Pay creditors or learn to drive to get a job what would you do?

falko89

I've posted this also on the debt board as I expect different opinions, So basically being unemployed I am making token payments to creditors, Because I have no assets etc a debt relief order was suggested my CCCS, it will write my debts of etc after 1 year and if you've seen my posts on here unless I do something I will be on here in a year still jobless.

As you know I was going to use my £3K redundancy to learn to drive to either get a job further a field or if that failed work for myself however if I go on the DRO the money has to go straight to creditors.

So the options are, get debts wrote of but no prospect of work, or use the money to learn to drive and maybe still not get a job or get no where, what would you do?

boobies

I'd pay off your debts. Without the guarantee of work once you can drive, you are throwing good money after bad.

falko89

boobies wrote: »

I'd pay off your debts. Without the guarantee of work once you can drive, you are throwing good money after bad.

Seems sensible idea but I also will soon only be signing for credits soon, so no money at all.

Parva

The idea of using the money to learn to drive is fraught with problems. You don't know how long it will take you to pass (both parts of) the test, this alone could see a year go by. Assuming you do pass you then have to buy a car. Ok, you can get a cheap banger. Then comes the running costs, of which you may well find the insurance cost to be enormous. My son was 25 when he passed last July and the fact that he was a newly qualified driver meant that we were getting quotes of well over £1000 just for a W reg Corsa!

You could find your £3000 gone and a car sat outside that you can no longer afford to put petrol in, and we haven't even touched on running costs such as servicing, MOT's and the like. I would also think that any company(s) that have agreed a DMP with you would frown harshly on capital being 'disposed' of in this manner, no matter what the actual motive is.

I would use the capital to deal with your debts, at least then if/when you do get a job you are actually earning a wage that belongs to you and not being chased down the road for it from your debtor(s).

PasturesNew

Pay off creditors. That's final and done.

Learning to drive is expensive - and not guaranteed. Then, even if you pass, you've still got to buy a car, insure it (huge cost) and run it.

falko89

We already have a car, the other half uses it at the moment but she could get a lift to work with a neighbour leaving the car mine. £1k would get me through the test etc and I'm 31 so insurance wouldn't be overly high. I like the idea of being debt free as well, but I have no realistic hope of getting a job without driving, my heads wrecked thinking about it all.

Parva

falko89 wrote: »

We already have a car, the other half uses it at the moment but she could get a lift to work with a neighbour leaving the car mine. £1k would get me through the test etc and I'm 31 so insurance wouldn't be overly high. I like the idea of being debt free as well, but I have no realistic hope of getting a job without driving, my heads wrecked thinking about it all.

As a newly qualified driver you will still find the cost of insurance extortionate regardless of age. Looks to me like you have already mind your mind up on what you intend to do and you're just looking for someone to help you justify it.

Itismehonest

A driving licence is no guarantee of getting a job, unfortunately. I can see why you think it would help but there may still be many other reasons why an employer chooses other prospective employees.

Use the money to pay off your debts.
Get rid of that shackle around your neck & then the token payments you currently make to creditors may be able to become savings toward driving lessons.

falko89

Itismehonest wrote: »

A driving licence is no guarantee of getting a job, unfortunately. I can see why you think it would help but there may still be many other reasons why an employer chooses other prospective employees.

Use the money to pay off your debts.
Get rid of that shackle around your neck & then the token payments you currently make to creditors may be able to become savings toward driving lessons.

I won't have anything to save, My JSA ends in a few weeks, don't get anything on income based due to my partner working part time hence why I have to be absolutely sure what I want to do with this money.

Emmzi

You've clearly already decided, know it is not quite the right thing to do, and are looking for people to support your view to justify your decision.

No joy here. Pay the creditors.

falko89

Emmzi wrote: »

You've clearly already decided, know it is not quite the right thing to do, and are looking for people to support your view to justify your decision.

No joy here. Pay the creditors.

I posted it here and on Consumer Action forums, they say the opposite so I am confused.