despair.....

spangles39

Hi Honeybear.

I feel slightly better today, I think sharing on here helped. I also got the temp job at Tescos until Jan 1st. Also the kennels have asked if i can work over xmas. I have a couple of weeks of no work but can make it up over xmas hopefully. My mate is coming round tomorrow night and i am goin to open all my mail. Silly, Im 40 years old on Tuesday...and i need someone to hold my hand to open letters lol.

Thank all you for your words of support, this forum has been fanastic.

jennihen

Hi Spangles
Just wanted to say some of our best christmases have been the ones with little or no money. Its all glitter and gaud with no God. Give yourself this year off. I've holed up with my kids and not seen anyone apart from our closest friends and we spent time together not money. Be a rebel and dare to say NO to stressy, debt-ridden traditions.
Get that mail sorted -about 75% of it is duplicates so shred that for starters.
Can you stretch to a bottle of wine while you're doing it?
When you know what you're actually facing its easier to get on with it. You know the drill after that - post it all, warts and all, and let everyone throw their suggestions at you. Once you've got a plan and a debt-free date you will never be in this position again.
Best of luck tomorrow
JH x

hypno06

Well done on getting the temp job - every little helps and all that :T

If you don't want to speak to payplan or CCCS on the phone, you can do quite a lot online - CCCS have a "debt remedy" and I think National Debtline do something similar, where you put your details in their system and it works out the amount you should be looking to pay on a DMP. You are not then committed to it, so it might be worth doing, just to get an idea of your alternatives and the amounts that you are looking at, before you need to do it "face to face" so to speak.

Make sure, though, whatever you do, that you ONLY go to one of the debt charities - not to one of the fee paying sharks that advertise on the telly and in newspapers etc - be careful, some of them have had similar names in the past, to try and lure you in.....CCCS, National debtline, the CAB, CAP, Payplan - all ok, and all talked about a lot on here - you could go on to the DMP mutual support thread on this board if you wanted some ideas of how they all work/timescales/hassles/benefits etc.

Also, mooch about the boards to make the most of what is available - freebies such as cinema tickets will give you a much needed night out occasionally, mystery shopping can pay you some useful extra money, and often includes eating out, or buying things that they pay for, and which you can use for presents etc......and the old style board is excellent at making those pennies go even further as far as your budgets are concerned.

Keep going - it is tough, but this site is fantastic, so stick around and you will soon see a difference.....

PandaPaws_3

Spangles - just wanted to send you some <<<<hugs>>>>, oh I know that awful feeling of feeling like you're sinking, but you are doing the right thing - open those bills and get it all down on paper, you can do it - KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. Trust me, you will feel better when you know your situation, it can't be worse than lying awake at night wondering

My experience of tax credits is that HMRC are really helpful, and dealt with my claim quickly - the helpline staff have always been very friendly and open to answering questions, so don't be afraid to contact them.

And just wanted to reiterate what others have said - your work ethic is really admirable.

GOOD LUCK and well done for taking the first steps :beer:

honeybear_2

Yay! I'm so pleased you got the job :T

And they are the ones that say every little helps

Good luck with going through your bills. And if you need a friend to hold your hand (could be tricky when opening envelopes though ) then do it! Plus tea, wine, hot chocolate with marshmallows...in fact all three if that's what it takes!

I will second this thought from Hypo too:

hypno06 wrote: »

Make sure, though, whatever you do, that you ONLY go to one of the debt charities - not to one of the fee paying sharks that advertise on the telly and in newspapers etc - be careful, some of them have had similar names in the past, to try and lure you in

I was looking around for research recently & OMG was on a fee-paying site & being drawn in before I knew it :rolleyes:

Good luck, sweetie

EssexHebridean

Congratulations on getting the Tesco job - see, things are looking up already! :beer:

spangles39

thanx essex, and all of you for your kind words. Well Im a bit trollied...mate came round with vodka.....but opened letters!.....OMG it felt good! now feel in a better place to face my debts, and contact payplan!

)

wuckfit

Well done spangles39. first step is always the hardest.

confused76

hey spangles well done on getting the job - and opening your letters!!
the only way is up..

EssexHebridean

A massive well done to you then - and I'd say the Vodka is well deserved! Was the thought of having to open them actually worse than the getting on and doing it, in the end?