I need help so badly

dancingfairy

Fair enough. I have to go out now but hopefully you'll get some help and suggestions. If things go a bit quiet - don't be shy to put a comment or anything on your thread to get it back up the list again so more people notice it.
df

LittleMissSkint

mothsinmywallet wrote: »

I noticed from your SOA that your gas and electric are enormous - are you paying arrears? If not, you could see if you can shop around for a better deal. We pay £70 a month for both. Also run round turning lights off, don't use tumble dryer etc. There is also no child benefit included - do you get any?

Please don't be disheartened - small steps will give you back some control. There is really no point beating ourself up about past mistakes - you have made the first steps to sorting this out. Be brave! Bottomless help and support on these forums x

Hi,

Yeah these include arrears - I hope they will be going down soon. N Power are going to look at reducing it but they are waiting to see if my winter usage goes up. I'm trying really hard to keep it down. I get Child Benefit, but this is only partners incoming/outgoings. I keep the child benefit seperate to make sure it never gets swallowed by debt. I buy food etc from it when we are really short (all the time)

mothsinmywallet_2

I was worried for a minute there - had visions of tumble dryer running 24/7! Find out when you will have finished paying your arrears so you can plan for the extra cash.

Have you had a look on the old style board? the folks over there will definitley be able to shave a couple of hundred off your food bill. Also post a list of what you currently have in your cupboards - they will help you turn it into a phenomenal amount of meals! You CAN do this.

ramblingtree

Hey,
Glad the experts have given you lots of advice. I have to go to my 2nd job now, but will try and check back tomorrow to get an update.
Good luck with it all!
x

shell_girl

Hi- I remember and empathise with that panicky feeling!

What other posters have said is true though- they cannot take what you don't have.

I know it's not going to solve all your problems, but I would suggest you look at ways to cut your food bill- I promise it can be done!

When do you do your shoppping and where? I only shop half an hour before closing time in Morrissons- motto in our house is 'if it hasn't got a yellow sticker on it- it doesn't make it to the trolley'!

I appreciate with having young children it's not as easy as I've made it sound, but try it- some nights are better than others but as long as you're pretty open minded about what you eat you can save a fortune. OH and I are currently inventing 101 ways to eat a sausage- as our local Morrissons had packs of veggie sausages down to 19p the other night. Don't be shy at the reduced counter- elbows out and buy up the lot- pretty much ANYTHING will freeze. The old style board is great for offering suggestions about making meals from almost nothing- pop over there and have a look.

Most importantly though- stick around

These boards are amazing for finding a way out of what seems like an impossible situation.

shell_girl

Also- have a think about what you can sell from around the house- it's amazing what you can make from selling old [STRIKE]junk[/STRIKE] treasure

Challenge yourself to list maybe 5 items a day for a week and watch the pounds roll in! I know my suggestions aren't going to solve the big debt problems, but just knowing you have enough to eat and are pulling some money in gives you the mental boost you need to tackle the big numbers.

TCM_3

Hi - didn't want to read and run!

Have you looked into any benefits you may be entitled to? Working tax credit or child tax credit? Can you ebay anything or car boot?

I agree with the other peeps, they cannot take what you do not have, are there any charges or PPI you could reclaim from the credit cards or bank charges etc?

Things will get better for you when you can see exactly what you are spending what on. How does your partner feel about it all? If you can look at the problem with 2 sets of open eyes, it may be scary, but there alot of folk on here who will help you and point you in the right direction.

Hugs to you and your family, it will be ok honey, xxx

TWINKLE

ramblingtree - I love the Winston Churchill quote at in your signature - will have to remember this one!

Moneytroubles_2

Hi little miss skint, I see everyone has offered such good advice, and just wanted to say hello really, having a panicky day myself so now how your feeling. Hope things work out for you

RAS

LittleMissSkint wrote: »

There are 5 of us, 2 adults and 3 kids aged 6 and under. The debt is all in my partners name and I have no income anyway so I will only include him here.


We own our home (mortgaged - partners name only) and really don't want to lose it. Nor ideally the car.

Could you go to advanced edit and add that you are in Scotland in the title of your thread, as the rules are very different to those in England and Wales.

Can you advise whether there is any equity in the house?

Both CCCS and NDL have Scottish "branches" and can help you See here http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/loans/debt-help-plan#help. Neither charge fees for advice.