Is there a way out?

[mmx1990]

this is the biggest step I have made about dealing with this and I could really use some advice:

 

at 16 I knew better and I was going to show everyone,

I moved out from my mum & dads and in with a friend.

 

At the time it was a way to drink without the hassle of parents..

 

Time went on and I met someone and stayed with them until it was unbearable

and I declared myself homeless and stayed in a unit..

 

This was when i realised I was pregnant and with so many complications with my childs dad

I was eventually moved away from him to temporary accommodation and then a secure tenancy.

 

By now 18 nearly 19.

The thing is I didnt have a clue,

I hadnt spoken to my family and just didnt know what I was doing

or even the basics of running a house,

the mother & cleaning stuff came naturally but the paying bills etc didnt.

 

Now im in an unbelievable mess,

I have four years worth of gas and council tax arrears,

multiple payday loans,

provident loans and

unpaid phonebills.

 

For years I have binned letters so to even find where to start on resolving this is hard.

 

I can see how stupid I seem and I am sorry for the mess I got myself in but what can i do?

 

Please dont judge as I have seen people get pounced on for this but nobody could feel as terrible for this as I do.

 

Mx

[caro]

Hi mmx. Welcome to cag and congratulations on making this first step, which is often the hardest. Cag is about helping people to help themselves and take control. We've all made mistakes and no-one will judge you.

 

Can you tell us a bit more about your situation.

 

Do you live alone with your child?

 

Are you working?

 

What benefits do you receive?

 

Is your rent up to date?

 

You mention 4 years CT arrears. How much do you owe for CT and has any action been taken against you to recover them?

 

Rent and CT are priority debts so we'll worry about the rest later.

[mmx1990]

Thank you for your reply

 

Yeah we live alone,

Im not working (not for the want of trying)

 

Im a student studying part time as advised by the college to remain getting housing benefit.

 

I get income support and tax credits etc.

 

Rent is ok.

 

As for the council tax im not sure what I owe.

roughly 3500,

i just kept binning letters,

 

it was referred to charles anderson and

 

I have 3.55 or something coming direct from my benefit.

 

They had sent an arrestment of wages letter and a few summary warrants.

 

The gas isnt a constant non payment,

when I was on benefits I requested fuel direct and when I wasnt they got nothing.

[mmx1990]

This is my second year at college and im due to go on to jobseekers in june which im determined to have a job by, does this affect the situation?

[caro]

Have you been getting CT benefit?

[caro]

This is my second year at college and im due to go on to jobseekers in june which im determined to have a job by, does this affect the situation?

 

Not at the moment.

[mmx1990]

Yeah, the thing is ive been paying the doorstep guys and not this as they confront me at the door and I dont have it in me to say I dont have it .

[dx100uk]

tell the doorstep guys to do one.

 

they are NOT BAILIFFS and have

NO SUCH LEGAL POWERS

 

can I guess these are the Provi loans?

 

dx

[caro]

I can understand why you'd do that. I think most people would do the same.

 

I'm a bit surprised that your CT arrears are so high if you've had CT benefit. Were you taken to court over them?

[mmx1990]

Yeah its provident,

 

I explained I was in a mess and was trying to sort it

and that I couldnt pay for the forseeable,

 

but they kept coming so I started to text asking them not to, which they didnt.

. on that day just a few later.

 

I just get flustered and give them it.

[mmx1990]

No its just been that long and there was times I wasnt entitled to it. I havent had a court letter though, I open them read where its from and bin it, half these places ive never heard off.. debt collectors?

[caro]

Have you made a list of all your debts. Scary I know but has to be done. Dx is right about the door step lenders. Just tell them you've got nothing for them and ignore them.

[mmx1990]

I have tried but I dont have exact figures.

 

. there are 5 phonebills at around 450 each,

1500 to provident,

 

another doorstep loan ive managed to get down to 145,

 

the council tax,

 

gas is about 3000+,

 

wonga

payday express

wageday advance

 

all about 400 each.

 

I am genuinely ashamed of this

[caro]

No its just been that long and there was times I wasnt entitled to it. I havent had a court letter though, I open them read where its from and bin it, half these places ive never heard off.. debt collectors?

 

You need to get organised and start questioning what the debts are for. Keep everything, even attaching envelopes to the letters as even these can be important. Get yourself a folder to keep them in date order so you've got a clear history should you need it later.

[mmx1990]

so keep the letters and start getting totals to go with, and ask what the initail debt was?

[caro]

I have tried but I dont have exact figures.

 

. there are 5 phonebills at around 450 each,

1500 to provident,

 

another doorstep loan ive managed to get down to 145,

 

the council tax,

 

gas is about 3000+,

 

wonga

payday express

wageday advance

 

all about 400 each.

 

I am genuinely ashamed of this

 

Nothing to be ashamed of so forget that and just move on from it.

[caro]

so keep the letters and start getting totals to go with, and ask what the initail debt was?

 

Yes. Do it all in writing. You'll find template letters in the cag library that you can adapt.

[mmx1990]

Thanks very much, Ill start in the morning. Get some sleep. Night x

[caro]

There are also letters to deal with doorstep lenders.

 

Some might say send them by recorded delivery but that is quite expensive, but you can get free proof of postage from the post office. Attach these slips to your copy letters and keep them in your file.

[caro]

Thanks very much, Ill start in the morning. Get some sleep. Night x

 

You too. Let us know if you have more questions x

[mmx1990]

Ill keep you updated, I really appreciate your help x

[MAKROX]

Hi mmx1990,

 

First of all there will always be light at the end of the tunnel so don't depair or blame yourself. What's done is done. They can't jail you.

 

I am not sure but what about making yourself bankrupt? then they can't keep coming after you.

 

Good luck

Edited March 10, 2014 by MAKROX