Debt, debt and more debt advice needed please

Iwanttomove

Hi,

It's my first time posting on a debt board.

I am lots of debt. Probably about 15k maybe slightly more. I don't open my letters anymore. Stopped doing that when I couldn't face it anymore.

Most of my debt is probably 5 years old ( that would be when I made my last payments. I have a few ccj's mostly for council tax etc. I know it's bad. There was more but I paid 5k off in 2006. Would I be best to check my credit report and see what's still on there?

I'm struggling financially now more than ever and can't see a way out.

I don't know where to start in sorting this out. I have 4 young children, I work part time, school hours and term time. Luckily I work in a good place so my boss lets me work my day off to add to my holiday entitlement.

I am behind with everything, gas, electric, water. I just feel lost. My partner lost his job last year and we were just scraping by then.

I just feel like hiding. The only thing that is making me want to sort this out is my children. I want to be able to leave them something when I'm gone and all my affairs be in order.

Thanks for listening.

glasgowsaver2011

Iwanttomove wrote: »

Hi,

It's my first time posting on a debt board.

I am lots of debt. Probably about 15k maybe slightly more. I don't open my letters anymore. Stopped doing that when I couldn't face it anymore.

Most of my debt is probably 5 years old ( that would be when I made my last payments. I have a few ccj's mostly for council tax etc. I know it's bad. There was more but I paid 5k off in 2006. Would I be best to check my credit report and see what's still on there?

I'm struggling financially now more than ever and can't see a way out.

I don't know where to start in sorting this out. I have 4 young children, I work part time, school hours and term time. Luckily I work in a good place so my boss lets me work my day off to add to my holiday entitlement.

I am behind with everything, gas, electric, water. I just feel lost. My partner lost his job last year and we were just scraping by then.

I just feel like hiding. The only thing that is making me want to sort this out is my children. I want to be able to leave them something when I'm gone and all my affairs be in order.

Thanks for listening.

Dont think about when your gone.

Life is for the now.

Your kids have 50 years to save their nest eggs.

15k is not that much - it will sound a lot but there are many on here who can help

Do a SOA and put in all your incomings and outgoings.

and your debts...

best of luck

whitewing

I once spent 3 hours with a relative just opening all the letters that weren't open. Unfortunately that was as far as they got, and their world is being to unravel now, not because they have these issues but because they won't face them.

I would just get a big box or crate and go round the house and put all your unopened mail in it. And I think that will be quite enough for your first task.

I do sympathise. I am getting all my stuff together for my tax return at the moment but I know from experience that it feels brilliant when the finances are under control.

MrsPennyPot

Hey there,

I have only started posting this week and I can honestly say already its the best thing I could have ever done!!

As has already been said the starting point is doing your SOA (statement of affairs). I'm not sure how to put the link on (sorry!):D It is a scary prospect to actually see the situation in black and white but go make yourself a strong cuppa and be brave.

Well done for posting and good luck:)

Mrs PP. x

whitewing

SOA here: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=107280

System

Welcome along Iwanttomove,

This forum is great for people looking for support, inspiration and motivation in clearing their debts. Your first task is, as has been suggested, to post an SOA (Statement of Affairs) so that forumites can give you advice where you can cut back. Sadly this will involve you opening the post.....but YOU CAN DO IT!

Some of the advice given here will work for you and some of it won't. You need to find what works best for you to get the debt under control and reduced. Many forumites will advise you to scale back on everything, but personally I think you should allow yourself to keep some treats going (provided you can afford them) to stop yourself falling off the wagon.

For my part, I will say that you have already taken Step One on your debt-free journey by posting on here. That is possibly the hardest step to take, so well done.

If I could give anyone advice from my experience it would be this.... some months you will make more progress than others. Do not let the 'bad months' put you off. Even if you only clear £20 off the total amount owed it is still progress.

Good luck in your journey. It will be long and hard but rest assured that you are not alone!

Red.

fatbelly

As others have said, a statement of affairs is your starting point.

And get someone to help you open your letters