Anybody got any advice please for a single mum?

chevalier

your welcome night!
chev

beanielou

Keep in there sammy18 & take care

postingalwaysposting

umm i dont know how this thread has gone down hill :rolleyes: if you read sammys first thread on here you can see she is just a single parent on benefits selling on ebay. http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=501918

sammy i would second chev (very good advice there) you can definatly over pay most of your debts and thus be debt free in no time... good luck hun

Toto

BH lets not have yet another thread turn into a slanging match... please?

Sammy, please don't let some of the posts here put you off, there is loads of help here, we'll help you every step of the way. I don't think you'll get another credit card, but that isn't a bad thing.

Once we have a full SOA, where we can see exactly how much is going out each month we can advise on where you should go next.

Snaggles

Yes, come on guys, too many people have been scared off recent - lets give the benefit of the doubt and do what we do best, try and help someone who has a problem.

Sammy, welcome to DFW, please keep posting and we will try and help.

postingalwaysposting

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/announcement.html?f=76

MSE_Martin wrote:

Pls remember Debt-Free Wannabee's for support and help not judgement

Dear MoneySavers....

Debt Free Wannabee is one of my favourite boards on this site. It's also one which runs a delicate balance. Many people who have serious debts have hidden them for a time, been scared to confront them, suffered depression or have even had suicidal thoughts because of them.

While elsewhere on the site robust discussion is welcomed, in Debt Free Wannabee may I just caution MoneySavers to err on the side of kindness. Of course many are in debt due to over-spending, financial illiteracy, or mismanagement of money (and some through no fault, only due to circumstance). Yet the fact they are here means they're looking for help, guidance and to take charge of their finances - and that in itself is admirable

Please use your knowledge and kindness to help rather than to berate. This board often has the power to move me to tears with the sheer power of the community that's grown and I hope it will continue.

If you feel it’s important to point something out that the poster may find negative but needs to understand, then it's not a problem, but do think carefully about your phrasing - people can be very sensitive and nuances may mislead when it’s in an online Forum.>>

I love this forum. Many have been and seen through their debts. Yet as it gets larger it's easy for the 'anonymity' of posting to mean as well as protecting users, it's easy to 'post and leave'. I hope this note may act as a wee reminder what it's all about.

Martin

*zippy*

Sammy i'm not good at the financial advice, but just wanted to add my support as you seem to be getting a hard time for no reason.

Posters are always advised to try ebaying so well done :T

dreamer999

Hi Sammy18

Welcome to DFW. Sorry some of the OP's have been giving you a hard time. Please continue to post and don't be put off by this. I think the problem is you are getting more money on benefits than some people who are employed. This is how the benefits system works and is not your fault as you are only claiming what is due to you but I suppose it must have upset/annoyed a few people which is understandable but again is not your fault.

It is my understanding that as long as you are not buying to sell or making things to sell on Ebay (i.e just getting rid of unwanted items in your home) you don't have to inform IR and Benefits agency. Obviously in time you will run out of things to sell and therefore your income from this will drop.

Good luck on your DFW journey and take care.

magentadreamer

The likelyhood of you getting another 0% card are slim so you'll have to work with what you've got unfortunately. The apr's on the card aren't bad - I've seen alot lot worse but I'd give the card providers a ring and ask if they can lower it -tell them you're thinking of transferring a balance to another card etc and it might just get you a cut in the apr.

Do you not get full council tax benefit? You said your council tax benefit was £56 but you paid £80 -does this include the arrears?

According to my adding up you pay £179 on debt repayments but on paper appear to have £731 ( after paying household expenses etc) plus Ebay money what you need to do is work out where thats going keep a spending diary -I was amazed at the amount of money I spent on rubbish really. Once you've done that you can work out a proper budget including everything like Xmas, Birthdays etc, (you could trim the food budget down a fair bit as well and no I'm not suggesting you feed the kids rubbish -try looking on the old style board on here for tips) then you'll know how much you've got spare to pay the debts. Try looking at the snowball caluclator to see how quickly you can pay things off as well - www.whatsthecost.com

You can do this and you'll get loads of help/support from the people on here!

[Deleted User]

sammy18 wrote: »

Monthly Outgoings:



Gas - £40
Electric - £40
TV License - £12
Cable- £10
Phone - £18
Food - £300
Water -£30
Broadband internet - £10
T-Mobile contract phone - £15
Direct Debit (child fund for second son) £5
Rent arreas £68.40
Council tax arreas £11.60

Total : £400 - I make this £560