Debts getting to a worrying level

Katiepops

katsu wrote: »

Hairdressing students still do good cuts and colours, just slowly and under supervision. Especially as you work shifts this should be good for you, as you will be able to get there when the college is open.

Can your partner not get more cleaning hours?

You do need to talk to someone like CAB or CCCS about going onto a debt management plan. They will then put a budget in place which will not allow you to keep your current spending in some areas, but will reduce your debt payments. It will affect your credit rating and is not plain sailing, but if you can't bring more money in, then you need to take action.

I'll look up colleges - good plan, yes now I do a mixture of shifts I've got more chance of being able to do that.

He's hoping he will be able to get some more hours, he does 11 hours a week at the moment and there's a chance he can get another one for 10 hours which would be great, the person he's working for is negotiating the contract with the company at the moment so fingers crossed.

Right tomorrow I'm going to ring up CAB and see if I can get an appointment on wednesday. (my next day off)

Thanks again everyone. It helps just to have someone to talk about it with. Seems to cause more upset when I try and talk to my partner as he gets more and more depressed.

Happytogetdebtfree

Hi katie and welcome to the boards all the best with your dfw journey good luck in reducing the soa and getting in front... i had to make lots of sacrifices when i first started sorting finances i now have my sky back so im happy if its for a short term while its worth it invest in a freeview box etc ive just changed mobile plans to 02 simplicity saving me 40-50 a month .. it all helps in the scheme f things chinup.. yes debt can be depressing especially the first time youi sit down and relaise you are overdraw each month then it gets easier and it gets manageable ... yes it may be worth reviewing your loans do they have ppi can you claim it back due to been misold ? xx all the best

NorthernLas

There are other places that will give free debt advice - see the details in this link.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2077631

CCCS have an on-line debt remedy which you can put your information in and it will come out with suggestions.

I know you have said that you have good control over your budget, but you may want to consider just running thro an SOA in a standard format. You may see something that you have missed. The format groups things together and gives a summary as to overall debt.

http://www.makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html

Although you have said some things are not an option, it might be worth checking out cheaper accommodation, so that you know what is around if you need to. You need ways of reducing the deficit.

[DLA means disability living allowance]

RoseRed

Another option regarding the hair is to do what I did, I dyed it to a more manageable colour that I could do myself and I pin it up in a bun. I use one of those hair doughnuts so it is a large bun and a bit more interesting, it is neat and professional. Yes it is repetitive but it means I can get by with a pack of hairdye a month and a cheap trim every 8 weeks. Being able to use the money to pay off my debts is also a great relief and brings me more pleasure and confidence than anything else.

It is also worth bearing in mind that if you enter a debt management plan £55 a month will be considered excessive and likely not to be allowed.

Maybe your partner should look to see if he is eligible for incapacity benefit. If he was then able to to work for less than 16 hours this could be seen as therapeutic work and not counted towards the total. You could look at this as an opportunity for him to build up his work and concentrate on his mental health, plus more money would come in to the household. If he gets offered extra hours then he will have to say no for now.

Good luck with your debt busting.

RoseRed

Regarding your physio costs for migraines have you looked at any other options such as yoga and meditation? I find these hugely helpful for relieving stress and tension, you don't need to spend out any money as the Body In Balance channel available on the basic sky package has lots of beginners yoga and meditation. You should give it a try.

Turtle

Hi there, I'd never suggest rehoming your guinea pigs - I've got 2 house rabbits and I'd rather go hungry than lose them, but I just wondered how many piggies you have? I'm just asking cos the bunnies cost less than your pigs to keep and I although I remember that piggies never stop munching, it seemed a lot.

I also wondered if you were aware that if you get a letter from a card company saying they are putting the interest rate up, you can actually reject the rate increase (as long as you don't spend anything further on it, and you said you weren't spending on one of them). Once you've done that you can pay the amount off over as long as you like (you still have to make the minimum payments on time). This doesn't really help you now, but it's worth remembering if the company try to put the rate up again.