My Lightbulb moment - advice?

sexki11en

tallyhoh wrote: »

NO- start your spending diary now- this minute.

Starting it from payday will be a bit like starting a diet next week, you will be inclined to stuff/ spend before the day.

All the best.

Thanks, we will both start tomorrow.

madmoney_2

Hi There, I think its a good thing you were declined the opportunity to consolidate all your debts, its a money making con and you just end up paying more money to those barely legal loan sharks. My advice to u would be to make an appointment with your local cab, its free and they give excellent advice and even draw up a payment plan for you, hope this helps xxx

madmoney_2

Also, Ive just read ur soa and it seems u r doing everything u can, just try to cut down on your grocery bill, and give yourself a monday to friday money challenge - mines 20 quid
xxx

sexki11en

I should probably point out that £3000 of the credit card was leant to OH's dad (before I was with OH) to help the business 'for a couple of weeks' 2 years ago. This has led to us paying interest only for 2 years and increasing the amount he owes us to around £4,800 with no sign of it being paid back despite numerous e mails and phonecalls to him (he lives in the far east) He also owes thousands to most members of the family.

OH is probably owed around £2000 by Lloyds TSB in charges but we are reluctant to claim this back as he has £2500 OD with them and after the way my bank treated me post claim (closed my account and blacklisted me) we are scared they'll demand the overdraft back.

We are also currently selling one of OH's mountain bikes on e bay and hope to get around £600 (if the bidder pays this time!)

I warned you there was a saga lol.

sexki11en

madmoney wrote: »

Also, Ive just read ur soa and it seems u r doing everything u can, just try to cut down on your grocery bill, and give yourself a monday to friday money challenge - mines 20 quid
xxx

I know there is more we can be doing and there is a lot of money unaccounted for but we're making a start.

Thanks for the kind words

madmoney_2

lol that is a saga, its unbelievable how a father can rip off their child with money, but as you say ur doing everything u can to contact him... good luck selling the bike, i hate bidders not paying grrrrr!!!

Teacher2301

Just thanked you for clearing up a few things - Your situation isn't too bad - the debt you have is managable and like another poster said - you're doing what you can. Have you chased the tax man - sometimes if you are employed mid-way through a tax year - you pay emergency tax - hence you might pay too much! Phone your local tax office and check your P60's for the last 6 years!

dancingfairy

Have you shopped around for contents insurance - we got ours yesterday for £123 and this was £18,000 contents, £4000 personal posessions, no accidental damage though and £50 excess, no home emergency help either - if there's a problem we rent through an agency and they'd send a plumber/window boarder-upper etc. We went through Nationwide if that helps.
No gas or electric?
Telewest looks really expensive- can you threaten to leave/negotiate a better deal etc?
Petrol for the car?
Can you get cheaper car insurance?
How long have you got to pay water for your old property for?
Good Luck with it all

xela_17

sexki11en wrote: »

OH is probably owed around £2000 by Lloyds TSB in charges but we are reluctant to claim this back as he has £2500 OD with them and after the way my bank treated me post claim (closed my account and blacklisted me) we are scared they'll demand the overdraft back.

Does this matter? The £2000 of charges would practically pay off the overdraft anyway, leaving a £500 debt instead of a £2500 one. However, if you're worried then have you tried opening another account? e.g. Alliance and Leicester matches your current overdraft and it's interest free for a year.

Your contents insurance looks v expensive at £40. Have you shopped round for better?

As previously mentioned, you still have over £1000 left after everything is paid which you can use towards the debts. I know you said you would put the APRs on here later but in the meantime, have a look at www.whatsthecost.com and put in the details of your ccs and loans (if can overpay loans) to see which one to start overpaying first.

sexki11en

Thanks for the suggestions all.

The house ins is expensive but only a few companies will cover OH's downhill mountain bikes (he has 2 worth around £1000 each)

The Gas and Electric is part of an ongoing problem (Gas particualrly) I have been fighting with BG and Transco for the last 6 months to find out who supplys us. BG say they do but the meter they are billing us for is not the one that turns when we switch things on. Transco tell us that Scottish Power supply us but when we give the meter details to them they say they dont' BG came out on Tuesday tho to sort it (finally) and tell Transco they have the meters listed incorrectly. Hopefully then we can find out who to pay money to!

The electric direct debit was bounced recently and when I called to re set it up, they didn't have the reading from when we moved in (OH is not sure if he did this or not and they tried telling me the bill for the last 2 months would be £221! I am now doing daily readings to adjust this and re set up the DD. I am guessing at around £20 a month (probabaly not that much but would rather over estimate at this point)

Telewest, we are trying to negotiate but we signed to the package for 12 months. Might try telling them I've lost my job see what they can do then.

Petrol for the car is around £160 a month (see my second post) but may come down - OH is speaking to a girl at work who posted for lift share so that should halve.

The car insurance was renewed recently and was the best deal we could find.

Water for the old property only has to run for another 4/5 months I think (not sure, am at work and my figures are at home)

I have started a spending diary today. I have spent a grand total of - Nothing! (and only need to get some lemonade on the way home!)

Thanks so far guys and keep em coming!