Under Pressure

jimmy2bellies

Hello out of desperation im posting on here looking for advice.Rather foolishly i have run up various debts and now have fallen behind with payments.I have 3 credit card debts with 3 different companies,i have 3 store cards with Santander and i have also fallen behind with a Catologue.Like most people i buried my head in the sand and then started getting the threatening letters.After contacting my creditors i was asked for an income and expenditure form and was then told what to pay.The thing is after trying to pay for a couple of months i cant really afford to make the payments.The payments were for more than the original monthly payments but i was told i had to make these.I tried explaining to my various creditors that im only on Income Support and D.L.A and was told that this was irrelevant, I really dont know what to do now as they told me that the amount was the lowest i could pay.Can ANYONE please help with any advice.I will list the people i owe below if that helps.


Barclaycard £1100
Capital One £950
Citicard £2000
Burtons £1500
Dorothy Perkins £1100
Evans £600
Littlewoods £3200

I feel so very ashamed that ive fallen behind as im a very proud family man.I have been treat by my GP for depression and Anxiety.
I am married with 3 children.

collingbone614

The first thing to do is make an 'SOA,' or Statement of Affairs (I think). This shows all your ingoing and outgoings so that people will be able help you get together a plan.

NorthernLas

Hi Jimmy - In order to give you advice people normally need some more information. Without knowing about your income and circumstances people could be gving you bad information. That is why Dark Convict suggested you fill in a statement of affairs in reply to your first post (https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/33065543#Comment_33065543).

My suggestion would be that you speak with one of the free charities to sort out what to do about your debt. CAB, CCCS or Christians against Poverty. See this link for the telephone numbers https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2077631.

You cannot pay what you do not have, so it is worthwhile filling in a statement of affairs. This will show you in black and white what bills need to be paid and the rent/council tax/electric and gas and food need to come out before credit card bills (this will ensure your family is safe).

RAS

jimmy

Welcome. You should not be paying this sort of sum to creditors on benefits.

You need to read the first quick link at the top of the page, but incase, I am copying information about how to get help below.

The first thing you have to do is STOP ringing the creditors because theynwill bully you into paying more than you can afford.

The second thing is do that SOA, as any debt charity you speak to will bneed the information.

Then speak to a debt charity.

And send out letters telling the creditors you are making a token payment of £1 per month for a while and telling them to remove your phone number from their records and communciate in writing only.

Come her when you want additional advice or feel worried.

The help info is below

RAS


The aim is to find non-profit debt counselling help, in other words a one-on-one session with someone paid to help you, not to make money out of you. Be careful not to confuse this with ‘free help’: many commercial companies say they’re free as you’re not charged directly, but you’ll still pay somehow.
Stop debt collectors harrassing you for 30 days
These non profit agencies are also the ideal people to go to if you're being harassed and bullied for payments by debt collection agencies.

An agreement between the Government and Credit Services Association, the body that represents debt collecting agents, gives new power that guarantees debt collectors won't contact you for at least 30 days, provided you've sought debt help.
The debt counselling service will inform collectors, who'll then give you a month's breathing space to get yourself on better footing.
The places we'd suggest contacting are:

• Consumer Credit Counselling Service: Full debt help service. Link: CCCS Tel: 0800 138 1111 Opening times: M-F 8am-8pm
• National Debtline: Full debt help service. Link: National Debtline Tel: 0808 808 4000 Opening times: M-F 9am-9pm, Sa 9.30am-1pm (or see Business Debtline for business debts.
• Citizens Advice Bureau: Full debt and consumer advice service with many bureau having specialist caseworkers to deal with any type of debt including repossessions and negotaition with creditors Link: Citizens Advice or visit your local CAB centre (find nearest) Opening times: different for each bureau
• Christians Against Poverty: Debt counselling agency, which specialises in helping those who are emotionally struggling too. The religious focus is why they do it, not how they do it. Link: Christians Against Poverty Tel: 01274 760720 Opening times: different for each bureau
• Community Legal Advice (includes Housing Duty Scheme): Legal advice on a wide range of issues, including debt (usually for those on benefits or a low income). The Housing Duty Scheme gives free advice by phone or at around 100 courts across England and Wales if you are in danger of eviction or repossession.
  
  Link: Community Legal Advice Tel: 0845 345 4345 (or text 'legalaid' and name to 80010 to get a call back) Opening times: M-F 9am-6:30pm, Sa 9am-12:30pm.
• Northern Irish residents: Two free, confidential and independent schemes in Northern Ireland are: advice4debtNI, a government funded service offering phone and email advice (Link: advice4debtNI Tel: 0800 917 4607 Opening times: M-F 9am-5pm.) and AdviceNI, local centers that offer face to face advice (Link: AdviceNI Tel: 028 9064 5919).</EM>
• Local agencies: There may be a local debt help agency in your area, if so check it is non-profit or a charity, before signing up. Try entering your postcode into Money Advice Map to find free independent financial advice centres in your area.

jimmy2bellies

Can i thank you for responding.I will indeed do a SOA and post as soon as i can.
I just feel so helpless and can see the effect this is having on my family.Unfortunately i was naive and contacted everyone by telephone and was immediately put under pressure to agree to pay in effect what i could not and after borrowing of family i have quickly realised im way out of my depth.The people on the telephone are very intimadating.I will take advice and get letters sent out and make some token payments.

jimmy2bellies

Think i have done this right apologies in advance Heres my SOA

Household Information[/b]
Number of adults in household........... 2
Number of children in household......... 3
Number of cars owned.................... 1
Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 0
Partners monthly income after tax....... 0
Benefits................................ 1612.76
Other income............................ 0
Total monthly income.................... 1612.76
Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 0
Secured/HP loan repayments.............. 0
Rent.................................... 0
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Council tax............................. 0
Electricity............................. 80
Gas..................................... 90
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 12
Telephone (land line)................... 0
Mobile phone............................ 88
TV Licence.............................. 12
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 34
Internet Services....................... 5
Groceries etc. ......................... 600
Clothing................................ 120
Petrol/diesel........................... 72
Road tax................................ 0
Car Insurance........................... 0
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 0
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 0
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 0
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 0
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 0
Buildings insurance..................... 0
Contents insurance...................... 0
Life assurance ......................... 0
Other insurance......................... 0
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 65
Haircuts................................ 0
Entertainment........................... 0
Holiday................................. 0
Emergency fund.......................... 0
Total monthly expenses.................. 1178

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
Argos..........................280.......49........0
Burtons........................1988......50........0
Dorothy Perkins................1882......50........0
Provident......................2200......124.......0
Simply Be......................940.......50........0
Littlewoods....................4335......450.......0
Capital One....................699.......50........0
Capital One....................983.......56........0
Citicard.......................2300......68........0
Barclaycard....................1200......40........0
Evans..........................687.......20........0
Total unsecured debts..........17494.....1007......-

Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 1,612.76
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 1,178
Available for debt repayments........... 434.76
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 1,007
Amount short for making debt repayments. -572.24
Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 0
Total HP & Secured debt................. -0
Total Unsecured debt.................... -17,494
Net Assets.............................. -17,494

rustybucket

Good luck Jimmy.

As RAS said get speaking to a debt charity, CCCS is a good starting point or CAB.

You cannot afford those payments, accept that and don't feel ashamed, things go wrong from time to time.

You're doing the right thing by writing to your creditors and making a £1 token payment by cheque.

As it stands it looks like you're going to fall into late payments/default etc so accept this and eventually things will improve.

If they telephone you, don't worry about their intimidating tactics, if they continue tell them you feel harassed, alarmed and distressed and if the calls continue you will report their calls to the police under the protection from harassment act.

Support here is awesome, stick with it things will get a lot easier.

skintdragon

welcome to MSE!

Thanks for posting your SOA.

ousehold Information[/b]
Number of adults in household........... 2
Number of children in household......... 3
Number of cars owned.................... 1
Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 0 Do neither of you work?
Partners monthly income after tax....... 0
Benefits................................ 1612.76
Other income............................ 0
Total monthly income.................... 1612.76
Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 0
Secured/HP loan repayments.............. 0
Rent.................................... 0
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Council tax............................. 0
Electricity............................. 80 Very steep- change provider?
Gas..................................... 90 Also very steep- can you change provider?
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 12
Telephone (land line)................... 0
Mobile phone............................ 88 Not affordable; try PAYG.
TV Licence.............................. 12
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 34 You can get rid of luxuries like this.
Internet Services....................... 5
Groceries etc. ......................... 600 Can you try and plan your meals? Also try and go for the cheaper versions of things at the supermarket?
Clothing................................ 120 You may have to look into trying to cut this budget slightly.
Petrol/diesel........................... 72 Where do you go with your car? Are all journeys essential?
Road tax................................ 0 ??
Car Insurance........................... 0 ??
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 0 ??
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 0
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 0 There must be something there?
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 0
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 0
Buildings insurance..................... 0
Contents insurance...................... 0
Life assurance ......................... 0
Other insurance......................... 0
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 65
Haircuts................................ 0
Entertainment........................... 0
Holiday................................. 0
Emergency fund.......................... 0
Total monthly expenses.................. 1178

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
Argos..........................280.......49....... .0
Burtons........................1988......50....... .0
Dorothy Perkins................1882......50........0
Provident......................2200......124...... .0
Simply Be......................940.......50........0
Littlewoods....................4335......450...... .0
Capital One....................699.......50........0
Capital One....................983.......56........0
Citicard.......................2300......68....... .0
Barclaycard....................1200......40....... .0
Evans..........................687.......20....... .0
Total unsecured debts..........17494.....1007......- You will need to find out the APR % for all these as it will give us and yourself a better picture of the debt.

Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 1,612.76
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 1,178
Available for debt repayments........... 434.76
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 1,007
Amount short for making debt repayments. -572.24
Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 0
Total HP & Secured debt................. -0
Total Unsecured debt.................... -17,494
Net Assets.............................. -17,494

I am a bit of a novice at this but I am sure someone with a bit more experience and pearls of wisdom will pop along shortly to offer something a bit more substantial.

Krisp_3

Hi Jimmy

I'm sorry you're having such a tough time. But you have cone to the right place for great help and friendly support.

Well done on posting your SOA - that takes huge guts, and it's the first step in getting yourself back on track!

At first sight I would say that you could make great savings on your groceries, mobile phone bills, electricity, gas and also the amount of money spent on presents for Xmas and birthdays. There's a great section in the Forum called Home & Play that covers all areas such as this - providing all the things that you need, but for a fraction of the cost.

It will be tough to readjust to a new way of living, but once you've got into the swing of things, you will feel better.

You might also find trying a spending diary for a month, noting down everything that you spend. You might find that you're spending money on things that you don't realise. It all helps!

Others will be along soon with support and advice - I hope you start to feel more in control soon.

bluesindy_2

Hi Jimmy:wave:

Just want to say you've come to the right place for really good advice. It might seem like there's no way out at the moment but believe me there is. I agree with above post with the suggested savings for starters. Do you have an Aldi or Lidl close by where you can shop? You'll save loads, also meal planning so no wastage.

Good luck with your Debt Free journey and stick with this site, you'll learn so much from the good folk on here and nobody will judge you, trust me we've all been in the s**t at one time or another.

jimmy2bellies

welcome to MSE!

Thanks for posting your SOA.

ousehold Information[/b]
Number of adults in household........... 2
Number of children in household......... 3
Number of cars owned.................... 1
Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 0 Do neither of you work?
Partners monthly income after tax....... 0
Benefits................................ 1612.76
Other income............................ 0
Total monthly income.................... 1612.76
Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 0
Secured/HP loan repayments.............. 0
Rent.................................... 0
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Council tax............................. 0
Electricity............................. 80 Very steep- change provider?
Gas..................................... 90 Also very steep- can you change provider?
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 12
Telephone (land line)................... 0
Mobile phone............................ 88 Not affordable; try PAYG.
TV Licence.............................. 12
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 34 You can get rid of luxuries like this.
Internet Services....................... 5
Groceries etc. ......................... 600 Can you try and plan your meals? Also try and go for the cheaper versions of things at the supermarket?
Clothing................................ 120 You may have to look into trying to cut this budget slightly.
Petrol/diesel........................... 72 Where do you go with your car? Are all journeys essential?
Road tax................................ 0 ??
Car Insurance........................... 0 ??
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 0 ??
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 0
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 0 There must be something there?
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 0
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 0
Buildings insurance..................... 0
Contents insurance...................... 0
Life assurance ......................... 0
Other insurance......................... 0
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 65
Haircuts................................ 0
Entertainment........................... 0
Holiday................................. 0
Emergency fund.......................... 0
Total monthly expenses.................. 1178

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
Argos..........................280.......49....... .0
Burtons........................1988......50....... .0
Dorothy Perkins................1882......50........0
Provident......................2200......124...... .0
Simply Be......................940.......50........0
Littlewoods....................4335......450...... .0
Capital One....................699.......50........0
Capital One....................983.......56........0
Citicard.......................2300......68....... .0
Barclaycard....................1200......40....... .0
Evans..........................687.......20....... .0
Total unsecured debts..........17494.....1007......- You will need to find out the APR % for all these as it will give us and yourself a better picture of the debt.

Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 1,612.76
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 1,178
Available for debt repayments........... 434.76
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 1,007
Amount short for making debt repayments. -572.24
Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 0
Total HP & Secured debt................. -0
Total Unsecured debt.................... -17,494
Net Assets.............................. -17,494

I am a bit of a novice at this but I am sure someone with a bit more experience and pearls of wisdom will pop along shortly to offer something a bit more substantial.


The reason i have no tax or car insurance is the car is a Motorbility car.
The mobile phone bill is for 5 lines My wife and i and 3 children all of whom are in high school.
The Gas and Electricity are pre Pay keys/cards.
Neither my wife or i work.I have really bad Arthritis hence the Motorbility car.
We spend on average £150.00 per week on Shopping at the super market.
The satelite company wont release me from my contract and neither will T-mobile believe me i have tried.
Also what i failed to say when first posting my SOA is the monthly payments are what my creditors want after contacting them telling them i was experiencing difficulties.I had fell behind with my payments by a couple of months due to a death in the family on my wifes side.
I also explained that when my wife had found out i was behind we started rowing and were having Marital troubles,all to no avail.They said that they had heard it all so many times before and that if i dint pay what they wanted i would be visited by Baliffs.
Posting on here was a last resort because i am a very proud man and having to Publically accept i have failed has been hard.

If anyone can please help in any way i would be extremely grateful