Absolutely terrified and in a jam

plunt

Do you have a garden? potential to grow some of your own food. (rent out part of the garden for other people to grow in. Have you though about taking advantage of come current account switching benefits (not a long term solution but could help you get passed a few months)

Switching bonuses include:
£100 - halifax
£100 - First Direct
£100 - Nationwide (£50 for you ,£50 for referrer, would be happy to refer you and give you the FULL amount to help the cause!)
£100 TSB
£150 Clydesdale
£100 - Co-op
£100 M&S (though this is in M&S voucher... hello birthday gifts!)


you wouldnt be able to do these all in one go, but atleast over time this may help you out. But be careful so you dont damage your credit rating.

Have you thought about using the mbna pre check for a money transfer credit card. This wont help you immediately but at least you can pay off some of those higher interest cards.

amorge

plunt wrote: »

Do you have a garden? potential to grow some of your own food. (rent out part of the garden for other people to grow in. Have you though about taking advantage of come current account switching benefits (not a long term solution but could help you get passed a few months)

Switching bonuses include:
£100 - halifax
£100 - First Direct
£100 - Nationwide (£50 for you ,£50 for referrer, would be happy to refer you and give you the FULL amount to help the cause!)
£100 TSB
£150 Clydesdale
£100 - Co-op
£100 M&S (though this is in M&S voucher... hello birthday gifts!)


you wouldnt be able to do these all in one go, but atleast over time this may help you out. But be careful so you dont damage your credit rating.

Have you thought about using the mbna pre check for a money transfer credit card. This wont help you immediately but at least you can pay off some of those higher interest cards.

Thanks for the advice. I only have a small garden so can't rent out but do grow courgettes/tomatoes every year. I have done a pre check on moneysupermarket for cards but couldn't get any, I will check with the mbna precheck as suggested

I'll also look into the bank switching, I'm currently with First Direct. Thanks for the offer on Nationwide

plunt

just remember they have certain criteria to get the switch bonus such as transfering in X amount a month. The trick would be to open an account not in one of the banks i mentioned on my list, open a tesco savings account , set up two direct debit (not standing orders) so that say 2 x £1 is pulled out of this current account. then do the switch with that account. mean you never have to move your true real account.

Also look into a santander account, comes with a £2 a month fee, but you get cash back on you direct debit bills (energy/telephone/internet/council tax/water)

From their website:
1% cashback- on water and council tax bills and the first £1,000 you pay towards your Santander monthly residential mortgage payment
2% cashback on gas and electricity bills
3% cashback on mobile and home phone bills, broadband and paid for TV packages.

http://www.santander.co.uk/uk/current-accounts/123-current-account

If you do open that account, be sure to use quidco/topcash back so you get some money back too! (infact any purchases you have to make , run it through those two sites to make sure you arent missing out on some free money!

National_Debtline

amorge wrote: »

It's so frustrating as a loan to cover the debt over 7 years is less than I'm paying now and I'm not actually reducing it! I will have to wait till Saturday to call National Debtline people as I can't do it at work

Thanks for the advice

Hi amorge


Just in case you weren't aware, we are open until 9pm during the week if that helps! Otherwise you're very welcome to give us a call tomorrow morning.


On a separate note, you asked earlier about links to templates for negotiation letters. This link is for our version:


https://www.nationaldebtline.org/EW/sampleletters/sole-letters/Pages/Pro-rata-offers-(sole-name).aspx


Dennis
@natdebtline

amorge

National_Debtline wrote: »

Hi amorge


Just in case you weren't aware, we are open until 9pm during the week if that helps! Otherwise you're very welcome to give us a call tomorrow morning.


On a separate note, you asked earlier about links to templates for negotiation letters. This link is for our version:


https://www.nationaldebtline.org/EW/sampleletters/sole-letters/Pages/Pro-rata-offers-(sole-name).aspx


Dennis
@natdebtline

Thank you, I think I will call tomorrow as the girls are out of the house, they know i'm in trouble but I'd rather them not have to hear the conversation

moneyonmymindsam

Best of luck Darling we are thinking of you! Fingers and toes crossed
:money:

bloolagoon

Have you considered respite care. You have the room and you have certainly appear to have raised 2 hardworking children. Could you see yourself helping others and using your parenting skills?

amorge

bloolagoon wrote: »

Have you considered respite care. You have the room and you have certainly appear to have raised 2 hardworking children. Could you see yourself helping others and using your parenting skills?

no I hadn't thought of that, that's definitely something I'd look at - I imagine it must be rewarding. Thanks for the advice

plunt

Worth a read for more ideas

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/money-saving-tips/11667879/My-commute-to-work-earns-5-a-day-meet-the-sharing-economy-moneymakers.html

thegreenone

Hi, I'm just north of Guildford so know how ridiculously expensive car parking spaces at stations are so I would definitely start with hiring out a parking space. I thinks its £5pd at my local station for rush hour so if you charged £15 or even £20 per week that would help with the food bill at least. You would need to check your house insurance but the parker should get cheaper car insurance too.


I like the idea of doing the host family thing. Brighton College have local families who act in loco parentis for their boarders ie on bank holiday weekends etc when it's too far for the child to go home, they stay with you and parents pay you. St Swithuns at Winchester? Gordons at Woking (mostly Army children whose parents are stationed abroad)? Just another thought. Good idea on the weekly lodger. What about visiting professors at the University of Surrey?


Good luck. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, it's just not shining brightly enough for you to see it yet.