Don't think I'll ever be debt free

WifeandMummy

Hi, it looks like you have some fab advice here so I don't really have any more to add, my initial thoughts when I read your original post was to cancel sky (we did this recently) and also to meal plan, do shopping lists and try Aldi. We do all our shopping there now, including toiletries and nappies, wipes, pet food etc and it makes a massive difference.

Could your OH ask for set days off each week or put in a request to work set times on just 2 days or something so you could look for something to work around him? A cleaning job may be worth looking at as I know in some cases employers are flexible with regards to when the cleaning gets done as long as it is done if that makes sense?

Also as your OH is using the car so much are you doing what you can to save money on petrol? such as making sure the tyres are pumped up, going to the cheapest petrol station etc? xx

excited_to_be_free

Hi Jemma! Have you checked what benefits your entitled to? Are you not entitled to any Housing Benefit? If you do get HB, have you thought about applying to your local council for Discretionary Housing Payments? This can be used to pay off your rent arrears and council tax arrears. Depends on who your local authority is. I know that the form can be daunting at times, but if you are with the council, their local rent officers will help you fill in the form. DHP is not only for people in social housing, but for private rents too.

JemmaM91

Hi all.
Sorry for the long gap in making a reply.

I've had a bit of a result this week.
My partner has been changed to 25 hour weeks, started this week! and been offered overtime so hes doing 30 hours a week at the mo (I dont know if those hours go towards tax credits or not)

Also my minimum payment for capital one this month was 120 which I couldnt afford so I phoned up to ask whether I'd be able to pay of 60 a month until I'd managed to pay it off as I'm getting £36 charges a month added on. I had a LOVELY lady on the phone who was very helpful, she asked all about my income and expenses etc, and although I'd offered to pay £60 a month whilst still receiving the charges, she offered for me to pay just £11 a month with all charges and interest frozen. I just couldnt believe how nice they are at capital one as my partner once got phoned by them and they were really rude lol (must just not like him)

So all in all I've managed to make a payment on ALL my debts this month including rent, council tax and water. Only a token payment to npower (but they are so hard to contact! I owe around £1000 but they've not even bothered sending a letter since sept last year?!? and I've asked for a prepayment meter, but they keep saying they'll phone me to let me know when someone will be round but they never do.)

It does mean my petrol and food budget for the month is now only £120 so not too sure how we will manage that, but the main debts are going down so a weight off my mind. My partners family do help out with food, petrol etc when desperate so we should be okay until next month now

Sorry for the long post, I just thought I'd update.

eyeopener2

Brilliant jemma, some good news to start the day!

[Deleted User]

First things first. The Rent and Council Tax are your absolute priority debts.

Your electricity seems very high, compared to your gas. What gas appliances do you have?

Have you checked to see if your electricity is with the best company, and on the best tariff?

You can't afford the Pay TV, so dump it and go Freeview/Freesat.

Have you checked to see you are receiving ALL the benefits you are entitled to?

darren_clarke

Rent arrears, get a housing benefit form in

Ele, go on a prepayment meter and pay off on weekly

Water, ask to go on there restart scheme, you pay a small weekly £2-5 and they match it for 3 months, then it goes up and they match it even more

Jobs, get on agency and get more local work

[Deleted User]

datlex wrote: »

TV licence is double mine a month. So you should speak to them about getting it over 12 months- this would take it down to £12.12 a month.

The double amount is for the first 6 months, after which it drops to £12-12.

[Deleted User]

JemmaM91 wrote: »

and my mum refuses to let me put her on in case I ruin her no claims.

Her NCB can't be ruined, unless she has an accident, or someone has an accident in her car.

katy_ann

Hey hun, looks like you've been given loads of really good advice here and I hope things can sort them selfs out for you Have you thought about becoming an Avon rep in your area? Delivering the catalogues and goods, that way you can still take your little one with you and gets you out the house aswell x

[Deleted User]

JemmaM91 wrote: »

Sky seem to renew my contract after every phone call. Every time I phone up to say my tvs not receiving a signal etc I'll get a letter about a week later saying I've agreed to renew. I think.

They can't unilaterally decide to renew your contract, every time you report a fault.

If they refuse to let you cancel, threaten to report them to OFCOM.