Hello from newbie !..bit of a moan sorry!

pennypusher

Hi you need to put down an average for your husbands money if he is self employed so that we can see the bigger picture.

Triggles

I am curious what made your DH decide to go into business for himself as a letting agent (which can be risky at any point really, much less in the current climate) when he's been unemployed for 6 months and you've got no income coming in, especially when it's a venture that's going to cost you a further £250 per month in petrol expenses. I'm not one to step on someone's self-employment dreams, but it does seem rather bad timing. Can't he work full time at another position and put in part time hours for now, letting the partner take a bit more responsibility and then gradually (as your finances improve somewhat) shift his time into the letting business? I only say this as it seems that his business is eating away at your household expenses and leaving your and your family a bit vulnerable. I would have thought a better time to go into business would be when you've built up some cushion so this type of thing doesn't occur while the business is building up.

NotJustAny...

Always-a-rain-cloud-above wrote: »

my plan was use my mobile for calling mobiles and the housephone for landlines...however most places are 0845 now and both phone plans charge extra for these numbers!

You can get around the 0845 problem. There's a website called saynoto0870 - this will give you alternative (ie landline) numbers for 08 numbers, including 0845. Then you can use your landline - much cheaper!

GEEGEE8

If you go to uni to train to be a nurse you can get a means tested bursary of up to £400 a month and the uni fees are paid for by the government I believe.

You probably already know this, but it might help you

Good luck with it all, I know it's very scary, but you can get out of all this with a bit of planning and help x

suja1983

Considering you are part way through your nursing degree, have you thought about taking on some night time care work? Pay isn't great but it's better than nothing. Plus the experience would be looked upon favourably when you apply for jobs later.

barbiedoll

Make sure that your OH keeps his receipts for petrol as he will be able to claim tax relief on this (when he eventually starts paying tax!) Are you sure that you're claiming all the benefits that you're entitled to? Your income seems very low for 4 people and your bills are horrendously high, especially the utilites. Unfortunately, you will pay more for electric and gas on a token meter but at least your arrears will start to decrease. (Make sure that you know when the year is up as the utility company will probably carry on taking £10 each week from you, even when the arrears have been paid. I used to work for an energy supplier so I know their tricks )

You may have to think about downsizing your property if you are not getting enough housing benefit to cover your rent. It will also make your bills a lot cheaper and if OH's business takes off, you can move later to a bigger property. For now, you just need to concentrate on getting by.

elfen

Don't forget the Adult Dependant Grant, and I think there's extra if you have nippers....cant remember off the top of my head.

Always-a-rain-cloud-above

Good morning !
Well, you wouldn't believe how much better you have all made me feel! Big big thank you's being sent your way! I've printed off a statement of affairs and Im gradually trying to cut each bill! I'm calling virgin media to see if I can downgrade our tv/phone/net package and trying to knock £20 off the grocery bill...it's a start! As for other half being self employed, he has been for so many interviews I've lost count, but it hasnt been the best time for job searching! He eventually rang someone up that he worked with years ago...turns out he is in real estate and just looking to set up in lettings (which is where other half has worked for last 10-15 yrs) So the deal was that he would become a partner! He obviously had no money to put into the company so the agreement was that the other half of the company (ie sales) would pay him until he got on his feet! However that has not happened yet!! (which I'm not happy about !) Hubby said it is due to the company having to pay a large VAT bill this month and that next month he should be paid some wages, so lets hope! The problem is the benefits agency want proof of earnings and so have ceased benefits! We've called and explained buyt it seems they dont believe he'd work for 'nothing' (which, I can see there point!) but he is!! Sent paperwork for Housing benefit off yesterday and have been told he can possibly get a £50 a week payment due to being on a low (!) income. Other than that I'm sitting here trying to think of some work from home scheme to do! any ideas anyone? Also quick question about token meters Has anyone any idea how much I will need to put on it a week? I know everyone uses different amounts but I literally dont have a clue what to budget for it other than the £10 a week on each for the debt! Hubby is not happy we've changed to token meters but he has nothing to do with bills and refuses to discuss money or go bankrupt, so Its left up to me to sort ..Oh dear this is turning into another long moany post sorry! x

Always-a-rain-cloud-above

smccabe6 wrote: »

Hi there, just came across your post and it reminded me so much of my situation.

As a few post have previously stated, I would recommend contacting Payplan or the Citizens Advice Bureaux, these people are the real deal and they turned our debts around. Do not pay any money for a DMP, there are still a few reputable companies who do not try to fleece you and will pay 100% to your creditors. If a DMP is not for you, Payplan will still offer you invaluable advice on other options (we found that many other companies were not interested if you didn't meet their standards). If they cant help, they will try to find someone who can help. They also saved us a fortune on electricity, gas etc by helping us find new suppliers and incorporating the arrears into our DMP, they also helped us find cheaper deals for many of our essentials (life insurance, car insurance etc.). My OH and myself could not afford anything at one point and were relying on family members and friends to help us out on a regular basis but, after contacting payplan, we slowly got back on our feet and hopefully will be back on track soon.
I wish you the best of luck and I hope you are able to find a solution soon.

Hi there

Thanks for sharing your story! I notice over 3 years your debt has reduced considerably!:T We have been with William Goldberg for 3 years and the debts havent changed! , all its doing is keeping us from going bankrupt or going to court by making token payments to our creditors! Did you say it was payplan you were with? x

AnnieG

Hiya
If you've been paying £100 for 2 years = £2400 and no dent has been made in your debt, you need to address this now - can you get out of the DMP? I think you said your debt was £25,000 - you could have paid off 10% of that by now. But, what's done is done, all you can do is look forward, but if you can stop paying these people and get one of the charities to help you organise something that won't cost you anything, it'll be much better for you.
Good luck... and you're in the right place, so many people here have been in your situation and worse, you'll be fine :0)