Real Life MMD: Should the cash go to my kids or pay off debt?

Devonian_Rodders

I have first hand experience from childhood how lack of 'maintenance' (now CSA) can affect a family unit.

Now maintenance is being paid on a regular basis, the money has to be used to keep the children. However, part of the cash should be used to maintain a home for the child/children.

The fact you have racked up credit card debt whilst waiting for regular payments, has to be addressed. Unless you start reducing the debt, there is always a possibility of you losing your home etc.

Everyone wants the best for their children, but by ignoring current cirmstances, you will simply end up in a downward spiral.

joehoover

jimmywx11 wrote: »

Totally agree.... Send that money to the credit card. You can then use the credit card on your kids. Just ensure that over time you get the balance down to zero.

Its a win - win. as long as he keeps paying.......

:beer: :T

I don't think they meant for them to reduce the credit crad to spend on it again! Just pay the card off, then you'll have all that money you used to spend on it for your family every month, withotu having to spend on the card ever again

joehoover

jamespir wrote: »

ok so who forced her to get a credit card ?

Jamespir, what options would you suggest instead of a credit card to cover the support of her kids when money was tight. if your infinite wisdom can stop other readers making the same mistake I am sure they would like to hear it.

Alexandra78

I think that you and your children will benefit more from your paying off your credit card bill. The money will soon be used to buy them stuff but at the moment you're losing out by paying interest.

jamespir

joehoover wrote: »

Jamespir, what options would you suggest instead of a credit card to cover the support of her kids when money was tight. if your infinite wisdom can stop other readers making the same mistake I am sure they would like to hear it.

ive no credit card
moneys tight you cut down on what you spend

MrsClumsy

It should go towards getting rid of the CC debt. You got into debt paying for things your children needed because your ex wasn't providing any money for them, now that he finally has, you need to combat that debt so you can get rid of it.

florere

Maintenance is paid to help support your children, you have incurred expensive debt supporting his and your children, you should pay it off now, I hope he continues to pay maintenance so you can continue to look after his children without getting into further debt.:j

jamespir

florere wrote: »

Maintenance is paid to help support your children, you have incurred expensive debt supporting his and your children, you should pay it off now, I hope he continues to pay maintenance so you can continue to look after his children without getting into further debt.:j

why are you shoveling all the blame on the dad she took out a credit card
we dont know if that was before they split or after

she should pay it back

and it does not say if he has the children at all
so he could look after them too

the thing about this real life dilemas is that mse give us so little info to go with so some people are so quick to judge

BobbinAlong

Ignore the fact that the money is from the ex. Treat it the same as any other income and use it as part of the overall family budget to keep yourself and your children housed and fed and on a safe financial footing. That's what CSA extracted money is for and likewise any other maintenance - to maintain yourselves, whether it is paying mortgage, bills, debts or whatever.
I've been there, done that, including CSA, paid off the credit cards - mostly his debts from during the marriage - and had no problems with what I chose to spend it on.
If it goes into the same bank account, how do you know exactly which bit is the maintenance anyway? Was it some of the money that went on the mortgage, or on the debt, on children's shoes or on that school trip - one fiver looks just like another!

Marco12452

Sounds like the debt is bause of what you have put in for keeping the kids fed, clothed and happy.
Of course this money should go to paying that off.