Help! Number dyslexia!

Wellyboots6

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone knew where I could get help with managing my money. I have a weird type of number dyslexia where large numbers don't really mean much to me, which makes working out a budget etc pretty difficult. I can do it if someone sits down and goes through it with me, but get totally lost if I try on my own.
I am currently just keeping my head above water with minimum payments on debts, but I can't see this lasting long.
I need someone to sit down with me and go through my money and help me work out what to pay when etc to avoid getting in to further debt and hopefully eventually save some.
I am struggling to find help as I am not currently needing creditors contacting or anything like that. Most places I have tried need me to be further in debt to make it worth their while!
I also work full-time, and there is the threat of redundancy hanging over me and so I really cannot afford to take time off work to attend appointments.

I know its a bit of a weird question, but I am hoping someone may have some ideas! I can answer direct questions about what I pay out on certain things but the idea of trying to do a budget or anything just blows my mind!

Thanks in advance

klfairy

Have you got someone (husband/sister/friend etc) who could sit down with you and do a SOA?

Wellyboots6

Not really, I had thought of that but there isn't anyone willing to sit down for hours with me while I ask stupid questions andget myself in to a flap! I have contacted Christians Against Poverty who have people who can come to your house and sit down with you, but they have noone available in my area until March and I am pretty sure things won't wait that long!!

Ilona

Not weird at all katy, you may have dyscalculia, a number blindness, the equivelant of dyslexia. I have similar problems so I keep my finances very simple, so I understand them.

Is there someone you trust, family member perhaps, to sit down and go through everything with you. You need to have two books, one to write down any incomings, and dates when they appear, and another book where you record all your outgoings, and dates they have to be paid. It might help to get a diary for this so you don't forget to pay something.
Ilona

klfairy

Where do you live Katy?

Wellyboots6

I live in Derbyshire near Matlock. There isn't really anyone who can sit down and help me which is why I am struggling at the moment. I can do really really basic stuff, but if the numbers start going above 3 digits I struggle to recognise whether they are bigger or smaller than previous numbers, and also what sort of sum I should be using for what. Means budgeting is difficult as I wouldn't recognise if I had started adding instead of subtracting or something, and so the final numbers I get could be anything!

klfairy

What about Citizen's Advice? They might be able to help. If you're in work there might be someone there who you trust that could help, or otherwise try the jobcentre or someone at college.

McKneff

Anyone further afield that you could do Skype with and a web cam

Wellyboots6

Citizens Advice round here has a big waiting list too I am a bit of a techno phobe so I don't have a web cam and don't really know what skype is!! I hadn't thought of asking someone at work, that might be a good idea. Its the time that is the issue really, it would take me a long time to get the information together that I need. If I went to an appointment somewhere I can guarantee I wouldn't have all the paperwork with me that I need!!

I think someone at work may be the best option so far, if I can find someone willing to get stuck in! I am looking up helplines as I think over the phone may work, but its finding somewhere that would help me out when I am not in major debt yet

Ilona

That's a begger, I was in Matlock last week, not that you should invite a stranger into your house, but I am nice, you might have seen me on the tele

I would be wary about asking anyone from work to help, people can be such gossips and before you know it your personal business will be all over the place. It has to be someone you can trust.

I'm wondering if you have a deadline for this as you seem quite concerned that it would take some time to sort out. What about an aunt or uncle, have you any close family.
Ilona

Wellyboots6

We are all facing redundancies too so maybe work would be a bit risky at the moment. Not that I will get any redundancy pay as I haven't been there long enough! I don't have a deadline but I am aware that I am starting to struggle more and more to make it through to payday. I got in alot of debt a few years ago and ended up with payment plans to pretty much every credit card company going. I borrowed alot of money off family to clear my debts, but have never been in a position to pay them back properly. Ideally I would like to avoid getting in to debt again which I have a feeling is starting to happen, and would like to start paying family back. It has caused a bit of bad feeling which is why I can't really go to them for help.

Sorry, I know this isn't much help without having numbers to show you, but I really do appreciate everyones comments and suggestions