Debt budget

Bel61

I have applied for help with a debt adviser but when I try to make a budget I cannot provide proof of some of my outgoings eg my utilities as they were pay as you go and my lodgings were payed in cash 

ManyWays

Which adviser are you talking to, most would be familiar with this situation and accept that reasonable amounts are being paid in cash.

EssexHebridean

So for the pay as you go utilities, go back to your bank statements and check through for the transactions that were you topping up your meters. It's good practice to do this when putting together your SOA (Statement of Affairs) anyway as it means you don't miss anything. You really need 12 months bank and card statements, as this catches the "big annual" spends as well as the regular monthly outgoings. 

Similarly, with your accommodation costs, you should be able to trace the cash withdrawals that would relate to these, although I imagine you know how much you were paying in any event?

Just to double check - the debt advisor you have approached is through the free debt charities, or via Citizens Advice? You aren't going to a company that will charge you fees on your debt solution regardless of what that solution may be? 

Grumpelstiltskin

Bel61 said:

I have applied for help with a debt adviser but when I try to make a budget I cannot provide proof of some of my outgoings eg my utilities as they were pay as you go and my lodgings were payed in cash 

OK Who exactly are you speaking to?

Bel61

Thank you  all for the replys I was told to change  my bank account  so I do not have more than 3 months  of statements and I have no receipts for my cash outgoings I have records of taking money from cash back at pay point and also I didn't thinki would need receipts for things like fuel for for my car etc

ManyWays

You can get bank statements from closed accounts going back 6 years.

Please tell us who you are talking to, because they don't sound very helpful and somewhere else may be better.

sourcrates

OP, who are you taking advice from?

Please answer the questions put to you, its only so we can provide the best advice for you.

RAS

@Bel61

It's unlikely debt charities are going to ask you for evidence of your actual costs, unless you are applying for a DRO. Who are you talking to?

EssexHebridean

OP - please stop talking to the person you are currently until we have established whether they are legitimate - you would be far from the first to have been scammed by the low-life crooks who prey on people in a vulnerable position. The next step up from this is nearly as bad IMO - legitimate “advisors” who will charge you a fee for that advice - you do not need to pay for debt advice. To reassure you, anyone legitimate will want to work at your pace anyway, so if you say “I need to take a step back from this right now - I will get back to you when I am ready to proceed” they should accept that.