help my dad

tulip9181 · 28 June 2012 at 12:27AM

hi, my dad has a 2k overdraft and a 15k loan. he is divorced,lives in a 1 bedroom flat and works every hour god sends. he is 57 years old, a manual worker and has a 35min journey each way to work. he lives on tins of tuna,pasta,sausages etc - cheap !!!! food! he only got in to this money situation coz of a relationship with a lady. they bought a property in spain and then CRASH! you know the story. he was left with nothing except debt and the relationship ended in the stress of it. i worry because my dad can't go on like this. i've leant him money so his overdraft doesn't charge him. he's never faultered on a payment on anything as i keep a constant review of it and subsidise him where its neeeded. he has barely enough to get through a month, let alone if his car breaks down,needs mot,insurance. or tv licence comes round or something packs up in the flat. its a constant worry for him - and me! he's on depression tablets and blood pressue and collestrual. he owes his brother money too - another £1650 paying £100 a month. please help, i want my dad to have some quality of life x

amyloofoo · 28 June 2012 at 12:39AM

Don't worry, ask your Dad to fill out a SOA and post it here, there are lots of lovely people who will be able to help.

chevalier · 28 June 2012 at 3:28AM

Sorry to hear that your dad is in this position. Perhaps now is the time to do a financial health check. So when was the last time he checked he was on the cheapest tariff for electric, gas, mobile phone? Same for any insurances he has. If he hasn't changed for a while, he is probably paying too much. Make sure he is on single person discount for council tax etc.

If after doing this the books still don't balance, then he may need to consider going on a debt management plan (DMP). Just make sure that he goes with one of the free companies such as CCCS or Payplan. This should relieve his stress as he will be paying back what he can afford.

good luck
chev

pttl80 · 28 June 2012 at 9:33AM

I have nothing to add to this post other than tulip9181 your dad is lucky to have such a loving caring daughter

Good luck I hope the situation is sorted out x

tulip9181 · 28 June 2012 at 10:14PM

hello again. thank you for your replies. i compare all dads insurances and utilities etc and make sure he pays the minimum. he is on single persons council tax. his phone bill is a fiver a week so can't cut back there. he has no landline,broadband,house ins,life ins as he just can't afford it. his 'luxury expenses' are - i insure his car fully comp - as it'll come back to bite us on the !!!! otherwise i'm sure! lol, and he has 2 little terrier dogs which we insure - for the same reason! i give dad 'pocket money' each month as i manage his accounts online for him. this allows him usually £60 a week to cover petrol and food for him and the dogs. i again help out with bags of shopping and a meal out or drink here and there so he has some life. my mum always managed finances etc for the family when we were all at home as dad is a manual 'blue job' man. i know i seem a bit of a control freak but its a case of having to be! dad has no computer knowledge - or a computer even anyway! i really feel for my dad and it terrifies me - how will he ever retire?????