Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

I need help, I’m in a mess and I can’t extricate myself

198 replies

hidinginabubble · 19/02/2019 09:10

I’m in a complete and utter financial mess and have been for a long time. This is despite earning an excellent salary.

I know the usual advice is to contact stepchange etc but they can’t seem to help, I need someone who can.

I have acquired things like parking tickets which I’ve ignored and had a head in the sand approach to, easy as I’ve worked abroad for a while. So haven’t received letters etc.

Every month I am having hundreds taken off me by bailiffs. This isn’t step changes remit, that’s more cc/loan debt. Although I have those too.

My credit file is shocking or else I’d take a loan and sort it that way. Basically I owe a lot of people a lot of money.

I can’t seem to get advice anywhere. I was speaking to one company this morning but he couldn’t help as I earned too much. (So this isn’t a begging thread, I admit this is my fault but if I’m ever going to sort it I need help.)

Anyone legal about at all?

OP posts:
Wild123 · 19/02/2019 09:41

Join the facebook group beat the bailiffs and the banks and they will give you great advice

TheInvestigator · 19/02/2019 09:41

Bailiffs will take payment plans.

They will say they wont, because their remit is to get full payment but they will.

You need to write an extensive list of all the debts you owe, all of it. If you can pay off any in full then do that immediately.

Then, call each bailiff and explain the extent of your debt, give them a figure you can pay now as a one off payment and then tell them what you can pay each month.

You need to actually sit down and write out all your debts and start from the top. You can't ignore it and hope someone will help you.

blackteasplease · 19/02/2019 09:44

You need to get some proper legal advice I think. We can't possibly help You as it's too complicated.

Original poster
hidinginabubble · 19/02/2019 09:44

I have. Sigh. Why are people
Saying I’m ignoring it.

I am
Asking on here

I have ring bailiffs and they won’t accept a plan

I have ring step changes

I have ring another company

That’s not ignoring it it’s actually the opposite of ignoring it. I need legal advice though now

OP posts:
Original poster
hidinginabubble · 19/02/2019 09:45

Black some people
Can there are people with legal expertise on mumsnet

OP posts:
MRex · 19/02/2019 09:46

If you actually earn a decent salary then you wouldn't be remotely phased by £400 owing, your bank manager can sort that out for you. So try again - what do you actually owe and how much do you earn?

billybagpuss · 19/02/2019 09:47

Ok first things first, breath and have some Flowers

Now go and get yourself a pad/pen and cup of tea. Get together all your paperwork.

You need 4 lists.

List one: priority payments (rent/mortgage, tax etc)
List two: things you may be able to negotiate on Loans/credit cards etc.
List three: The ones that you have much less control over bailiffs related etc
List four: Basic living allowance food, fuel etc.

Do you own your home or are you renting, just wondering if there is perhaps some equity that you can tap into.

The first thing you have to do is get a figure of how much you do owe.

Good luck,

Kittykat93 · 19/02/2019 09:48

As you said you earn a decent salary I was expecting a debt of much higher than 400 Quid

MRex · 19/02/2019 09:48

Nobody can help until you give proper figures. Is that why the other organisations didn't help you, did you just give them random panicked statements instead of information about the debts?

NC4Now · 19/02/2019 09:52

Is £400 all that is outstanding? Or is there more to come? Do you have an overdraft, credit cards etc?
This doesn’t make sense.

themiss · 19/02/2019 09:52

Citizens Advice should be able to help, they're definitely worth a try

slashlover · 19/02/2019 09:52

Do you have a list of all your outgoings? Moneysavingexpert website would be your best bet. Don't phone bailiffs, write to them and get proof of the debt and ask for a list of everything you owe them. If the parking fines are to your LA then try to contact them and see if you can get the debt recalled to set up a payment plan with them. Have you got a copy of all three of your credit reports?

peachgreen · 19/02/2019 09:53

I don't know what you want anyone to say OP. You've been given lots of general advice. Nobody can give you detailed advice without knowing what you owe and to whom, which is why you'd be better off contacting an organisation in person.

Fairenuff · 19/02/2019 09:56

£400 is only one of them?

How much do you owe altogether?

All of it?

thesnapandfartisinfallible · 19/02/2019 09:57

Right, we need a list of what you owe to whom, how much you have coming in, your monthly outgoings such as bills, food, internet etc. Then we can try to help you sort through it. Debt is intimidating until it's broken down.

Cwtches123 · 19/02/2019 09:58

Please try CAP they may well be able to help.

SileneOliveira · 19/02/2019 09:58

I need legal advice though now

So phone a sodding solicitor rather than twatting around on MN.

You are avoiding the problem AGAIN and burying your head in the sand. You claim you're addressing the problem but you're not because you haven't even sat down and made a list of what you owe to which company and then sought professional advice.

You're really just looking for "awww hunni, never mind babez it'll be fine" posts and sympathy.

Pinkbells · 19/02/2019 09:59

I don't know what the legal position is but I know what I would do if I were you. Make a spreadsheet of every single penny you owe, and to who, also all your incomings and other outgoings. Absolutely pare down your lifestyle to the total minimum (and sell off anything you can), downsize, if possible, but first write to all of them with your spreadsheet reports and an offer of a certain amount paid each month. I think if you communicate, rather than ignore, them they will be much more willing to cooperate?

19lottie82 · 19/02/2019 09:59

What do you mean exactly by bailiffs? Have they come to your home with a court order to sieze (?) goods? Or are you referring to a debt collection agency?

19lottie82 · 19/02/2019 10:00

PS get yourself over the the debt free wannabe part of the money saving expert forums and ask for some advice. The posters there are great.

Original poster
hidinginabubble · 19/02/2019 10:00

I can’t afford that seline and I’m not asking for that, I’m asking for advice.

Bailiffs. Well, bailiffs really - Jacobs is he name of the company

OP posts:
PBo83 · 19/02/2019 10:00

*So phone a sodding solicitor rather than twatting around on MN.

You are avoiding the problem AGAIN and burying your head in the sand. You claim you're addressing the problem but you're not because you haven't even sat down and made a list of what you owe to which company and then sought professional advice.

You're really just looking for "awww hunni, never mind babez it'll be fine" posts and sympathy.*

Blunt but a reasonable point. Within the first few responses you were given the names of organisations who CAN help in your situation. I wrote a lot from my personal experience (as have others). This WILL NOT sort itself but it is fixable.

PBo83 · 19/02/2019 10:02

@19lottie82

I asked the same question but Jacobs are Bailiffs, they work on behalf of the local authority and will have a court order before they turn up at your door.

Debruary · 19/02/2019 10:02

So is it one company (Jacobs) who want one payment of £400?

DwayneDibbly · 19/02/2019 10:04

If they're Court appointed bailiffs, ring the Court. My understanding is that they will send you a form to fill out to negotiate a payment plan.

Swipe left for the next trending thread