Enough is Enough

Gemqueen

MY 1ST ATTEMPT AT AN SOA:


Monthly Incomings:

My salary - £532.95 - looking for another job to supplment my current 24hrs per week
Benefits ie: Housing Benefit/Council Tax: Applied for

Total - £532.95 at present

Monthly Outgoings:

Rent - £350.00 - but this should go down with rent rebate once it is instigated
Council Tax - £90.00 - but this should go down with council tax rebate once it is instigated
Gas - £40.00
Electric - £40.00
TV License - £12.00
Sky £37.00 - just negiotiated a drop to £21.00
Phone - £50.00
Food - £60.00
Monthly Bus Pass - £55.00 - now its summer i will walk to work!!
Medical Prescriptions - £7.00 - finding out about prescription charges for low wage earners
AOL - 25.00 - just negiotiated a drop to £19.99



Total: £744.00 (eeekkkk)!!!!

Debts: MBNA 5,000
RBS 7,000
Barclaycard 12,000
AMERICAN EX 7,000
BRITISH GAS 100.00
SKY TV 80.00
NEXT 81.00
DEBENHAMS 500.00
THAMES WATER 65.00
BANK O/D: 1372.00

OOOMMMMGGGG.. I AM DEPRESSED AGAIN!!!

HERE IS WHAT I HAVE DONE SO FAR:

1. NEGIOTIATED A DECREASE FOR:
A) SKY TV FROM £37.00 TO £21.00
AOL BROADBAND FROM 25.00 TO £19.99

2. CONTACTED THE COUNCIL FOR COUNCIL TAX AND HOUSING BENEFIT

3. CONTACTED PAYPLAN FOR ADVISE

OK, HERE'S WHAT I PLAN TO DO NEXT:

1. WALK TO WORK
2. CLAIM BANK CHARGES
3. SELL ITEMS ON EBAY
4. CHASE HOUSING BENEFIT/COUNCIL TAX
5. CONTACT CCCS
6. FIND ANOTHER JOB TO MAKE UP HOURS TO AT LEAST 37HRS
7. ASK CURRENT EMPLOYER FOR MORE HOURS
8. CONTACT BRITISH GAS FOR LOWER MONTHLY INSTALMENTS
9. CONTACT BT FOR LOWER MONTHLY INSTALMENTS
9. FIND OUT ABOUT PRESCRIPTION CHARGES FOR LOW PAID

CAN ANY1 ELSE SUGGEST ANY OTHER TIPS ON SAVINGS?

THANKS E1. XXXXXXXXX

Toto

What a star, well done, you will be on your feet in no time xx

ilovegreatdanes

hi all,
i am with cccs and i have £69 to pay to 13 so all but one gets £5.they were really great and didnt have any hassles so i would reccommend them.national debtline is really good for advice and template letters and years ago they sent me a really good booklet which was very helpful.
really glad youre back.kind regards,

iwilldoitthistime

If its any help at all, Ive started doing mystery shopping - I only signed up a couple of weeks ago and have already done two jobs (£20 FOR 10 mins work) and have another 4 booked for next week (another £45). there is a great thread for this if you are interested (I would show the link but Im not sure how to! - if someone else can do this, feel free!)

LookingAhead

Oh well done Gemqueen for being brave enough to post your SOA at this early & sensitive stage. :T

LookingAhead

Can you let people know (just edit your SOA post) what the APRs are on all your debts? That way snowballing is made easier.

Also, well done on negotiating the lower Sky package but, are you sure you can't do without it altogether? A freeview box might help relieve the tedium of the normal 5 channels and you could pick one up for free on freecycle perhaps.

millionaire_in_training

Try and get another 6 hours and then you can apply for working tax credits. Good luck xx

moonlightpjs

You've done really well with the things you have done so far - well done :T

Just remember (as some wise DFW's once told me) just take baby steps at first, the rest will follow and we are all here to help. I can't believe you've done so much already following your first post - I am amazed - give yourself a big pat on the back - you should be proud of yourself.

Please dont feel depressed - its all out in the open now and we will do all we can to support and advise you (well, the others will give advice :rolleyes: ). Easier said than done I know but at least you have the DFW family to help and guide you now.

Try and get a good nights sleep and take care.

Will be waiting for you to post again so don't think you can get away now

Lisa xxx

kendalls_cave

You've done so well so far I am with the CCCS and they were lovely with me. Keep going, and keep reaching out for support

beanielou

Hi gemqueen
You need to get a HC1 form to apply for help with your health costs.
If you work at least 16 hours you can maybe claim tax credits.This is even if the 16 hours comes from 2 jobs.
Take care.