Where do I start ??

jinty271

This is very embarassing, but, i have finally decided to try to get my life together, but I dont know where to start, tackling my debts.

I have been on benefits most of my life, single mum of 2 at age 19 etc.

Am now happily married, with 4 kids. Hubby works full time, myself part time, as we have a disabled, chronically sick child, who has life limitting illnesses, and requires specialist care.

Anyway, things seem to be picking up a bit, we are hoping to buy our council house ( although council have uncovered big C.Tax arrears, so that plan has stalled. )

I have lived a very transient life, with many house moves.

I am very keen to try to pay off all that I owe, and repair my credit history. However, I have, I regret to say, been very guilty of filing bills in the bin, usually unopened. So, now that I have seen the light (thanks to this site), I really dont know how much I owe, and to whom. ( I know this sounds awful, I am very ashamed).

None of these debts will be for huge amounts, I have never had a mortgage or anything, but I really want a new start with a fresh slate.

Can anyone advise please, how to go about tracking down all I owe, so I can then try to make repayment plans, post an SOA, and seek advice on how to become debt free.

Thankyou

GettingThingsDone

Welcome jinty - certainly nothing to be embarrassed about, in fact you sound like a decent and honest person.

I'd imagine getting hold of your file from Experian/Equifax would help identify what you owe. I'm sure you'll get lots of good advice from off here

Cheers

tigzem

Hi Jinty - I was in a similar position to you not so long ago, I didn't have a clue how much I owed. I used to file letters in the bin also. I got my credit reports from Experian/Equifax and went from there.

It's hard at first facing it, but once you've done it the hard part is over.

Well done on your 1st steps xx

jinty271

Thankyou for that . I gather experian and equifax are the main credit reference agencies. How far back do I need to go? I have been in my current house for about 6 years, but prior to that,I flitted around quite a bit. Do I need to give them all my adresses, or willl they know anyway? Also, are they 2 seperate companies, and do I need to pay each of them a fee, for each adress I ask them to search?

Sorry to sound dim

jinty271

tigzem wrote: »

Hi Jinty - I was in a similar position to you not so long ago, I didn't have a clue how much I owed. I used to file letters in the bin also. I got my credit reports from Experian/Equifax and went from there.

It's hard at first facing it, but once you've done it the hard part is over.

Well done on your 1st steps xx

Couldnt find a "thanks" button on your post, so Thankyou!

It was very sweet of you to take the time



Oops, i found it now , sorry!

tigzem

jinty271 wrote: »

Thankyou for that . I gather experian and equifax are the main credit reference agencies. How far back do I need to go? I have been in my current house for about 6 years, but prior to that,I flitted around quite a bit. Do I need to give them all my adresses, or willl they know anyway? Also, are they 2 seperate companies, and do I need to pay each of them a fee, for each adress I ask them to search?

Sorry to sound dim

You do need to pay them each a fee, it's about £2 if you request one to be sent in the post. You can find more info on their websites.

http://www.experian.co.uk/

http://www.equifax.co.uk/

You can request one online for them to send to you in the post if you have a debit card in your name, failing that a chq for their fee with a letter should be ok. You'll need to give your addresses for last 6 years.

HTH x

sparklymessygirl

Jinty,

Don't forget that you can get £5 from Quidco and get a free online report from Experian. by signing up for online access to your credit report. You must remember to cancel the free trial though! Don't risk it if you think you might forget!

Good luck
Sparkly

jinty271

Thankyou. I have completed the order for experian ( free trial, see, Im learning!!) and need to wait for pin number.

I have also applied to equifax, and expect delivery within 7 days.


Thankyou for your help, I think I am going to be sick

tigzem

Well done....won't be long before you're tackling those debts.

For some inspiration I recommend reading Immoral Angel's debt diary on here, it inspired me to write my own.

shayshay

Nothing to feel embarrassed about, about 99.99% of the people on this forum have done similar so you are in good company. The fact yo8u are tackling it deserves a pat on the back.

I remember when I finally sat down with my bills etc and saw that I owed £16,000 I was horrified but its going down and when I got help I was more annoyed that I hadn't done it sooner never mind being so wasteful with the money. So the inital steps aren't pretty but you are certainlyu heading in the right direction and you will own the house in no time!

tigzem

Also - might be worth looking into claiming back your bank charges, can claim for last 6 years worth. There is a whole thread on it on here.