have to talk to them on the phone especially if they are making you feel scared x

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=26867957&postcount=15

Moneytroubles_2

Hiya hun, debt is such a scary thing, I remember last summer when i had my LBM, it was the most horrible time of my life, I was crying constantly, never answered the phone, hid every time I heared to postmans footsteps and then one day I got up the courage to phone one of my debt lenders (think it was nationwide) and arranged a plan with them to pay off my overdraft, the phone call went so well that this gave me the confidence to phone others, and in that day I had also sorted out my gas and electric arrears, my council tax arrears. That now really does feel like a life time ago, I still struggle now, and dont get me wrong Im way off clearing all debt but the fear has gone and I know that I can do this!

I know it is so hard but please try not to be intimidated by them, I would make a list of each debt and you ingoings and outgoings and then calculate how much you can afford to pay each month, even if its a 'little' its better than nothing.

Good Luck, xxxxx

michelle45_2

Hi
Just thought id drop you a line. I was in the same position as you a couple of weeks ago. Knew I had to do something but was dreading the calls and hassle. However, I dont know if it just because Ive only just started but everybody Ive called have been really nice. As Moneytroubles said above what gave me the confidence to go ahead was the first person I spoke to was so nice and understanding (not the horrible pushy orgre I thought they would be) that it gave me the courage to ring a couple of others up.

I admit I havent rung everybody up because Im still slightly scared inside of their reaction but ive done 2 a week for the last couple of weeks and its seemed to have been fine.

Sorry to ramble but I think we build up the fear to such an extent that we put it all out of proportion and its such a relief when we actually speak to someobody whoes human.

Plus years ago i used to work in a collectoin department of a finance company and I thought I was pretty nice. (lol)

Take heart and just go for it.

lisa.m_3

Thanks so much for the replies, I'm going to go through the links later as for entertaining a 4 year old!

Moneytroubles_2

Good luck hun, keep posting your progress xxx

lisa.m_3

Ok so a few hours ago I spoke to cccs, they were very helpful and I have a councilor ringing me back on friday!

my debts are mainly council tax and catalogues like littlewoods-which I owe loads too.

She told me not to answer the phone to them, she said they SHOULD except any offer of money to them, not ask for the full amount (I understand they have to be firm but i have explained I just do not have that money at the moment)

So I have 4 missed calls from little woods this morning-all ignored.

I feel more relaxed now she told me someone would speak to littlewoods on my behalf too so YAY!