To cancel some direct debits just to make sure we can afford to buy food etc, till pay day

[CatsInChaos]

I know we will have to still pay the bills but I don't like the money coming out on a set day when we may need the money for food etc.

But when will you pay them? And you'll still need money for food that month. You need some proper financial advice

YANBU! The only direct debit I have is my rent. I'll pay water, gas and electric (and anything else) after I've bought food. They make enough and can wait a few days, my child can't wait to eat.

It depends what the DD are for..if its things like council tax, gas etc etc you still need to pay so you are best keeping up with them if you can.

I think we are struggling cause we had a big bill this month. (car related)

We have pre payment cards for gas electric etc, so we can pay bits off as and when before we get the bill.

Whatever you do don't cancel the council tax, they charge you snd send bailiffs round almost as soon as you miss payment

I cancelled the gas, electric and water. cause sometimes they say we are in credit but still take the same amount - you only seem to get the excess back once a year.

Never cancel your council tax DD, as if you are late then they will demand the whole lot in one go. It is written into our agreement to pay by instalments that if one payment is late then you agree to clear the full balance, and you will find yourself in court by Xmas. I made that mistake once (and it was a mistake, forgot to reinstate a DD when i changed banks), got the demand letter with a fortnight and was taken to court when I couldnt pay it in one go. Stupid of them really as the court allowed me to pay in instalments anyway!

Yeah the council tax department are ruthless!

Hmm, ime if you don't pay them now then they just mount up so that you are left with yet another huge bill to pay.

I would set up a separate bank account, like one for loose change saving or something like that. Pay a small amount into this account each and every month and then use this to pay your bills.

Direct debits are cheaper but sometimes there is no choice but to pay upon receipt of the bill. If you put something aside each month then at least you have the money to pay some of those bills.

The water bill can wait a while (they usually want two payments a year don't they?) so try and pay the biggest bill first then phone the other to let them know you will be paying if off a bit at a time. So long as you let them know what you are doing, most companies are fine with it.

I've rung gas and electric company before to say I can't afford the dd that month and they've always been fine. Give them a ring

Ring the companies concerned, don't just cancel the DDs.

O.k., might give them a ring today but I already cancelled the DD's for this month.

Will see how things are next month before I do DD again.

You're just postponing trouble. Sounds like the DDs aren't for luxuries but other essentials that will catch up with you. You need a better plan.

I don't know what we can do! --don't mean that to sound snappy--

There aren't many jobs that fit around a preschooler who is at nursery for 2 hours a day and besides that I have a lot of health issues, Bad back, on AD's and my right arm is currently in a splint due to muscle strain.

The only option I can see is to sell stuff!

I must go now as I have to get the DC ready for school/nursery.
BBL.

I only recently discovered I could get back the excess I'd paid on our electricity payments anytime, not just at the end of their defined period as previously. We're with BG, maybe worth a look online to see if you can get your cash back this way.

Yy call your gas/electric company and demand the excess back now. You are well within your rights to do this. Next thing you need to do is write down everything you spend in a week including little 'bits' you might buy and compare it to your weekly income.

I've done this. It's robbing Peter to pay Paul but sometimes needs must. Gas and electric will absorb the bill and spread it over the remaining months so it can help a little.
You do need to work on your budget plan though.