got myself in a disaster

Vikipollard

Do you actually know that your bank won't lend you £1000? Whoever gave you your initial advice did a cr*p job and I just wonder if you haven't actually tried them? Last I knew minimum age was 18 and they would have seen your account history to date so may be prepared to give it a go.

Sorry if I've missed that being answered somewhere and, accepting that PDLs are an in-your-face red trouble marker, but we don't seem to know for sure that that isn't an option.

Other than that, do you actually HAVE £800 left each month or is it a "I only have 2 DDs and £50/food=£200" but you don't really know where the other £800 goes?

redpete

AndyBSG wrote: »

The only alternatives are to contact the PDL companies and tell them you can't pay which is going to leave a footprint on the credit file.

No. Pay off two of the loans completely (the smaller ones) when they are due to be paid. The larger one (£500) with Wonga) - phone them to explain you are short this month and cannot pay the full amount (don't mention the other two loans); Wonga are one of the most accommodating lenders according to many threads on here - suggest a reasonable repayment plan and they should listen.

worried48

Just roll the Wonga loan over. Yes it will cost but it will be a lot better than trashing your credit report and you can clear it next month. Or go for Provident or Shopacheck and clear Wonga that way. And be glad the ex is ex!

[Deleted User]

I agree with worried48's last suggestion.

I know people decry Provident but, IMO, it's the least worst option.

Borrow £200 over 14 weeks, then pay it off next month.

By paying it off after just one month, you will pay very little of the usual interest.

spudsofa

If you can upgrade your account so it includes an overdraft facility of couple of hundred pounds, you pay £15 a month I think. Once the month is up, cancel it saying it isn't for you.

W

wiseshark

You do have to feel for the OP. She is doing everything she can to resolve her financial woes and not shirking responsibility. As for the ex-boyfriend, sounds like a proper ar**h0le. Can only wish her all the best.

paddyrg

Have you asked your bank for a temporary £200 overdraft facility? If you have a history of a reasonable relationship with them, they may chance it. APR will be massively lower than a PDL, and you just need to get yourself clear.

Cycling 45 minutes extra journey time - swallow it. It'll sting for the first few weeks, but compared to the other options it's an easy win and as a side-effect it'll help with the quitting smoking. Bonus!

Defer moving out for a month or two - say 'til the new year. There will be other flats. It's a pain, but going into it on a back foot will cause problems when unplanned bills arrive. Get level, save a bit of cash to have a buffer in the bank, then do it. You can't really afford not to just now TBH.

Do NOT feel embarrassed or silly about asking for help/suggestions/ideas - we've ALL made bad decisions along the way, and come out stronger. This is yours, you'll come out of this stronger too, I guarantee it. If nothing else you'll take back full control of your world and prove to yourself that you can make a bad decision and then choose differently next time around.

NatalieB23

luckydog93 wrote: »

Nope, no credit card or overdraft, never applied, dont know if I earn/old enough. Nothing to sell either. I guess I could cycle every single day to work lol, 10miles each way, but I think Id save £10 a day. Its not really about pride, its just I know they cant help me financially so dont see much point telling them I guess.

Id speak to the bank about an overdraft rather than another loan.
I walked into the bank one afternoon, requested it, signed some papers and walked out with it added to my acct. I don't use it often but its there. Much more suitable than another PDL in my opinion.