We can't pay our credit cards this month. What should I do? Please help.

fatbelly

hetherdrinkstea wrote: »

In regards to the split of debt - husband has £29000 and I have approx £6000.

Could you do a Debt Relief Order?

Fee only £90

Sncjw

In regards to pip I'm sure you can get it quicker as husband has a life limiting condition.

You could cut down on groceries maybe do a step down on products like from branded to non branded stuff

hetherdrinkstea

"A few smaller things no one's mention £95 for electricity a month is A LOT. as well as £600 on groceries"

We pay £93 per month for electricity and gas combined. No debt, we change every year and this was the cheapest deal we could find when we swapped in Feb.

To be honest the £600 on groceries covers 6 people (2 adults, 2 teens and 2 primary age, it also covers, cleaning materials too. So I feel like it is a reasonable amount. We usually buy shop's own brand but not value if that makes sense. I have watched the eat well for less and I already do many of the suggestions on there. It always seems a battle to keep my shopping bill lower than £100 a week and I have £20 for top ups/emergencies. I readily admit that my meal planning has gone AWOL recently.

The £60 a month medical covers glasses, dental and prescriptions. Hubby does get free prescriptions but I don't and I have to pay for dentist too. Hubby also wears glasses which we have to contribute to.

hetherdrinkstea

fatbelly wrote: »

Could you do a Debt Relief Order?

Fee only £90

I understood a DRO was for amounts under 20,000?

hetherdrinkstea

Sharon87 wrote: »

A few smaller things no one's mention £95 for electricity a month is A LOT. as well as £600 on groceries.

Also can you get cheaper mobile tariffs? If you're out of contract shop around, GiffGaff is usually good value as well as the Supermarket sims.

Bankruptcy may be the option for the debt, but you need to cut down your everyday costs too or you'll find yourself in the same situation again. The £60 medical costs - what's this for, I know your husband is ill, but can this be reduced by any means? If you do end up claiming income based benefits then you can get prescriptions for free.

The mobiles are for four phones, two contracts end at the end of this year and will not be renewed. WE are definitely going to shop around for cheaper SIM only deals for the teens.

CapricornLass

Cleaning materials - you may be able to save a bit here? I use a drop or two of washing up liquid on a damp cloth for cleaning the sink and the bath - does the job perfectly well. I also use a 1;1 mix of bicarb of soda and table salt round the kitchen - it has a very very gently scouring action, and does a good job of cutting through grease. My mum's school cook used nothing but bicarb of soda to clean the school ovens (every day after she had used them) and they looked brand new. I've used a mix of washing up liquid, bicarb and some white vinegar and left it on overnight on my oven (I'm afraid I'm not as conciencious as Mum's school cook) and that gives good results too. The Old style moneysaving will have loads more suggestions, but you will be surprised as just how effective some of the old-style cleaners will be - they often cost pennies and most of them will already be sitting in your kitchen cupboard.

fatbelly

hetherdrinkstea wrote: »

I understood a DRO was for amounts under 20,000?

You said you owe £6000

Debtslayer

fatbelly wrote: »

You said you owe £6000

?? According to OP's SOA they owe nearly 42k?

enthusiasticsaver

Why is the fuel £200 if neither of you are working? Is that for school drop offs/hospital trips? Can that be cut back?

fatbelly

hetherdrinkstea wrote: »

In regards to the split of debt - husband has £29000 and I have approx £6000.

Debtslayer wrote: »

?? According to OP's SOA they owe nearly 42k?

Yep, doesn't add up, does it?