Help! I need somebody

John_Jones_3

I need some debt help, I really dont know where to begin. I joined this site in April, and its taken me until tonight to put a thread on here.

I am 28, living with my partner and our two children, both girls, one aged 5 yrs, and the other 4 months!

I love my girls more than anything and if it wasnt for them who knows where id be. To say I have considered 'opting out' options would be an understatement. Everyone has something that they have difficulty facing at somepoint in their life. Something undesirable that takes over and swallows you up. Mine is this debt. I say mine but its a debt I have incurred, trying to keep my family together. At the moment, and for the past 9 months, its ruled my life and doesnt look like letting go cheaply.

My house repayments are going up almost monthly at the moment. My partner is struggling to work as a result of her recent pregnancy, and not earning anywhere near enough to match the amount she used to. The amount needed for her half of the mortgage. We only moved into our house in July of last year. One month later she became ill. We struggled on, and I cancelled almost every policy we had at the time to cut costs. About £200 a month, but it looks like that back fired. She worked for her father who had his own business, but now that is slipping away due to the ill health of his mother. We are totally distant from each other now, living seperate lives in seperate rooms in the same house. If we could sell our house, we would have seperated by now. Its been on the market for over 6 months, not even a viewing. The price at the mo is £20k less than market value, £18k less than the same style house sold for around the corner only 6 months ago. If it could sell for its value, well, it would be a good start.

I am about £500 a month short to cover my outgoings. £47,000 is the figure I am in debt, all things included. £10k is a penalty for clearing my mortgage! I owe 17k and 14k in loans. The 17k was taken out to pay off the 14k, and help us along, but somehow got consumed by other debts I had ignored. 6k is my car which I rely on for work. I tried getting a bike to save money, but with the shfts I do, it was killing me, and I was stuck when it came to the kids. I do all the overtime I can. At the moment, I cannot physically work anymore hours or days a week. The debt I have, and every consequence that comes with it have left me exhausted. I get absolutely butchered every month by Mr Brown. I am earning 27k a year, taking home 1400 a month after deductions, plus £400 - 500 of my partner.

My outgoings are

Mortgage - £1200
14k loan - £200
17k loan - £280
Food - £400
utilities - £80
Car - £180
Phone - £40
Fuel - £30
Car ins - £40
C/cards - £75

I cut corners as best I can, but looking at that (this is the first time) im f****d.

If anyone can offer any help, advice, or anything really, please let me know. I appreciate that most of you would have seen these kind of stories before and it gets a bit of 'same old same old', but it has taken a lot for me to even do this.

Thank you for your time, it is a bit of a waffle I know

Regards

John

swingtop

I know how you feel mate! Ive just admitted my problem today! Think its called a lightbulb moment! This is my first post and it seems like everyone is here to help. You might not think it but you WILL get through it. Chin up! Its gonna be hard but it can be done:money:
http://www.petrolprices.com/ can get you cheaper petrol
try and see if you can get cheaper car insurance by using comparison websites same with utilities. spend less on food as mentioned above. try and move credit cards to 0% apr ones. also try and spend less on your phone some payt sims offer loads of free txts for little top up. well hope thats a start!

yellowmonkey

Hi.

Well done on posting. I understand things look bleak and there is no way out but the good news there is. You need to contact CCCS/Payplan or CAB. They will be able to guide you and give invaluble advice. I am on a DMP and i was at the stage you are now about 3 months ago. I had reached the point where i did not have enough on the cards to offset the bills. I thought there was no where to go until i found this site and the advice on here. Contact them tomorrow or if you are still awake go onto the CCCS website where you can fill out the details online.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

ym

LindseyM

Hi John and well done for realising that you need help!! (you have indeed had your lightbulb moment! )

See this post here http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=107280 - it tells you what you need to include on here so that the very helpful peeps can give you the best advice - also got details of the CCCS etc

Good luck and as swingtop says you WILL get through this!! ::hugs::

John_Jones_3

Thanks for replying. It may sound cheesy, but the fact hat someone takes the time to repsond means a lot.

I dont spend a penny on take aways. Thats the average cost of feeding the family, nappies, pack lunche fillers for me and my eldest. We do not (anymore) waste money on anything, all luxuries are gone, especially junk food. Wish we had been like this sooner thats all. Thought about the car, but I do need something reliable, and safe for the kids! It is an option tho. The 14k loan is for another 6 years or so, possibly at 6.9%. It may sound silly, but I dont, cant even look at any statements. The car is for another 18 months. The 17k loan is for 7 years, again, not sure of apr, probably in the region of 8.9%

Light Bulb Moment hey!? Maybe!? Its easier than the names ive come up with for myself these past few weeks! Thanks for getting on here swingtop, I know it sounds cheesy but it means a lot that you have offered support.

This is only the beginning tho, If that, at the moment.


John

John_Jones_3

Hey,

Im absolutely stunned by your replies. Thank you everyone, I really mean that. I wasnt even expecting anything like this. Will get going with some of these tomorrow.

Kindest regards

John

:T

yellowmonkey

No problem.

Whatever time of the day there is nearly always someone willing to listen or help. Good luck tomorrow and your last post sounds more positive already:T

ym

swingtop

yup really helps getting things out in the open especially at this time in the morning! ive faced my debts today and feel like i want to help others as well as helping my self. As i said before you WILL get through it and it CAN be done!:j

webitha

hi there and congrats on your LB moment scary though it is

i am another who says that the food is a lot i feed amy family 2 adults 3 kids inc nappies my nephew aged 16 (sister threw him out) and special kitten milk (hand rearing as mum abandonded him) for £200/£250 a month that includes household stuff cleaning/ detergent bog roll etc
than the lord for stardrops and white vinegar :T

get overto the OS board you will cut the food right down
i also cook in bulk and i cant fit anything in my freezer right now so no cooking for me for about 2 weeks :j :T :j

and we have never eaten so well

also menu plan for the week and only buy for that take a list and stick to it

start a spending diary both you and OH you might be amazed i was i didnt think i was wasting any money but on my diary i found i was spending £15 a week on carp


sorry for the waffle and hope to see you here more

webitha

ooops forgot are your utilities the cheapest you can get, and try switching using quidco to get cashback
can your OH do MS surveys clickthros? not much but every penny helps

misspoppy

Hi

I'm glad there were people here last night for you and hope you are feeling better this morning.

I was just reading someone elses thread and it occured to me that you haven't mentioned family tax credits or family allowance in your income. Have you checked that you are getting all you are entitiled to? check this site for an idea www.entitledto.co.uk