Credit card

[Jennybeans401]

I'm struggling with huge utility and food bills at the moment. 3 dcs and windowed, I'm looking at our bills this month and I'm hitting crisis point.

It's looking like I won't be able to afford the minimum payment on my credit card this month and I'm worried sick. Will this affect my credit rating?

This may not be the best advice but could you pay the minimum now and then pay one of your other bills with the credit card?

I'm at the limit unfortunately on the credit card, it's that bad

Please contact your credit card company and ask them about any support. Explain your circumstances and see what they say. Also, speak to your energy company, who will have an assistance fund.

I’m sorry things are so tough at the moment.

Definitely ring them. They should freeze your card, and the interest on it, as a temporary measure. And your energy company, I've had a letter from mine saying get in touch if you're struggling rather than avoid it. They have a requirement to try to help.

They will also be able to point you towards other agencies that can help. Don't be afraid to ask.

Please contact your credit card company. You'll have to fill in a form with incoming and outgoings and then set a small sum - even £1. It's hopefully temporary just to get through the next year then up your payments. Have you checked universal credit too

Absolutely ring and talk to everyone you might miss payment with. It's much better to let them know in advance than just not pay.
I hope things get easier for you soon.

I've got a meeting about uc next week.

I'm self employed and acting for payments to cone in. One is an international bank transfer from Holland and the other is a PayPal amount (client will only pay this way - I prefer bank transfer).both are for a lot of money and no sign of either yet.

I'm up shit creek.

• waiting

If you don’t make the minimum payment, it’s likely to affect your credit profile. If you phone them and agree to do something different than the standard contractual terms, that counts as an arrangement to pay and your account will more than likely marked as such.

But, if your card is already at it’s limit and you’ve only been making minimum payments, then it probably doesn’t look too good anyway, at least in the short term.

And if you haven’t got the money to pay, then you haven’t got the money to pay. As a lot of the posters above have already said, phoning them up and speaking to them will be a load off your shoulders, I suspect. I just wanted to try and answer the question you asked, that’s all.

You need to ask for 'breathing space'.

That's the industry term for pausing payments while you review your situation and come up with a plan.

However without a full picture of your circumstances, no-one can advise fully.

Look at the budgeting and debt help section and go through it all carefully to see what your best course of action is.

Moneysavingexpert.com that is.

Hi - I am also self employed, and payments can take ages to come through. Have you chased very clearly, i.e. could you let me know when the payment will come through please as I need the money to pay my mortgage/bills? Particularly if you work for large organisations, the process can take ages, but I have found that politely explaining the problem has often speeded up the process. And do as who else you need to speak to - often the first person has limited ability to speed up the system. Apols if you have already done this!

I'm in the same boat. I called my energy supplier to change my direct debit to them. I told them I'm widowed with 2 children, self-employed and couldn't afford the amount they wanted.
I was surprised when they asked what I could afford!
It's worth a try.