Origin Energy

Okay. I have right-royally screwed up. Don't need anyone to tell me that. I'm doing it to myself enough.

I have an *enormous* amount owing to origin for my electricity, and another amount owing to them for gas (but not as much) and they aren't screaming at me for that. Yet. I have had lots of payment agreements with them, but keep breaking them, I've received the utility grant, and everything else they could possibly do to help get me to pay the bills. For one reason or another (usually me not being able to talk to the Man about money to pay the essential bills), it hardly ever gets paid. I haven't received centrelink payments since the start of January as we did not do our tax returns for years. The tax is done, and I'm just waiting for the payments to be reinstated, its taken over a week so far. I was getting my gas and elec paid out of my benefits, but when the payments stopped, I had no money to pay my bills. I was managing to pay my gas usage, but only half of the elec. Last week, origin have sent me a "disconnection iminent" notice. I have an appointment with a financial counsellor next week (on the 28th), but by then it will be too late. I don't have anyone I can borrow money from, and at the moment its looking like I will have to file for bankruptcy. Does anyone know if they will just disconnect me, or send my overdue amount to a debt collector, or what?

Can someone please help me? What can I do?

They will disconnect you first and then if you remain unpaid they will refer to a debt collector. What date do they have listed for disconnection?

14 April.

Can you call them and tell them that you're waiting on payments from CL? Or that you have an app with a FC? Anything to sell? Erm...any credit cards you can extend (yes I know thats bad but if you're desperate).

Hugs hun, it's a horrible thing to have to go through x

I have PMed you babe :hug:

Thank you Ali.

We only have debit visa cards, so thank fully can't run into huge debt that way.

Have got off the phone now.... told them (through a bluster of tears! :redface:) that I am waiting on CL payments again, and have an apt with the FC. I don't know what dept the lady was in, but I haven't spoken to them before (so wish I did, then I wouldn't be so worried). I am on a good payment plan (which WILL be adhered to), and she has also given me some leeway for the first payment while I wait for CL to start up again. I will be trying to put through a little bit before then (if I can get it off the Man :wall:).

Thank you for your love! I'm still worried, but happy that I have a plan, that the new and stronger me that is growing somewhere inside can make happen.

Yay! So pleased for you...hope everything goes smoothly x

can i ask why you dont have access to your "DHs" money when its for bills?
could you not set up an auto payment from "his" money if your CL isnt covering it(esp as your not getting CL atm?)

OG, sorry, I thought I had replied :doh:. He gets paid cash (which is going to be a PITA for when *I* have to do the tax), and he doesn't seem to think of the bills.

Netix only just caught up with this thread now, glad you got onto someone helpful, probably their collections dept- they always prefer a good payment plan to taking final action. But I'm more concerned about the ongoing issue of whether there is enough money for bills (since you referred to this in the other debt thread). Does The Man only hand over a certain amount of his pay for the household expenses and then spend the rest? If that's the case, you need to grab out all the bills for the past year, for everything - electricity, phones, gas, vehicle rego, credit cards, insurance, and add up what it costs (plus 10% for inflation), then divide it into weekly or fortnightly amounts. This is how much The Man needs to hand over for bills every single payday irrespective of whether there is a bill at that moment or not. You can then bank it/pay it against one of your payment plans, so you're not getting caught out when the big bills come in. Then on top of that - you need to do the same with all of the debt - add it all up, work out what time frame you are going to pay it off, then The Man needs to know he has to hand over this amount every single payday on top of the other money. Getting all the bills out and showing him in black and white added up on a piece of paper or two will help bring the message home. Also show him how much more it costs per month when you get behind (all those late fees and interest - it costs money to owe money, kwim) and maybe he will be more aware/motivated to stay in front.

HTH :hug: It's a difficult place to be in.

great advice MD

this is how i pay our bills.. every fortnight money goes to the bill then by the time the actual bill comes there is very little to pay

Thanks, good ideas! I saw the financial counseller today actually, and she said to come back next week when I know exactly how much I'm getting from centrelink as well.

TBH, I think he would probably need to hand over ALL his pay to cover things, and then some. Its just so frustrating because he cares so little.

<sigh> sorry, not in the mood for talking money atm. But just to let you know that I am working on things.

Fully understand if you don't want to talk about it, I just felt a bit worried for you when I read the thread, is all. :hug: I hope the fin couns has got some good ideas to help take the stress off. :hug:

Yeah, I'm cool with things atm. Sometimes it just really gets to me and gets me down. As I wrote a few weeks ago too. I just keep pulling myself up again.

GRR! The Man jsut rang me to chase up the bank to see why our cards don;t work, even thought there is money in there now. Fantastic.