Any suggestions?

DonnaP

Hi all

Sorry if this is a depressing thread, but I feel very low this week!

I gave up work when I found out I was expecting twins 3 years ago and have since focussed on them. I had a high powered carrer which was very stressful, and where there was no option for part time work.

I have been really happy at home raising my beautiful daughers, even though it has been hard work :eek: In this time we have moved house as we ran out of space and have bought a really big house which needs lots of work. But it will be a wonderful forever home when finished.

The problem (as ever) is lack of money. We are now almost out of savings and have lots to do on the house. We aren't always managing each month and have had to 'dip into' savings, which has meant we are on our last coppers.

The final straw this week has been that a woman hit me in the car as I was turning right on an island (she was coming left). She admitted it was her fault, but has since decided to change her mind with her insurance company. This means we have to fork out £250 for the excess and hope we can claim it back when they decide whose fault it was. Plus they will put our premiums up in the meantime. We just don't have the spare money and I feel this has just tipped me over the edge.

I am worried sick about what we can do and keep getting really tearful, which isn't like me.:o

Can anybody suggest anything we can do? I am afraid going to work part time isn't an option, unfortunately, as I don't have anyone to take and fetch my daughters back from nursery (they are 3). It is something I might have to look into when they are at school in September though.

Sorry for rambling on.

Donna

snoozer

Hi Donna,

One suggestion I would make is that although it doesn't seem from you post that you are in debt you may be in danger of it. Try posting your SOA (a list of all your outgoings and income) on the Debt free wannabe board. The people over there are experts at telling you where you can shave items off your budget and making helpful suggestions.

squeaky

Then come back here and take look at ways you can budget what's left of your money once you've paid the bills

Threads like these can help you a LOT:-


Getting Started

Paul1sh

Hi Donna,
I agree with Snoozer in that you do need to seriously work out a budget.You've already got a demanding role in the family looking after your daughters although you don't go out to work you could always make it your job to implement and manage the family budget.
As for the car accident my wife went through a similar situation in 2003 3 days after getting her brand new car.In our circumstances it took 18 months before it was all sorted and she was found to be not at fault.In the meantime when your insurance is due for renewal then do shop around as her premiums more or less were double with her existing insurance and shopping around brought the cost down to just £50 more.When you do get 3 years no claims back again do shop around for one that offers to protect your no claims discount.

COOLTRIKERCHICK

hi.. donna ....a big :grouphug: as it does look as though you a feeling a bit low.....

all i can say is well done.... as you are now thinking about it before it can happen......

i agree with the above posts........ sit down have a nice :coffee: and work out your outgoings...TRUTHFULLY

and then see where you could cut back.....

the debt free wannabe board is great for suggestions on tarting.... cutting out sky.... insurance premiums etc....

once you have worked out what you have for your food shopping..... this is where all the guru's on os totally come into their own......

good luck.. keep us posted.......

kscour

Hi Donna

Think all the above pretty well covers things but just want to add
a):grouphug: Been there (twins and all) and it's not easy!
b) that the costs of your little angels will start to reduce soon as well - for a start their feet growth should slow down, 2 pairs of shoes every few months is no joke!
c) Once you've made the step of writing down all your expenses you'll feel alot better, even if it shows you you're spending too much, so if you haven't done it yet - get it done!
d) If the insurance put your premium up question it, we did this on our household insurance and they agreed to cut the increase until the claim was fully processed (we argued as it wasn't our fault why should we be penalised until they got round to sorting out the claim)
e) Feel free to ramble at anytime! there will always be someone here to read your posts and help you out - this is the first place I turn to in time of crisis and there is always a friendly shoulder to cry on, alot of support, and a kick up the bum if required

Let us know how you get on.

lil_me

Something to add to the great advice and support so far. Is they shouldn't add to your insurance premium. What you have paid is for the full year, accident or not. It shouldn't change until it's due for renewal.

lynzpower

While the little ones are at nursery could you list some of thier outgrown stuff on ebay?

Likewise if you are taking donw lightfittings or having general household leftovers could you car boot them or ebay them? I thought we had ppure junk when we moved but thrileed we made over 300 quid

Can you look into pigsback> You gov and other online surveys? Quidco and other clicky things? If you can get onto pinecone research ( it is hard to get on) they give you £4 vouchers for each survey ( taken in all supermarkets and other places like mcds burger king cafe pasta etc) which can help you along

Do you have any particualr skills? Cake decorating? Card making? Writing? Maybe you could find a little something you enjoy to bring the pennies in?

There are some companies that let you work from home ( travel companies are some that spring to mind, and the AA I know used to ) run thier call centre ops from home , they pay your line rental & sort the calls out and you can sit there and work from home

Alternatively, if you can rig up childcare in the evenings maybe a few hours call centre work or home help for elderly folk might help?

I dont know if this appeals but many swaer by matched betting. I dont know much about it, but ITS NOT GAMBLING. theres a whole forum on it.

Have you ever gone overdrawn or bounced payments? these charges can be claimed back - look at the reclaim bank charges board.

the biggest thing you have to sell is your time and your intelligence! there will be a market for something, you just need to work out what it is

Good luck & hang around, to every problem theres a solution

Lynz
xxxx

betheebee

Hi Donna, I don't think I have any answers to your problems, apart from asking, did you have any witnesses and could they help your case?
I just wanted to say I feel for you and hope that all works out ok.
Take care. Beth

charlies_mum

Hi Donna,

You have found the right place to get some ((hugs)) and support. You might not feel it, but you are very lucky, you have two lovely daughters and you have found your forever house. Some people never find it, or can never afford it. Try not to look at how much needs doing, but just think about tackling one job at a time.

The accident is a real bummer, but look on the bright side, at least no-one got hurt.

I have saved a fortune since coming onto this board, and today have made home-made pizzas and soup, so be prepared to be re-educated in what you buy and what you spend

Also, as Lynzpower has said, have you got anything you can sell on Ebay. Also, if you are a stay-at-home mum, you could try checking out jumble sales / bring & buys / car boots etc. looking for things to sell, you would be surprised what you can find

Trow

Also - have you claimed working families tax credit? If you haven't then you should look into doing so.