Please help......

in_despair_3

I have never done the 0% credit card thing - would I have to get lots of credit cards (eg 4 or 5 at say £4000 limit, or would someone give me one or two to match the current amounts?

mariannemarlow

hello in despair, just like to say welcome and that you have done the right thing posting here. don't worry a lot of us are in awful situations and felt just like you do. i am starting a debt management plan with the cccs, they have been great so far and are trying to get my interest frozen for me. only sent the forms back yesterday but am already looking forward to worrying less about things!



marianne

in_despair_3

Hi Marieanne

Can I ask what the monthly payments will be on the DMP?

I am desperately trying to find out what is considered reasonable!
I do have my appt with the CCCS on Friday next week, but am worrying myself sick over it all.....

Jo
xx

themaccas

Hi in depair,
I've been lurking for awhile now and this is my first post, I really, really feel for you right now. Try not to let all this get you down, it sounds like you have made a great decision in contacting the cccs and they will give you some advice and direction We are also in debt - BIG debt, currently making all our repayments like you and we have just seen the light! Had a big lightbulb moment a couple of weeks ago. We are trying to economise, it sounded easy at first but the reality is very different isn't it? We have huge child care bills too, with no family or friends nearby to help and the cheapest isn't always the most suitable just as the most expensive isn't always the best either. What I recently did was approach my boss and asked to work more hours on certain days and therefore have every Friday off reducing my childcare costs by a fifth. Over the month this works out to around £130 saving! My daily rate for childcare is between 8-6 regardless of what time I actually drop off or pick up because we need the flexibilty so I now utilise that 4 days a week!
Take care and lots of hugs

JAMIEDODGER

why do you have to pay social services to care for your husband? would you qualify for disability living allowance?

in_despair_3

Hi Jamie

Yes, he qualifiesfor DLA, which is DLA on my income.... we have to pay social services because, even though we have debt, I earn too much, and am therefore expected to make this contribution! They do not take into account any expenses other than Mortgage or Council Tax.

in_despair_3

The problem with childcare for me is that a big whack of it is paid as Tax Credit Contribution (if you are disabled for child care purposes, which my husband is, they pay a contribution to the cost of childcare) so if my childcare decreases, so does the income if you see what I mean.

in_despair_3

The reason that we have had this reality check is that I have come back to work after 12mths maternity leave, so in Jan we had to start paying the childcare fees and the social services fees.

I am so devasted that we are in this mess, and i just really feel for my littlegirl. Idont want her to miss out because of our situation, and our financial stupidity!

moo842

what about childcare vouchers?? we only pay £30 per month in childcare and have reduced this to around £23 by using the vouchers.

in_despair_3

Yes, we have thought of the childcare vouchers too. The only trouble is, your employer has to register before you can participate.... my emplyer is not registering "in the near future" (I enquired the other day) I am a teacher, and work for a county council. I cannot persuade them to take part....