Debt Consolidation

[Deleted User]

They're paying almost £100 a month, for mobile phones and satellite/cable TV :eek:

Tixy

Jo4 wrote: »

I am at a loss!

They need to call a debt advice charity. If they do not tackle this it will get worse.

They need to accept that things have to change, presents, food etc will need a total rethink. They are already in debt crisis, if the income reduces even further without them taking action then will end up in an even worse mess.

Jo4

Tixy wrote: »

They need to call a debt advice charity. If they do not tackle this it will get worse.

They need to accept that things have to change, presents, food etc will need a total rethink. They are already in debt crisis, if the income reduces even further without them taking action then will end up in an even worse mess.

Perhaps I should have pointed out that the amount for groceries includes nappies, cleaning products as well as food.

TonyMMM

You are making a lot of excuses for your friends spending.

The bottom line is the income does not support the level of expenditure. Borrowing is not going to changes that - it will make things worse.

Either income has to go up or expenditure has to come significantly down

Jo4

TonyMMM wrote: »

You are making a lot of excuses for your friends spending.

The bottom line is the income does not support the level of expenditure. Borrowing is not going to changes that - it will make things worse.

Either income has to go up or expenditure has to come significantly down

I am not making excuses, I am attempting to give as accurate a picture for them as I can.

barbarawright

Jo4 wrote: »

She is constantly switching things of when she is at home however their 3 year old is constantly switching things on. Since there are so many in the house there's always someone in the shower, the washing machine is on quite a few times every day, the tumble dryer is on if it is too wet to get it dried outside and the airers and radiators are full, the cooker is electric, the dishwasher is on often, there is a lot of ironing to do because of them having a big family imho.

The family need to come on board especially the older ones. I came from a family of 6 and we certainly didn't have the washing machine on several times a day or the radiators full on (in September? It's not that cold). There aren't that many people at home if 2 are at university - presumably the baby and the 3 year old aren't washing themselves so 'always someone in the shower' is something of an exaggeration. And how much ironing is necessary? Almost none, IMO but then I'm a !!!!!!...:rotfl: But if everyone over the age of 12 did their own ironing I'm sure mother would miraculously find a reduction in how much was actually needed. And surely one dishwasher load a day is ample?

Clearly there's a real problem here but expecting you to come up with a solution overnight seems rather unfair IMO given that the problem has been building for years/ You need them to go on the DFW board and also contact the debt charities. Another loan really isn't going to solve the problem.

DCFC79

Well for a start these 5 can be drastically cut

Telephone (land line).................. 34
Mobile phone........................... 45
Satellite/Cable TV..................... 50.75
Internet Services...................... 15.29
Groceries etc. ........................ 480

Is the internet, tv and landline as aprt of a package ? If not then get it as a bundle and the cheapest bundle at that. Sky and virgin both do a cheap opton for all 3, get your friend to contact them and see what they can do and same with the mobile, is it contract or payg ?

Jo4

barbarawright wrote: »

The family need to come on board especially the older ones. I came from a family of 6 and we certainly didn't have the washing machine on several times a day or the radiators full on (in September? It's not that cold). There aren't that many people at home if 2 are at university - presumably the baby and the 3 year old aren't washing themselves so 'always someone in the shower' is something of an exaggeration. And how much ironing is necessary? Almost none, IMO but then I'm a !!!!!!...:rotfl: But if everyone over the age of 12 did their own ironing I'm sure mother would miraculously find a reduction in how much was actually needed. And surely one dishwasher load a day is ample?

Clearly there's a real problem here but expecting you to come up with a solution overnight seems rather unfair IMO given that the problem has been building for years/ You need them to go on the DFW board and also contact the debt charities. Another loan really isn't going to solve the problem.

They have the fire on most days as they cannot afford the oil. The family consists of the parents and 6 children. The children's ages are almost 21, 19, 12, almost 11, 3 1/2 and 11 months. Imho they could cut back on their electric and food costs but then that is easy for me to say as hubby & I don't have any children and my hubby is money savvy unlike my friend's husband whose lightbulb is not even flickering in my opinion.

Jo4

DCFC79 wrote: »

Well for a start these 5 can be drastically cut

Telephone (land line).................. 34
Mobile phone........................... 45
Satellite/Cable TV..................... 50.75
Internet Services...................... 15.29
Groceries etc. ........................ 480

Is the internet, tv and landline as aprt of a package ? If not then get it as a bundle and the cheapest bundle at that. Sky and virgin both do a cheap opton for all 3, get your friend to contact them and see what they can do and same with the mobile, is it contract or payg ?

She said they are on the cheapest package possible, they are with BT. Her mobile phone is topped up by £15 a month and his is on contract. Their Sky will be reducing in the next fortnight. Due to the area they live in this is the cheapest broadband they can get. I think they are wasteful with food but then that is only my opinion.

Tixy

Have you spoken to her today? How is she taking things?

Has she agreed to talk to one of the debt charities?

Does her husband realise the full extent of their finances? Is he ok with her talking to you about it?
Could you sit with them both, help them work out an accurate SoA and leave it with them for them to look over and see just how large a shortfall they have every month, even whilst she has the 2 jobs.