A reader asked if he should offer a £1 a month token payment to his debts, wondering if his creditors would ever accept it. The simple answer is that you should make token payments offers: TO non priority debts IF you CAN'T get a coronavirus payment break WHEN it is all you can afford AND you expect your situation will improve. In 2020 millions of people have reduced household incomes … [Read more...]
Readers have asked a huge variety of questions in the comments below Debt Camel articles. From credit ratings and mortgages to payday loan refunds and IVAs...
Some of them needed such long replies that I have turned them into the articles that are gathered here.
“Will partial settlement make it hard to get a mortgage?”
Ms F asked: "I have been in debt management for five years after my marriage breakdown. After an inheritance, I want to pay off my DMP as it will carry on for years. I could pay in full but my house needs some urgent work and my car is on its last legs. I asked about my credit score if I offer a partial settlement and was told this would show as partially settled on credit score file. Will I … [Read more...]
“Will a credit card improve my score? What’s the best way to use it?”
A reader asked: I’ve recently paid off my 2 defaulted credit cards and I have been paying into Loqbox for the past 4 months (£70). I got an email from Clearscore saying I can get a Capital One credit card. This is the first time in a long time that I have been offered a credit card because my credit has been so poor but it is slowly improving. Should I apply for this? If I do what is the best … [Read more...]
“On furlough, now redundant – what about my mortgage & IVA?”
A reader, Mr D, asked: I am being made redundant, no redundancy pay as I didn't work there long enough. We have managed my IVA payments when I was on furlough by taking a mortgage holiday but that is ending and now our household income will be halving. We will struggle to pay the mortgage let alone the IVA. My partner earns too much for me to get any benefits. I know I have to tell my IVA, but … [Read more...]
“What should I do when my 3 month credit card payment break ends?”
Ms D asked about her options now the three credit card payment break has ended: I’ve come to the end of my 3 month payment freeze and as the card lender has kept adding on interest I have gone over my credit limit, so the first payment due was nearly £400. I contacted them as I couldn’t afford that amount -my partner is self-employed and not receiving any income due to coronavirus. They agreed … [Read more...]
“Will paying off debt improve my credit rating?”
A reader asked if his credit score would improve if he paid off some debt. First a useful warning from Experian: There’s no one credit score or magic number – different lenders score differently. But a good place to start is by looking at what exactly is on your credit records. There are three credit reference agencies in Britain and you have to check all three as they may have different … [Read more...]
Coronavirus – 4 steps to take if you lose your job
A reader asks: Help! I have just been made redundant and I don't know how I am going manage, especially as we have debts. I'm only getting a few weeks redundancy pay. What should I do? A lot of firms are closing or making some staff redundant because of Coronavirus. If your firm has just closed suddenly, you may be worried about getting the pay for the weeks you have already worked, the pay … [Read more...]
How to choose between cashback/rewards/ 0% on purchases credit cards
A reader asked: Should I get a cashback card or one that gives you rewards? Or is a 0% on purchase card better? I will be able to repay in full most months I hope. The answer depends on what you want to use the card for... and if you really would be able to pay it in full every month. When is a cashback card better? If you repay the credit card bill in full every month then a cashback card … [Read more...]
“What’s the best way to clear credit card debt?”
A reader has a very common situation: I have £12,000 of debt on a couple of credit cards and a catalogue. Is a loan the best way to sort this out as soon as possible? It's not possible to answer that without a lot more details... but let's explore the options and see what makes some ways better for some people. Why do you want to do this? There are three main reasons: 1) You are fed … [Read more...]
How to get a paid CCJ marked as Satisfied
A reader asked: In August 2015 a CCJ was registered against me for £211. I paid off the balance, but not within the month. I have bank statements to prove its been paid. On my credit report it shows the status as “active” even though I have paid it. I’ve contacted the debt collector multiple times but they say as it’s an old case it’s no longer on their system and they can’t help me. I don’t … [Read more...]
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