Please help with debt

1260pete

After years of being in and out of crap jobs and being on and off benefit I finally got myself a decent job this year but it's looking like I could lose it all now... I got behind with council tax etc and they have all started putting attachment of earnings on me...i have just paid nearly 1000 in two lumps for fines and now council tax have out 2 attachments on as well so I'll be paying around £500 out of my on average 1400 wages and it's just not possible as I live alone and my current outgoings are around £1450

1260pete

I genuinely don't know what to do and can't see a way out. I have absolutely nothing to sell and no money to live and won't have for years I was genuinely better off out of work... I asked about an iva but was told a DRO might be better

1260pete

And I can't afford to pay to go bankrupt either

Tempus01

Hey Pete!


Why don't you do a SOA (statement of affairs) so people on here can suggets areas you can save.


I have just joined and have already saved myself some money. I always thought my outgoings were my outgoings and that was it but really scrutinising things means I've managed to cut some bills down.


Have you spoke to your council to explian your situation?

sourcrates

Hi Pete,

We need some details here, so we can advise on best course of action.

Do the SOA :

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

Then we can get started, dont worry, there is always a solution, get cracking eh !!

If a DRO is suitable, you can include council tax arrears in it, so sooner we get moving, the better.

fatbelly

Are the 'fines' magistrate court fines? Are they still taking money by attachment?

CheshireCat15

Hi

Thanks for replying I've completed an SOA and have attached everything here
Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance Sheet

Household Information
Number of adults in household........... 1
Number of children in household......... 2
Number of cars owned.................... 1

Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 1400
Partners monthly income after tax....... 0
Benefits................................ 0
Other income............................ 0
Total monthly income.................... 1400

Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 0
Secured/HP loan repayments.............. 0
Rent.................................... 575
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Council tax............................. 123
Electricity............................. 50
Gas..................................... 40
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 45
Telephone (land line)................... 25
Mobile phone............................ 17
TV Licence.............................. 14
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 0
Internet Services....................... 10
Groceries etc. ......................... 200
Clothing................................ 50
Petrol/diesel........................... 70
Road tax................................ 27
Car Insurance........................... 22
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 25
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 0
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 100
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 0
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 0
Buildings insurance..................... 0
Contents insurance...................... 0
Life assurance ......................... 0
Other insurance......................... 0
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 0
Haircuts................................ 0
Entertainment........................... 0
Holiday................................. 0
Emergency fund.......................... 0
Attachment Earning Order................ 0
Total monthly expenses.................. 1393


Assets
Cash.................................... 0
House value (Gross)..................... 0
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 500
Other assets............................ 0
Total Assets............................ 500

No Secured nor Hire Purchase Debts

Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
Credit Card....................300.......10........0
Paypal.........................2200......0.........0
Water..........................1000......0.........0
Housing Benefit................900.......100.......0
Council Tax....................5500......0.........0
Total unsecured debts..........9900......110.......-


Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 1,400
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 1,393
Available for debt repayments........... 7
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 110
Amount short for making debt repayments. -103

Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 500
Total HP & Secured debt................. -0
Total Unsecured debt.................... -9,900
Net Assets.............................. -9,400[/b

I need to remedy this and quickly. I have recently had a court order passed for an Attachment of Earnings for the Council Tax and after speaking with the Council Office they have relented that they will only take one charge at a time. A completed Income and Expenditure form has been completed and sent to them so the can see my situation but doesn't seem to make much difference. Due to the levies being set by the court service they seem immovable. They were using the current table of 17% deduction and then a further 12% and that this would put me into a desperate financial situation whereby I would lose the house I currently rent.

I have calculated using my basic salary before any overtime, but net of tax. The overtime of course is not guaranteed. This month I stand to take home £800 after all deductions. As you can see this leaves me nowhere near enough to cover bills.

Any advice would be most appreciated.

Thanks

Pete

z1a

Why change of U/N?

Deep_In_Debt

Hi and welcome

Do you not receive child related benefits?

Have you shopped around for better deals on gas and electricity?

What are the child related expenses?

enthusiasticsaver

Do you not get any benefits? Child benefit or tax credits? The council tax is high. Are there arrears in there? You can pay it over 12 months rather than 10 and as you are the only adult you should get a discount.

theoretica

I suspect whoever suggested a DRO may well be right.