Help and advice needed please

Pompeyfan

I'm not really sure where to start, but basically I want to reduce/clear my debts as I've got into a situation where my outgoings are higher than my income and the only way I can pay bills is to use the credit card so making things worse. ATM my credit rating is fine and so far I've been making all monthly payments on time, but as I've had to use a credit card this is getting increasingly difficult. I was managing ok, but a death in the family then my benefit being reduced a year ago has made things harder.

I've seen the TV ads about becoming debt free but they looked too good to be true, and reading a few threads on here CCCS seems a better option, but what course should I take?

My options as far as I can see are:

1. Contact the lenders and see if I can sort something myself
2. Contact CCCS
3. See if I can get a consolidation loan (but thats unlikely tbh)

I believe a SOA is a good idea, so I hope this is right.

See post#5 for update

Thanks for advice.

taxi73

Hi and welcome..well done for posting..the one thing that sticks out to me why are you paying hsa hospital plan?...on IS you get free prescriptions dentists etc...charity begins at home ..you can't afford £2p/m are you tied in with broadband if not there are plenty of others cheaper
also if you keep a spending diary you'll also be able to see where you spend other money..
£50 p/w shopping may be able to be trimmed down...have you had a look at the OS boards
Others will be along to help you as well shortly...don't worry as it can all be sorted

keith_lard

Please contact CCCS!

They will run through your options!

You will never look back only Forward to becoming a Debt FREE person!


k.

Pompeyfan

Thanks for the replies

I took out the HSA plan because if I have to go into hospital then my benefit stops after a few weeks so my income would be nil, but I'd still have bills to pay. I'm not tied into a contract with BB as I only go with companies offering 30 day contracts but from research the cheaper ones that I could go for don't offer a good enough service (as I'm pretty much housebound I spend most of my time on the net) and the really cheap ones are unlikely to come here (Isle of Wight so not likely to get an LLU isp).

The charity one I took out in mum's memory as cancer killed her, but I guess I could cancel it. A spending diary probably isn't necessary as what I spend is listed above - I don't go out anywhere, don't drink, smoke or gamble and don't actually have any cash in the house anyway.

With regards the food bill, I erred on the high side, with £40 probably being more accurate and I only use Tesco online with vouchers from this forum. To save on delivery chargesI shop every 2 weeks, so buy stuff that can be frozen and done in the microwave or comes in packets (can't cook anyway, and my arthritus makes doing anything difficult).

I'll get in touch with CCCS and see what they say.