New and in serious debt - Advice on which way to turn please

katecheshire

Bakeybadoo wrote:

Well it's all a bit strange. Welcome kept the yellow traders slip which I assume they should have sent off with our details on, and we should have received a new V5.

Nothing has happened though and we did think about applying for a totally new V5 but the old keeper is informed and they might stop them issuing us with one in our name, since we are in default.

Also, we can't send the rest of the V5 we DO have off as the old keeper needs to sign and date it.

Do you ACTUALLY own this car? Who did you buy it from - presume a dealer because of the price. As you are being messed about can you not just cancel the whole arrangement? Get some advice from CAB.

Bakeybadoo

No, we do not own the car. It's on HP from Welcome Finance.

Yes we are being messed about and would love to cancel and be rid of the whole episode but aren't sure of our next legal step.

I've made a CAB appt for this week.

chevalier

Hi there
A couple of things
Ref the cable tv. There have been numerous posters on here, who have said to the company that they can't afford it, and would have to cancel. The company has then offered them a deal to keep their business. Definitely worth having a go.

Same with the mobile phone. Two things here. Ask to go onto the minimum tariff that you can have with the contract. Also if you had an old phone before, you can use that one, and sell the new one you got with the contract.

Not wishing to pour more trouble into the pot, but are you buying to sell on Ebay. If you are then you should be registering as self employed and saving money for tax.

Are you also getting all the benefits that you are entitled to, eg working family tax credit?

Finally ref shopping. Someone suggested making your own baby food. This will save you a fortune. You can batch cook and freeze portions for example. Also do you meal plan/ cook from scratch etc for your selves. For example I buy a pound of mince a pound of mushrooms, 3 onions, and a couple of tins of value tomatoes. Maybe put a carrot or two in as well. For bolognese sauce this feeds me OH and two children, and I usually get another 2 portions out of it as well to freeze. Saves on both cooking time, and heat as you are only cooking once? If you can do a shop online, this can also save money as a) you can't be tempted by something that is not on the list because you can't see it

In the meantime there are priority payments that you should pay first. These are rent, council tax, heating and food and transport. All the others are non priority debts. I would suggest for these that you write to them enclosing a £1 and say that you can only make token payments at the moment and that you will be going to CCCS/Payplan to sort out a debt management plan. In this way you are still showing willingness to pay, but only paying what you can afford.

I am sure that CCCS/Payplan can advise you which is the best way forward regarding this.

Also have you joined up with the various cash back and survey sites, to get vouchers and money for doing searches and surveys. It won't be a lot at first, but the vouchers come in handy for christmas etc (ie they can be used as presents or to buy presents).

Finally have a look at https://www.freecycle.org and see if there are any heaters going on there. Can you get a grant to insulate you house better? I know it is rented but I don't think that matters.

best of luck
chev

chevalier

Sorry double post

barnaby-bear

Bakeybadoo wrote:

As I mentioned above, eBay is what you pay when you sell things on there. Selling things has kept us afloat most months.

I reckon you're using ebay wrong.

Fees are nothing like £80 if you are only making £100 on a good month.
Something really wrong there, yes we know what ebay fees ARE. What we don't get is why you are paying so much when bringing in so little.

chevalier

Can I also mention that there is a lot of plus size stuff on ebay, which will be cheaper than buying from a catalogue.
regards
chev