As the name says I owe too much

tealady

As your family are in another country have you looked into skype? I'm not sure how it works but it might bring down the cost of calls. As a certain supermarket ad says "Every little hepls"

owetoomuch

yes if you have debts with your regular bank then you should open an account elsewhere. It has been known for banks to 'steal' your wages to cover their debts once they know your struggling. You can do it online and I'd also suggest signing up to https://www.quidco.com for it. you can get £50 cashback for opening an account wiht alliance and leicester, they can do an overdraft swap at 0% for the first year etc so it might be a good account for you.



Looked on website and it said to get an account with Alliance & Leicester

Permanent UK residents aged 21 or over may apply. The account is for personal use and applicants must not have a history of adverse credit. An email address is compulsory and internet access is required to view statements.

Well when I get the ball rolling on this I will have adverse credit surely?

Any suggestions on where I might get a bank account?

Penny2myName

apply for it, before you do the rest, in other words, TODAY. Then if you dont get it, look elsewhere to open an account.

owetoomuch

I applied for alliance & leicester on line and they have accepted my application.

We are delighted to let you know that your application for an Alliance
&
Leicester Premier Direct Current Account has been successful and we are
now in the process of setting up your new account. You will receive
written confirmation from us through the post within the next couple of
days.

Once your account has been set up, you will receive a welcome pack
containing all the information you need to be able to manage your
account.

This message is for information only; there is no facility to reply to
this message directly by email.

I said I didn't want an overdraft or credit card with the account (asking for trouble if I did)

:j

freshstartgirl

Hi there

I think everyone's said it all really and I can therefore only reiterate.

I've buried my head in the sand also - I think we've all done it - and because we are ALL in the same situation, no one is going to judge you.

In the last three days I've only just come to terms with the fact that I've GOT to do something about my debt (just under £30,000). I have been taking on more and more work (three jobs) to try and pay off more than the minimum payment each month but I've worn myself out and I just can't do it anymore. Okay I have been frivolous with my spending but I've also used my cards to pay bills.

We've both taken a BIG step then - finally admitting to someone/ourselves that we have to do something - and well done you/me for doing that !

:j

Penny2myName

Well done on opening your account, in total it can take upto 6 weeks for everything to get transferred over, but once it is all done, then you have nothing to worry about.
If you have bank charges with other institutes, apply to get them back. These can be used against your other debts.
If you are after reducing your DD payments or cancelling them, then its just yoru wage you need to transfere over which will be faster.

owetoomuch

Thank you all for your support, just a few questions if you dont mind.

My salary is due to be paid in 9 days, but I wont have my new account details until middle of the week, how much notice to wages departments usually need to sort this out?

I will be ringing CCCS on Tuesday evening as I wont be able to do this from work.

If my money goes into my existing account what do I do about my standing orders (council tax, electricity and so on) if Nat West decide to take all my money.

I received in my Capital One bill on Friday too afraid to open it at the moment, should I ring them and tell them I cant meet minimum this month or what.

Also have a Nat West Credit Card due to be paid by 10th, haven't paid it yet as I am waiting for funds to clear into my account which wont clear until 11th then I will pay that minimum.

Sorry to ramble but I am very distressed over this silly mess. The problem was I was using 1 card to pay another card and so on, also I went through a deep depression during the year and that is when I spent spent spent. Hubby didn't see any of the purchases so he wasnt aware I was spending.

Thanks for all the support

southernscouser

OK now these are questions you should ask the CCCS but this is my view on it although I'm not an expert.

Get your wages paid in as normal until you have all your account details.

Do not cancel any Natwest Direct Debits. Do not cancel Council Tax or utility bills until your other account is setup. Can take a good week or more to get everything through the post from A&L.

Cancel all other Direct Debits. Ie credit cards etc. When the bills are due, send them a letter explaining you are talking to the CCCS and include a token payment in the form of a cheque for £1 only.

If you can pay your Natwest debts as they could well clear your account! :mad:

As soon as your wages and benefits are being paid into your new account, cancel the remaining DD's!

Is this financially feasible this month? Remember you don't want to be getting further into debt!

Have you started a spending diary yet?

owetoomuch

southernscouser wrote: »

OK now these are questions you should ask the CCCS but this is my view on it although I'm not an expert.

Get your wages paid in as normal until you have all your account details.

Do not cancel any Natwest Direct Debits. Do not cancel Council Tax or utility bills until your other account is setup. Can take a good week or more to get everything through the post from A&L. - what happens when my wages go in if Nat West take it all then I wont be able to meet CT or UBs, should I take cash out of account to cover these for new account?

Cancel all other Direct Debits. Ie credit cards etc. When the bills are due, send them a letter explaining you are talking to the CCCS and include a token payment in the form of a cheque for £1 only. - CCs not on direct debit.

If you can pay your Natwest debts as they could well clear your account! :mad:

As soon as your wages and benefits are being paid into your new account, cancel the remaining DD's!

Is this financially feasible this month? Remember you don't want to be getting further into debt! - Not too sure at the moment as I am at my blackest and cant think straight.

Have you started a spending diary yet?

- Comments added in above and yes, today spent a total of £6 (£1.50 on a bottle of wine know I shouldn't just needed cheering up)

Catseyez

In terms of your phone bill and making international calls...are you aware of the international call-checker on this site?

http://callchecker.moneysavingexpert.com/intcallchecker/

Type in the country you need to call and it will come up with the cheapest options available.