Taking Responsibility

Tinkerbelle1971

Hi Guys

I have been lurking around for a while now. Used to have a different user name in 2009 but never really used it. The reason I have changed it is due to my OH knowing it and my password. I want to be able to do this myself and vent whenever without it being known by him. (Please don't judge me about not telling him this one). We have different views on our debts. I know about his and he knows about mine but I want to do something about mine and he's happy to plod along with his.

I had a lightbulb moment a couple of years ago but didn't do well at all. I am now 40 with a DD of 10 and feel that this is about the time I should be getting my life in order.

I have already made considerable efforts in getting my monthly payments in order. I have a great spreadsheet which I am quite addicted to lol. I am always on it and keeping it up to date. I have gave myself a budget for shopping etc and for the last couple of weeks it seems to be going well. I now know that I was totally overspending and drawing money out of my account whenever I saw balance available!! This has stopped and I even had money left in my account on payday last month. This is a total first.

I think I have been irresponsible with money all my life and I don't want DD to think it is fine to be like this so I bought her a money box which has a digital display to show how much is in it and she loves seeing the figures go up, bless. But my goodness if she want to spend it, she can shop lol.

I have decided to do this diary to hopefully get encouragement off you guys as I already know what a friendly and supportive bunch you are.

I have a few bitty debts which I am now in a situation to deal with, now I have worked out my spreadsheet. I have noticed on a few threads that you can offer full and final payments which I might try. All of my debts apart from one are interest free and the one that isn't is a Welcome loan.

I know, I can hear you all shouting at me about their reputation. But I have had some good news with them. I first took the loan out 5 years ago for a period of 3 years. Hmm, should have been paid off now I hear you say. I got into a few problems with them and they kept trying to take my direct debit payment early which resulted in bank charges and then them charging me for phone calls and letters etc.

I admit I buried my head in the sand and left it for a few months but then finally had enough and got in touch with them. I managed to get the account redone and put on a 1% APR interest. I also sent them a letter about my PPI and got back £1500.00 back from them. Yes, I should have paid this off the loan but I didn't, pre my big lightbulb moment. I have kept payments up to date now and have a great account manager. I got all of the stupid charges for calls and letters wiped off (about £500.00) and then I got a letter from them telling me that when the account was redone for me the PPI had been added again and would I like this looking into. Erm yes please. I then got a letter back stating that they would be paying £100.00 back into my account and a further £1200.00 was been put back to my loan account. I couldn't believe it. So now I am paying a bit more each month and hope to have it finished in the next 12 months.

The only other thing I have hanging over my head is a repossession. This is so annoying as I bought a house with my ex a few years ago only to find that we really couldn't live together (even though we had rented before we bought). I was only there a few months and moved out. He was going to buy me out but it never happened. He held on to the house for a while until he then lost his job and it got repossessed. I was always on the phone to the mortgage company to try and stop this or see what options I had to try and stop it but it has happened anyway and there is about £20k owing. The only thing is they know where I live but I have never had a letter. The only reason I know is because it is on my credit file showing as a default against the mortgage but not a repossession. What should I do?? Bury my head in the sand for the next four years until it goes away or contact them. I know ex won't be paying any of it off as he doesn't work. I have a reasonably well paid job but I really don't see why I should try and sort it all out. I have no idea where he lives now and have no contact with him.

Sorry for the long post folks but at least I have got everything out now and feel so much better already. Will do a SOA tomorrow for all the other bitty debts that I have any look forward to some advice.

Tink x

Itsadogslife_2

Hi Tink,

Welcome to your new diary! It feels so much better when you write it all down doesnt it, a feeling that you are really taking the bull by the horns!

Me and husband are sorting the finances out together but I don't think he knows I keep a diary on here, he would probably be mortified to find out that I bare all about our debts in the public domain

I find that it keeps me focused and enthusiastic. which is what I need for the length of time that I will be around

Tinkerbelle1971

Hi Itsadogslife and everyone else

Well I have finally listed my debts in my signature. I have also joined the Olympic Challenge so want to pay them all off by next year which should be doable.

The only one not listed on there is the repossession as I haven't had a letter.

Tonight I am going to sit down and write letters to them all for full and final figures and hopefully will get this down a bit.

And....Had my first no spend day today. Not leaving the house today so no chance on spending anything at all.

Sorted freezer out so I know what I have got and no more ordering take-aways two and three times a week because I am too tired to cook.

Looking forward with a positive attitude now to being debt-free soon.

Hope you are all having a good day!!

Tink x

Tinkerbelle1971

Please bear with me, new to this and I forgot to save my signature lol. All showing now hopefully.

Tink x

mandz1

hi tinkerbelle, congrats on starting a diary, it really does help.

As for your full and finals, just to let you know, i noticed you have capquest in your sig. I have never had any problems with them apart from when it comes to full and finals, they do not let you pay much less than what you owe. I sent them a offer about a month ago, i owed £440 but they would only let me settle for £390.

Hope you sort everything out with the house and your debt

Hovel_lady

Hi, just found your diary and wanted to say hello and wish you well on your debt free journey.
If you haven't already do have a read of some of the other diaries - makes you feel less alone. Our in RL people don't talk about debt it seems to me.
Have you looked at the OS (old style) board? Some really useful stuff there.
Look forward to your updates xx

Tinkerbelle1971

Hi Everyone

Mandz1 - thanks for the update on CapQuest. I have sent a letter so we will have to wait and see. They are the only ones that really bother me all the time (on the phone). Have all the numbers they ring me on now as do not answer. I know this is a form of burying my head in the sand but it is half way out with sending them a letter.

Hovel lady - thanks for the tip about the Old Style Board. Going over there right this minute.

Well as my sig says, I only spent half of what a usually do on shopping this week. Have a freezer and cupboard full of food so trying to use that up first.

I must admit I still haven't added my repossession amount into my debt figures as I am still not sure how to proceed with that one.

Also need to get an update on my Welcome loan, but that is up to date and will even be able to pay a bit more off this month.

I am addicted to my spreadsheet. I know exactly to the penny how much I have in my account and how much I need for groceries etc. I have £60.00 for groceries each week and will draw that out cash, any left over will go into my pot at home.

Christmas is sorted this year as I have been paying for vouchers all year and will have around £400 I think. Also DD's birthday just before so will help with that also.

Hope everyone has had a good weekend.

Tink x