Struggling with debt? Ask a debt adviser a question

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  • Former_StepChange_Joe
    Former_StepChange_Joe Posts: 56 Forumite
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    Hello

    Thanks for your message.

    I’m sorry to hear you’ve been struggling with your spending. However, it’s great that you’ve noticed that your spending habits are compulsive and rooted in how you’re feeling. Noticing the cause of a problem is the first step to managing it.

    I’ve done some research and there doesn’t seem to be much out there specifically geared towards compulsive spending. There’s some general information on getting help with compulsive behaviour on the NHS website, and there’s an organisation called Debtors Anonymous who may be able to give you some guidance.

    However, your compulsive spending may be a symptom of an underlying problem, rather than the main problem itself. I’d first recommend speaking to your GP about your spending behaviour. They may be able to give you some advice and support on how best to tackle this from a mental health and well-being point-of-view.

    Even if the debt isn’t increasing, it’s still a problem that it isn’t decreasing. Eventually the 0% period will end and the minimum payments may become unaffordable. If you’re able to regain control of your finances before the 0% period ends, the debt will be easier to manage in the long-term.

    I’d recommend getting in touch with StepChange, as they’ll definitely be able to give you some advice and support with this. A good place to start is building a budget on their online Debt Remedy self-help tool. This is available 24 hours a day and takes about 20 minutes to complete. The tool will guide you through creating a budget and will then offer the best debt solution for your situation.

    I hope you’ve found this helpful.

    Thanks


    Joe

    Anoneemoose wrote: »
    Hi.
    Anoneemoose wrote: »
    I just wondered if there was any know help for compulsive/emotional spending? I know there is loads of help on how to get in touch woth creditors etc, but I haven’t seen anything for addressing the actual spending issues in the first place.
    We have debt, which is on 0% for a long time and we’re not increasing it, however we’re not decreasing it much either and a lot of it is because we just spend without thinking. Particularly me. I don’t work because I have chronic illnesses and also because of that, I don’t have many friends. As such, I often fill in my time by spending. Not always massive amounts, but it all adds up
    We use YNAB to record everything, but instead of looking at the budget amounts before spending, we just spend and then move around categories.
    We have a decent income with reasonable fixed expenses, so on paper we should be fine..but we’re just cycling debt.
    Any ideas would be welcome!
  • Anoneemoose
    Anoneemoose Posts: 2,258 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper First Post I've been Money Tipped!
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    StepChange_Joe wrote: »
    Hello

    Thanks for your message.

    I’m sorry to hear you’ve been struggling with your spending. However, it’s great that you’ve noticed that your spending habits are compulsive and rooted in how you’re feeling. Noticing the cause of a problem is the first step to managing it.

    I’ve done some research and there doesn’t seem to be much out there specifically geared towards compulsive spending. There’s some general information on getting help with compulsive behaviour on the NHS website, and there’s an organisation called Debtors Anonymous who may be able to give you some guidance.

    However, your compulsive spending may be a symptom of an underlying problem, rather than the main problem itself. I’d first recommend speaking to your GP about your spending behaviour. They may be able to give you some advice and support on how best to tackle this from a mental health and well-being point-of-view.

    Even if the debt isn’t increasing, it’s still a problem that it isn’t decreasing. Eventually the 0% period will end and the minimum payments may become unaffordable. If you’re able to regain control of your finances before the 0% period ends, the debt will be easier to manage in the long-term.

    I’d recommend getting in touch with StepChange, as they’ll definitely be able to give you some advice and support with this. A good place to start is building a budget on their online Debt Remedy self-help tool. This is available 24 hours a day and takes about 20 minutes to complete. The tool will guide you through creating a budget and will then offer the best debt solution for your situation.

    I hope you’ve found this helpful.

    Thanks


    Joe

    Thank you.

    I don’t think it’s something I would need to the GP about just yet. I think compulsive is probably a bit of a strong description, more like lazy and blas!, if that makes sense! I think both my husband and I need to discuss and investigate everything instead of us being so lax about it. Although we use YNAB, it’s been more of a spending diary than a budget tool the way it should. And just because my husband doesn't purchase quite as many things as me, that’s often due to circumstance and the fact that I’m home and he’s not.

    It’s funny because when we had a smaller income around a decade ago, we had no debt!!


    I might give debtors anonymous a try..or possibly even start a diary on here so I can be accountable and actually aware, instead of just “whatever” about it all.

    Thanks again!
  • Willwallsend
    Willwallsend Posts: 2 Newbie
    edited 11 July 2018 at 1:21PM
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    Hi all I have recieved this letter today.
    What do I do for the best? It's about 3/4 year old debt and I'm worried.
    I've not taken any action so far as it's all confusing.

    I can't upload the photo on this forum so copy and paste the below link to view.
    It's a county court business centre letter
    ibb.co/kfZMP8
  • CIS
    CIS Posts: 12,260 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Post First Anniversary
    edited 11 July 2018 at 1:59PM
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    Willwallsend wrote: »
    Hi all I have recieved this letter today.
    What do I do for the best? It's about 3/4 year old debt and I'm worried.
    I've not taken any action so far as it's all confusing.
    kfZMP8


    Don't ignore it otherwise they will obtain a default judgment for a CCJ and that will add to your problem. You only have 14 days to acknowledge it with the court and file a defence (extended to 28 days if you acknowledge the receipt and need more time for the defence) if you want to dispute it.
    I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.
  • Willwallsend
    Willwallsend Posts: 2 Newbie
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    Hi thanks for the reply. Will it be best to tell them I owe them the money and offer 5 pound a month?
  • CIS
    CIS Posts: 12,260 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Post First Anniversary
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    Willwallsend wrote: »
    Hi thanks for the reply. Will it be best to tell them I owe them the money and offer 5 pound a month?

    If you wish to admit that you owe the money and you want to make an offer of payment you can complete the N9A admission form that came in the pack.
    I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.
  • Former_StepChange_Joe
    Former_StepChange_Joe Posts: 56 Forumite
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    Hello

    You’re very welcome.

    Absolutely, perhaps the over-spending could be reduced or avoided with a more pro-active approach to budgeting.

    I’d definitely recommend checking out the budgeting tool on the StepChange website. It’ll allow you to build a budget, and also give you some advice on how best to manage the debts once the budget is complete.

    Thanks

    Joe
    Anoneemoose wrote: »
    Thank you.

    I don’t think it’s something I would need to the GP about just yet. I think compulsive is probably a bit of a strong description, more like lazy and blas!, if that makes sense! I think both my husband and I need to discuss and investigate everything instead of us being so lax about it. Although we use YNAB, it’s been more of a spending diary than a budget tool the way it should. And just because my husband doesn't purchase quite as many things as me, that’s often due to circumstance and the fact that I’m home and he’s not.

    It’s funny because when we had a smaller income around a decade ago, we had no debt!!


    I might give debtors anonymous a try..or possibly even start a diary on here so I can be accountable and actually aware, instead of just “whatever” about it all.

    Thanks again!
  • Sarahlou1983
    Sarahlou1983 Posts: 2 Newbie
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    Please someone help...

    My husband has received a letter apparently from the county court saying there is judgement for claimant and he has to pay Lowell £100 a month to a total of £2150.79.

    Is this a CCJ, do we have to pay this?

    I have never acknowledged any previous letter from them as I have heard they are bullies.

    Thank you xx
  • Sarahlou1983
    Sarahlou1983 Posts: 2 Newbie
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    12th Jul 18, 9:40 AM
    SARAHLOU1983
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    Please someone help...

    My husband has received a letter apparently from the county court saying there is judgement for claimant and he has to pay Lowell £100 a month to a total of £2150.79.

    Is this a CCJ, do we have to pay this?

    I have never acknowledged any previous letter from them as I have heard they are bullies.

    Thank you xx
  • Former_StepChange_Joe
    Former_StepChange_Joe Posts: 56 Forumite
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    Hello

    Thanks for your message.

    I saw your private message about the CCJ before I saw this post, so I responded to that first.

    Just in case you’re checking this response first, here was my reply:

    Firstly, your husband should contact the county court named on the letter he’s received, and quote the claim number. They’ll be able to confirm whether or not this is a genuine CCJ claim. If it isn’t, he can make a complaint to Lowell. Lowell Financial are regulated and authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority, so to operate they have to act fairly.

    However, it’s more than likely a genuine CCJ. If the court has set the installment order at £100 a month, then they’ve issued a ‘judgement in default’. This is when the N9A claim form hasn’t been returned in time or at all, so the creditor requests judgment at a rate they want, and the court set it at this amount.

    Not paying this could mean the court then instructs an enforcement agent to visit your property, or set an attachment of earnings, where payments are deducted directly from his wages. However, if he can’t afford the installment order of £100, he should complete and sign an N245 form, and send to the court. This will vary the installment order made by the court, setting the payment at a more affordable amount. There is a £50 court fee for this, but depending on his income, he could get help with this.

    There’s some really useful information on the above on the StepChange website.

    If he needs some further debt advice, a good place to start is the online Debt Remedy self-help tool. This is available 24 hours a day and takes about 20 minutes to complete. The tool will guide you through creating a budget and will then offer the best debt solution for your situation.

    I hope you've found this helpful.

    Joe


    Sarahlou1983 wrote: »
    Please someone help...

    My husband has received a letter apparently from the county court saying there is judgement for claimant and he has to pay Lowell £100 a month to a total of £2150.79.

    Is this a CCJ, do we have to pay this?

    I have never acknowledged any previous letter from them as I have heard they are bullies.

    Thank you xx
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