Toms DFW Diary!

Nuclear_Tom

Thanks guys.

It all depends on the outcome of discussions with my employer. I think if I downgraded I would buy a total cheapy, like my girlfriends £400 Corsa. If it only lasts a year, so what - mine is costing me nearly that a month! I just can't see how I'll be able to pay for a replacement car, or work around the money owed to my employer.

There is also a dent in the boot that would need fixing too... *sigh*

Thanks again though!

Nuclear_Tom

Right, well it seems ditching the Focus really isn't an option. I'm about £2500 or so in negative equity, and my employer would expect me to repay the whole loan straight away if I was to get something that doesn't qualify for the scheme...

However, I think the cost I've put aside for maintenance are slightly high. It appears that rather than £100 odd per tyre, I can buy a set of "standard" Ghia wheels for that on eBAY with good tyres, and they are much cheaper to replace at £40 each, so thats something worth looking into.

Its still under warranty, so no unexpected additional expenditure there.

And servicing I do myself, I will be buying a washable air filter when the time comes...

So at max £100 for servicable items and a £100 allowance for tyres. £20 a month is much more realistic than the £40 I had allocated!

Also as a bonus - indications show that come insurance renewal time in May, my premium should halve to around £50 a month as I will have my first years NCB and my accident will be more than 3 years old, thus not of interest to most insurers!

I'm feeling a bit better today, got another £30 sat in my Amazon account waiting to be withdrawn too.

Thanks for the support everyone!

Nuclear_Tom

I have a car GAP insurance policy that is £20. I'd forgotten about it when doing my budget, so hadn't left funds in the account - my fault entirely. However, the direct debit was returned but they requested it FIVE TIMES in one day, and I have been charged FIVE TIMES. :eek:

I'm speechless, and after trying so hard I want to cry. It really does seem like 1 step forwards, 2 steps back. Makes the 2 mystery shops I've done totalling £10 look totally pathetic to have it all knocked back with £195 charges for a poxy £20 DD.

I know I can claim the charges back but thats no short term solution.

Are they allowed to claim it so frequently?

Off to sulk in the corner.

overbudget

Tom

That has to be a mistake. Get on to them tomorrow and make sure they refund this - demand to speak to the managers - they cannot charge you 5 times in a day! :eek: You will be able to claim it all back but as you say no help in the short term so it is worth a phone call.

Good luck.

Nuclear_Tom

Just noticed too - each DD has a slightly different reference number... Suspicious.

I'm going to cancel the insurance too, as it brings my DFD down by a month.

Will be on the phone tomorrow morning for sure!

mizmir

Sounds pretty suspicious to me - hope you can get it sorted. Last thing you need is a shock like that.

Nuclear_Tom

Well, I've had a hard month of clearing arrears, yet still got stumped with £247.50 of bank charges. Gutted.

However, my total debt has come down from £19557 to £19423.91. Not a huge difference, but its a start.

Signature updated to reflect!

Jan is going to be a struggle to be honest, and progress will be slow short term while I strive to (morally) pay what I owe to my parents as my priority debt, nearly a grand. Paid them £110 in Dec, hoping for double that in Jan. Will keep people updated if anything exciting happens!

With the direct debit thing, I have written them a stern letter. Heres hoping it will be sorted.

mizmir

Well done Tom - any move downwards on the debts is a move in the right direction! :T Have you thought about reclaiming the bank charges?

Nuclear_Tom

mizmir wrote:

Well done Tom - any move downwards on the debts is a move in the right direction! :T Have you thought about reclaiming the bank charges?

Yep! Tomorrow will be 14 days after the letter before action, so will be filing the court claim. :cool: