defeated - the only option

Triggles

Just a quick hello to say that it does eventually get better. Between DH & I, we have dealt with redundancy, ongoing illness, depression, unemployment, low income, housing problems, car problems, childcare problems.... it can make you feel lower than low. But you just have to keep wading through it as little by little the muck thins out and the going gets slightly easier. If it helps, DH has had a coop cashminder account for close to a year now and is quite happy with it.

crumbling

thanks everyone.

i'll be making an appointment at a co-op on monday (we don't have a particularly local branch but i won't be able to open an account online or by post).

should i tell them when i open it what it's for and what the outcome of my financial situation will shortly be?

also, has anyone had any success with offering to pay £5 per month to everyone rather than nothing?

i'm feeling totally today. so many things to try and sort out and my health ain't too brill right now. grrrrrr!

crumbling

Hannah_10 wrote: »

Oh God yeah, a basic account is by definition just like a normal account, except it has no credit facillities and no fees.

It says "Visa Debit", "Solo" or "Visa Electron" on your bank card not "Maestro" or "Visa"... Which makes next to no difference as practically everywhere accepts them anyhow. As to what exactly it will say on the card- ask your bank of choice before applying, they will happily tell you.

You can still set up wages or benefits to be paid straight in, set up standing orders, direct debits... all the usual stuff. Most of them also come with phone and internet banking (although it's not a bad idea to just double check on what EXACTLY the account offers with the bank before you open, to make sure you get what's important to you).

thanks again hannah x i was fearing not being able to do any of that with a basic account.

mind you, are car insurance and life insurance classed as a credit agreement so when i cease to exist financially, so will they?

Hannah_10

Is that a bankruptcy question? I don't know a vast amount about bankruptcy, but there's a whole board of people who do (and they're lovely). It's here http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=136

NorthernLas

Crumbling - You can open a co-op cashminder account by telephone.

If you are on benefits, then there is nothing wrong with offering each creditor £1 token payment or nothing at all. There is a sample letter that you can use on the national debtline website http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/

This will give you breathing space to consider what to do. You can speak with other charities like CAB or CAP or NDL as well as CCCS. CAB and CAP provide face to face help. You need to keep up to date with rent, utilities etc. so this is why it is important to pay your unsecured creditors only what you can afford (even if this is nothing for the time being).

crumbling

Well, I've made my list of things to do tomorrow-very long list! Has anyone had and success with creditors accepting say £5 per month indefinitely? I know it sounds pathetic but should offer shouldn't I? Wonder how many months it would take me to pay off 23k? !

Hannah_10

Why would you go to £5 a month when you can get them to take £1? If you can't afford it, then you have the option (like the nice person at CCCS told you) to pay them £1 a month "until your circumstances improve". If that's never then so what? I would keep hold of the other £4 if I were you.

As to has anyone had any success, yeah CCCS are fab at it.

goingforward_3

crumbling wrote: »

thanks everyone.

i'll be making an appointment at a co-op on monday (we don't have a particularly local branch but i won't be able to open an account online or by post).

should i tell them when i open it what it's for and what the outcome of my financial situation will shortly be?

also, has anyone had any success with offering to pay £5 per month to everyone rather than nothing?

i'm feeling totally today. so many things to try and sort out and my health ain't too brill right now. grrrrrr!

I opened our co-op cashminder over the phone (we dont live near any branches) it was really quick to do and they didnt require any proof of I.D etc.

So far we've had no problems, all my direct debits have been set up, the debit card works everywhere i need it too, and i can pay cash and cheques in at my local post office.

They did ask why i wanted the basic cashminder and i just said i was going onto a DMP.

mum2one

My heart has gone out with to from the 1st thread, but reading through the news is good.

Def agree just offer the £1.00 - I know you say you can afford £5, but the 1st thing that comes to mind is - there say you can afford £5 there ask for more, Just use the £1 option, and maybe in the future go from there.

Good luck with it all x

crumbling

hmmmmmm. i'm really wanting to try the offer - yes, you're right £1 would be more manageable right now.

a friend has told me i must just file for bankruptcy as its unlikely that i will ever get the ok to return to any kind of decent employment that would help me clear my debts (again, this is rather painful to admit but since my accident i really have been kidding myself that things will improve).

so, just off to have a shower to clear my head before i ring cccs........wish me luck!!

quick question - do cccs help with letters and phone calls i'd get? thats part of the reason i've put this off for so long - my cognitive ability is @*** compared to what it was before:o