I have not paid my credit cards since November

rainbowbrite_2

I have been around the forum for a while but never posted.
I thought I was starting to do okay.I have changed my spending habits and havent used my credit cards for about 6 months but I have not been able to pay them for 3 months.
I had some debt but not much then I stopped work to have a baby and didnt go back to work.I have been using my credit cards for some bills,mainly my big gas and electric bills,for food shopping now and then for all clothes,birthday and christmas purchases too.Over the 5 years since I last had an income it has built up slowly to a point where I now have been late paying a few times and have a bad credit rating and high interest rates on my cards(they were good low rates when I got them).I missed decembers payments because I wanted to use my money on Christmas and I have not been able to pay them since then.

MrsTinks

Can you post us a complete SOA so we can have a look at where you're at?
For a guide to follow try this. Make sure you don't leave anything out and get as many of the APRs etc as you can on there

RainbowChild_2

You're in the right place...why don't you make a SOA while you wait for some advice from those in the know. List all your monthly income and outgoings incl debts, apr etc

Good Luck x

rainbowbrite_2

Aw???I just added my financial mess details and the computer had logged me out of MSE so I will do it all again but not tonight.

MrsTinks

When you log in tick the lickle box to recognise you on MSE - that way it'll auto log you in and that shouldn't happen

ms_london

The longer you ignore them, the worse it will get - your creditors are more likely to help you if you are up front with them. I am only speaking from experience, but you really need to know where you stand and then speak to each of your creditors to see the damage.

Will keep an eye out for your SOA and post back xx

rainbowbrite_2

I contacted all my creditors last year about the end of September using templates I found on this site.I told them I no longer had an income from employment and only had child benefit and maintenance coming in.I told them all I didnt know how long I could keep paying the monthly minimum payments and asked if they would note that I was in financial difficulty due to change in circumstances and stop all interest payments so that we could arrange a repayment plan which I could stick to.They all said no.
Since then,not only have they not stopped the interest but my cc interest rates have increased.
I used my overdrafts to keep paying them but am frequently over my limit on those now too.I get cc,catalogue and bank charges constantly so all my money goes in charges and fees and the money I owe keeps increasing even though I stopped spending 6 months ago.

In_Search_Of_Me

Firstly welcome! I know its hard but you must stop using the cards & catalogues....as others have said post your soa & well try & help you cit back. Can you go back to work? I think it would be a good idea to contact CCCS for some advice and its better to make a token £1 payment than nothing. As others have said take the bull by the horns, post you're soa & well help you where we can but you need to start sorting and stop hiding & the sooner you do the sooner it will be sorted. I know its tempting to try & preted its not happening but sorting things will give you control back & you'll feel 100% better, although I know its terrifying doing it. Hugs for you

rainbowbrite_2

I live with my partner.He works full time and the house we live in is his,we were together when it was bought but its only his name on the mortgage because we are not married yet.
His income is his and my income is mine.He pays the mortgage,a loan(taken out to pay for home improvements)and now just for the last 3 months the council tax too because I cant afford to.He buys food only when I beg him to because I have no money left.I dont really know where his wages go,its not my money.

Basically I have child tax credit of £7.90 a week(they overpaid a little last year so this is with the reduction)
child benefit is £72.40 but I think thats every 4 weeks
Maintenance arrears for my oldest child £175.27 monthly

I have to pay for the gas and elec,food and everything for the kids including birthdays and xmas(for everyone including his family)off that money.
On top of that I have debts which I have not paid for 3 months.

Lloyds tsb gold card £6,166.38 with a £6,500 limit(26.52%)min payment £154
citi card £3,950.49 with a £4,260 limit(24.95%)min payments £128

tesco £1,266.24 with a£1,300 limit 0% till april 09(this is up to date)min payments £37

ulster bank £464.48 with a £500 limit 0% for 5 more months.min pay £5(up to date)

Next directory £118.33 with a £3,600 limit(26.44%)min pay £17(up to date)

Littlewoods £301.26 (most of that is charges)

LLoyds overdraft £450 always maxed and get loads of charges

Halifax overdraft £1,250 always maxed and get loads of charges


As well as having to cover the cost of the above items I have these on D.D.
HSA £10.40 a month
scottish friendly assurance(life ins for me)£4.33 a month
" (2 x policies for kids)£50.00 a month
BT the bills in full quarterly

In_Search_Of_Me

Can you go back to work?

rainbowbrite_2

I have not bought anything on credit for 6 months at least.Xmas 06 was debt free as was xmas this year,almost.I sold stuff on ebay to pay for it.
I sell on ebay all year now and have months where I end up paying more in fees than I make but some good months too.I have not totalled it up properly but I think I am clearing £100 a month an top of the income posted above.All of that goes on the kids and the rest of the family though for birthdays and xmas.
My partner has agreed to move £3,000 of my cc debt onto one of his 0% cards but that is it.I am really upset by that because all the debt I have is due to stuff I have bought for the kids,the house,and paying bills on my credit cards too.I dont buy anything I dont need,I dont even go to hairdressers,we dont have holidays ever and I am carefull with the food shopping.There just isnt any money.
My partner has good credit rating and could easily get more 0% cards but he wont.His money is his and mine is mine .That also means that my debt is mine.
He is trying to push me to go out to work now the littlest is at school but childcare would wipeout my wages and he earns too much already for us to get any tax credits or help with childcare.