Today is the day I realised no more head iin the sand advice appreciated

lily79_2

Well I have been a lurker on here for several years and i have even had a go at trying to sort my miserable debts out before but it has always seemed so daunting or shameful to express my problems. Well all came to a head yesterday when i found out a debt collector had turned up at my previous adress. I thought I cannot hide anymore or lie awake at night thinking what to do so I spoke to Pay plan who gave me some advice to either do my own DMP or go bankrupt.

I have moved so many times i dont no where my debt is anymore. Can anyone advise me how I can find out who my debt is with? Can I write to my credit card companies and will tey tell me which debt collection agency they are with or will they just ignore my letters.

I am frightened to call in case they are threatening towards me.

For me to see the real financial mess I am I need to get all my figures toghether. I feel so stupid for just avoiding what was the inevitable. Luckily i have a very supportive boyfriend who is trying to help me but beofore i take anymore advice I need to know who I owe.

If anyone could advise me I would be really grateful as want to get these letters sent out asap to advise i am getting help to pay them back before anymore people come knocking on my door.

Happytogetdebtfree

Hi and welcome to the boards, post an soa, as for finding out who you owe debts to i dont really know what to advise id say request a credit report but then you risk a sudden bombardment of letters, wait and see what more experienced people say but well done for deciding to face your debts and how nice you have someone to support you ((hugs))x

lily79_2

Thank you I will do an soa as best I think fit as not 100% sure what i owe where but can do a guesstimate for now

Happytogetdebtfree

very good, i mean i guess you could ask the cab for advice? i hope someone clarifys soon for you good luck doing the soa x

lily79_2

Ok I have done the SOA as best I can

Regarding rent I just pay one lump sum for elec and gas etc and then pay council tax separate as i rent a house with my friend. I also have put my food bill as his is what i get out every month then use for food, cleaning products, toietries etc. Petrol seems high but I work some 35 miles away from where i live so it soon adds up and still works out cheaper than a train.

To be honest I do not know what i psend my money on half the time so this is the day i have woken up and smelt the coffee.
[tt]Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance Sheet
Household Information
Number of adults in household........... 1
Number of children in household.........
Number of cars owned.................... 1
Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 965
Partners monthly income after tax....... 0
Benefits................................ 0
Other income............................ 0
Total monthly income.................... 965
Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 0
Secured/HP loan repayments.............. 0
Rent.................................... 400
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Council tax............................. 50
Electricity............................. 0
Gas..................................... 0
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 0
Telephone (land line)................... 0
Mobile phone............................ 18
TV Licence.............................. 0
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 0
Internet Services....................... 0
Groceries etc. ......................... 180
Clothing................................ 20
Petrol/diesel........................... 180
Road tax................................ 10
Car Insurance........................... 30
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 0
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 0
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 0
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 10
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 0
Buildings insurance..................... 0
Contents insurance...................... 0
Life assurance ......................... 0
Other insurance......................... 0
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 0
Haircuts................................ 20
Entertainment........................... 20
Holiday................................. 0
Emergency fund.......................... 0
Total monthly expenses.................. 938

Assets
Cash.................................... 0
House value (Gross)..................... 0
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 0
Other assets............................ 0
Total Assets............................ 0

No Secured nor Hire Purchase Debts
Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
capital One....................3200......0.........0
Mint...........................3400......0.........0
Egg............................2000......0.........0
First Direct ..................9000......0.........0
Total unsecured debts..........17600.....0.........-

Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 965
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 938
Available for debt repayments........... 27
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 0
Amount left after debt repayments....... 27
Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 0
Total HP & Secured debt................. -0
Total Unsecured debt.................... -17,600
Net Assets.............................. -17,600
[/tt]

Happytogetdebtfree

hi, why is the petrol so high ? does your oh pay half of rent or groceries, what are the minimum payments for debts ?? or are you not paying any debts back at the moment ?? x

Happytogetdebtfree

just seen the top of soa, you dont seem to have much excess available :S can you increase hours sell things to make cash ? reduce the shopping budget ?

psychopathbabble

Hi Lily
First things first, there are people here who haven't been through what you are going through (like myself) but will still offer support and help, and there are others who have been through a whole lot worse, survived and come through the other side!!! Don't worry.
It may be tough, but the only way you will find out how much you truly owe is to make some calls and get all your paperwork together.
Hugs and lots of tea being sent your way xxx

monstermoo

Hi.

Just looking at you food bill. It seems that there is a 1 adult household (unless i have misread the SOA) and £180 a mth looks pretty high, as I only spend £20 a week. Maybe you can review this, I find its an easier one to lower.

Also are you claiming a Single Person Discount for your Council Tax and or enquired about Housing benefit or working tax credit.

You never know you maybe entitled to some help-fingers crossed.

With the debt collector-did they leave a number or firm name?

Hope it helps!:)

paybacktime2008

Hi Lily your SOA looks very tight. You haven't included any car maintenance costs is there a reason for this?

Your salary is low in relation to the amount of rent you pay. I know the job markets pants at the moment but can you earn more money? Is the place you rent 'special' or is that the going rate?

There doesn't seem many places where you can cut back, so you will have to look at ways to increase your earning potetial. Baby sitting, bar work, corner shop shifts anything to give you a bit of lee way.

Good luck.

lily79_2

Happytogetdebtfree wrote: »

hi, why is the petrol so high ? does your oh pay half of rent or groceries, what are the minimum payments for debts ?? or are you not paying any debts back at the moment ?? x

My pertol is high because of the distance i have to travel for my job. Unfortunately i use to earn a lot more but was made redundant so have had to start from the bottom again hopefully it will increase soon

No i am not paying anything back as money got tighter i just pretended it didnt exist. Stupid I know so I am not so sure where some of my debt has gone as I have moved a couple of times now so just need to get back on track and sort it out so first thing first is to find out what i really owe and how i can start to repay it