The OS Doorstep - a helpful and supportive thread in these tough times

fuddle

I've no experience in owing for rent but I do have a vast experience of dealing with letters threatening action. Look very closely at the wording. Does it suggest a course if action or it this course of action actually going to happen? If this is your first letter then I would think it is a very cleverly, strongly worded letter to make you act... which is what you are doing. Token payments and often I think. I don't at all think a huge amount will make them see you're taking it more seriously than a little amount weekly/bi weekly. I think the frequency will speak volumes.

What is the DRO for Kez? For the rent arrears? If so then don't be worrying about a DRO. Was this one of the threats in the letter? Your priority is keeping your home. Don't at all be worrying about eviction and a Debt Relief Order... The eviction is highly unlikely to happen if you show you're going to be proactive about repaying and should you repay them you won't owe anything for a DRO anyway.

All that said and once you secured your home, rebuilt your strength, sit down and work out how much you owe to everyone. A DRO is like a bankruptcy but it's nothing at all to be scared of. If you have other debt and have to go this route then so be it. I survived it, nutty survived it and in real terms all it means is you will have difficulty gaining credit in the future... and once the debt is gone you will quickly realise that you never want to borrow again anyway. There's so much info on the BR part of MSE, It's where I got my strength to deal with my mess. Go forth, educate yourself, deal with it and then rebuild, learning lessons.

Apologies if you have no other debt kez but I just wanted to reach out to you because I know you're scared. Facing up and dealing with everything is the only way you can move on. take the bull by the horns and direct those fears and angers towards solving problems. Hope I haven't over stepped the mark.

Well boult, bicarb soda is down on the carpet. Fingers crossed!

fuddle

I thought you were spraying your cobwebs monnagran. There's a Tudor farm Christmas special. Will be avidly watching Er, dear monnagran you didn't at all remind me of the Tudors... Honest!

Stuck in the mud Lyn 'twas funny but I've never seen grey mud 'afore - bizarre place this south marlarky. Mud is broon in my neck 'o the woods

nuttyp

Morning all, some lovely news been celebrated on here and some humourous stories. Also some sad news too sadly.

Kelzou, as with fuddle after being in serious debt and having been homeless I can understand your worry. If you are able to make a payment today, do so - and then work out what extra you can definatley afford every week/month. Offer to pay by standing order or direct debit - we have had to do so in the past with the council. Just after I was declared BR I had got into arrears while trying to sort things out. I couldn't include any in the BR so I arranged to pay £15 per week. I owed nearly £480. They only agreed if it was by standing order. This I did, and it has been eventually cleared. All I can offer as support is attend at the council offices with your childrens paperwork on their conditions, your paperwork too. If you have payslips etc and tax credit paperwork plus any debts you are paying off too. the thing I am trying to explain is take all the evidence to assist in what you are offering to pay. Make them understand you can afford x amount and you will be able to manage this.

If anything happens and you have an odd £5 or £10 pounds, ring and pay by debit card with them - it shows you are keen to keep your home.

Like fuddle, weve experienced the loss and it is very hard for children. Mine are both experienced in not getting into debt, they saw the breakdown of mine and OH lives - how we separated due to the arguments.

PM me if you need any help, I am about most of the day today. I just hope they see that you were scammed and your trying to solve the problem now.

Im stepping off my soap box now, seriously the ostrich effect of sticking your head in the sand is one that doesn't work - I tried it!!!.

OH bought new tree lights yesterday as the ones we had last year done work - tried new bulbs and nothing. Got a couple of bits from poundland, then we went home for a rest. I ordered from landofbay some solar led lights for the bush in the garden. Its the only outside festive charm I am putting up.

Need to go and start cleaning, take care everyone x

PRINCESSX87

Morning all.

I have to say this group & all its members are amazing. It seems even those who just read club together with information, advice, support for those of us who needs it.

I have to say, Fuddle & nutty seems like a force “NOT” be reckoned with when it comes to debt & BR clearance. Kez, You seem to have some support there honey.
They have lived the heartache your going through therefore have so much to offer in terms of advice. Please take it chick.

Spent the weekend feeling very sorry for myself. Baby Ruby has an awful cold, And when I see her Friday I kept kissing her, Having cuddles ect. I’m pretty sure she has learnt from birth to share her lergies with aunty V.V.

I’m pottering today, still waiting for postie. I’m so grateful for the bargains found on MSE. Still under budget & only one person left to buy for.

OH nearly done too. A few more little bits for stocking, But main presents done. Then I can focus on ruby. I think I might keep some money behind and hit the sales and get her clothes ect for the next few months as toys seems covered.

Anyways, Better get moving. Thinking off everybody in these tough times x

nuatha

mardatha wrote: »

Did anybody see the report on Sky this morning on the Social Supermarket? Fabulous idea !

Here's the BBC report on it

fuddle

Thanks nuatha, I hadn't seen it mar but by gosh wouldn't it be great if it could take off in all our communities. Anything to allow anyone and everyone access to food is a good idea in my book. I like the services attached too so people can access advice and support to help themselves out of situations.

It might go down the route of 'why help myself off benefits - I can get everything 70% off while on 'em!) I so wish we didn't have that culture and could really get behind welfare plans to help the vulnerable in society.

I've had my time on benefits and at that time very appreciative the net was there to catch me. I'm not a force to be reckoned with when it comes to debt clearance, not at all. I am a force to be reckoned with when it comes to learning about how to help yourself out of a mess though. A person who has dealt with their debts is a strong, strong person because dealing with it takes a huge toal and leaves scars. Non of it is about learning how to play a system but everything thing to do with educating yourself about how to deal with it.

PRINCESSX87

fuddle wrote: »

I've had my time on benefits and at that time very appreciative the net was there to catch me. I'm not a force to be reckoned with when it comes to debt clearance, not at all. I am a force to be reckoned with when it comes to learning about how to help yourself out of a mess though. A person who has dealt with their debts is a strong, strong person because dealing with it takes a huge toal and leaves scars. Non of it is about learning how to play a system but everything thing to do with educating yourself about how to deal with it.

Fuddle, I’m not sure if I’ve missed something, But where did playing the system come into it? I never applied that at all. It was more of a complement on your part me suggesting you’re the right person for giving advice?

Sorry if I have got the wrong end of the stick. x

Possession

Hugs to SDG and hope you're feeling a bit stronger today.
Kez you've been given some great advice and I'm sure you're doing the right thing offering small extra payments. Do tell OH as soon as possible, he needs to be on board with this to take all the pressure off you. I have a lot of confidence you'll be OK though.
Kidcat congrats on the cleaners!
DH got some bad news this morning, he didn't get the job he really wanted so back to the application slog. It's a shame, a dream job (and a wage coming in) would have been a lovely xmas pressie but it wasn't to be.

fuddle

Princess it's ok, no worries. I read too much in to it. I get very upset at being tarred with being a bankruptcy expert or know how to clear debt. It's one of those scars I mentioned. I've never played any system and detest using loopholes get out of a situation but bankruptcy, by default, suggests I do.

It's my bad princess - just over reacting.

kidcat

Oh boy I need a break - I have a return to go back to @mazon today, well it should have been collected last week but they didnt show. So its rebooked for today, so I race about doing the school runs and get back so I dont miss it.
Now usually the driver is on my area about 9.30 - 10.00, so I blitz tidy the kitchen, dining room and get washing sorted. 10.30 no collection, so I check the email and it says they will email me confirmation or text - I havent had any, so I try to call only to discover the land line isnt working. Pull out cupboards check wires and sort out - its not 11.30 still no sign, contact @mazon - who advise they are booking a new collection for next week as last one wasnt actually booked??? After mini rant he agrees to book one for today before three thankfully.
At which point I decide to sit and get DS15 coursework retyped for him - the unit usb stick broke so the only copy is on paper, school have announced it needs adjustments so the whole 40 pages of power point have to be redone.
I have agreed to retype it for him but he has to add the pictures and blingy bits and the extra stuff school want adding

But oh my its boring boring boring.

I really wanted to get the trees in the stands but I need the saw from the shed and I guarantee the minute I go into the garden I will miss the courier, so not taking chances.