overwhelmed new member

Coco114

Well , I feel sick , physically sick .... After wading through half the pile yesterday it would seem that everything is now with DCA , all of it - no wonder I had no replies to token payment letters - it was already too late & now I just don't know what to do.
This house is a millstone around my neck paying out £900 a month on mortgage / secured - that's half my money ....
Horrible letters from DCA say they will go for attachment of earnings even tho unsecured borrowing ... Can they do this ??!!
I know it's my own fault but , I just don't know what to do I have 2 days at work before I can call debtline but will they really be able to help ?
Coco x

Coco114

Ok , think I have got to get a grip after yesterday's meltdown
Have taken the extra day from work so am off for the rest of week now.... But , have realised I dont like being here in the day if not a weekend - waiting for post , knock on the door , phone calls etc - I find myself " hovering" near the front door just in case , it's not good !
I need to tackle this , not just finances but house as well otherwise I go back to work having achieved nothing ... But not this time !

I have an enormous list of things to do & if I manage half I will be v happy ! So , "the head on" approach is the only way - if the door bell / phone rings I will just have to deal with it - tidy & try to restore order today , bathroom disgusting , fridge needs cleaning etc, etc - need to pay a few bills today & then tomorrow - I am going to call Debtline or someone - so have to finish the paperwork cupboard so I can do that. I need professional help (debtwise) it's as simple as that
Sorry for ramblings , it keeps me sane & helps me to cope so there will be more ramblings before I am done !
Coco x

Coco114

Ok gotta keep going now !
Last nights dishes done , one load of washing done, 1 x 15 min paperwork sort slot done (am doing in 15 min slots so it's not too much in one go :j )
Ex pile , 90% unopened , is bigger than mine - scary !
Onto next job , pay some bills ready to post later , tidy sitting room (Hoover when kids are finally up !!!) then another 15 min paper slot .....
Coco x

Coco114

And finally a little bit if good news - just opened gas/electric bill - dd was cancelled on old acct last month ... Am £320 in credit ??!!! So no payment this month , will help a lot - will leave the rest for now as done on estimated readings & set up new DD for May
Woop !!
Coco x
That's 3 x paper sorting slots so far today !!

Mr_Toad

Coco114 wrote: »

And finally a little bit if good news - just opened gas/electric bill - dd was cancelled on old acct last month ... Am £320 in credit ??!!! So no payment this month , will help a lot - will leave the rest for now as done on estimated readings & set up new DD for May
Woop !!
Coco x
That's 3 x paper sorting slots so far today !!

That's great news.

I suggest you get £300 of that refunded, it's your money, not theirs and we're coming into the warmer months so less gas and electricity use.

You can then use the £300 to pay some off the most pressing bills. A win, win situation!

Coco114

Thanks Masonn
Have decided to be cautious so have asked for a key for meter cupboard as it's outside & I don't have one - will submit readings & get an non- estimate bill and then see how much in credit I am then ask for a refund for balance.
TBH just not having to pay that payment this month is nearly 2 weeks grocery & petrol money which will help a lot.
Also , Ex was going to have kids for 2/3 days but now can't / won't whatever so am hoping to factor in a little treat for them this hols even just a trip to cinema for them, they deserve it
Coco x

Coco114

So 1 & 1/2 hrs later just off the phone from Debtline - she was lovely and I didn't cry either (nearly but not quite )
But , looks like I will have to look at going bankrupt possibly .... So much to think about - sending me out all the info but I don't really think I am going to have a lot of choice unless a) Ex pays me more b) house prices suddenly go up or c) secured lender agree to reduce my ridiculous interest rate , which I think is currently at about 5% !!!! Don't know what do for the best really - she suggested I go back to debts (most now with DCA and offer token payment for now and by myself some time - the more I think , the more it may be worth a try to get sec loan to drop interest rate , this payment is more than my main mortgage but is only for a 3rd of the amount !!!!!!
Brain about to explode so off to have a cup of tea
Coco x

Mr_Toad

Coco114 wrote: »

So 1 & 1/2 hrs later just off the phone from Debtline - she was lovely and I didn't cry either (nearly but not quite )
But , looks like I will have to look at going bankrupt possibly .... So much to think about - sending me out all the info but I don't really think I am going to have a lot of choice unless a) Ex pays me more b) house prices suddenly go up or c) secured lender agree to reduce my ridiculous interest rate , which I think is currently at about 5% !!!! Don't know what do for the best really - she suggested I go back to debts (most now with DCA and offer token payment for now and by myself some time - the more I think , the more it may be worth a try to get sec loan to drop interest rate , this payment is more than my main mortgage but is only for a 3rd of the amount !!!!!!
Brain about to explode so off to have a cup of tea
Coco x

Get some advice on how to make those token payments before handing over any debit card or bank account details.

I have a feeling if you do some may try and take the full amount or as much as they can leaving your account empty and you without any money.

I'm sure someone on here who knows a lot more than I do will be along soon.

Barbeduk

Yikes Coco, sounds awful but at least there's plenty of advice to find on here. And it can only get better surely. I think the advice about opening a separate bank account and keeping your money in that, whilst running another alongside which pays the debts and direct debits, might be one to try. Then they haven't got the details of the feeder account and can't touch the money in it.

Crikey, it's a steep learning curve. Good luck.:)

Coco114

Thank you both.
Will get on to bank tomorrow & open another current account for bills etc. Have cheques written but luckily not posted yet - will hang on to those for now , will do Postal Orders if I have to.
Feel remarkably calm tbh - it's now clear that , actually the unsecured debts are the least of my worries , as Debtline lady said even if they all push it to court - I simply don't have it !
Back to housework now as I simply have no energy left for money today !
Am so glad I haven't posted those token payments yet
Thanks
Coco x