I want to be debt free too!

DD265

I did make a counter offer, which I chased up this evening.

It was for several reasons though, mostly the principle of it. Long story. Plus it was a 6 month contract and I'd have had no way out.

Had I known I'd have this much trouble finding a job, I would've taken her up on it but when I was looking in August I was inundated with interview requests. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

ferox666

First of all well done for trying to tackle your debt. I know it can seem impossible but people have managed to clear even larger amounts than you.

However, you must also make sure the debt does not increase. You say you have "always worked" even if part-time and also still live with your parents yet have managed to rack up a £26k of debt. I in no way am judging you as who knows what this money went on - tuition fees/family emergencies etc. But if it has been spent on holidays, clothes, nights out etc you need to re-assess your lifestyle otherwise the debt will only get worse. It just seems such a huge amount considering you have not even moved from home - but as I said I do not know your circumstances.

I would also recommend taking a job even if it's the minimum wage and then continue to try applying for other jobs as in my experience employers are more willing to give you a job if you are already employed even if in a "basic" minimum wage position.

good luck

DD265

£20k of it is student loan and the rest is a combination of supplementing university (I still had to pay for all the textbooks, clothe myself and pay travel) and some bad spending habits that I picked up from my parents.

Problem was once I got into my overdraft, I never seemed to be able to get out of it and it kinda went from there. I had a plan for this summer - had a job when I finished Uni and I went in to see the bank about the best way to pay everything off. (Don't you just love hindsight?) That's where the £3k bank loan came from - paid off credit card but kept it for absolutely dire emergencies, paid off the overdraft and reduced it to £1000 for not-as-dire emergencies. Then I lost that job and since then nothing has really gone to plan.

I did have a job in September but it didn't suit me at all and after two weeks I was having panic attacks over it. I did the right thing in leaving for my sanity and health, but not for my bank account! Do you think I could still claim JSA while I'm looking? I know I quit, but I did go and see the doctor and they agreed that it was the right thing for me to do.

Right now I'm listing things on ebay but in the morning I'm going to do another round of job applications, and chase a few up.

Edit - I will say that I'm not a particularly social person. I don't go on holidays (just one weekend a month to see my OH, and he comes here one weekend a month), I don't go out drinking and it's not often that I go out to the cinema or for a meal. When it comes to clothing I buy good quality from high street retailers that lasts, but that isn't expensive.

happihorse

What special care does he need at the moment. A couple of years ago, my horse damaged his suspensory ligament and had to be put on a walking programme. I had to walk him in hand for 40 minutes twice a day. I have him at home (my parents place) and look after both him and the companion pony myself, work full time and was also studying for (work related) exams at the time. Are you sure there is no way you could not change to DIY livery? You could have some assistance in the middle of the day if really necessary but it would save a considerable amount of money.

Also, in my experience, employers don't look for 'administration' experience when recruiting for basic level staff. We are only taking about sorting post, filing and typing work.

I don't mean to judge you but I think you really need to get some sort of job (even if it is low paying) to help you get out of this debt. Also, a gap in your CV doesn't look very good for future prospects, so something is better than nothing.

DD265

Basically he's being walked out a minimum of 3x a day, getting 1 hour turnout when the ground isn't slippery and his bedding is constantly being monitored as he makes a mess of it then trips over. I have done the maths quite thoroughly and it really works out cheaper. One area I am hoping to make cuts however is the feed/supplements and therapy. I have been advised on how to make up his feed a bit cheaper and when he's OK, I'd like to experiment with different supplements, I just need the initial funds to go away and buy the ingredients. That said, it changed from a ground meal to a pelleted feed and seems to be lasting a lot longer now, and pony is getting tubby so we are cutting it down a little.

The latter requires me to train up myself but when I have, on occaision, paid out more than £100 a month on his physical therapies, £300 or so on a training course will be a good investment and something I plan to do when I'm debt free. He's 18 now so physical therapy really is going to be an ongoing cost. Of course he may not recover fully from this injury (it's too soon to know) and he may never be ridden again, in which case I'll claw back some money from his saddle etc as I have over £1500 invested in equipment for the pair of us.

As it stands however, I have accepted a job and I'm just waiting for their confirmation of this and a start date.

happihorse

Brilliant news about the job - I'm sure that will help no end!

I understand what you mean about your horse - it sounds like he take quite a bit of maintenance at the moment! I hope he makes a quick recovery.