FIRST POST, FIRST STEP..feeling down

FirstStep

Was also thinking could reclaim for bank charges and credit card charges....that would be a start. I mentioned this to people at work the other day and they said that the bank would keep this on file and could deal with me harhly at a later stage when I was looking for any help/credit etc. Is this just scaremongering?

jet77

I would advise that you don't apply for any more credit if you've been turned down. I applied for a good few when I was trying to get 0% interest to move my debts to and it's really messed up my credit file. Each time you get turned down it goes on your credit file as well as if you get accepted.

jet77

Ooooh reclaim those bank charges!!!! - I got nearly £1500 all together from Lloyds and Natwest. Make sure you read the thread on this aswell to make sure that you use the right spreadsheet to calculate your interest on. You can go back over 6 years and even accounts that are now closed. It took about 2 months from start to end and I had to start court procedings with moneyclaimonline. You've got to be strong and hold out because it costs them less to settle out of court so they do - they just try to scare you in to going away first!! Martins done a brilliant article on it with easy to follow step by step instructions.

Annie_Fanny

What's the threshold on earnings for paying back student loans? I thought it was £15k? You say your salary is £1297 (net/gross?) and that equates to £15564 per year...

Sorry am just really inquisitive (or you might call it nosy!)

Is £200 the standard payment for the CDL? Tis a big chunk out of your earnings. Will your salary go up shortly?

Annie_Fanny

FirstStep wrote:

Was also thinking could reclaim for bank charges and credit card charges....that would be a start. I mentioned this to people at work the other day and they said that the bank would keep this on file and could deal with me harhly at a later stage when I was looking for any help/credit etc. Is this just scaremongering?

OH YES!

There are SO many people on this site that have reclaimed their charges back. Have a look on this site for fantastic info on reclaiming charges - you can do it!
http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/

climbgirl

It's hard to give proper advice without seeing your full SOA, so post that as soon as you feel you can.

We'd need a bit more information about that loan as well - the interest is front-loaded and there's not much you can do about that now. But can you make overpayments on it, or early repayments (without being a full settlement figure). Find that out, it may be possible if you start selling on ebay etc to make more to throw at the loan (if they'll let you!)

Cancel that gym as soon as possible, £70 is a horrendous price (my gym is in Mayfair and is £44 a month) and you quite simply can't afford it right now! Make sure you read the contract and find out how much notice you need to give to cancel. You don't want to be stuck paying another month because you've left it too late to cancel.

FirstStep

annie fanny

I'm 28 so on the old style student loans package which has a higher threshold. the threshold is 1800 per month i think from memory...

bluezone

Firststep, Hi and welcome to MSE.

Your in good hands here, even if it is just for the odd rant - we all do it

As said above try to construct a full SOA and we will see where we can help. Again ebay and bootsales of old stuff you dont need anymore, you wouldnt believe what people buy these days!

I understand about not being able to sleep even though it hasnt got to the baliff stage - I've been there, done that, definately got the t-shirt!!

Bluezone x

HazelEyes_3

Welcome to this great forum. You have taken the first step and are amongst "friends" who are always around to listen to your rants etc.
It won't be easy but it does help if you start to take control of your money rather than it controlling you - which it is doing if if is affecting your sleep etc.
Find and open as many bank statements as you can - or get them from your bank. You will need to do this anyway to reclaim charges. These statements together with a spending diary will help you to work out where your money is going so that you can calculate a realistic budget and SOA.
Unless you are already with them why not open an account with Alliance & Leicester? Join Quidco https://www.quidco.com and do it via their site and get cashback. Also A&L have a recommend a friend offer - look on the referrers board for details. You should make at least £50 or more for just opening the account.

lynzpower

HazelEyes wrote:

Welcome to this great forum. You have taken the first step and are amongst "friends" who are always around to listen to your rants etc.
It won't be easy but it does help if you start to take control of your money rather than it controlling you - which it is doing if if is affecting your sleep etc.
Find and open as many bank statements as you can - or get them from your bank. You will need to do this anyway to reclaim charges. These statements together with a spending diary will help you to work out where your money is going so that you can calculate a realistic budget and SOA.
Unless you are already with them why not open an account with Alliance & Leicester? Join Quidco https://www.quidco.com and do it via their site and get cashback. Also A&L have a recommend a friend offer - look on the referrers board for details. You should make at least £50 or more for just opening the account.

And transferring your salary- I didnt get mine as my HR dept didnt change my salary quick enough :mad:

Theres loads of extra little ways to make cash on quidco,. with free dvd trials, quidco and others stuff, have a good nose around all te boards, theres plenty of info.

Otherwise, can you get a 2nd job? Even if its just a weekend shop job inthe run up to Xmas, theres quite a bit about.

Anyway, theres no point in creating more money if its dribbling away,so you need to know exactly where its all going- spending diary & soa are vitally important

Big welcome