Buckle up - it's going to be a bumpy ride!

tealady

Hi GNR. Glad to see you are still plugging away at your debts. I know things are not good on the jobs front (here in Brum the local Council have almost stopped advertising but if you keep plugging away hopefully something will turn up. I know it might seem a bit "off the wall" so to speak but have you considered asking for more responsibility in your job (and hopefully more money).

GotNoRhythm

Hi Tealady! Great to hear from you! I have a strange job (to say the least!) and because I'm classed as a casual worker my hourly rate is actuallly more than it would be if I was working contracted hours. At the moment they're very short-staffed and heading into the busiest time of the year so I can work pretty much what I want (been getting lots of hours in over the past two weeks!) so I have enough work to see me through into the New Year. In the meantime, I'm applying for teaching jobs and I've just seen a well-paid teaching assistant job advertised 20 miles from where I live so I'm applying there too. All in all, things are pretty good right now and I'm staying positive
GNR
xx

GotNoRhythm

Hmph! I seem to be going round in circles with the Citizens Advice Bureau! They have now sent me a third statement to sign which is 'up to date' - the only problem is that it isn't up to date... by the time they sort it out and send me a new copy I've had other bills come in with more and more interest so the statement the CAB ask me to sign is NEVER up to date.
Does anyone else have this problem, or is it just me? I'm grateful to the CAB for offering to help me, but this actually feels more of a hindrance than a help. I initially went to them in September, and took ALL my credit card bills etc then - does it usually take this long for them to sort something out?!

Sorry - rant over (well, sort of!) I'm just fed up of trying to do the right thing and get help, and yet I'm no further forward than I was in September. Are they dawdling for some reason?

Other than that, I'm still looking for a teaching job, or teaching assistant job, but no luck so far. I'm still working on-and-off with my other job, but even that seems more off than on! It's so hard to remain upbeat and focused on getting a job, in fact, I think I might be depressed (but I definitely don't want to go down the route of seeing a doctor about it, if that's what it is) I feel as though the more I feel pressurised into looking and applying for jobs (by myself and my family) the less inclined I feel to actually do anything about it. If I'm honest, my confidence has taken a big bashing and I can always find excuses not to apply for jobs.

What do I do?

GotNoRhythm

Hello again, after a long, long absence... Things have been going along okay until now - Lloyds TSB have closed my bank account and I got a letter today from their debt company asking for payment. All this despite me paying what we agreed. The thing that has annoyed and upset me most is how it has just come completely out of the blue. I thought Lloyds would have written to me first to outline that this was their intention. Of all the companies I have been dealing with, I have to say Lloyds have been utterly rubbish. Frankly I'm glad that they're not my main bank any more. (and I'll be even happier when I am finished dealing with them altogether - whenever that may be)

GotNoRhythm

At last I am happy and feel confident that I'm doing the right thing. I went back to Citizens' Advice after getting a nasty letter from a company on behalf of Lloyds TSB ("for the journey" - surely this is misleading advertising??) The lovely woman who dealt with my last queries called me back and instantly put my mind at rest. I made an appointment to go in and find out more about bankruptcy, which I was always reluctant to do. Turns out I don't need to go bankrupt, and I now have arranged a free-of-charge debt management plan through CAB with CCCS. Everyone was so kind, helpful, non-judgemental, and it was set up so quickly. I feel like I can breathe again.

Hovel_lady

Just been catching up.

Really pleased for you about the DMP

GotNoRhythm

Hi Hovel Lady,
Thank you! I can't describe what a huge weight it is off my shoulders, knowing I don't have to deal with my creditors (I will pay CCCS each month and they allocate the money to my creditors themselves). Also not having to go bankrupt - it means not having to embarrass my family. But mostly it means that I feel I am taking responsibility for my debts and paying them off. It will take a long time (17 years!) but it's doable, and there's a light at the end of the tunnel, even if it is a very long tunnel!

GotNoRhythm

Wow, a month has gone by since I last posted on here... where does the time go? I don't have much to report really - I had a small problem with CCCS texting/emailing to say my first payment was overdue and that it should have been paid on September 1st. I was sick with worry, called them and explained nobody had mentioned anything about a September payment - I simply couldn't make a payment for September 1st. I was paid on 4th September and put the money aside for my October payment, knowing I wouldn't be paid again until October 6th. I spoke to them to say as much. They said they needed a payment for September. I spent a few days worrynig about where I could get the money from ('nowhere' was the answer) and called them back. They said not to worry, and the first payment would be in October. Just like that! I'd spent those days worrying for nothing!

I still need a full-time job. Living in Rural-Back-Of-Beyond really doesn't help!! The nearest large towns are about 25 miles away from me, so when I factor in petrol money it's still difficult financially. I think the only feasible option would be to move to somewhere larger where I could get a full time job and rent somewhere small and cheap (genius idea!!) My biggest problem is that after getting so badly into debt, then getting further into debt by going back to uni to train as a teacher, then not being able to get a teaching job has all seriously affected my confidence and self-belief (which was low anyway). I know I'm probably like so many thousands of other people in a similar sort of situation, and really I actually have a lot to be thankful for, but when you are repeatedly knocked down and told you are no good at everything you try it's very hard to get back up and keep trying.

Sorry for the whinge. I've been feeling very low lately. trying to stay positive )

GotNoRhythm

I feel that my good nature is being abused by my employer. I have had the week from hell so far (and it's only Tuesday!!)

After they had practically forgotten I exist (no work for almost two weeks) I got a call at lunchtime yesterday to ask if I could cover a branch 30 miles from home - for 2 hours. I explained that whilst I had no other plans that day, I also had no fuel in my car (literally - the warning light was on) but we've now been told we can only claim fuel expenses back through our monthly pay. After a couple of phone calls I was told this was fine - I could pick up some cash from another branch on the way, which I did. When I got to 'my' branch I got another phone call from the manager to tell me off for picking up the cash (one of my colleagues must have complained about it). I explained my situation (again) and was told that I might be able to use a company car as paying up-front for fuel is clearly a problem for me.
Today I was told that using a company car would be impossible, and that I have to have business insurance on my car if I want to claim for fuel in future. I feel as though they are trying to make it as hard as possible for me to work for them - and I'm wondering if they're trying to get rid of me!! (As a 'casual' employee, there are easier ways to terminate my contract, I'm sure!!)

I feel like telling them to stick their job!! It hasn't been a problem for the past 3 years, and now it seems I have to pay through the nose for the privilege of working for them....

*sighs* Sorry for the rant. It's just been a hard week. It's payday at the end of the week and I'm just hoping I get enough money to pay everything I owe this month. I don't think it's looking good

Feel like I need a hug!

pinkpinkuk

I'm not sure I can offer much that might be of use to you, but I've read your whole thread and you've come such a long way. You should be so proud :T

Didn't want to read and run without giving you a well deserved hug *hug* and some virtual chocolate *hands over*

I hope your week and situation with your employer get better.