My SOA - please look

SuzySu

I'm going to ask some really dumb questions now, but I really don't know how to do this:

How do you change utilities? I mean how do I know which one would be the cheapest for me? I'm so useless with paperwork, but I have been setting up a filing system today so I can get everything in order.

My gas and electricity haven't been paid for a while and the bills are huge (run into hundreds) and I'm sure we will be threatened with being cut off soon. I don't know how to work out whether they are correct or not - isn't that pathetic?

How can I get my landline reconnected too? My mobile has been disconnected and I am using OH's mobile to call creditors - it is getting expensive. I need to use the landline so I can make my free calls (18866).

We've just muddled through for the past few years which is why we are in the mess we're in.

I think I have never really valued money - easy come, easy go. I was made to budget as a child and had a profit and loss book for my pocket money when I was a teenager and I think I rebelled against accounting for every penny once I started earning.

Part of the problem was I earned a good wage when I was married and ex earned well and paid ALL the bills - I didn't even know how much he earned, how much our mortgage was or anything. My money was mine to spend.

Now it's time for me to take control and look at where all the money goes. I just hope I haven't left it too late.

Bismarck

Give it everything you've got....tackle the post as it comes in and deal with all the bits one at a time and ask us if there's stuff you don't understand.

What's the credit limit on your Barclaycard? If you can just shift the remaining balance on there, there's scope for a shuffle to get rid of that nasty Sainsburys interest rate....

RAS

SuzySu wrote: »

I'm going to ask some really dumb questions now,


One of the sigs on here is "The only dumb question is the one that is not asked". She is right.

How do you change utilities? I mean how do I know which one would be the cheapest for me?

if you go to the main web-site home page here, you will see a load of tabs at the top/ One says utilties, click on that and follow the instructions.

My gas and electricity haven't been paid for a while and the bills are huge (run into hundreds) and I'm sure we will be threatened with being cut off soon. I don't know how to work out whether they are correct or not - isn't that pathetic?

You may not be able to change until you get the debts sorted out. As a starter, you have two meaters, for gas and electric. Under the stairs, in a cupboard outside the house, under the sink, somewhere. Each one has a series of dials or a row of numbers in a glass window. Write thiose numbers down. GAs =12345 Lec =12345.

Now get out your latest bill notification and you will see the meter reading listed. If the number on your meter is higher than the number on the bill, you owe the company more than you thought. If it is lower, they "owe" you money. although maybe they just need to re-bill you for a smaller amount? if necessary, post both sets of numer son here.

How can I get my landline reconnected too? If it is BT, there will be a re-connection charge. Again, you will need to make an arrangment to pay off the unpaid bill.

My mobile has been disconnected and I am using OH's mobile to call creditors - it is getting expensive. I need to use the landline so I can make my free calls (18866).

Hope that helps a bit.

RAS

SuzySu wrote: »

Well according to my bank balance we have £170 to last until the end of the month.

My total bills for the month should be £513 :eek: , that is not even counting food/overdraft/credit cards/other loans.

Not sure what to do at the moment. Think I'll go and find that nice patch of sand and stick my head back in.....

No. Go make a list of what is in the cupboard and the freezer.

Seriously, I remember Hotpoint coming on here in total distress and then she found a chicken in the bottom of the freezer. That and a tenner from her sister meant she was at least able to eat until she got paid.

TotallyBroke

My mum regulary cooked "ifits" when I was a kid. The confusing thing was that "ifits" could look like something one day and then the next it would be something totally different. "ifits" turned out to be "if it is.... in the house you can eat it!!" So as I said earlier in a post no food shopping this week.
I'm not sure what you can do now that your landline is cut off. But it may be a blessing for a month or two. Leave it cut off and pay extra money onto outstanding debts that you owe so that you are not cut off from them as well.
Ring ~or~ online your utilities people with exact meter readings. Then a new bill will be issued and fingers crossed it will be slightly less than before. It also gives you a weeks grace before another red one is sent out. If you look on the utilities boards that will give you some help when comparing prices. Then before you do the switch register with a money back company like quidco or pigsback (whichever one is offering you the money to swap to the better supplier) and do the switch through them.

TotallyBroke

Are your loans on 0% or have you said this because you are not sure of them. Dig out all your paperwork and fill them in. Might be an idea to look through last months bank statements and see which bill is due out next. Then you can see what you need to sell between now and then to cover it or the next one. Myself personally I would cancel the buildings and contents direct debit this month. Reinstate it next month or the month after if you feel you really need it. (I've not had contents or life insurance for over a year now because couldn't afford it)

Burlesque_Babe

Have a look at Uswitch.com and pop your details in to see who comes up the cheapest provider.

To have your landline re-connected, call BT or Virgin, although they do charge a re-connection fee.

SuzySu

Oh thank you all so so much for your kindness. It is really humbling that people are taking the trouble to try and help.

I called the CAB today and they got us an appointment with their Debt Counsellor straight away. Unfortunately he spent most of the time telling us what plans we were not eligible for which was disappointing, but he is emailing me a copy of a standard letter which I am going to send to all our creditors so that should hold them off for a bit.

Regarding the unpaid bills, I am going to ring them all this afternoon and explain the situation and hope they give us a month's grace. I don't really know what I am expecting them to say, but I feel it's best to at least keep them advised of our situation.

Foodwise we should be ok until the end of the month - we shopped at the weekend so should be able to live out of the freezer/store cupboard for a couple of weeks.

It seems that once we sell the house and have at least £150 spare each month then the best thing would be to go on an IVA. From what I have told you so far, does this seem reasonable?

Bismark - thanks, but Barclaycard have said no more spending on the account because we are in arrears with our minimum payments to them.

I think we need to look seriously at selling one of the cars. Problem is, it needs repairs before anyone will think about buying it. It's a two seater so makes sense to sell this one, rather than the family car. My car needs repairs too but can't afford them. I have no front headlights so have not been able to drive when it's dark - thanks goodness the evenings are getting lighter.

Oh well....off to make those phone calls. Wish me luck. Will update soon and thanks for all your interest - you are brill.....:T

Bunnyinthelights

Good steps forward sweetheart.
An IVA is a good choice-I would have liked to do one but it wasnt viable.

SuzySu

Thanks Keren....great advice. I went onto uswitch and found I can save £300 per year by switching.........to the company I am already with :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: . Would you believe it?? We are switching to a different tariff that should save us about £25 per month.

More good news....I phoned our secured loan company and asked if we could take a payment holiday next month. They said that although they can't authorise payment holidays as it is not a flexible loan, they can give us one month off and will add May's payment (plus a fee of £30 for the privilege:mad: ) onto the remainder of the loan.

So....May should be a MUCH better month. Will have an extra £440 from the payment holiday PLUS my £300 maintenance (that went into the wrong account this month) to get all our bills up to date. Isn't that fantastic :T :T

Thanks all of you for such wonderful, practical advice. Hope I can repay the favour one day.