Panic! Sole trader in debt-advice please

fabianne

I am kinda having a "head back in the sand" kinda slump here..I need to get motivated and complete the tasks,but can never seem to get the time and am confused at the next step.I guess I am waiting/dreading for post to land now and am scared.I have sent letters off to some creditors but not all.Not switched accounts.No word from landlord either yet.Not even been to pick up my vast Lottery winnings.
I guess I have to focus on this CSA tribunal stuff as I have 14 days to respond and file the form-there is much to do there.
Not enough hours in the day here.

fabianne

Does anyone want a job as my personal secretary?

fabianne

Ok-update time
Got a letter from Egg asking me to contact them following them receiving my letter and token payment-so I did and the guy was very nice about it.He actually told me I had missed some things off my SOA (like something called a "social life")??)and was kind.
I then phoned National Debt Line and spoke to a nice woman about my debt and she was great too.I have just been overwhelmed with things as I have a lot of other stuff going on in my life too and had a few questions to ask about my future options,including the bankruptcy one.My main worry about that is if my gorgeous,beloved dog would be seen as an asset in the bankruptcy procedure,which she told me has been know in certain cases.There is NO way I would give her up to be sold,that would be devastating for me and the kids.So that put me in a bucket and had a good cry about it all.
I have finally saved the money to take my bank to court for my bank charges via Money Claim online and that was lodged on Monday.
I have got all my info ready to send to the CSA tribunal now-see what happens there now.

rog2

I think it is extremely unlikely that your dog will be classed as one of your assetts, unless it is a Championship Stud dog, for which you receive fees, or a winning Greyhound. Just insist that it is a family pet.

fabianne

None of the above rog-but she was over the £400 marker and as I don't have any assets at all,I just thought they might think 'the dog is better than nothing'.
So,it's me or the dog-literally!

Lizzy

Hi Fabi

You are doing so well. You have slowed down to a pace where you can take in the information and take it step by step. What do you want the letters to say ?

I think the press would want to know about the dog if anything like that were to happen, that is totally out of line. You could always offer one of the kids instead (only kidding). Anyway the dog belongs to the OH doesn't she !!!!!!

Lizzy

JillD_2

Hi Fabianne,
I haven't read all the posts but just wanted to give yousome virtual moral support.
My husband started his own business 2 years ago. They haven't had any of the issues or setbacks you've had to deal with and still he is barely breaking even and finds it immensley stressful. Like you he puts in 12 hour days and some more at home at night and on the weekends. We are hoping eventually it will improve. I think you are amazing to still be trading at all given everything you've had to deal with.

Like you say, it is hard, everyone assumes if you run your own business you must be doing well and be financially stable and successful, but this is really not necesarily the case. It must be very hard to consider stopping trading, I know it would hit my husband very hard if they decided to quit (there are 3 of them with equal partnership, at least they have someone to share it with, I can't imagine dealing with it on your own). But then again it is something to consider.

the other thing I wanted to say was, write down everything that you need to do in a list, and then on a page in front write down the one thing at the top of the list.
Only look at the top page.
Don't panic about the other things. Calmly take things one item at a time and you will get through it. I don;t mean you should be an ostrich with your head in the sand about it, just that concentrating on one or two smaller goals at a time may help. And it may be that you do several things in one day, in which case, great.

Good luck, I hope things get better for you,
Jill

fabianne

Hi Lizzy-I have to rejig my letter to creditors again,waiting for the National Debt Line pack now,so can get started again and send new letters.
Pup was bought by the OH for my birthday,he has the receipts for her but I was told that anything that was a gift-is now an asset.

*Money claim form arrived through today re:bank charges*

Thanks Jill-things are going ok,have got more time now to concentrate on this stuff(good idea about the list btw-will try that,try to cram too much in and then feel like a failure when it's not all done by the evening,that way I won't)
I just have a bit of a flap now and then as it makes me panic and overwhelms me.I am also putting on a brave face to all and that is the hard work at the mo!I am trying to be a tough cookie though all in all-thanks for your kind words.
I miss my working environment very much-but am trying to stay positive-I am earning more money now,which is the important thing.
I wish you and your hub the best of luck with the business.

gettingitsorted

Hi fabianne

just wondered how things were going for you

apples101

Hi Fabianne,

who would want to let go of their Weinamarer! i know i wouldn't!! Arn't they a wonderful bread. i cant see how the dog can be seen as an asset tho, that would surprise me.

As other people have said it's best to wright a list and then prioritise everything. once this is done you can look at what needs to be done when and in what order. (now i wish i folowed my own advice lol).

just remember, when everything gets stressfull, stop and take time to breathe dont just rush into everything.

hope all goes well in the futuer.

PS.

do you have a dog or a !!!!!?