'All by myself' Pesto in a messo post break up.

Pesto

Just over a month ago I split up with my Boyfriend after 7 years together and I moved out of the flat we had shared for 18 months together into my own place. We sat down a few weeks ago and divided our debts up into what was in our name and what was joint and as adults decided the best way forward. Pretty much the debt was split in half as much as it could be and we both decided to stay friends though it all and keep in close touch in the matters of things with our joint names and be honest to each other if things change or either of us ends up struggling to pay our ‘side’ when in the case of our joint named debts. Think I’m lucky in this way as we both know that we would never screw the other party over as sadly we both ended up sitting with massive debts of former relationships when the other party managed to wriggle free unaffected.
Below is my up to date as of today SOA.
Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance Sheet
INCOME
Monthly Employment Income £735
Monthly Working Tax Credits £230
Monthly Self Employed Earnings £25
TOTAL INCOME £990

MONTHLY EXPENCES
Rent £350
Council Tax £70
Electricity £30
Water Rates £23
Land line & Broad Band £27
Mobile Phone £35
TV Licence £20
Groceries £150
Haircuts £5
Entertainments/Sports £30
TOTAL EXPENCES £740

UNSECURED DEBTS
Description.........................Debt.......Monthly.........APR
Eon Gas £848 £1 0
Eon Electric £1108 £1 0
Marston HC Enforcement £3186 £80 8
Vanquish/1st Credit £467 £10 0
Equita (My balance) £164 £41 0
Council Rates £161 £20 0
Northumbria Water £133 £9 0
Sports Supplier £130 £10 0
TOTAL DEBT £6197 TOTAL PAYMENTS £173

MONTHLY BUDGET SUMMARY
TOTAL INCOME £990
TOTAL EXPENSES £740
TOTAL AVALIBLE FOR REPAYMENTS £250
MONTHLY UNSECURED PAYMENTS £173
AMOUNT LEFT AFTER DEBT REPAYMENTS £77

PERSONAL BALANCE SHEET SUMMARY
TOTAL ASSESTS £0
TOTAL UNSECURED DEBT -£6197
NET ASSETS -£6197


The income I have is from working in a Fast Food outlet. I have put the amount in as my average 30 hours a week as if I don’t get 30 hours I would not get my WTC so on average a month I work 30 hours a week since I started at the beginning of December. I also run a small sports business doing repairs and selling odds and sods. I have a small industrial unit of which all the costs are in with the rent and I also use this unit to store some of my personal belonging as I can’t get it all in my small 1 bed flat. Regardless of the cost of the unit I come out with £25 after my costs and putting what I will have to pay in tax come April to the side.

The expenditure I have tried to get down to as low a figure as I can. Obviously Rent, Rates and TV licence cannot be affected by bartering (though I did try) the others are possibly variable.
The Electric is on a key meter and at this moment in time I am not looking to change supplier as the rate is ok compared to most though I will look in a few weeks time again and possibly look to switch via a cash back site. I sadly have no gas and the water boiler is very old as is the storage heaters so I tend only to use the bath every two weeks and use the shower everyday on a timer. All the washing and tumble drying I do over night as I am charge day and night rates. Sadly with the cold time of year and the flats poor insulation it’s nearly impossible to get clothes dry using an airier. The flat is rated E for energy efficiency though I am looking to possibly see if I could get some sort of grant help or something to improve this. I think all the elements of heating and insulation won’t help this. To keep warm rather than use the heating I have a fan heater I use which I turn on for a bit then switch off once the nip is out the air. I also tend to wear an extra layer too.
The water is metered and in the first month I only used 4 units. However I am still paying an average rate as they said they will rebill me when they take a reading which could take up to 6 months. If I kept that up I would be below the average single person usage by 10-12 units over the year. I’m doing this by only doing the dishes then there is a full load as also the clothes washing and the tumble dryer water and bath water is used a water to flush the loo when its available. I’m also frugal with water when brushing my teeth and other little odds and sods. It all adds up and with me currently have an outstanding balance from before just these little bits could mean more towards the debt out of what I’m paying come the time they do come to read the meter.

I’m now going to go onto my debt. The figures shown there are the minimums I have to pay. I did have another council tax arrears bill but due to having money left over in my last pay check I paid it off. I was right chuffed with myself and it meant that I wasn’t paying the minimum of £16 a month anymore to that. My ex try’s to say it doesn’t matter if you pay it off in one of over time in the end it will get paid. Yeah it will but they can still turn up at the door step and also its money out all the time and I would rather pay something off if I have the money there as then it’s done and sorted. I currently don’t have a bed and I’ve seen one I like on eBay for £140. That money would have got me the bed (Debt total was £174) but I still would have had the debt and still not been able to sleep worrying about it!

The water debt I pay in with the payment I make for my current usage and I feel happy just plugging away at it in this way until I get the meter reading taken again and the re evaluate.

The two Eon bills/bailiffs are happy with the payment I am making to them so I don’t intend to change this arrangement any time soon either.

The 1st Credit one is plodding along but they never stop hassling me. Phone calls every other day and letters every week. Suppose they just want their money. They will get it but they are not high up the pecking order. Neither is the Supplier debt of £130.

The Equita and Council Rates bills I rate joint second highest they are not the biggest debts but have threatened door step action. I really want to clear these off ASAP to then tackle the biggest challenge.

Marston Group I sadly have found out has teeth. Big horrible sharp teeth. The debt I have with them is not just High Court Enforcement but also they have done the declaration list of what few goods I have and they also charge interest. I have sadly broken my agreement with them before resulting in me having to pay the whole of my first pay check from my current job to them to keep them at bay and set up a new agreement. They way it works out too is that I pay £21 odds a month JUST towards interest therefore I’m only paying off just under £60 a month towards the debt. This debt makes me feel sick as if they take everything I have it wouldn’t even cover the bailiff fee let alone towards the debt.

Pesto

Just over a month ago I split up with my Boyfriend after 7 years together and I moved out of the flat we had shared for 18 months together into my own place. We sat down a few weeks ago and divided our debts up into what was in our name and what was joint and as adults decided the best way forward. Pretty much the debt was split in half as much as it could be and we both decided to stay friends though it all and keep in close touch in the matters of things with our joint names and be honest to each other if things change or either of us ends up struggling to pay our ‘side’ when in the case of our joint named debts. Think I’m lucky in this way as we both know that we would never screw the other party over as sadly we both ended up sitting with massive debts of former relationships when the other party managed to wriggle free unaffected.
Below is my up to date as of today SOA.
Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance Sheet
INCOME
Monthly Employment Income £735
Monthly Working Tax Credits £230
Monthly Self Employed Earnings £25
TOTAL INCOME £990

MONTHLY EXPENCES
Rent £350
Council Tax £70
Electricity £30
Water Rates £23
Land line & Broad Band £27
Mobile Phone £35
TV Licence £20
Groceries £150
Haircuts £5
Entertainments/Sports £30
TOTAL EXPENCES £740

UNSECURED DEBTS
Description.........................Debt.......Monthly.........APR
Eon Gas £848 £1 0
Eon Electric £1108 £1 0
Marston HC Enforcement £3186 £80 8
Vanquish/1st Credit £467 £10 0
Equita (My balance) £164 £41 0
Council Rates £161 £20 0
Northumbria Water £133 £9 0
Sports Supplier £130 £10 0
TOTAL DEBT £6197 TOTAL PAYMENTS £173

MONTHLY BUDGET SUMMARY
TOTAL INCOME £990
TOTAL EXPENSES £740
TOTAL AVALIBLE FOR REPAYMENTS £250
MONTHLY UNSECURED PAYMENTS £173
AMOUNT LEFT AFTER DEBT REPAYMENTS £77

PERSONAL BALANCE SHEET SUMMARY
TOTAL ASSESTS £0
TOTAL UNSECURED DEBT -£6197
NET ASSETS -£6197


The income I have is from working in a Fast Food outlet. I have put the amount in as my average 30 hours a week as if I don’t get 30 hours I would not get my WTC so on average a month I work 30 hours a week since I started at the beginning of December. I also run a small sports business doing repairs and selling odds and sods. I have a small industrial unit of which all the costs are in with the rent and I also use this unit to store some of my personal belonging as I can’t get it all in my small 1 bed flat. Regardless of the cost of the unit I come out with £25 after my costs and putting what I will have to pay in tax come April to the side.

The expenditure I have tried to get down to as low a figure as I can. Obviously Rent, Rates and TV licence cannot be affected by bartering (though I did try) the others are possibly variable.
The Electric is on a key meter and at this moment in time I am not looking to change supplier as the rate is ok compared to most though I will look in a few weeks time again and possibly look to switch via a cash back site. I sadly have no gas and the water boiler is very old as is the storage heaters so I tend only to use the bath every two weeks and use the shower everyday on a timer. All the washing and tumble drying I do over night as I am charge day and night rates. Sadly with the cold time of year and the flats poor insulation it’s nearly impossible to get clothes dry using an airier. The flat is rated E for energy efficiency though I am looking to possibly see if I could get some sort of grant help or something to improve this. I think all the elements of heating and insulation won’t help this. To keep warm rather than use the heating I have a fan heater I use which I turn on for a bit then switch off once the nip is out the air. I also tend to wear an extra layer too.
The water is metered and in the first month I only used 4 units. However I am still paying an average rate as they said they will rebill me when they take a reading which could take up to 6 months. If I kept that up I would be below the average single person usage by 10-12 units over the year. I’m doing this by only doing the dishes then there is a full load as also the clothes washing and the tumble dryer water and bath water is used a water to flush the loo when its available. I’m also frugal with water when brushing my teeth and other little odds and sods. It all adds up and with me currently have an outstanding balance from before just these little bits could mean more towards the debt out of what I’m paying come the time they do come to read the meter.

I’m now going to go onto my debt. The figures shown there are the minimums I have to pay. I did have another council tax arrears bill but due to having money left over in my last pay check I paid it off. I was right chuffed with myself and it meant that I wasn’t paying the minimum of £16 a month anymore to that. My ex try’s to say it doesn’t matter if you pay it off in one of over time in the end it will get paid. Yeah it will but they can still turn up at the door step and also its money out all the time and I would rather pay something off if I have the money there as then it’s done and sorted. I currently don’t have a bed and I’ve seen one I like on eBay for £140. That money would have got me the bed (Debt total was £174) but I still would have had the debt and still not been able to sleep worrying about it!

The water debt I pay in with the payment I make for my current usage and I feel happy just plugging away at it in this way until I get the meter reading taken again and the re evaluate.

The two Eon bills/bailiffs are happy with the payment I am making to them so I don’t intend to change this arrangement any time soon either.

The 1st Credit one is plodding along but they never stop hassling me. Phone calls every other day and letters every week. Suppose they just want their money. They will get it but they are not high up the pecking order. Neither is the Supplier debt of £130.

The Equita and Council Rates bills I rate joint second highest they are not the biggest debts but have threatened door step action. I really want to clear these off ASAP to then tackle the biggest challenge.

Marston Group I sadly have found out has teeth. Big horrible sharp teeth. The debt I have with them is not just High Court Enforcement but also they have done the declaration list of what few goods I have and they also charge interest. I have sadly broken my agreement with them before resulting in me having to pay the whole of my first pay check from my current job to them to keep them at bay and set up a new agreement. They way it works out too is that I pay £21 odds a month JUST towards interest therefore I’m only paying off just under £60 a month towards the debt. This debt makes me feel sick as if they take everything I have it wouldn’t even cover the bailiff fee let alone towards the debt.

DawnW

I didn't want to just read and run, so good luck with it all - you seem to be organised with it, and at least your ex BF hasn't left you with all the debt.

Just a thought, but as you are now living alone, are you getting the single person's discount on your council tax?

I think your TV licence might be too high - mine comes out at £12 something each month, whereas you have listed £20. Is that due to arrears or something, or have you overestimated (in which case you are a few pounds a month better off than you thought )?

Could you bring your grocery bill down a bit I wonder? £150 seems quite a bit for one person. Have you tried Aldi, Lidl, value ranges etc (though IMHO Aldi and Lidl are better quality than most value ranges)?

Good luck with it all - having a diary on here will motivate you I am sure, and you will learn loads from other posters

Dawn x

Pesto

Hi DawnW


We sat and just went thourgh what was in joint names and split it down the middle as we both felt it was the fairest way.


I've just got it started on my own and the payments are higher for the first 6 months? Then ill go to the smaller payment


The food bill is higher as when I was with my partner I was paying our over £300 a month I do intend to reduce this step at a time though Where I work I get a staff meal after 6 hours on shift so that helps and I keep my eye out in the bargains area of the Supermarket

Pesto

Well, on Friday I was supposed to get a bumper take home pay of £400 so decided to use some of it to pay off a debt. Sadly it didn't come into my account till today :S I rang the Council to pay the rates debt and they informed me that it had been handed over to Equita Baliffs! I rang them up and to my horror they had an Officer out to do a goods listing at my old flat! I rang the officer up and they had already visited and left a note. As the debt is in both mine and my Ex name they had went to the old address even though I had told the Council I had moved. Because of the visit I was charged for it and I was told I had to pay £288.14 to clear the debt and charges or they would seize goods. Bye bye an extra £120 that I should never of had to pay I mean I didn't get a letter or anything to say this was going to happen? Unless its came and my ex didn't tell me? I mean Im sure he would and use it as a means to have a go at me I rang him up to tell what had happened at also to say it was paid and he basically accused me of trying to run away from my debts which is totally not true. Ive paid of a debt and its a step towards being clear of it all but Im just sad and gutted that I had to pay more. That would have all but cleared another one of the little lumps. Now my ex demanding I give him the £164 so that my ties financially are gone and so he knows he has got my share of that debt. I should be happy but Im down

Pesto

Well today Im feeling a bit better I suppose after yesterdays mess. I had to sort out my working tax credits last week and they have given me £4 less due to my hours. However I got a 'sort of' promotion at work! I dont get more money but at least I'll get a few more hours which will help things

Also I forgot mention on my orignal post that because of the break up and the state of my affairs I had to pay my flat up front 6 months my Parents helped with this and have said that I do not need to return this money as long as I use the money I would have spent on rent on getting rid of my debts. The first month I have paid off two debts so far so I am working to do that.

The next debt I want to take on is the £164 to go towards the Equita Council Tax Arrears that my Ex is paying off. This way all the debts I then have are in my name alone and I cant give me grief and worry that I dont need and he shouldnt have either.

Also on the 1st I will have to pay the other debt payments which are £92 in total so Im hoping I get at least 34 hours in this week as last week I only did 28 and a average of 32 a week is what I need.

I technically dont have a Zero Hours contract but there is a clause in it that states I can be sent home if I am surplus to the business needs. This 'sort of' promotion means that there is less chance of that happening at least