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Struggling with debt? Ask a stepchange debt adviser a question
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Hi
Thanks for your message.
You can add this area into sports/hobbies and entertainment. There is a section for school activities, but this is more for activities done specifically within school time, like day trips.
We use averages based on your household, the same that the creditors do. Creditors may question high areas of spending, but the budget does need to be accurate, if there are costs that can’t realistically be reduced, they still need to be added so the advice is accurate, and the solution will have the greatest chance of success in helping you become debt free.
Thanks
RachaelHi, I have been looking at the SC website as I have such a lot of debt and am getting into more debt on a monthly basis just to pay my outgoings.
I have completed the Income/ expenditure form but am not sure where to allocate for my childrens extra curricular activities. They amount to.around £70 per month which sounds alot when I say it out loud but divided by 2 kids doing separate things its just how it is. Where would I record this on the form and is this allowed on a DMP?
Many thanks.0 -
Tryingtogetstraight wrote: »Really struggling here. Last year I had no money for food for a couple of weeks as my car cost so much money to get through MOT. I am on a DMP. Have not had a carpet in my bedroom for 3 years, a fridge that leaks water and a fence that blew down in the winds. I have some money coming to me and, although I am struggling through, my car needs more money spending on it, well over 1k, maybe up to 2k (it’s very old). Am I not allowed to spend some of the money on a car, given that the car I have is already ready for the scrap yard. This has caused so much depression that I am now off sick. I do need a car.
Hi there
Thanks for posting.
I'm sorry to hear that you're struggling. When we go through budgets with clients, we always aim to make sure that they can cover all bills and essential living costs before paying creditors.
I can appreciate that you need a car, and that's fine. Without knowing all the ins and outs, spending £1k-£2k on a car that you describe as ready for the scrap yard, may not be the best idea? Perhaps purchasing a more reliable vehicle with that could be better?
If you need to get a new car, then that's what you need to do. If you're on a DMP with us, please give our Client Support team a call and discuss your situation. They can review your budget with you to make sure that it's sustainable for you. If you're with a different company, then please get in touch with them.
Best wishes
AllenI work as a debt advisor for StepChange Debt Charity and have specific permission from Martin to post on these boards to try and help those in debt. Read more information on StepChange Debt Charity in the Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help article. If you find you're struggling with debt and you need further help try our online advice facility Debt Remedy.
Don't be afraid of getting debt advice. We'll help you take one more step towards getting help with your debt.0 -
When your debt is transferred from the lender to {the people who chase the debts}, will {the people who chase the debts} normally accept whatever I can give them? Can I offer them bit by bit? Do they aim to recover all the debt or do they buy it at a price and just aim to recoup whatever they can get? Do they take you to court? I'm lost.
Hi Emilie
Thanks for posting.
Creditors will usually consider reasonable offers of payment based on your financial situation, so doing a budget to see and show what you can afford, is helpful.
If they agree a payment plan with you, it's unlikely they'll take you to court. However, once those original credit agreements are broken, we can't guarantee that they won't do this as they're allowed to if they wish.
Creditors will always be looking to recoup the full debt if possible, even if sold on.
If you'd like some free help and advice with your debts, you can register with us on the phone or online. Details of how to get started can be found here: www.stepchange.org/contact-us
I hope this is helpful.
AllenI work as a debt advisor for StepChange Debt Charity and have specific permission from Martin to post on these boards to try and help those in debt. Read more information on StepChange Debt Charity in the Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help article. If you find you're struggling with debt and you need further help try our online advice facility Debt Remedy.
Don't be afraid of getting debt advice. We'll help you take one more step towards getting help with your debt.0 -
3 days now waiting on a call back/email from yourselves with regards to my DMP.
Extremely disappointed.0 -
Fusterclucker wrote: »3 days now waiting on a call back/email from yourselves with regards to my DMP.
Extremely disappointed.
Hi there
I can appreciate that it's frustrating waiting for contact. As my colleague Rachael said above, we're incredibly busy at the moment due to increased demand and the time of year. As always, we help as many clients as fast as we can. We always suggest that if the situation is urgent, that clients call us. There may be a queue at times, but other than at peak hours, this isn't usually too long.
You're welcome to make a complaint as Rachael advised, but in terms of your query, please either await the call back or give us another call.
Best wishes
AllenI work as a debt advisor for StepChange Debt Charity and have specific permission from Martin to post on these boards to try and help those in debt. Read more information on StepChange Debt Charity in the Debt Problems: What to do and where to get help article. If you find you're struggling with debt and you need further help try our online advice facility Debt Remedy.
Don't be afraid of getting debt advice. We'll help you take one more step towards getting help with your debt.0 -
The last two times i have called it has said you are too busy and to call back later.
one of the questions i have was extremely time sensitive. That has now passed, which will likely result in some money (against my instruction) going to the wrong place.
Brilliant0 -
My granddaughter is a single parent with a 3 year old, she works 24 hours at the local hospital. She has just told me she owes approx £1000 on two credit cards and a catalogue and is only able to make the minimum payments which means the balances are not reducing. She is unwilling to ask for advice because she says if she does anything to reduce the payments it will affect her credit rating.
Should she pay minimum payments on 2 of the debts and pay any extra off the smallest one first.
Or should she look at the interest rates and pay minimum payments on the lowest rates and extra off the one with the highest rate.0 -
Fusterclucker wrote: »The last two times i have called it has said you are too busy and to call back later.
one of the questions i have was extremely time sensitive. That has now passed, which will likely result in some money (against my instruction) going to the wrong place.
Brilliant
Why not pose your questions on the forum, we can help with most things.
January is always a busy time for the debt charities, as the cost of Christmas hits, in come the credit card bills, and that`s when folk realise they need help.I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the Debt free wannabe, Credit file and ratings, and Bankruptcy and living with it boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com. All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.For free non-judgemental debt advice, contact either Stepchange, National Debtline, or CitizensAdviceBureaux.Link to SOA Calculator- https://www.stoozing.com/soa.php The "provit letter" is here-https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2607247/letter-when-you-know-nothing-about-about-the-debt-aka-prove-it-letter0 -
Hi there. My husband and I are in the process of applying for a DAS in Scotland. We have went through all the figures and the potential saving for us is just phenomenal. And the best part is it pays off our creditors in 6 years instead of open ended/a lifetime on credit card minimum payments. As usual with me though, there is a problem. Because of all the debts and the worries over it. Coupled with me struggling to find work until 3 months ago, I got myself into a vicious cycle of gambling!! Sports betting mainly. Trying to earn some extra money to pay debts!! The result is that the 3 months bank statements ive sent show a lot of debit card payments to online bookies. I have not gambled in nearly a week now and I have absolutely no intention or interest in doing it again. My question is, is it likely to hamper any chance we have of getting accepted for this DAS? I am so so worried as the thought of my stupidity ruining this chance to finally see light at the end of the tunnel and start to live again, is just making me sick with worry. Can you help with any advice please?
Thank you0 -
Hi, hoping for some help please!
Between my wife and I we have nearly £40k across 4 credit cards, overdrafts and a loan. This has largely been caused by my wife having to take a significant pay cut to study, whilst outgoings increased meaning on average there was a difference of almost £1100/month due to lower income and greater childcare costs.
We have equity in our house, and the longer term goal is emigration to Aus or NZ in the next couple of years, so in theory we could clear this and have enough left if we sold up, but the emigration process would cost a significant sums in total and we're struggling with outgoings.
Two cards have a few months zero% left, whilst the others are not on any deals as such - but those total about £20k. The overdrafts are around £2k each. I'm less worried about the loan in a way, as whilst it has about 4 yrs left, it's 3.5% - looking to consolidate some debts earlier today, we were being quoted rates around 16% or more.
Our fixed rate mortgage which I think was about 60-65% loan to value ends its fixed term at end July. we've previously consolidated credit cards used to finance home improvements so we've been warned it is unlikely to be agreed again.
Not sure how to proceed other than scrutinising every outgoing penny right now and I feel we're stuck in a rut we can't escape from....
Any advice would be appreciated, thanks in advance.0
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