A fresh start

Seaxwyn

Well I looked again at that ad and I didn't tick any of the boxes - so it' not to be but I have decided I will have a proper look at alternative jobs and maybe go along to a specialist recruiter or two just to see what I might be able to earn.

Karmacat

Thats an excellent idea.... you make a living at a job that most people would kill for ( a real life writer!!! ) and I know its not enough, and its not glamourous, but you're in the top percentage point of people in a very cut throat area. I'm sure you have transferable skills from that.

xxx

taxi73

I also agree with Hypno re the DMP as you've tried and tried to pay it off.How can you pay it off when interest is added every month.At least with a DMP the interest may stop.
You cannot do all the work and I can't see your DH getting a full time job to share the burden.
You can only try so many things.
If things get bad here and I don't get an insurance payout..I'm going to give up and get a DMP or something similar...I certainly don't want DH having to work double shifts just to pay debt..which is what you in effect will be doing.

Seaxwyn

Thanks taxi. I certainly hope your insurance money comes through with no hitches. I feel very resistant to getting a DMP. None of my debts are high interest (except the overdraft, grrrr to that).

It's only money and so long as I can keep on keeping things together I will. I've got lots of other things to be grateful for. My kids are all happy and healthy and that's the main thing.

hypno06

But its not the interest rate that is crippling you, it is the amount of money you are having to find each month to service the debt, which then leaves you struggling.

A dmp would reduce those payments - ok, so it would take longer to clear the whole lot, but at least the debt would be going down each month, and at the same time, you would have enough to live on which would reduce a certain amount of stress.

I know how reluctant you must be do consider this - I have been there and done that, remember. But you would still be repaying everything you have borrowed, just over a longer time frame. Sometimes, though, we have to look at what we are doing and if it is not working as effectively as we would like, we have to look at the alternative ways of doing it.

Why not go to the CCCS debt remedy, and put the figures in on the website - no need to speak to anyone, no need to commit to anything, it is just a calculator, which will give you an idea of what you would be paying under the DMP and what it would leave you for other areas of your life.

At least it would give you something to compare the current situation with, and you can then make a decision based on information rather than simply emotion?

x

lucielle

We went to the cccs and they were fantastic. Wise words from Hypno.
L

whatatwit

Hi Sea, I've just been reading through the last few pages of your diary. (((hugs)))

You really must feel like that hamster stuck inside her wheel running and running. I'm sorry if my questions have already been answered, but I'll be honest and say I've not read back too far

Is the boiler still the same, ours went through a spell like this and it also had a leak :eek: water and electrics lovely. It also would turn itself on and off when it felt like it. Our boiler man wasn't much use, so we ended up buying a new one from B&Q and OH fitted it. No, he isn't Corgi or even a plumber, but very methodical and we've no intention of moving (no-one would buy our derelict looking place) and it's wonderful to have a working boiler. Sorry I've no real MSE advice, OH did wonder if it was the switch that controls the flow to the rads that had stuck, but I think ours was really knackered.

What are DDs planning to do in Sept, will they qualify for EMA, at least then they can be independant and have their own funds for bus fares etc My DD doesn't qualify, oh the joys of being s/emp and OH having a good year but I do give her the EMA during term time, it works out far cheaper for me than having to subsidise her.

My other thought is the DMP, if you were to arrive here as a shiny new DFW posting on the main board, DMP would be the solution. As Hypno said, you are not trying to reduce your debts, just your repayments until you can increase your income. It wouldn't have to be for life just to give you and your OH a breathing space.

Love and hugs The Twit :kisses3:

Seaxwyn

I will do the CCCS thing online. No harm in exploring, even though I feel that a DMP is not for me. I did phone them up when I first joined MSE and at that time they were unable to help as we were self-employed and suggested I dealt with my creditors myself. Well that was 3.5 years ago (I think) and we have managed without a DMP and kept up with payments.

Boiler... that slipped down the list of priorities when the washing machine packed in. I think the boiler works fine but the switches don't - the timer switch is erratic and the switch that stops hot water going into the central heating system doesn't work. I got some junk mail from British Gas including an offer of a free visit from a Heating Adviser, so might call one in to opine.

OH is mending the washing machine now (I'm taking a break from helping him). Hope that is successful.

No idea if the girls will get EMA but suspect not, as we don't qualify for free school meals, council tax rebate etc. We must send in our tax returns so we have new figures to work with.

Thanks for your concern and advice everyone. I must get back to the washing machine but will do the CCCS thing later.

whatatwit

Hi Sea, HERE is a link to EMA, with the amounts etc.

Good luck with the washing machine

Seaxwyn

AAAARGH!!!!!!

My gross earnings last year were £34,739.30, so no EMA. The girls will be gutted!

Washing machine - fixed one fault but another has appeared.

Boiler timer control thingy has completely died.

But.... I bought some new trainers with a voucher I won in a competition. Really chuffed to have them. I also got a free place in the London 10k in July - really looking forward to running along all those famous streets with no traffic.