Struggling with debt? Ask a debt advisor a question

doorstep54

StepChange_James wrote: »

Hi doorstep53,

Thanks for posting. It sounds like you're finding things incredibly hard to cope with at the moment. I hope I can offer you some support and hope for the future.

I've been giving debt advice for 8 years now and I've never come across a situation that didn't have a solution, so I'm sure there'll be a way to sort out your debts. It's just a matter of working out which option suits your situation.

You can do this by giving us a call and speaking to an advisor who'll be able to make a recommendation. Here's the contact details:

Alternatively, if you'd rather do things online, you can use our Debt Remedy tool. You go through the same process as you would if you called and at the end you'll get a personal action plan with suggestions about what to do next. Here's the link to Debt Remedy:

Being in debt can be incredibly stressful and it sounds like you're really struggling at the moment. Getting help with the debt side of things might help you feel better but I'd also suggest thinking about talking to your GP if you're finding it hard to manage.

Or if you're still experiencing suicidal feelings then you could get in touch with Samaritans. You can call or email them and they'll let you talk about your feelings without making any judgements or telling you what to do. Here's their contact details:

I know how hard being in debt can be sometimes but it really is more important to look after yourself than pay these debts. Please get in touch with us and we'll do everything we can to help.

Take care.

James

thank you so much james, its nice to know that there is people out there that care and want to help, its made me feel a little better, when i phone step change is it just phone help?

mol3

Thank you James.

I hope you don't mind me asking another question?

Many years ago I had PPI on the cc's but I cancelled it when I found that the min payment wasn't covering that and the interest.

This was a long time before I entered in to the DMP so I was wondering if you think that I would be able to get anything back from the PPI and if so how I would go about it?

I can't remember how long ago I had them or how long before the dmp I cancelled them.

StepChange_Pavan

doorstep54 wrote: »

thank you so much james, its nice to know that there is people out there that care and want to help, its made me feel a little better, when i phone step change is it just phone help?

Hi there,

Glad you’re feeling better about your situation.

If you give us a call, one of our friendly advisors will go through your details and talk through a plan of action with you.

If you don’t feel like talking to someone on the phone, you can use our Debt Remedy like James mentioned (http://www.stepchange.org/msehelp). This will go through the same process online and you can chat to an advisor at any point if you want to.

Hope this helps, but feel free to get in touch if you have any more questions.

Pavan

StepChange_Pavan

mol3 wrote: »

Thank you James.

I hope you don't mind me asking another question?

Many years ago I had PPI on the cc's but I cancelled it when I found that the min payment wasn't covering that and the interest.

This was a long time before I entered in to the DMP so I was wondering if you think that I would be able to get anything back from the PPI and if so how I would go about it?

I can't remember how long ago I had them or how long before the dmp I cancelled them.

Hi there,

Yes, it’s worth putting in a claim to see if you’re entitled to a refund. If the debts still exist they may use the refund to offset the debts rather than paying the money to you.

This guide goes through absolutely everything you need to do: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/ppi-loan-insurance?_ga=1.69284563.251582071.1388761128.

I hope this helps,
Pavan

Mindworp

Hi,

New to the forums and now a dedicated DFW, have around £30,000 of debt spread between by business and personal accounts.

The business is a normal partnership, not limited, with my wife.

The accounts have got totally mixed up and the debt is all over the place, personal debt on business cards and accounts & business debt on personal cards & accounts.

Just starting out with YNAB and setting up account budgets for both personal & business accounts to start tackling the debt monster and get more organised financially.

Have had a look at the Step Change Charity Website and was thinking of running the Debt Remedy Tool, but not quite ready yet. Have done SOA for Business but now need to do Personal SOA so have a better idea of where we are at.

My biggest question to date is, Where is it better to have the the debt, Business or Personal?

As we are normal partnership, not limited, either way I am liable and don't want to fold the business, only thing I know.

Just wondering what are benefits, if I shifted this debt around, could I protect myself more etc.... etc......

Sneable89

Can you help me?


I recently posted a thread on this, "Credit card or loan...please help!"


But I saw your thread, Im 24, I work a 27 hour week. Rcently split from a serious relationship and am struggling financially.


I have been left with a large council tax bill, witch the bailiffs are chasing me for. I have around £2000 on finance with Very, and around £600 left to pay to DFS for a sofa itook out on finance two years ago. I also owe my family around £500 where they have tried to help out!


I have been told paying all the above off on a credit card or a loan would help.
but I don't know where to go, as my debt is not large, but I want to stop it before it gets to that point, as right now, I am paying out more than is coming in!


hope theres enough info there....


thanks!


Sneable89

cazarol

Please can I ask for some advice. My son is 17 and works away in full time employment. I knew he borrowed, not just from me but thought it was his mates as well. I have just discovered that in the space of 14 April to 7 May he has received into his bank loans from the following, wage day advance, loan marketing.co.uk, mem consumer finance, the1loan.co.uk, payday.co.uk, smile finance.co.uk, another loan marketing.co.uk and merlin loan.co.uk. Payments have been taken out payable to wageday advance, mem consumer finance, mem consumer finance x 2. I am sickened that at age 17 this amount of debt can be organised in such a short space of time. Is it really legal for this to happen and what should we do now? I can't speak to my son at the moment as he isn't contactable. I don't doubt that he has applied for these and may well have given incorrect information but surely checks are in place? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

cheapopete

StepChange_James wrote: »

Hi there Pete,

I wouldn't worry too much about needing to take a few more days to get things sorted out. It's more important to get things right, so updating the figures is important. There's a possibility it could change our recommended solution but if it does we'll talk you through the options and help you work out the best route.

All the best.

James

Hi and thanx again James,
Well, a CCJ duly arrived and I duly wrote to them (sent via Special D) asking for either bank details for payment (as if they'd tell me something like that) or a form to arrange payment.
They've written back, but the payment date on their form is 30th of this month, which is 17 days later than the date demanded by the CCJ.
So, does their own form, with a printed signature, constitute a legally acceptable change of payment date?
Once I know it's ok, I shall set up the £50 per month to go out of a newly opened basic bank account, into which I will only pay the required amount via standing order.

Former_StepChange_Rachel

Mindworp wrote: »

Hi,

New to the forums and now a dedicated DFW, have around £30,000 of debt spread between by business and personal accounts.

The business is a normal partnership, not limited, with my wife.

The accounts have got totally mixed up and the debt is all over the place, personal debt on business cards and accounts & business debt on personal cards & accounts.

Just starting out with YNAB and setting up account budgets for both personal & business accounts to start tackling the debt monster and get more organised financially.

Have had a look at the Step Change Charity Website and was thinking of running the Debt Remedy Tool, but not quite ready yet. Have done SOA for Business but now need to do Personal SOA so have a better idea of where we are at.

My biggest question to date is, Where is it better to have the the debt, Business or Personal?

As we are normal partnership, not limited, either way I am liable and don't want to fold the business, only thing I know.

Just wondering what are benefits, if I shifted this debt around, could I protect myself more etc.... etc......

Hi there, thanks for getting in touch,

As you've described, when you're self employed, it's quite common for business and personal debt to overlap. The most important thing now is that you get some sound advice on how to proceed with these debts, which we can provide.

Using Debt Remedy to consider your options is completely free and anonymous. It doesn't get logged anywhere such as your credit file, and we don't notify anyone that you've used it. If however you would prefer to talk your concerns through with someone, your best bet might be to speak to one of our advisors over the phone. They can look at your options and give any guidance and reassurance that you need.

Please call 0800 138 1111. We're open Mon - Fri 8am to 8pm and Sat 8am to 4pm.

Kind regards

Rachel

Former_StepChange_Rachel

Sneable89 wrote: »

Can you help me?


I recently posted a thread on this, "Credit card or loan...please help!"


But I saw your thread, Im 24, I work a 27 hour week. Rcently split from a serious relationship and am struggling financially.


I have been left with a large council tax bill, witch the bailiffs are chasing me for. I have around £2000 on finance with Very, and around £600 left to pay to DFS for a sofa itook out on finance two years ago. I also owe my family around £500 where they have tried to help out!


I have been told paying all the above off on a credit card or a loan would help.
but I don't know where to go, as my debt is not large, but I want to stop it before it gets to that point, as right now, I am paying out more than is coming in!


hope theres enough info there....


thanks!


Sneable89

Hi there Sneable89, thank you for getting in touch.

We can certainly help you with your situation. As your council tax arrears are a priority, it's important that you focus on getting these cleared as soon as possible.

Our blogpost on bailiffs/enforcement agents should tell you all you need to know in regards to how to deal with them in the meantime: http://moneyaware.co.uk/2013/06/bailiffs-ten-things-you-need-to-know-video/

Could you please get in touch with us? We are a confidential, free debt advice charity. We can help you put together an anonymous action plan via our online advice tool Debt Remedy: http://www.stepchange.org/msehelp


You've taken the first step towards getting help with your debts. Please know that we'll give you all the help and support you need.

Kind regards

Rachel