Its so unfair why wont someone help?

Heddwen_2

Hubby and I were a little carefree today so we got up and took time out and had a daytrip to Weston-Super-Mare, didnt plan it just had the idea when we got up thismorning!

I suppose it was naughty of us as were in such a financial hole etc but we feel a lot better for it, like old times,

Probably all change to doom and gloom again tomorrow, but it was fun while it lasted.

Will review everything from tomorrow, we only just changed the Working Tax Credit when hubby changed his job and they reduced it by £90 a month! Now he has no other job apart from self employment we'll probably go back to having no WTC at all!

::)

Fran

Heddwen - Don't forget your trip to the CAB re husband's employment problem and your other joint problems.......

budgetflyer

I had a business 16 years ago. Worked myself into the ground trying to make it pay. It DIDN'T.
Your husband really needs to get a full time job and put the dream on hold until you are in a sound financial position.
When things were going down the pan in my case, it got to the stage where we were frightened to open the post.
One day,reality set in I got up and just went and got a full time job. That in itself showed the bank that an effort was being made to change things as they could see a regular steady wage coming in. My wife also took on cleaning jobs. At one point she was doing 4 different part time jobs., but we had regular money coming in weekly.
I also feel that you should try and sell the house and get somewhere cheaper.
I don't know where you stay or what type of house you have but some housing assosiations will buy your home and then rent it back to you.
This will destroy your marriage unless you and your husband take radical action immediately.

mistral_2

Heddwen , I will repaet an earlier post I made .

I dont know if you are able to work but have you thought about night work at a local supermarket ?

They usually are looking for people and the money does tend to be better than day time work ?


It is hard work but it may get you out of a fix.



Best of luck

Heddwen_2

Have already worked in the supermarkets around here. Have just re-applied for temporary work as they no longer seem to keep people on these days.

Thay already tell me theyll call when Im wanted and I call them on a regular basis to check they havent forgotten me but I get the feeling its dont call us we'll call you each time I do!

Budgetflyer - :-[ had you have read the whole string from the begining youde know those answers. I appreciate everyone trying to help and the fact its a long post but it helps us all to stop repeating ourselves if you take a quick read through fromthe beginning. Im not saying digest every letter just get a feel for the content!

Sorry ::) dont mean to be ungreatful but as Fran (I think it was) has already pointed out things are beginning to become repetitive. I keep this post going daily for those of you who are genuinely interested in our progress.

Thanks everyone

Keep you updated.

Fran

Heddwen - So what is your progress? Did you decide against going to the CAB? If you're not going, who are you going to go to?

budgetflyer

Heddwen

I did read it from the start, I missed the bit about the 2 bedroom house though.

I was in your position and know exactly how desperate things are. My B.S at the time was also unhelpfull with my situation, but on reflection,years later I realise they could probably see that I was flogging a dead horse regarding my business.
My advice is given with the best intentions. As someone who has been there I can promise you, you can rebuild again from scratch
You must get through to your hubby to give up the biz.
The biz isn't viable. You, who were the driving force are no longer interested. Your hubby according to you doesn't put the effort in, so whats the point?
You could both get , as previously said, minimum wage jobs and still be better off probably. Fast food take aways are always wanting staff around my bit, to serve behind the counter or deliveries.
.
If you are adamant that you want to keep the house, then you must use what ever means neccessary to persuade your hubby that he has to get a full time job. You are still young enough at a later date to get back on the property ladder once the debt is sorted out. The main priority is keeping the house then that is what you must pay first at all costs. Forget the overdraft,Forget the Credit Card. Give them a fiver a month each , but if BOS are unwilling to budge then you must direct all your resourses into paying off the mortgage and the arrears. If they see it coming down then they probably wont take the house off you.
Once thats sorted then you can worry about the unsecured stuff
One other thing.I know you said you sold a lot on car boot sales , but does that include the "good Furniture" ie the 3 piece suite, the PC the telly, the hifi. If they are quality makes, you could maybe sell them and buy cheaper replacements.This could give a lump sum to help clear the mortgage arears.

Heddwen_2

Fran- We are going to see the CAB, its fitting it in around everything else at the moment thats the hold up. And yes we know its a priority trip.

The business is a very viable one in this area as there arnt many other valeters around. The 2 most bigest ones closed one because they couldnt get garage contracts any more due to the new wave idea of employing valeters on site the other was a chap who only started last year and grew too big too fast and success went to his head and he didnt go the extra mile to care for his clients.

That leaves us and we are 'ticking over' and have a solid base of customers mainly regulars. Plus the summertime is almost here which is our busy time of year (oddly enough I once anticipated it to be winter as who likes cleaning their cars in the snow?).

Perhaps I was a bit of a bull in a chinashop with my opening post, but we are both up and down like yo yo's at the moment. I often feel as if were flogging a dead horse but then when I look at how much we earn in 2 hours (anything up to £50) and compare it to employment it just doesnt add up (2 hours minimum wage is aprox £10?) becoming employed just boosts our desire to succeed and our determination to achieve and get on with tasks.

We are already getting hold of almost any work we can, even expanding into 'employed' office cleaning and grass cutting etc. So were not exactly sitting on our backsides moping about things, weve pulled our socks up taken a good look and are trying to get on with things day by day.

Its here I express my continuing thanks to everyone on my post for your daily help and support and suggestions as its sometimes this that keeps me sane!

Have a cracking Easter everyone. Keep in touch.

;D

nh

Heddwen,

Is the income from the business at least covering your outgoings every month now?

I have been reading the thread since you first posted and I think I recall you saying you wouldn't be able to make the mortgage payments this/next month? This has to be a priority for you now.

I know £50 is a lot for two hours' work but if that is all you get in a day, a full-time job, even on less money, might be more suited.

Would it be possible for your husband or both of you to get day jobs (I know you have been trying to get work and have struggled, so maybe this wouldn't be viable anyway) and then carry on the business in the evenings/weekends?

If you contacted your regular clients and said you were struggling, would they possibly let you valet their cars in the evenings or at weekends or does it not work like that? Could your husband do something other than security work such as working on a building site in the daytime?

I agree with the earlier post that the BS will probably look more favourably on your situation if you have at least one regular income coming in. If the business is not making enough to cover your outgoings now, are you sure it is going to, even taking into account the upturn in business in the summer?

I am sorry if this seems negative, but the amount of debt you are now in is not a lot compared to some on this site, and you don't want to get yourself further into debt - and at worst lose your home.

I don't know how I would cope without a regular, reliable income. Are there any figures you can give us about your income/outgoings as we might be able to suggest where you could make savings?

Heddwen_2

Hi NH

Its not easy cleaning cars in the evening, even in Summer, one reason is the light fades and the air cools. Another is people dont wan to be stuck hanging around waiting for us to finish and we cant afford a workshop and operate a satisfaction before payment policy so its not just a matter of pay and go leaving us to get on with it.

We are branching out as I mentioned into employed areas for example office cleaning jobs which are early morning and evening so we can continue with the business and have a regular income.

Yes things have picked up but not enough to make a difference. Yes the mortgage this month is a priority but weve been told to wait and hear from the BOS (by the chap who came on Monday from DMC).

Your words could sound negative but (especially pointing your tone out) your only expressing your opinions and voicing your views on practical help, so its apreciated thanks.

To top off a mixed week our dog has just had an emergency visit to the vet as he has been unwell this past week. They say its not good and possibly a tumour. Theyve taken a biopsy - results on Saturday and the way foward for the poor old boy. Hes either got 3 months or 3 years dependant on results leading to 1 or 2 treatment options and theres more cost and guilt to come!

Our van tax is due end of April as well so we are pulling out all stops and doing almost anything legal to get the pennies rolling in!

Life is so unfair!

someone will now unsympathetically point out life is what we make of it! :P

::)