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Struggling with debt? Ask a debt advisor a question

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  • System
    System Posts: 178,323 Community Admin
    10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Hi, I have been silly with money for many years not thinking it would have an impact on my life and have several debts, overdraft, catalogues, credit cards etc. I have now grown up and want to sort my finances off, realising that I cannot get away with not paying debts forever. I would like to start a debt management plan as I work and pay my rent and bills on time. My problem is that over the years I have lost track of exactly who I owe money to and how much. How do i find this information out? And who can I go to to sort my problems out. I do not want to be left with nothing at the end of the month. I have two children and another one on the way. Please help as it is getting me down,

    Hi mumof2nhalf and welcome to the forum.:)

    Well done on having your light bulb moment! We can help you find a solution to this with free and impartial advice.

    The best way to find out who you owe money to is to get access to your credit file. There are three Credit reference agencies in the UK: Callcredit, Equifax and Experian. The websites will explain how to get access to your reports (it's wise to get all three reports). Credit reports usually stretch back six years.

    However, if you call us we can sometime access your credit file (with your permission) online. We offer this as part of our free service.

    If you find out the creditors and figures owed yourself you can use our online debt advice service Debt Remedy (http://www.cccs.co.uk/ref/drcu) to help you find a solution to your debt problem quickly.

    Debt Remedy will assist you in completing a financial statement with information on your household, employment, income, expenditure and debts. From this the service will automatically determine your options.

    To help you fill in the form, it’s best to gather together information about:

    • Your income
    • Your expenditure
    • The creditors you owe money to

    You’ll receive a downloadable advice booklet providing a tailored solution for you based on your current circumstances and advice on ways you may be able to improve your situation.

    If you’re not confident with computers or would like to speak to an advisor and allow us to access your credit report for you then you’re welcome to ring our free Helpline on 0800 138 1111. We’re open Monday to Friday 8am - 8pm and Saturday 9am until 3.00pm.

    If you phone us it may be possible to refer you directly to a counsellor for immediate advice. Alternatively, we will arrange for an appointment to be booked at a time convenient for you.
    You’ve taken the first step to sorting out your money worries and we can support you with free and impartial advice along the way.

    I hope this helps.

    Kind regards,

    Mat
    This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com
  • Hope someone can help

    I have a can loan debt for £9000 and a £10000 loan which I have got to clear credit cards other loans etc...

    I pay 350 on the £9k debt and 450 on the 10k a month on each. i pay every month and do not miss a payment

    Will I still be able to get a mortgage with these outstanding loans or would I need to get these paid fully before even looking at mortages ???
  • mum2one
    mum2one Posts: 16,279 Forumite
    Xmas Saver!
    I just wanted to say thank you in advance, I have played around with figures, and now finally got sorted, filled in the DMP, ordered the paperwork, and now some poor person is going to need a lot of coffee and some headache tablets - think it take some sorting.
    Pavern and Matt, you both have been a great help on the boards, if i hadn't been such a stubborn mare, and trying to be independant by self managing, but with the plan, fingers crossed creditors will be nice, theres finally light at the end of the tunnel.

    I would say to anyone don't let pride get in the way, theres time where we all need a bit of help xx
    xx rip dad... we had our ups and downs but we’re always be family xx
  • mum2one wrote: »
    You are a gentleman thank you, yep some poor person will soon need a payrise when they get my file!!

    Just last few bits to sort, just got awaiting conformation of change over of payments to new account as still got some incoming fro Aug, - ring Mon then follow up should get them in new account.

    Thank you again for all your help, it is really appriciated, x


    I’m glad to hear you’re getting sorted.

    P.S. I’m a woman :rotfl:
    I work as a debt advisor for StepChange Debt Charity (formerly CCCS) and have specific permission from Martin to post on these boards to try and help those in debt. Read more information on StepChange Debt Charity in the Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help article. If you find you're struggling with debt and you need further help try our online advice facility Debt Remedy
  • Hope someone can help

    I have a can loan debt for £9000 and a £10000 loan which I have got to clear credit cards other loans etc...

    I pay 350 on the £9k debt and 450 on the 10k a month on each. i pay every month and do not miss a payment

    Will I still be able to get a mortgage with these outstanding loans or would I need to get these paid fully before even looking at mortages ???

    Hi Graysie01708 and welcome to the forum

    It’s difficult for me to say whether you’d be accepted for a mortgage or not as each creditor has different lending criteria.

    I’d recommend that you look at your credit file to see what’s on there and if there are any ways to improve your chances – the credit reference agencies are good at giving tips and advice on what you should do.

    This article gives a lot of information about credit files and what you can do to improve them: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/credit-rating-credit-score.

    I hope this helps.

    Kind regards,
    Pavan
    I work as a debt advisor for StepChange Debt Charity (formerly CCCS) and have specific permission from Martin to post on these boards to try and help those in debt. Read more information on StepChange Debt Charity in the Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help article. If you find you're struggling with debt and you need further help try our online advice facility Debt Remedy
  • Hi
    My wife and i have unsecured debts of around £16,000.
    We had been on a debt management plan for around a year but due to a few problems (work, relationship issues and major car problems) we fell behind with our payments not only with the plan but also utility bills.
    We have managed to just about get ourselves back on track but we are still massively behind on utility bills e.g. £700 on gas and electric. need to get the DMP set up again because we have debt collectors on the phone and writng letters non stop. know that when i speak to cccs they are going to say i am in deficit and wont be able to set it up. So the only thing i can thnk of doing is to lie a little and try and chip away at the gas and electricity debt every month.
    Please advice, should i think about bankruptcy or DRO or can something be done wth the DMP
    Thanks for any advice
  • Hello, Please bear with me I am new to this and this is my first post on this site. I completed a debt remedy on CCCS website and it suggested i took out a DMP. However since filling in the debt remedy there are other debts that need to go on it and also add some monies to my outgoings. Therefore the figure i can afford to pay back every month on the DMP has now changed. :mad:

    What is the best way to go about this?
    - Complete a new debt remedy with correct figures
    - contact CCCS and ask them to amend it and get everything straight?

    Any help or advice would be good.

    Thanks
  • mum2one
    mum2one Posts: 16,279 Forumite
    Xmas Saver!
    CCCS_Pavan wrote: »
    I’m glad to hear you’re getting sorted.

    P.S. I’m a woman :rotfl:

    Whoops, your a lovely lady, and u deserve a big payrise x
    xx rip dad... we had our ups and downs but we’re always be family xx
  • GIBMSY
    GIBMSY Posts: 17 Forumite
    Hi,

    I have been looking around the website and would just like some straight advice please.

    I have got myself in a PDL nightmare ive seen the signs for ages and have just got caught fully in the trap now. All i seem to be doing is paying off the interest every month, which has now accumulated so that i am going to be falling behind on my normal direct debits.

    I was wondering what the best route to go is, IVA etc etc...

    I would like to buy a house'flat in the next 2 years, so id rather not damaged my credit score too much, but do really need to become debt free.

    Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated,

    Mike
    Step Change Debt (CCCS)
    Started Sept 12 £13010
    Currently £9783
    25% Paid off So Far :T
  • mum2one
    mum2one Posts: 16,279 Forumite
    Xmas Saver!
    GIBMSY wrote: »
    Hi,

    I have been looking around the website and would just like some straight advice please.

    I have got myself in a PDL nightmare ive seen the signs for ages and have just got caught fully in the trap now. All i seem to be doing is paying off the interest every month, which has now accumulated so that i am going to be falling behind on my normal direct debits.

    I was wondering what the best route to go is, IVA etc etc...

    I would like to buy a house'flat in the next 2 years, so id rather not damaged my credit score too much, but do really need to become debt free.

    Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated,

    Mike

    Hi Mike
    My 1st thought would be fill the form in on CCCS and that give you an idea of where you are, you get really great advice.

    The other suggestion would be debt free diary, and do a statement of affairs (theres a sticky on the top) people would give you an idea where you could make cut backs, sometimes a fresh pair of eyes does the job. x
    xx rip dad... we had our ups and downs but we’re always be family xx
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