Soa

Ellieseleven

sile001 wrote: »

Hi everyone. I've just contacted Stepchange. Will be phoning them again later for full rundown. Now to face the bank. Wish me luck

Hello Sile,


Didn't want to read and run and just wanted to reiterate what everyone else has said. I remember being in a very dark place and thought there was no way out when I found myself in almost 46k of debt. I contacted Stepchange and have used this forum ever since.


Your life is worth so much and you have taken the first positive steps by contacting SC and posting here. We are always here, whether it is to moan or vent or to share your successes however small they may be.


Keep posting and I'm sure you will feel better for sharing;)



Good Luck
Ellie xx

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

sile001 wrote: »

Morning.

I'm not in a good place at all just now. I'm in receipt of £210 pw State Pension/Pension Credit along with £109 pm lifetime annuity.

Without an exhaustive SOA, my major debts are as follows:

Mortgage ... £17,000
Halifax CC ... £3000
Barclays CC ... £3000
Debenhams ... £300
Halifax OD ... £1000

Outgoings (pm)

Council Tax nil (I'm exempt)
Water: ... £12
TV Licence ... £12
Electricity/gas dual fuel econ 7 for electricity (Eon) £81
BT Landline/Internet ... £42
Sky (I know) £28
Mobile phone O2 (locked in contract till Sept 2016) £50
Misc insurances: £40
Food £80 (I buy and freeze)
Choir sessions £16
Halifax CC £55
Barclays CC £100
Debenhams £37

This is very rough. My main problems are interest accruing etc, and I've just for first time had some DDs refused.

I've been liasing with my bank (Halifax) and am going in again today. I have to say they've been helpful, but I'm feeling like ending it, as I have no one to turn to and my family is indifferent. The only time I hear from them is if they want something. My daughter hasn't called in weeks.

Sorry for the long post but I needed to unload. I'm so ashamed and sad.

Hi Sheila

I'm really sorry you're struggling at the moment. Hope you don't mind me stopping by but thought I might be able to offer a bit of advice to help with your energy bills. Totally understand, this is probably only a very small part of the overall situation but hope it gives a little assistance.

Does the £81 include extra payments to cover an outstanding balance? If it does, talk to us about the possibility of spreading this balance over a longer period. This will lower the monthly payments a little. If there is debt on the account, help might be available through the E.ON Energy Fund too.

Do you pay with a Monthly Direct Debit? There are lower daily standing charges for paying this way. They're worth about £35 per fuel per year so, as a dual fuel customer, will save around £70 each year. There's a further saving of £10 per year if you register with our website for paperless billing.

You mention an Economy 7 meter. Are you on an Economy 7 tariff? To benefit from Economy 7, you need to use a significant amount of electricity during the cheaper off peak times (the actual amount depends on the region and prices). They're usually, but not always, cost effective in all electric properties with storage heaters. As you've gas, I wonder whether you're on the best tariff? Don't worry if you're on an Economy 7 tariff but aren't using enough electricity at night. You can move to a single rate tariff straightaway. No need to change the meter. We just add the day and night usage together and charge at a single rate. If you've registered with our website, you can do the switch online now.

Pop your annual usage in kWh on to the independent comparison sites. These will list all the tariffs available both with us and with the other suppliers. Savings might be able to be made here.

A great way to save money is by saving energy and we're happy to help with this. There are some great tips on our website. I know you've more pressing matters at the moment but, when you've a minute, have a look at the 'Saving Energy' pages and the 'Saving Energy Toolkit.' Might help.

Have you heard about the Energy Company Obligation (ECO)? It's a Government led scheme that aims to cut usage by providing help with energy saving stuff like loft and cavity wall insulation. There's more on our website.

Are you eligible for Warm Home Discount? It's worth £140 this year and we're taking applications now. Again, there's more on our website including an application form.

Before I go, thought I'd mention our Rewards scheme. This lets you earn up to 1500 points each year that can be exchanged for either Tesco Clubcard points or High Street Shopping Vouchers. It's a free scheme but you'll need to opt in to receive the points. This can be done online too. I know this is pretty small stuff compared to what you're going through but might be worth considering when you've a spare moment.

Sorry to go on Sheila but want to make sure we're doing everything we can to help with the energy side of things. As above, there's a lot on our website to help but, if you prefer to talk to us, we've a specialist team who deal with customers in your type of situation. They're the Caring Energy team. Have to chat to them. Alternatively, Helena and I are on MSE to help. We can usually be found lurking around the Energy Forum. Just let us know if you need us.

Hope this helps a little and good luck for the future. I'm sure something can be sorted out.

Malc

Karen777

hi there - welcome to a very friendly and supportive family of people struggling with and managing debts. many people here have felt very dark and scared about debts at some point and there is always something that can be done. No one can take what you don't have and there is a wealth of experience and support. it is not a crime to be in debt and one of the worst aspects of it is that it can make you feel isolated - this forum combats that if you make yourself part of it.

stick around and just take one step at a time. best of luck and again - welcome.

breaking_free

Hi there champ, hope you're feeling a little more buoyed up today.

I'll let the other posters hand out the warm fuzzy sentiments as I'm hopeless at that. However, I am rather good with practical advice methinks.

I looked at your BT and Mobile phone bills so that's what I'm going to tackle.

Recently BT hiked their prices:mad: I called them up in a huff as I had an 18 month contract with them and 16 months left to run (read 16 months of higher bills). After a polite howl and gentle gnashing of teeth I got passed over to the retentions department (I think) and the lovely chap offered me a cheaper deal than the one I was on PLUS it is for 12 months rather than 18. Being locked into BT for a shorter duration means that when my contract expires I'll be able to switch sooner rather than later if a competitor has a better deal.

Definitely give BT a call and just ask them "Please do you have any cheaper deals as I'm having money troubles right now". You will most likely be pleasantly surprised at what they can offer you (I'm paying something like £27 for Internet and free weekend calls).

You said you're locked into a £50 a month mobile phone contract till September next year - ouch! I was also locked into a 2 year contract that had something like 14 months left to run. I called my provider and sobbed down the phone that I needed them to cancel my contract please, please, please. At first they said "Nope, it's a contract", but then I asked to speak to a manager. After much sobbing and haggling on my part they cancelled the contract but charged me 3 months as a get out of contract penalty - fair enough. In your case this would equate to £150, but if you can get yourself a cheap phone and a pay as you go SIM with a company like GiffGaff or 3 Network you'll more than make that money back in savings over a few months.

The thing to do when you call is be very polite but also very honest about your financial circumstances. The customer service staff DO want to help and they will if they can. Often you'll have to ask for a manager as these people have more power to give discounts or cancel contracts.

Best of luck (HUG)

PS Just had a thought. If you text a lot consider downloading WhatsApp on your phone. You can send texts for free as it uses your Internet allowance rather than charging you. If you've already got Unlimited Internet you'll pay nothing.

Perspective52

Stepchange. Works wonders. Believe me. Choir (stick with it!!)
There is help out there. These forums really, really help.
You are never on your own. x
Oh and if you like Debenhams, never buy anything full price. They always have money off and online discount vouchers. BUT, Do you need it? Remember that.

suebgriseum

Hi,

I do not often post.

Please remember that you are definitely not alone.

Talk to stepchange or similar, perhaps consider opening another bank account and have your payments put into that to prevent your current bank taking any out.

Stepchange will really help and help you to 'distance' yourself from teh money, they will help deal with the details and once they talk to you you will feel a massive weight lifted.

Enjoy the choir is there anyone there you can have a chat to a , problem shared is really helpful.

Most people in debt feel ashamed, I still do to an extent , but i know that I have admitted it and i am dealing with it in a controlled manner, not jumping to the beat of the 'nasty' letters or phone calls.

You can request to your lenders all correspondence is in writing (they have to do this), this is so much easier, sit down have a cup of tea and think I am dealing with this, with the help of hundreds of 'friends', we all have feelings and love to give.

I wish you well and enjoy the forum.

whiteguineapig

i'm no expert but could you look at changing you'r broadband?
i pay £27 a month to talk talk and get excellent service for landline and broadband
if you can possibly bear to give up sky it would be good too, maybe think about giving up and then re joining when times are better?
i also wondered about your mortgage? i have never rented but surely it might be worth thinking about?

sile001

Thanks for the support and sorry for meltdown. Am still trawling thru ins and outs. My main CC is borked and the DDs will rack up but I see a glimmer of hope with Stepchange's help. When I feel able, I'll post further

sile001

Just been talking to Stepchange. We've worked out a plan by which I'll be debt free in 3,5 years all being well. I don't like having got in this situation, but I feel heaps better

crazy_cat_lady

That's excellent news - I felt a lot better taking charge and sorting out my finances with Stepchange. I'm pleased to read this, and happy that you're feeling better.