Stupidly in debt and finding it real hard.....

tireesix

Hi,

Both me and DH have been 'ill' for a while so on income support etc.

In total each month we get about £900 a month. " years ago, the DWP messed up and we didn't get the righ amount of benefit for over a year, we got out a loan to help out but now we seem to have spiralled out of control (almost).

We now owe

Bank 4500 (about £80/month)
ODaft 260
Gas 200 (about £30/month)
Catalogues nearly £400 (about £40/month)
Course costs of 1100 (£39/month, get this, I am training to become a book keeper and I can't even get a hold of my own finances).

I think thats about it. DH and I do not go out, he is usually too busy doing an OU course, I have 2 children + my own course work to do so I have to admit we do splash out on the TV (sky £36/month).

I did ask for help with payplan, they told me to write to the companies etc to see if I can get lower repayments but I have a problem with this, I suffer severe anxiety, chronic social phobia and despite trying I just can't sort out the letters and DH doesn't believe we have a problem so won't do anything (I know it sounds stupid but it is a real issue for me, I have problems just talking on the telephone, payplan would prefer it if I spoke to them on the phone but I am finding it impossible..... Just about managing here, its so pathetic).

I did think about trying to sort out consolidating our debt but we have a poor credit rating so no one is prepared to lend to us......

I have real problems budgeting, I put away what we need each month for debt, travel to see DHs son etc, bills etc and we have 220 ish left over per fortnight for food, household products etc..... But I am really crap with shopping, we are vegetarian (well, I am not really), 3 of us are allergic to milk products which seems to mean buying alternatives gets expensive and I have to avoid to many oxalates in my diet which cuts out lots of nice nutrtous fruit and veg etc which would have made for a cheaper diet........

To just make it easier, has anyone got any tips, anything.......

rchddap1

For a start you should pop your head into the Old Style boards. Chances are you'll be showered with suggestions for your shopping basket and recipes etc...

lynzpower

Hello love and welcome

If you could do an SOA, with ALL your incomings & outgoings see "first time posters by Southern Scouser which is pinned, it will give you a guide of what you need to do.

IM sure we can find you some money, savings on your outgoings
Lynz
xx

tireesix

What is an SOA????

THX!

lynzpower

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=107280

here ya go!