Corona Virus- Budgeting during a crisis

[unclebulgaria67]

Hi

 

Thought I would start a discussion thread, so people can share their budgeting tips/advice or information.

 

Which household bills are a priority ?

 

Government help being offered  ?

 

Which debts are a priority ?

 

Actions that can be taken to reduce outgoings to avoid going into debt ?

 

People will be worrying about how this crisis is going to affect them, their families and their businesses.

 

Perhaps we can help others by sharing  our experiences and offer any tips/advice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[fkofilee]

So here my offering - I am rather lucky. The industry I am in at the moment is in High Demand to keep people connected.

I also dont have to travel into London to work and can do so from home.

 

I pay a modest 3 figure sum every month to travel into London from West Sussex - For maybe the next 2 months I might not have to pay this which is great.

But not everyone will be as lucky etc.

 

It makes me wonder about supermarkets though. Predominantly I shop locally to me from my convenience store as I always used to be on the move which hasnt been ransacked.

But with Supermarkets - Are people going to queue round the block like they have been doing?

[brassnecked]

Definitely list what you normally buy price it up, remove what is not absolutely essential, and plan for that

 

My Local  Council said Council Tax will have to be paid whatever,  but to contact and come to an arrangement, and are planning on seeking Liability Orders as usual through the Crisis.  MOJ might kibosh that. They said the system of letters and Liability Orders is highly automated, and the only human intervention is to manually put a hold on the account, don't contact them and the LO goes through automatically.  However, If someone is on Reduced Income they should apply for Council Tax Relief whether Renting or buying.

[ContentCreativesAdmin]

This is my first post on the forums here but budgeting is an area close to my heart.

 

My top-5 tips:

1. Ever more important now to shop around for the cheapest energy supplier / insurance / mobile phone contract.

2. Buy bigger packs of items where the unit price is often cheaper (e.g. washing tablets) and look out for 2-for-1 offers etc.

3. Switch to LED lights, turn off electrical items on standby.

4. Don't throw out food just because the Best Before date has been reached - there is often a window of safety with BB dates.

5. Be wary of auto-renewals on subscriptions - check when annual subscriptions end and make sure they are cancelled in time.

 

Hope that is of some help.

[dx100uk]

if you are paying ANY debt collection agencies (DCA's) ANY money at all - STOP PAYING THEM NOW.

or id you don't feel that brave yet..drop to <£5PCM.

 

the above is a far too short a statement but GENERALLY applies to every DCA you are blindly paying.

 

but PLEASE DO NOT ASK QUESTIONS ON THIS THREAD

create a NEW TOPIC by hitting +CREATE in the top RED BANNER.

 

there are three exception:

 

1. LOOK at their letters - if the letter says OUR CLIENT xxxx - seek advice start a topic

2. if this is a secured debt - i.e THEY are named on your DEEDS .

3. if they have already attained a CCJ/CO . 

 

but if the above do NOT APPLY - PLEASE follow above

the current climate is probably one of the only chances we will ever have of destroying many DCA's and the £B's of money they FLEECE from people everyday.

 

dx

 

[London1971]

Plus,

 

I called a DCA we have been paying £50 per month for the last couple of years towards a CCJ. I have lost some income, and my wife is classified as someone vulnerable who needs to stay inside for 12 weeks.  Luckily she works from home and has a good , secure job.  However the DCA suspended payments and is going to write of the remaining £1000 plus balance.

 

I also called the mortgage company, and we have a 3 month (extendable) mortgage holiday waiting if we need it. This will not affect our Credit file.

 

Everyone is in the same boat right now, and will be able to help. Don't lose anymore sleep, get on the phone.

[fkofilee]

Lantern UK are still open and still attempting to get money. 

I asked what their policy and whether they would be closing up due them being a non essential business. Of course you know the answer already...

 

[brassnecked]

With regards to Mobile Phone contracts, sometimes better to buy a phone, some decent ones around and get a SIM only, or even keep your existing phone if still good at end of contract and sim only in that.

 

Councils seem to be still after Liability Orders for Council tax, arrears but don't think Bailiffs will be allowed to call soon.

[dx100uk]

Giffgaff!!

[brassnecked]

Some decent deals there DX

[dx100uk]

and no contract and as the network used by o2 has (so i'm told by my ex emergency planning boss ) recently signed a deal to provide the background data streams for the all the new 999 tetra replacement system along with the existing use of EE can only get better

[London1971]

Just got a written confirmation of my mortgage holiday, with no adverse affect on my Credit file.  I would implore anybody in short term financial trouble to call their bank or building society.

[brassnecked]

That's good news, HA's and Councils are discussing what to do about the Rent rises they jhave planned, as well.

[unclebulgaria67]

Do not go overdrawn on your main Bank account, as the costs of doing so, can be very expensive.   And you may lose the Bank account if it is closed.

 

If there is not enough money available to pay Direct Debits or Standing Orders,  please do cancel these by contacting your Bank or using online/mobile Banking.

 

When you cancel Direct Debits or Standing orders, please do contact the companies/organisations in writing to advise that due to the current circumstances e.g. Loss of work, the DD or SO has been cancelled. If you are in a position of hardship, please do tell them this and ask what help they are able to offer.

 

As soon as you have an alternative source of income, then look to start paying all priority bills. Do not restart DD's or SO's unless the new income source is reliable and you are able to manage your finances.

 

 

 

 

[unclebulgaria67]

Please do use a Benefits Calculator to find out what help might be available. Sites such as Turn2Us and Entitledto have calculators and benefits advice.

 

Please do contact your Landlord, if you are unable to pay the full rent.

 

Please do contact your Mortgage company, before you cannot make a payment due, to discuss the help available.

 

Please do contact your local Council Authority if you are in extreme hardship circumstances, as most have a one-off welfare fund. This is where you have run out of money, are waiting for Benefit applications and have no other source of help.  

 

DO NOT FEEL EMBARRASSED ABOUT YOUR SITUATION. Remember that millions of people during a major crisis period, will have very similar issues and feelings. 

 

Make a list of all Household budget items.

 

Decide what items you don't need.

 

You will end up with a priority list of spending.

 

Concentrate on the priorities. Keep in contact with those companies that provide you with the priority services and do your best to pay these priority bills, using any benefit money, if this is required.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[brassnecked]

With regard to UncleBulgaria's advice the new FCA rules on Overdrafts have made them a no no for many as the interest rates exceed even Credit Repair credit cards,and possibly payDay loans Cancel those DD s after contacting the creditor, and offer alternatives as suggested, like payment holiday, or reduced payments, Look at Council tax Relief that doesn't just apply to renters.

[fkofilee]

No matter how tempting it is - Please stay away from Payday / Instalment Loans with High APRs. Do not feed the HCSTC Industry.

[brassnecked]

Absolutely, definitely not the time to be taking on any credit.

[honeybee13]

Let's not forget credit unions that want to be an alternative to expensive lending.

 

https://www.findyourcreditunion.co.uk/

[brassnecked]

Good point HB, but Credit Unions are having issues due to much of their day to day being face to face with manual transactions. we need to find out which are accessible digitally as well.

[honeybee13]

You're right. You'd hope that they would adapt and use technology or the phone given the circumstances.

 

HB

[brassnecked]

This is the link to a local CU near me, they are face to face, with payroll deductions and other methods looks like they have cut back due to Covid-19

https://www.cambriancu.com/en/?utm_source=www.findyourcreditunion.co.uk&utm_medium=Website&utm_campaign=www.findyourcreditunion.co.uk-link)

 

[unclebulgaria67]

FCA announcement 9/4/20

From interest-free overdrafts to credit card payments, the FCA has told banks to help borrowers during coronavirus crisis: What will it mean for you?

• The FCA said banks must offer interest-free overdraft buffers of £500
• It also said people could put their credit card repayments on hold for 3 months
• This would not affect their credit score but they would still be charged interest
• This is Money explains what the proposals mean for consumers  

 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/cardsloans/article-8203647/What-todays-new-FCA-debt-measures-mean-you.html

 

https://www.fca.org.uk/news/press-releases/fca-confirms-temporary-financial-relief-customers-impacted-coronavirus