debt advice please

pineapple123

Agree with previous op Christmas isnt about how much you spend. If you cant contimplate not get anything for your grandchildren I would get all them lots of little cheap things and make up small hampers/stockings each. Wrap up items individually in tissue paper/cheap xmas wrap ( Home Bargains Poundland) etc and put into boxes decorated with cheap wrapping paper or into xmas stockings. Buy some cellophane (£1 a roll in Tiger) or get online for hampers.
I have done this every year for my now grown up children and they say they have always loved unwrapping these so much more than their big presents. My adult daughter says its the highlight of her christmas now.
Good luck with telling your partner and children.

Tracey52

Hi again,just a quick update, I have had a heart to heart talk with my partner and it was easier than I thought due to the fact I'd spent some time sorting out in my own head what needed to be done to deal with the debts, as it turns out he'd suspected I was having problems and guessed I'd got loans etc when I wasnt managing,he was upset that I hadn't talked to him before borrowing,as it turns out that he'd been saving for some time and we actually have a lot more in savings than I realised,so he is going to help me sort the debts out to clear them and with my agreement he is going to take over my finances and sort a budget out for me so I don't get into trouble again, I really should have done this before but stupidity on my part made me think I could handle it all. Also I have told my kids that they need to start paying him back for the funeral costs asap even if they have to make weekly/ monthly payments to do it,and I will not be letting them forget. Many thanks to all of you for your advice, I really should have done this sooner x

Redlady.....

A very heartening post to read Tracy, well done and good luck.

triple_choc_chip

Another thing that money can't buy is a loyal, supportive and loving partner. :heartpuls

I hope your children keep to the plan and in future they shouldn't be asking for anything which will take more pressure off you.

I second what others have said about presents £20-£30 is alot in my opinion when you have very little. I have 8 nephews/nieces and I always spent this amount but have now cut right back. I save £2 coins all year and they now get a share of the total and some chocs. This way I don't feel the expense of it.

Good luck and thanks for sharing.

DawnW

Thanks for the update Tracey. All the best for the future x

[Deleted User]

If your children are eligible they could apply for help with the funeral costs. Not sure how long ago you're talking about so it may be too late.
https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments/eligibility

Or they could have already applied and the £4k was the shortfall, but I'd certainly get them to look in to it if they haven't already.

Good luck and I hope you get through it all.

Tracey52

Hi again,just another update,today I received a credit into my bank account from Barclay's of over £4000,apparently my PPI refund claim was successful :T so after clearing the overdraft I now have almost £3000 to go towards clearing my other debts things are looking up. So if anybody here hasn't already claimed back their PPI I advise you to try,go direct to the bank/ loan company if possible so no charges for making the claim, I didn't expect to get anything or at best maybe a couple of hundred quid so am really happy I made the claim now just wish I'd done it sooner and maybe I wouldn't have needed to get loans etc and get into debt,kicking myself a bit but feeling happy and positive that this weekend is the start of good things after all the bad xx

asparagus1968

Oh, how lovely for you, thanks for the updates
Wishing you well