please help me im really scared

warehouse

One other thing, if you've been spending like mad on your credit cards then is there anything you can sell on ebay, and I mean anything? You might be very surprised what you can earn from selling stuff, and it'll all go towards paying off debt.

Nargleblast

It can be very demotivating to see other people apparently living the life of Riley (whoever he was) on the back of the taxpayer. However, you never know the full circumstances of their lives. They could be up to their eyes in debt, paying for it all on the never-never as so many of us did before we had our lightbulb moments. Or they could be total shysters who are milking the system for what it is worth. Either way, it is a waste of your time and energy getting worked up over how other people live. As long as you know you are honest and hardworking and doing your best to sort your situation as well as raise a family, that is what matters. Don't worry about the renting thing, lots of people rent rather than have a mortgage. I hear that in Europe they think we Brits are really odd with our obsession with owning property. You can argue that rent money is money wasted, but there are lots of mortgage holders out there now who are deep in the brown stuff. Focus your energy and your talents on sorting the debts out - once you are debt free, you can look into property buying then. it might be years before you get your very own mortgage but in the meantime life goes on. And get your brother and sister to take over the responsibility for paying their mobile phone bills, they are old enough now to do that.

mummyofboys

yes you are right, sorry im just sulking !
Nothing really to sell on ebay accept stuff my son has grown out of ect, toys and clothes. The credit cards were racked up trying to meet payments, or just for food and living when there was nothing left from wages_stupid i know.

i think i will ask them to pay for it, although im not sure if they would be able to afford it, my brother only earns 100 per week and pays for his flat share and my sister just earns 30 per week. I feel really bad as it was a gift so to speak.

Nargleblast

Why not cancel the phone contracts and get your brother and sisters phones switched to Pay as you go? then you could perhaps give them each a £10 top up every month, instead of paying out the £78 you are currently paying.

Have you tried ringing CCCS or National debtline? they might have some suggestions.

And it goes without saying that plans for more children go on ice for now - if you can divert your energy into paying off the debts then you will be in a position to plan for more children sooner than you think. And please make sure the credit cards are destroyed, they are no help to you in this situation.

Rainy_2

Hey jay,

You are handling this brilliantly by getting it straightened out - in your head as well as literally!

I'm surprised that the council said no to the 12months - does anyone know anymore about this?

Well done on getting the gas and elec down too, my first thought was that they were both very high - and obviously too as they had a chunk of your money sitting in their greedy pockets!

Like others have said, there is a lot of info on this site that will help you get sorted. There is a thread dedicated to extra income which should help you out with some ideas. I'm about to seek that out now as I've been told about a 'make £10 a day' you say you 'only' have stuff from your son for Ebay but you would be surprised of what it may make all added up. I've sold some tat - er - treasure and been pleasently surprised.

It is hard not to be worried and alarmed when those nasty red letters land (I know, I am dealing with PLENTY of them at the mo) but the best thing you can do is keep in contact with your creditors (via letter if you prefer) let them know the situation, offer them a small token payment (£1) to show them your intentions of sorting this out when your finances improve (which they will!) They may not bite straight away but you are then in the best position if they continue to chase you. Just keep on at them, you can't pay them if you haven't got it but you will when you have got it :cool:

the_cat

Jay

As you cannot change the days you work to take advantage of the free childcare on Tues, is there any chance your step mum would be able to switch the day she cares for your son?

This would cut your childcare by 1/3 - a huge extra chunk of income

Ames

If you can't get extra work on your day off, you could use it to bulk cook cheap meals that you can then freeze, if you look on the old style board you'll see loads of recipes and things. That should get your food bill down.

mummyofboys

the_cat - i feel totally stupid now lol i seriously havent even considered that, she may be able to help yes , she does work but she might be able to sort something out for me, your so right that would save a hell of alot. I will speak to her as soon as she gets home.

About cancelling the mobile contracts- dont they may you pay all the outstanding months? ie) the £35 per month for the remainding of the contract.If not i would do this in a second. The ten pound top up per month is a good idea, why oh why oh why did i not originally think of this.

The credit cards are definatley not being used at the moment, im going to cut them up- i jut want rid

mummyofboys

As for ebay, I will look into it, I have never really used it before so just assumed what i have is tat. for example i dont have much of value ie) jewelry ect

aitch-aitch

On childcare I agree with "the-cat" you could save a reasonable amount by asking you mum to swap her days she has your little one.

Also you could ask your employer if they have childcare vouchers - we have them at work and it saves me a reasonable amount of money each month. You can "buy" upto £243 of childcare vouchers each month which can be paid to any registered childcare provider. See

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/health/childcare-vouchers