After all your support here's my SOA

SarahNeedle1872

I'm sure u could.... just write to them asking what BT deals they do... or if u've got onnline accounts with them, see if u can send them a secure email instead - I do that with Egg all the time

Sarah x

Seaxwyn

Hi Scorpio - definitely write to the credit card companies. This has worked for me - both Abbey and Capital One instantly offered very good low balance transfer rates when I said I was closing my card. I hope it works for you.

Best of luck with selling your house. I hope you soon find a buyer who will appreciate its quirky character.

Prudent

Try the comping board to help cover Christmas / birthdays.

Housekeeping could possibly be reduced. I spend £90 per month for two and we live well. I manage this by shopping early evening. I did my shop last night and bought masses of organic fruit and veg (all reduced to around 10 -30p per item), nice bread from around £1.20 per loaf to 10p, boxes of croissants/ danish pastries/ muffins at 10p, cheese (10 packs for freezer) @20p a pack etc. Then I bought quorn on offer and topped up frozen bread, plus some staples. Look at the OS thread on stardrops and vinegar for cleaning- it saves loads. I came home with a huge trolley full of food and general groceries for £18.

Check out the freebies thread for some extra little luxuries.

I pay £9.99 for broadband with aol. I think there are offer providers offering it for around £10.

RAS

Hi

Have alook at Chevalier's posts for a list of survey and mystery shopping links. Will not help you pay the debts but would give you and the kids some small treats.

oops_a_daisy

Hi there Scorpiolady :hello: glad to see you have come back with your SOA. Just to add to what others have said, I think your buildings & contents insurance seems a bit high ( mine is half that for a 3 bed house ) I know you mentioned that you had a leaky roof so not sure if you have made any claims lately but worth looking into changing your providers of those insurances to make a saving. You do not always have to wait till renewal to change providers - I just had to give a months notice to mine ( check your small print or give them a quick ring ) Have a look on this site at Insurance ( look at the tab at the top of the board ) and when you have done the comparisons check to see if you can go through Quidco which is a cashback site so that you can make extra savings.
All the best and keep posting

In_Search_Of_Me

Good to see you taking the bul by the horns and hope the above helps. If ou do manage to sell you could see it as a fresh start! Good luck & keep posting! Anything you can sell on ebay etc? (appart from the kids!)

RAS

lewisandjake wrote: »

Been paying loans back with IVA for the last 7 years. Can I do anything about getting these written off?.

jake

Can you set up your own thread, then you will get the attention you deserve.

Not least as I am consfused as how you have been on an IVA for 7 years? I thought they lasted 5 years

collywollys

hi love,

i think you should try contacting the benifits dept and claim housing benefit & council tax benefit. Because you own your own property you might not get full help as they go off what they think is a eligible and reasonable weekly/monthly charge.

you should have been asked to apply for them both when you applied for income support, do you get council tax benefit ??

i'm not 100% sure because you own your own property but because you get income support you should get a full reduction in your council tax bill

you might also be able to aply to the for a budgeting loan (depending on how long you have been on benefit) this can help with repaying loans took out to pay for any of the below & its interest free

furniture or household equipment
clothing or footwear
advance rent or removal expenses for a new home
travelling expenses
things to help you look for or start work
improving, maintaining or securing your home

go to the below site and have a look & also contact the benefits office, if you don't ask they definately won't tell you!!!!

in my view this is why the benefit system is in place, to help people like yourself get the help you derserve... its a saftey net, not a trampoline!!!!!!!


GOOD LUCK

www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/index.htm