Not sure what to do anymore

Barneysmom

Hello Littlebear, how are you today Hope you're ok.
Your car does take a lot of money, can you check out how much a monthly railcard would be, I think if you could make that work you'd have a bit more spare money towards the other things.
If not, never mind, we'll have to find other ways.
Have you thought about your meal plans and how to lower your food bill (my favourite challenge lol).
Next we have to find ways to raise an extra weekly amount to clear as much as possible of that nasty loan that's dropping you enjoying life.
So EBay selling or a Saturday job. Have you any old cds/dvds/books that you don't need any more?
Are you tied in with your Sky subsription, if not, get rid and get a free view box.
Don't get rid of the telly altogether, it'll send you crazy, the house is too quiet without it when you live on your own.

Littlebear27

Hello

Thank you for the advice and messages you have all sent.. :j

*zippy* wrote: »

Hi Littlebear, well done for posting

Forgetting the debt for a moment and concentrating on getting your SOA to balance, your rent alone is nearly half your pay, do you have a spare room for a lodger, could you find somewhere cheaper to rent or do you have friends or family you can move in with until you get on your feet?Hi Zippy, I did consider this but I live in a studio flat. I live here because it is near where I work, my family live about an hour and a half away I have really been trying to settle down in one place which is why I didn't mind paying more for my flat because I have moved 12 times in the last 10 years for various reasons which has meant each time I have needed a new deposit and admin fees which has been really expensive. I feel like I need to stay here to get me out of the mess I am in because each time I move I spend out more.

Your car adds up to £450 a month, a large chunk of your pay, could you still do your job and get rid of it? Can you claim any travelling expenses from work?

At the moment I am working full time at head office of my company so I need to drive in 5 times a week. I have just asked one of my friends if we can car share which is good because that will save some money. As of September I will not be driving up there so much which will reduce my petrol costs. Unfortunately, the train to work would mean changing 2 times and would take over 2 hours! which is silly when the drive is 25 mins.
Are you on a water meter? Are you claiming your single person council tax discount?
What is a water meter? I pay by direct debit each month?
Yes I am claiming for single person

Drop sky and contract phone when you can, could you also get rid of your landline?
I am with BT vision, they have phone line, broadband and tv included. I also have my contract phone until next July. As I don't go out much I love having my tv I would be lost without it but I could try and reduce the packages on there if I contact them?

Hair is the another possible saving, maybe try your local college that offers cheap cuts so students can practice.

I am going to try and have my hair done every other month because the colour is quite expensive


I don't know much about bankruptcy, but you will be able to have a basic bank account and PAYG phone, there is a bankruptcy board on mse so do check it out for info on car and renting.

There has also been a couple of threads today about statute barred debts worth a read, maybe start a seperate thread on them if you need individual advice

Thank you for the links that was a good to know.



Good luck x

Barneysmom wrote: »

Hello Littlebear, how are you today Hope you're ok. Hello, not too bad today, going to the beach today which is free yay!
Your car does take a lot of money, can you check out how much a monthly railcard would be, I think if you could make that work you'd have a bit more spare money towards the other things.
If not, never mind, we'll have to find other ways.
Have you thought about your meal plans and how to lower your food bill (my favourite challenge lol). I would love advice on this! I struggle because if I buy fresh food it goes off very quickly so and I have a tiny freezer (size of shoe box!) which means it is difficult to save leftovers.
Next we have to find ways to raise an extra weekly amount to clear as much as possible of that nasty loan that's dropping you enjoying life.
So EBay selling or a Saturday job. Have you any old cds/dvds/books that you don't need any more? I am going to sell some cds and dvds on musicmagpie I think. You don't get much for them but its something.
Are you tied in with your Sky subsription, if not, get rid and get a free view box.
Don't get rid of the telly altogether, it'll send you crazy, the house is too quiet without it when you live on your own. I know that feeling I would definitely be lost without my tv

Thank you for your advice x

Shovel_Lad

Hi Littlebear.

I'm slightly puzzled. In post 27 you say you've set up a DMP via CCCS but your SOA is showing all your debts not just a DMP payment.

Your SOA (ncluding your DMP payment) should be agreed with the CCCS before the start of the DMP.

Has your DMP actually started yet or are you still in the process of setting it up?

7roland8

Re TV - I am home il all the tme but reception really bad here so during the summer (when leaves on trees) I get no reception in bedroom and vey little in living oom - possibly only one channel if lucky. We are only on freeview but do not even get those channels most of the time - but we cope and its not too bad - I go on pc or listen to radio or read - its amazing how you cope if you have to - so don't think Sky packages are essential - you can live without them!

falldown7timesgetup8

Hi littlebear,

I wondered how you were doing? I have been thinking of you since you originally posted....i hope the boards here have been helpful and you feel less alone?:j

xx

*zippy*

Hope you have a great day at the beach

Have a look into dyeing your own hair, I now dye my DD's for them, they go to Sallys to buy the professional stuff, think it works out at £6 a dye now they have the basics and if they want fancy stuff like ombre we look on youtube how to do it, to save a bit more I have also started to just trim the ends.

Sky, can understand you want to keep it, i'm he same, cheapest package was £20, think it's going up this month though to about £21/£22. Not sure if they still do it, but you used to be able to ask them for a free viewing card that went in your skybox, we paid about £10 for it and you then have basic channels for no monthly fee, but no sky+, other option is freeview. Ring them and see what they say, look at saynoto0870 for a non 0870 tel no.

Are you going to be able to do a dmp if your SOA doesn't balance? Will it balance in Sept when you car share? If no and your home is the priority then as hard as it will be do look into public transport costs compared to how much your car is costing.

Barneysmom

I've just dyed my own hair this morning, it's really easy - just make sure you have plenty of newspaper to put on the floor and on the table, and some tissues or wipes in case you get some on your skin

Chrisblue1962

Barneysmom wrote: »

I've just dyed my own hair this morning, it's really easy - just make sure you have plenty of newspaper to put on the floor and on the table, and some tissues or wipes in case you get some on your skin

Could we possibly see a picture of Barney please? I know this is "off-topic" but I bet he's nice

Barneysmom

Chrisblue1962 wrote: »

Could we possibly see a picture of Barney please? I know this is "off-topic" but I bet he's nice

Sure,

Chrisblue1962

Awwww Barney is lovely.

Thank You