Panic stations

40+

Hello all,

Don't know where to start this, but start I knew I must! I have sunk into a deep well of debt, stress and depression and after being pointed to this board by a friend who may have do the best thing form me I have registered and am now hopefully starting the road to recovery. I know this is not going to be easy as I have some major problems to deal with the biggest being the HMRC and TV Licensing and rent due, but I have taken a day off work probably unwise as I am a contractor and won't get paid. I wanted to get things straight in my head as everything is a struggle at the moment. Finding time to do this and the will has been put off for far too long and although I am in no way as baby off as some I am struggling to deal with the day to day stuff. As a relatively intelligent human being I don't seem to be able to see if I had dealt with these things when they occurred the pain would have been so much less. Anyway no point in beating myself up over that.

The immediate issue of my rent needs to be sorted out and I need to talk to my bank as I have had all my DD/SO bounced now and charges adding up I will need to discuss a loan from savings I can make from my budget.

I am reading through the different guides at the moment and trying to work out a plan of action but just wanted to step out of the darkness not sure what and where I am going at the moment but hopefully this will start the road to recovery.

Regards
Tom

herewegoagain2010

Hi Tom

Didn't want to read and run, welll done on posting. I think the first step is the hardest and you've come to the right place. There are plenty of people on here who can offer advice and help. Nothing can't be sorted. Good luck x

40+

Thanks herewegoagain2010

Yes the biggest part has been admitting that there is a problem, hopefully I am strong enough to deal with the road to recovery.
Tom.

fantastiyk

Hi Tom,
Welcome, you have come to the right place. It takes a bit of time for us to realise things are as they are financially, and another while for us to see where we need to make the changes and get round to doing it.
There are some really friendly people on here who are very experienced and have been on here for a long time. I know I have benefited from reading their advice and posts.
I would suggest getting all your financial records together and completing a SoA - Statement of Affairs. Then you get to see exactly what you are dealing with. Sometimes we think we know in our head and reality is usually different.

Many people on here have found strengths they hadn't known they possessed until they started to get to grips with their finances.

Good luck with it all.

40+

Hello fantastiyk,

Thank you for your reply and good wishes. I am just starting to work through my SoA, but have to admit I am terrified of having to deal with HMRC as I know this is going to be a mountain. But I have made the first step and am ready to face the consequences what ever they are I am reading some really scary and encouraging stories here and trying to take strength from that.
Br Tom

happyhaddock_2

Hi Tom, hang in there! You've made the first step to sorting it all ou. We've all been there and yes it's scary and daunting but you will feel so much better. Good luck

Cornucopia

I can imagine HMRC being tricky to deal with, and I suggest you make that your priority.

TV Licensing... not so much. At worst, cancel your licence and watch only DVDs and Catch-up stuff from iPlayer/ITV Player, etc. All perfectly legal.

40+

Thanks happyhadock and Cornucopia, I am going to try and find some advice before approaching them, but there is a enquiry centre near Euston I could go to. Fingers crossed.
T.

poodlegal

Hey just to echo what the others have said! Most of us have been at panic stations at some point. It will be an ikky few weeks/month trying to sort things out but once you get a plan in place you will feel so much better to be dealing with it. Good luck and dont beat yourself up.Have you any stuff you could sell/ebay just to make a good start and perhaps help fund some rent or something?

40+

Hi poodlegal,

I am looking at what I can get rid of but the problem is that at the moment anything that goes into my HSBC account gets swallowed up in clearing my over-overdraft I don't know if it is possible to have two bank accounts, with a basic one.
Tom

carslet

HI Tom

well done in your first steps to sorting your debt / life out.

maybe you should do a SOA on here because there are many helpful folk on here that can point you in the right direction.

you got past the hard bit admitting it. i cant believe the relief now for me.

I still have another 20 months before i will be debt free. but it feels so good every month, to see it falling. :j