I have nothing and in bad debt need honest advice!

SKINTEASTWOOD

Hi All

This is my first post, so please be kind.

Over the last few years I have racked up debts of around 18k on credit cards, overdraft and loans.

I have racked up these debts while trying to become self employed fitting bathrooms, which hasn't worked and I have basically used the cards and credit cards to live on while I hoped that business would pick up, but it has reached the stage where I have no income whatsoever and no credit remaining.

I have been trying to get any job for 4 months with no joy.

I seperated from my wife years ago who I lived with for only 2 weeks:eek: and lodge with a kind family who I pay £300 per month ( I cannot afford to pay), I pay £350 child maintainance per month, I have no belongings except clothes, and a run down old van with a few tools in which I currently use to earn any scraps I can doing odd jobs.

I was wondering if anyone has ever been in my position before and can offer some honest constructive advice.

I literally have nothing, I have no home no possesions and no income what can I do?

Thanks guys

downnotout

How are you paying £350 child maintainence when you are earning nothing? if you are on benefits you are only obliged to pay £5 a month (I am on the other side of the fence my wonderful ex works cash in hand on benefits and has only ever paid me £5 a month because of this.

SKINTEASTWOOD

Its been funded by credit cards over drafts and the occasional good month at work, I'm not entitled to benefits as when I get odd jobs its more than JSA, problem is some weeks I earn nothing and others I will earn enough to get by on so its impossible to calculate my income.

downnotout

Then stop trying to get odd jobs, and concentrate on getting a regular income. Go on state benefits, contact child support and stop the account. You can not carry on like this, maybe go back into self employment when you are on a better financial footing. If you haven't got it you cant give it. It is the most difficult thing in the world to accept defeat when tryin to get a business offend ground, I have a couple of ccj's 10k of debt and a hat full of experiance at it. I am now in a far better place these days and I don't miss being in your boat.

SKINTEASTWOOD

I know its a pride thing I guess, I've never claimed a single thing in my life and would prefer to get off my butt for the same money as JSA, I've been applying for everything I see but all jobs seem to be £6 per hour these days and need an NVQ for anything else there also nothing in construction!

I'd love to go into full time education but I dont know how this works with unpaid debts etc? I'm 30 by the way so it wouldn't be too late for me I suppose.


How does bankrupcy work if you have nothing? Would they come after my estranged wifes goods?

Thanks for the help

shebrett

I know this isn't the typical advice, but I would sign on and not take on the odd jobs at the moment. Stay on dole until you can find a regular job that has set hours and wages. Then slowly take on your odd jobs over weekends or at night etc until you have a nest egg and enough work that you can definately give up the regular job.

That way you won't have the child payments (which you can't afford and are too high at the moment) and you're not running from your kid, you just need to get on your feet. If your ex is anything like my OH's she won't understand...but she'll live with it eventually. You also will be able to focus your time on getting a regular income rather than finding the odd jobs that aren't keeping you with enough income.

On a practical note, it sounds like your trade is in the building/plumbing/electrical etc side. I know that NHS hospitals are often hiring for people in that area as the pay is steady but not overly high however the hours often flexible.

downnotout

I don't see as you have an option, I am 26 and my business went to the wall, I am now a student nurse and I am much happier. You are never too late to go back in to full time education. But you need to sign on and get yourself back on your feet.

SKINTEASTWOOD

So how would you get back into education with debts is it possible?

I would love to train for my degree and become a teacher but I didn't think it possible till I'm debt free

downnotout

you can go to a local college and sign up for an access to higher education course. IF you are on JSA you will get the course fees paid for (usually around the £500 mark) which will get you into uni as a mature student. At the end of the day they can not jail you for owing money, if you are on JSA and go with one of the debt charities such as CCCS or payplan they will help you to make token offers and such things with your creditors.

elfen

skinteastwood.....could you do a access course at your local college? (if you don't already have level 2 or 3 qualifications - basically a levels, and you're on the dole, it should be free, and it's under 16 hours a week so you can still look for work) You could then go to uni and do either a degree with a teaching element (think its a degree in teaching but not sure) or you could do your degree then your PGCE the year after finishing?

BigCraigJohn

You could look at the enforceability of the debts also, as you say you have little to lose now so nothing they can take from you. May just save you from bankruptcy.


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