Anyone know about Chiltern?

willing2learn_3

I've just got a leaflet through the post advertising Chiltern, a debt management company.

Their website is www.debtfirstaid.co.uk

anyone used them, have any knowledge about them?

thanks!

immoral_angeluk

Stay well clear. They'll recommend 'debt remedies' which cost you an arm and a leg.. and the majority of your payments will go in the companies pockets instead of going to your creditors.. making your debt take even longer to clear. You'd be better off seeking FREE advice and help from one fo the debt charities such as the CCCS or Payplan.

willing2learn_3

Thanks immoral-angeluk!

I am aware that these companies do take some of your money but for me one of the main reasons for keep accumulating debt/bills is because i'm often at saturation point with all the things i have to keep my head around.

I have generated some debt this christmas just because i've been working overtime and have not been able to keep up with all correspondence.....so have got a late charge on things. By this i don't mean that i've been too tired, but rather i simply haven't been at home at all to get my paperwork in order, not even in the evenings.

I know that's probably a problem for a lot of people and i'm not complaining. However i do wonder whether i would end up paying less in the end if i had a company that would consolidate the debts and then help me organise payment. I would stay on top of them at least even though i'd end up paying more. At the end of the day my credit record is more important than how much i'm paying?

I'd appreciate any further thoughts on this.

Just one other thing, whenever i'd contacted any debt advice agencies i always get the same advice which is to write to the creditors and negotiate a payment plan......so there would be no reason for me to call these people again to get the same advice. Keeping on top of it all is the problem for me rather than not knowing what to do.

Thanks for the warning though, i'm not sure i would use them, just thinking out loud about all of this. :-)

tealady

Hi. Let me put it this way. Do you want all the money you can spare going to clear you debts or only a percentage (with some being thrown away with nothing to show for it). If its the former go with the free debt advisers (see the stick at the top), if its the latter go with Chiltern.

In_debt_5

Going to someone like CCCS will allow you to formulate a budget work out how much money you can afford to repay back to your debts and they will help to negotiate you repayments with your creditors. It doesn't necessarily mean you will never have any contact with them as you are still responsible for them but they will help you to get things in order.

You just pay one payment each month and they distribute it between all of your creditors, what it does mean though is that 100% of what you pay to them goes on your debt - no hidden charges.

willing2learn_3

Thanks TeaLady and InDebt

In debt, that's interesting. I haven't heard specifically of cccs, I will look into it. I really want help organising payments and it would help if i only had to make one payment.

Thanks again

stapeley

Surely setting one day aside to sort everything out is well worth it ! If your okay with your bank set up a separate account for your bills etc. Set up standing orders and transfere the money needed once a month from current account . If you have enough each month ( without the late charges ) theres no problem . good luck

tigerfeet2006

Contact details of free debt agencies in my signature. Just click on them to get the web sites.

CCCS are open again Thursday 8am-5pm and Payplan from 10am-2pm. National Debtline are open again on the 2nd Jan.

pania

I used them 3 years ago, from someone who has been there and knows......

"DON'T EVEN GO THERE" please hon, for your benefit. don't do it.

barron_hard_up

stapeley wrote: »

Surely setting one day aside to sort everything out is well worth it ! If your okay with your bank set up a separate account for your bills etc. Set up standing orders and transfere the money needed once a month from current account . If you have enough each month ( without the late charges ) theres no problem . good luck

That is very wise. The time you invest in organising my well pay huge dividends, if nothing else it will give you a lift to know you have done it. Martin has always said in his interviews and articles never to go to a company that advertises on tv, I also totally aggree with that. Your money ends up funding their advertising, wages and other overheads.