£23000 debt were to start?

visualkitty

Definitely don't qualify for free meals as I work 36hrs a week. And I need to take food myself being pregnant along with my partner who works 40+ hours on the road. Plus step change have advised 450 is the amount usually for a family of 5 in a basic month which is why I used this as a guide x

visualkitty

Also shoes my son has high instep due to amniotic band syndrome in the womb born with no toes on one foot we really have to go to Clark's for his or they dig in his feet along with the massive size difference x

Life2short

Hi,


I would definitely look at the DMP route. I have it does help but unfortunately I have since got into further debt, my own fault. I see you mentioned Stepchange are they helping? One way I have definitely saved money is by going to Adlis for food shop, try it if yoy haven't. Good luck on your journey x

National_Debtline

Hi visualkitty


If you are able to fill out one of a Statement of Affairs like the one at


http://www.stoozing.com/calculator/soa.php


it will help us understand your position that little bit more clearly.


That said, it's already fairly clear that even with some shopping around/belt-tightening you will struggle to get near servicing these debts. Rather than dwell too much on whether DMP/IVA etc. is best at present, I would focus on taking the following immediate steps:


- Ensure that you are using a bank account not connected to any of your debts (i.e. not Barclays or HSBC). This will give you more control over how your funds are used and how you deal with creditors. More details of "basic" accounts available on the High St:


https://www.nationaldebtline.org/EW/factsheets/Pages/basicbankaccounts/openingabasicbankaccount.aspx


- Write to all of your creditors and ask that they give you a minimum of 30 days' breathing space while you take advice on your next steps. Include a list of your income and outgoings with this if possible. This letter may be helpful:


https://www.nationaldebtline.org/EW/sampleletters/Pages/Hold-action-on-your-account-%28sole-name%29.aspx


Dennis
@natdebtline

dancingfairy

I would do what Dennis suggests, get a new basic ( no credit checks) bank account and get yourself some breathing space.
It's clear that robbing Peter to pay Paul isn't working for you.
When you've got your new bank account up and running you should pay for the essentials first ie food, clothes, gas, elec, etc. What's left can be distributed to your creditors. It's great you've been prioritising your creditors but at some point you have to put yourself and your family first and accept you will pay the debt back but on your terms. The banks and credit card companies might huff and puff and squak but at the end of the day they don't have your best interests at heart, they're not going to care if you're struggling to put food on the table.
Remember at the end of the day it is only money, your health and well-being are far more important.
Df

[Deleted User]

Your energy (gas and electricity) is costing you £1,740 a year. :eek:

Use a comparison site (eg. Uswitch) to look for a better deal.

Also, ensure all appliances are switched OFF (not just on standby), when not in use, and turn off lights in unoccupied rooms.

note3

visualkitty wrote: »

Thank you for replies the food shop includes nappies baby wipes babyfood which I can't cut down we've just stopped buying baby milk. Clothes also include 2 children needing bigger regular it stated emergency clothes which I usually buy second hand except school as they require their uniform at 9.50 for one jumper alone. I already buy all smart price minus the things we know we hate and go without when we don't have it x

Hi, I also buy nappies and have three children under 7. Our food shop is £300 max a month. That includes nappies, wipes, groceries and so on. Our two in school get free school meals as they're in key stage 1 but even if I had to pay for eldest it would cost less than £50 a mth for her dinners. You should be able to trim your bill more by revising shop/brands/planning. If you can manage it also helps to have a couple of go to places so for instance I use aldi for majority of shop but also go to savers once a mth to get deodorant and toothpaste as it's sells the brands we use but for cheaper than main places.

note3

visualkitty wrote: »

Also shoes my son has high instep due to amniotic band syndrome in the womb born with no toes on one foot we really have to go to Clark's for his or they dig in his feet along with the massive size difference x

Clarks have outlet stores...you may have one not far from you? I bought from their website a few yrs back and remember they allowed cashback from quick. ..worth checking if they still do as you can order and collect in store and get cashback

visualkitty

I've opened a basic account with Halifax over the Easter so just waiting on that to come through then changing all DD bills wise and income to that account. I've managed to get a 12m repayment plan of £1 with marbles card and Barclay card have also agreed to freeze my account for 30 days. I am waiting for a dmp pack to come through with step change along with a call from pay plan for comparison. I do think I could chop of the food bill but then baby no 5 due in 3 months so more baby things (second hand) I've been thinking whether it be best to deal with debt recovery or creditors which are likely to freeze interest? Either way I plan on paying back everything I just need to do it affordable to my children .X

visualkitty

Sorry electric is on average 15/20 a week and has been a while and gas is DD and currently set right (meter reading) we have however come to the end of our contract March 2016 fix and fall with British gas and currently in the process of changing to utilia with smart meters so Fx can save something there x