i need some help ;-(

emmasurrey

ok, firstly i hearby admit i am crap with my money.

Im a recently single mum ( with five kids ) husbands moved in 3 doors down, with another woman...so now its time to bite the bullet and sort out the messy debt hes left me in...as it seems to be taking over my life...

i work part time (self employed basis) £100.00 per week altho not had any work for 4 weeks.

I get tax credits 329.00 combined ctc and wtc a week.

and child beneifit 295.00 every 4 weeks.

i dont get child maintenace YET!
Firstly im in a council house, rent is 107 per week. i pay 10:50 a week towards it.. Have arrears of £70.00

I have baliff letters from my old council house (hillingdon) because since we moved they decided to send me a letter(august2010) saying there was three weeks in oct (07) that we was not entitled to housing beneifit or c/tax beneifit so i have two baliff letters one for 524.00 (rent)one for c/tax 350.00.

I have current arrears on my c/tax...thought the hubbie was paying it for 135.00.

got a massive combined debt of electric for 600.00 (fromold and new address)

Got a 457.00 gas bill arranged with them to pay 55.00 a month off.

also got a 350.00 dvla (failure to notify change of vechicle) even tho i did tell them letter saying gonna get a warrent for my arrest/..they took me to court without know...during the time i move house etc never got the letter only the court fine.

just got my credit report...i have this on there

hfc 1751

robinson way 220 (its for studio but on the top of my report it says studio is settled....even tho i havent settled with them
studio i defaulted 07/01/09

avon 286

provident 110 (defaulted 17/07/09)


I have other debts but they arent on my report....but still getting debt letters about them do i need to pay these too?

Im struggling to live day to day at present, having to live off wonga loans each week, as not been working this month but hopefully should have some more work next month....even if i tell tax credits im not working im down over 100 a week.

any advice would be great.

oh and my monthly direct debits are

sky 50.00

car insurance 60.00

t mobile 35.00

tv licence 12.00

think thats it.......... be kind lol x

Lizzielonglegs_2

I'm not great at the advice bit, not been on here long myself...

but wanted to show my support and say well done for taking the initiative in sorting out your finances. I am sure it can't be easy for you with a large family and the ex only moving down a few doors. Big hugs!

I am sure others will suggest this but try to complete a Statement of Affairs, link on sticky at the top I think!, and then some very helpful people can give you lots of support and recommendations on how to deal with the budget.

From what you have said, could you reduce your Sky bill, and perhaps renegiotiate with the mobile?

Hope it works out for you and keep posting, you are never alone on this board

xx

[Deleted User]

talk to a debt charity,try CCCS

Darlyd

Call National Debt Line 0808 808 4000
Monday – Friday 9am-9pm
Saturday 9.30am-1pm

They give you free advice.

theoretica

Are you claiming the single person's council tax discount and getting as much council tax benefit as you can? Have you checked all the benefits since he walked out?

emmasurrey

yes i have got my single person discount, and checked with entitledto.com

welshmoneylover

Cancel sky maybe?

Darlyd

welshmoneylover wrote: »

Cancel sky maybe?

You could reduce SKY considerably. The basic package is £24 a month. If you have landline and broadband with Sky too, you can save even more.

emmasurrey

shall give them a call tomorrow.

does anyone know about the studio/robinson way situation....should i pay it to robinson if it appears settled on my credit report by studio?

Darlyd

emmasurrey wrote: »

shall give them a call tomorrow.

does anyone know about the studio/robinson way situation....should i pay it to robinson if it appears settled on my credit report by studio?

Can you explain this please? When was the debt defaulted on? Is Studio a catalogue? And Robinson? debt collector?

As for Provident, you can offer them £1 payment per week/mnth which ever you can afford, same with your other debts, at least you are in contact with them and paying something off. If they refuse, then that is their problem, let them take you to court. (court will usually be on your side).

For the ones that are no longer on your file, they have become statue barred, which means they can no longer chase you, you can pay them if you want, but legally you don't have too. Pop onto national debt line website, there are many template letters you can use to send to those creditors telling them the debt is unenforceable. (make sure you send recorded).

Is there anyway you could reduce your car insurance? Try direct line as well as confused.com (I can highly recommend direct line). Shop around. Same with you utility bills, shop around for them too. usually cheaper if you pay by DD.

And what about your mobile? Any way of switching to a cheaper contract? When is it up for renewal? If not yet, could you call them and perhaps try your luck and ask to drop it to a lower tariff?

Why are you not getting Maintenance? Can you contact CSA?

As for the council tax, can you call them and tell them the debt was your ex and he has now left, and forward his new address to them?

you don't have to pay that much to gas either, if it is making you struggle then write to them and offer a smaller payment.

Can you not just get yourself a job other than working from home, especially since you have not been earning? What about car boot sales? eBay etc?-And use any money you have to pay off your debts..

didabuf

Hi emma, i was just looking around and didnt want to run without saying anything. Im not in debt so maybe not the best person to speak but i was being nosey and figuer you need all the help you can get.

Id say you need to get some help from a debt advisor / charity, i understand they can consolodate your debts and or work out payment plans so that you are covering all debts with a few £ a week, keeps the company happy and off your back.

id salso say you need to make sure your getting everything your entitled too, although by the looks of it you already are.

I also think you should look at cutting your sky down to a basic 21-26, is there any need for moves/sports.
Mobile phone, surely this could be cheaper gifgaf for example £10 a month and you get plenty
can insurance could probably be got down when its next up for renual, check it out on a comparison site.

look at what your spending on your shopping, maybe try some value ranges, try cooking in batches and look for bargains and eat whats on offer.

i hope you get what your looking for, there is no reason why you cant be out of debt in a few months really, its just if you chose to do it.

good luck