on our way into the red

Claireabell

Dont even know if this is in the right place!

background history:

Fella has PC repair/health check business for personal and busineses. Was doing well, then went to doing 'ok' because several business cutomer went bankrupt with current climate.

He relocated to be near me - we getting married in March, with plans for him to move in then (he renting small flat at moment).

Since moving, he has not been able to drum up enough work. He had to sell IMAC to pay this months rent, has letter from council as was no money in back to take council tax. They have cut his mobile off, car insurance overdue, overdrawn at bank (which bank added charges to) and to top it off- his car is poorly and needs more work doing to it than the car is worth!

He needs his car to get to the odd bits of job he has.

Debts are starting to add up now.

He eats here every night so he doent have to buy much food. He is on electric meter, so only uses what he has.

He has been leaflet dropping to drum up business, and also applying for lots of jobs to make any kind of money to tide him over. He got a coupke of interviews but nothing more. Feedback is always- 100's of applicants for one position.

I had to lend him money to tax his car.

I only earn 12k and have morgage to pay. Tax credits top me up, and I keep afloat. Also trying to save for frugle wedding(3.5 budget, 2k is coming from parents (I often haunt wedding tips page)). I will be worse off when he moves in next march unless he is earning.
I manage my finances ok for me and daughter. Parents got into real debt when I was younger, and I vowed I would not do the same. Modest 1k for emergencies like washer/boiler repairs.

No idea what to do to help him. I job search for him every day. Make his meals. he stays 3 nights a week and brings any washing he has.

He is really good at what he does- but if he doesnt make money soon he will be in real trouble.

I guess I just needed to ramble about where I am right now... not knowing what else I can do!!!

Thank you for taking the time to read this x

Tixy

Hi

Would it be feasible for him to move in before the wedding, which would presumably save him quite a bit of money? Or if that is not possible what about renting a room from someone rather than staying in the flat?
Obviously keeping on with job hunting to supplement the income is the way to go. As his income has dropped has he had a look to see if he is entitled to working tax credits (and maybe even housing benefit etc).

Why will you be worse off when he moves in? because you think your tax credits will reduce?

Do you have a car? could you car share between you? and if so could he sorn his car for a while to save on the repair cost, tax & insurance?

If he is overdrawn and incurring bank charges he might want to consider getting a new bank account to have any income/benefits paid into and then can offer a token payment back to his overdrawn account.

Could he make any money doing repairs via online? or buying broken items off ebay and then fixing and selling? is that an avenue he could consider?

As well as applying jobs that are advertised has he tried approaching computer firms in the area to see if they need any staff or even have any peaks of work that he could help them with periodically?

Hopefully others will come up with some ideas.

Claireabell

Thank you for your reply. Just knowing someone was listening was nice to know
I dont run a car (cant afford to, walk to work, school to take daughter). He needs his to get to jobs if/when they do come in.
I will suggest he look into tax credits for himslef. Hadn't thought of that.

He has approached a PC repair shop in town, and they said they would pass work if they get it, but they too are struggling.

I will also suggest ebay to him. I am sure he could fix broken ones from there!!

I am assuming I will be worse off if he moves in- wont get single person discount for council tax, and assume it will change tax credits. I suppose I could ask them for an estimate?

He is getting really down about applying for jobs and not getting anywhere

Tixy

There is an online calculator which he could look at now for tax credits and that you could do a what if scenario for when you live together here - https://www.turn2us.entitledto.co.uk/entitlementcalculator.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

I appreciate the ebay thing would need money for him to buy the broken things in the first place but I know someone who used to do something along this line (the broken items were bought really cheap and he could tell which things he'd be likely to be able to fix apparently.)

Fingers crossed he finds something soon.