forced pre-payment meter ban

EssexHebridean

Anecdotally at least, but based on what we see here, I would suggest that one of the most common reasons for people getting into debt in the first place these days is due in some part at least to lifestyle choices. It's not helped by the normalisation of using credit, being in overdrafts and now Buy Now Pay later deals, either. A lack of budgeting skills too - budgeting is something which is often seen as a completely routine part of life by those who do it, but a total dark art to those who not only don't, but also haven't ever been given the knowledge to know that they should, and how to do it. 

MattMattMattUK

EssexHebridean said:

Anecdotally at least, but based on what we see here, I would suggest that one of the most common reasons for people getting into debt in the first place these days is due in some part at least to lifestyle choices. It's not helped by the normalisation of using credit, being in overdrafts and now Buy Now Pay later deals, either. A lack of budgeting skills too - budgeting is something which is often seen as a completely routine part of life by those who do it, but a total dark art to those who not only don't, but also haven't ever been given the knowledge to know that they should, and how to do it. 

I largely agree, however at this time I think it is wrong to say that the knowledge has not been given. Nearly all knowledge is available online for free, there are many sites, this one, the BBC and others which talk people through budgeting step by step in levels from very simple to full financial management. Knowledge is there to be learned, absorbed, sought out, expanded upon etc. and it is down to the individual to choose to do that, or to carry on in ignorance*.

*not meant in a derogatory way, but in the actual meaning of the word.

ignorance   -   /ˈɪɡn(ə)rəns/   -   noun

lack of knowledge or information.

"he acted in ignorance of basic procedures"

EssexHebridean

MattMattMattUK said:

EssexHebridean said:

Anecdotally at least, but based on what we see here, I would suggest that one of the most common reasons for people getting into debt in the first place these days is due in some part at least to lifestyle choices. It's not helped by the normalisation of using credit, being in overdrafts and now Buy Now Pay later deals, either. A lack of budgeting skills too - budgeting is something which is often seen as a completely routine part of life by those who do it, but a total dark art to those who not only don't, but also haven't ever been given the knowledge to know that they should, and how to do it. 

I largely agree, however at this time I think it is wrong to say that the knowledge has not been given. Nearly all knowledge is available online for free, there are many sites, this one, the BBC and others which talk people through budgeting step by step in levels from very simple to full financial management. Knowledge is there to be learned, absorbed, sought out, expanded upon etc. and it is down to the individual to choose to do that, or to carry on in ignorance*.

*not meant in a derogatory way, but in the actual meaning of the word.

ignorance   -   /ˈɪɡn(ə)rəns/   -   noun

lack of knowledge or information.

"he acted in ignorance of basic procedures"

Yes - but that last bit is key - if nobody has ever taught you that you need to budget, you don't know that you need to seek out that information. (It's also not something that is necessarily easy for people to grasp in an online format, particularly if they are people who have always felt themselves to be "bad with numbers") 

SwanJon

As Mobtr mentioned an energy fund in passing it's worth mentioning them directly.
Not been in the energy industry for a while, but when I was they would only help clear past debt if you had a plan for ongoing consumption (so maybe a prepayment meter, or a realistic budget).
The more people know these tings exist, the more useful they are.

https://charisgrants.com/individuals/
https://britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/

Mobtr

SwanJon said:

As Mobtr mentioned an energy fund in passing it's worth mentioning them directly.
Not been in the energy industry for a while, but when I was they would only help clear past debt if you had a plan for ongoing consumption (so maybe a prepayment meter, or a realistic budget).
The more people know these tings exist, the more useful they are.

https://charisgrants.com/individuals/
https://britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/

The energy funds tend to help those who help themselves so if there’s a repayment plan in place they are more likely to get help. The idea is the arrears are cleared helping the person to just start paying for ongoing usage. Anyone who hasn’t paid anything doesn’t get the help as they’re not going to clear a balance only for it to be accrued again 

diystarter7

Hi

This thread is going OT and now talking about why some people can't pay.
I'll add to what is said here and in my judgement, some people

Are in the vulnerable groups that lack the skills to manage money ad prioritise essential needs first.

Some people lose their capacity to manage life/bills and get ito debt

Some people that were managing, working, had savings go through a medical trauma, personal,
family woes annd get into trouble

Some have lived hand to mouth most of their lives and get into trouble as soon as something goes wrong

Then you got those that may be working or not, living hand to mouth and could not care less
about their repsisolbites and cry when they get into debt and blame everyone else but themselves. /This group is
in a small miniorty.

My conclusion, the country is too soft for those that can shout the loudest and too harsh many times those that are in genuine need of help but can't speak up against the systems

Thnaks