to consolidate or not?!

jellipidy

Hi folks - I'm trying to get my debt re-payments down as much as possible per month. I currently have £2,700 of debt (£1,700 on green egg card and £1,000 on marbles card - the 0% interest period is due to run out in October.) I am currently out of work and receiving benfits and I'm in the very lucky position of handing over my half of my household bills (mortgage etc.) to my very understanding partner - for now at least. My income is £114 a fortnight and my outgoings are:
car loan - £84 per month
Car ins. - £35 per month
egg card - £40 p.m
marbles - £20 p.m
mob phone - £35 - which is just doable if i don't spend any money at all

but.....

in october my benefits will stop as they will become means tested and my partner's income means i won't be eligible

so i'm trying to find the best way of getting this debt down to it's minimum a month - I've applied and got a tesco card but they will only accept £2,500 - leaving bout £180 on marlbes card so i haven't transferred yet - i'm also looking into a loan to pay off both cards and have a cheaper payment of £50 ish a month for 5 years

any advice which is the best way to go? any tips would be hugely appreciated.
many thanks !!

frugglewump

jellipidy wrote:

so i'm trying to find the best way of getting this debt down to it's minimum a month - I've applied and got a tesco card but they will only accept £2,500 - leaving bout £180 on marlbes card so i haven't transferred yet - i'm also looking into a loan to pay off both cards and have a cheaper payment of £50 ish a month for 5 years

Have you tried telling the tesco cs people that you only need another 180 to transfer across a whole balance? I've found they can be very understanding if it's a small enough amount.

For alternative ideas - you'd probably get more responses in the debt-free wannabe forum.