Feeling Totally Trapped

BlushingRose

Jeremy Kyle would love a CSA story like that!

MattyF

Hi guys,

Thanks for the words of encouragement.

I'm going to ignore the CSA side of things for this thread. I think it's certainly a subject that could produce quite a debate but that isn't the purpose of this board/thread. I will continue to fight for what I see as justice and if anything comes of it then that is a bonus.

At the end of the day it is up to me to dig myself out of this mess.

As such, this is where I am at:

I have cancelled my Orange Care insurance policy - this was costing me £12 + VAT per month.

My current contract runs out in March next year but I have been pricing up alternatives. My current plan costs about £35 per month and a comparable SIM only deal from 3 is currently less than £13 per month (on a 30-day rolling contract) - so, by March next year, I will be paying about £37 per month less than I have been.

I have 'joined forces' with someone at work to share transport which will reduce my fuel bills. Too early to tell by how much but a saving is a saving.

I am also going to be looking for some part time (weekend) bar work as well.

My current task is to write and ask for an interest rate freeze / reduction with the credit card companies. I realise that this is unlikely to be successful but I'll never know unless I ask.

Is there any template available that I can use? Is there anything written in law re debts taking a disproportionate time to pay off?

As I can only afford the minimum payments, and because of the high interest levels, it is going to take me decades to potentially pay off some of my cards - I was hoping these companies would see that I've been with them years, always paid on time, never gone over my limit - but I suppose that is a double-edged sword, I suppose to them I am an ideal 'customer'/source of profit.

DCFC79

You have made a start Matty with the transport to work and chnaging your mobile phone plan, keep it up. Dont forget there might some cashback on quidco/top cashback for thres which could get you something back.

eyeopener2

MattyF wrote: »

Hi guys,



My current task is to write and ask for an interest rate freeze / reduction with the credit card companies. I realise that this is unlikely to be successful but I'll never know unless I ask.

Is there any template available that I can use? Is there anything written in law re debts taking a disproportionate time to pay off?

As I can only afford the minimum payments, and because of the high interest levels, it is going to take me decades to potentially pay off some of my cards - I was hoping these companies would see that I've been with them years, always paid on time, never gone over my limit - but I suppose that is a double-edged sword, I suppose to them I am an ideal 'customer'/source of profit.

Hi

You can write and ask but unless you show that your in Financial dire straits you will get no luck at all.

The only way really is to prove, either by paying a nominal token payment for a while or sending them a SOA that proves your in difficulty or going down the DMP route and even this doesn't mean they will help.

Lenders are all different. I have help from some and hinderance from others (yes Barclaycard i'm looking at you). barclaycard re-instated interest on my account as I was no longer in dire straits according to them. I was, I still am, but they don't care.

Send your letters though, cos you never know what may happen. This does give them a warning that your having problems and they could react well. We shall see.

Good luck