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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Shit load of debt - AIBU to think this can be sorted?

155 replies

justthesky · 15/12/2019 09:47

Surely?

The total is about £5000 which probably doesn’t sound too bad, but the issue is that it is priority bills I’ve fallen behind on and the companies aren’t prepared to wait, so huge interest charges are being added on top of the original debt.

I’ve contacted CAB who have just told me not to open the doors and to park cars away from the house.

Does anybody have any suggestions, at all?

OP posts:
MistyCloud · 15/12/2019 12:26

@justthesky

It is no ones business about my personal circumstances.

I posted asking for help with this immediate problem.

Why post here then, (pleading poverty,) if you don't want advice? Confused

I agree with @JorisBonson (who posted at 12.15pm,) that you don't want the kind of help you are being given here. Pretty obvious why you have posted, and because you're not getting what you want, you're throwing your toys out of the pram and flouncing.

INeedNewShoes · 15/12/2019 12:28

The best MSE forum group to start with is the debt free wannabe one, they have Stepchange members who are really helpful

OP will need to have a massive change of attitude before the MSE clan are able to help her. They will want figures: income/outgoings/all debt repayment figures etc.

OP doesn't seem to want help to sort out her finances. She wants a magic wand that waves bailiffs away.

AllergicToAMop · 15/12/2019 12:29

I don't think OP is after money from posters. Scammers are nicer

blackcat86 · 15/12/2019 12:37

Do you have any young DCs as that can change how the water company treat you. MN is fantastic at offering advice but they need to know more about your circumstances. Maybe you're entitled to a benefit you didnt know about, maybe you're overspending, maybe you could increase you're income, who knows if you wont offer anything further. I would encourage you to check out Dave Ramsey or budget mom for longer term advice. In the meantime you need to negotiate an affordable plan with anyone you owe money to. It will be hard and it will be stressful but it is anyway.

PixiKitKat · 15/12/2019 12:40

My suspicion is OP is overspending on shite that isn't needed instead of paying bills which is why they are being cagey about giving further details.

OP, stop wasting people's time here. People have given good advice on the few vague details that you have given. Nothing else can be added without further specifics.

NotStayingIn · 15/12/2019 12:49

Love how the OP is so very sure about what info we need (or rather don’t need) from her in order to help her.

If you’re such an expert then just go forth and fix your problem yourself.

PBo83 · 15/12/2019 12:52

Unfortunately the internet is full of people like this, they did a hole and want an 'instant' solution. When they find out there isn't a 'quick fix', they get defensive and go back to burying their head (meanwhile ignoring genuinely good advice).

I help with a gambling charity (only mentioning because it's relevant). As a recovering gambler I have spoken to so many people who want a 'quick fix' to their problem and, when they discover there isn't one, go back to their old habits.

neveradullmoment99 · 15/12/2019 12:53

I would phone the council tax people and see if there is some way you can arrange to pay back what you owe from previous years in small instalments. I have been in this type of situation years ago and you need to communicate with them first and foremost, offering to pay back the debt accrued in small amounts. If you do this, im not sure they can take you to court over it as you have shown willingness to pay. However, I am from Scotland so its different here.

LeSquigh · 15/12/2019 12:57

Water is not a priority debt.

listsandbudgets · 15/12/2019 13:03

OP I'm sorry you're in such a mess. It must feel very hard especially with Christmas coming up.

I suggest you contact your local councillor about your council tax if you haven't already. I used to be a councillor and dealt with this sort of thing all the time. Our council had an specialist team to deal with the more complex cases that often ended up at our advice bureau. They were very good though on a few occasions I simply turned up

There is a good chance the council can be persuaded to take the matter back from the bailiffs and negotiate a payment plan with you. Usually the people on the normal phone lines aren't in such a good position to do that.

Find your local councillor here: www.writetothem.com

It may not be the solution but if your councillor is half way decent they should be able to help you. Good luck and I hope you get the help you need

Lex234 · 15/12/2019 13:20

Completely bizarre thread OP. If you are serious about wanting to sort it out, you need to take an honest look at your finances. I suspect this explains your reticence to speak to Step Change as well.
Burying your head in the sand will not make the bailiffs go away. Do your budget-share it, don't share it-but at least you will have something to show to the bailiffs when they return as to what you can afford. It is foolish of you to ignore this in the hope it will go away. It won't. Step change will probably be able to negotiate less than minimum payments on your non priorities and possibly freeze your interest/charges. I cannot understand why you wouldn't do this. A CCJ is the least of your problems if you are thousands of pounds in debt with council tax.

pigoons · 15/12/2019 13:24

@listsandbudgets is right. Contact your local councillor. Say you want to repay the council tax owed but the bailiffs are being unhelpful / unwilling to speak to you and can you talk to someone in the Council about a repayment plan.

But you will have to repay and can't keep ducking the issue of the debts. Your council tax bills must've mounted up over a number of years for the council to involve the bailiffs - they give people plenty opportunities for people to engage before it gets to this point.

Tombliwho · 15/12/2019 13:24

How transparent.

Poorboy136 · 15/12/2019 13:31

Not really sure how people can offer help if you won’t give more facts. You absolutely don’t need to go in to any other details, as you say, but then people can help!!

Who cares if you’re in benefits! Plenty of people are. People weren’t going to judge you for that! Posters just want to help you and give tips and advice as to how to claw it back for yourself.

I’d say similar to people who were on £50k salaries that we’re in debt, as I would to someone on benefits!

Poorboy136 · 15/12/2019 13:31

Cant* help I mean

Havaina · 15/12/2019 13:34

There was a recent thread saying that scammers dismiss every possible suggestion, and this seems to be happening here.

JinglingHellsBells · 15/12/2019 13:40

Good God. Charming aren't you @justthesky

She was either a troll, or a money grabber, or someone who is in a fantasy world. Which may be why she is in debt in the first place.

Poorboy136 · 15/12/2019 13:41

My cousin is in dent up to his eyes, yet he continues to make silly choices in my opinion. He’s lucky to have a £1 left at the end of the week. He still goes shooting to Tesco as he’s ‘not keen’ on Aldi.... and still has a Chinese 2 night a week and smokes. I’m sorry but those luxuries he simply can’t afford.

He also has a life insurance out for himself and 2 sons and that’s £33 a month that includes all sorts of be-spoke ‘benefits like they’ll send him the top cancer centre in the world if he gets cancer.... Now that’s lovely, but right now that’s not needed. That’s like having private health insurance and again, if you can afford it then lovely but when you’re in debt up to your eyeballs and haven’t got a job.... his priorities need to change.

My advice to my cousin would be-

Firstly get a job

Plan a weekly food shop and budget and go to Aldi it the like as it’s cheaper. There’s not as much choice but again, that’s a luxury he can’t afford.

Stop spending money on take aways

Cancel your private health care

These are things that would save him about £100 a month.... there’s a grand in a year!!

So you really do need to give a few more details

Poorboy136 · 15/12/2019 13:43

Shopping to Tesco’s..... definitely not shooting!! 😳😳 stupid auto correct!!!

CuriousaboutSamphire · 15/12/2019 13:50

CABs advice isn't so daft as you might think.

If OP can elude the bailiffs for long enough they will pass council tax debt back. At which point OP can make a sensible offer.

Meanwhile pay all council tax bills on time. The water board can't cut you off and a CCJ is better than a jail sentence.

OP. Stop being so defensive, use all of the info offered here. There is no quick fix and you have to do all you can every day. Yes, a long hard slog... Stop putting it off.

Good luck

AnotherEmma · 15/12/2019 13:53

"The time to sort out my budget will come when I’ve sorted this debt"

Nope. Golden rule of debt advice: first prepare a budget (which includes income, expenditure, assets and debts) and only then can you review the options for dealing with debt. Some people have expenditure which exceeds their income so the first step will be to increase income and/or reduce expenditure, otherwise you're just going to get into more debt. If you have very little left over after you've paid for essentials, you may be eligible for a DRO, which is often the recommended option if eligible, but either way there are other options too.

You don't have to tell us detailed info about your budget but you do need to contact a debt advice agency and tell them.

I am also surprised by what you said about not getting help from citizens advice, they should be either offering you an appointment or signposting you elsewhere - if they have not done that you should go back and if necessary ask to speak to another adviser or a supervisor.

However, if you were not willing to discuss your financial circumstances and budget, they wouldn't have helped you, because they can't help you without that information.

Sweettruelies · 15/12/2019 14:00

Generalised advice;

Sell some stuff
Work overtime or get an evening job
Borrow off family and hope they will allow you to repay interest free
Economise where you can

Without any specifics that’s all I have!

Peeeas · 15/12/2019 14:04

Some water boards have charitable grant schemes for customers in arrears that you can apply for, e.g. here: www.yorkshirewater.com/billing-payments/help-paying-your-bill/

I used to volunteer with CAB and applied on behalf of someone - was surprisingly easy.

Peeeas · 15/12/2019 14:05

The third drop down has the application - don't know if you're in the Yorkshire area, but if not you may be able to find similar locally.

MotherHeggy · 15/12/2019 14:07

I was in a similar situation to you,OP, a couple of years ago.
CAB couldn't have been more helpful. Yes they told me to not answer the door to the bailiffs.(I didn't have a car so didn't have to worry about that) They helped me set up a DRO (£90) and I am now debt free. You have to be totally honest with them and yourself. Yes it's scary and embarrassing,but you have two choices,be honest and tell them everything or risk bailiffs/jail sentence.

But you DO have to help them to help yourself,you need to work out your incoming and outgoing money and supply that to whoever you choose to help you. Without input from you,no one can help.