Somebody please help me :(

[Deleted User]

So, I've owned up to my debts. 10k. I'm 25 years old. I have less than £1 to live off for the next 15 days.

I've spent 2 hours on my laptop this morning. I've completed the budget tools and desperately tried to get through to one of the debt counsellors to get some help. I keep getting disconnected or sent 'self-help' guides. Useless - I can't do this on my own. I'm overwhelmed, confused and feel like running away! I've suffered from depression for a number of years. I don't know where to start. I've applied for a new bank account.

It feels too difficult to face this. I feel very alone and unsure of my options. Any support available here??

rizla_king

National Debtline 0808 808 4000? Tried those?

Plenty of support here

DorisTrousers

Do you feel, after all your expenses are covered (not debt payments) that you have anything left to offer creditors?

Do you have any assets, property, motor vehicle etc that you need to protect?

This will go someway to determining what your options are, but there is always help out there.

You could try Stepchange, the CAB or one of the other charities for impartial help, one getting good feedback (from what I have heard at least) is The Debt Counsellors Charitable Trust. You could google them and give them a call, I don't have the number off the top of my head I'm afraid.

andyfromotley

fill this in and post it on here and we will be able to suggest some options for you.

http://www.stoozing.com/calculator/soa.php

sourcrates

Hi,


Seriously, less than a pound for two weeks ?


Would not normally advise this, but, if you don't have money for food etc, can you get a payday loan ?


Or borrow from family or friends ?


Advise to ring National Debtline is good, also, until you manage to sort out a plan of action, stop paying your non essential credit repayments, you need to eat, budget for that first, anything else can wait, despite what they may tell you.


Creditors are obliged to give people in financial crisis 30 days grace before any recovery action is taken, whilst they seek advice, even after this you will only get calls and letters, nothing to worry about, there is always a way forward, do as advised, get some advice today.

determined_new_ms

Thinking of the immediate issue (the next 2 weeks) I think there are further questions to be answered before thinking about borrowing any money!

What expenses do you have over the next 2 weeks and do you have food in the house?

If you have food then I would post a list of everything you have in stores over on the old style board for support and ideas about how to live on a shoe string. Also check out agirlcalledjack.com for recipes she lived on £10 pw food budget for her and toddler while she was out of work. I've made a few of the recipes and can vouch for their frugal tastiness!

If you don't have much in then applying to a food bank in your area or asking friends and family for some help, as well as selling anything you can via the facebook selling sites to raise a little cash. In my experience on her (and my own financial experience) being resourceful and getting through the next couple of weeks will help you in so many ways (including increasing your confidence) as compared to borrowing more money.

The next step once the immediate crisis is out of the way is to complete the SOA (statement of affairs) link posted earlier in this thread. This will help you see exactly where you are at and give others the chance to give you some feedback on ways you can manage the situation.

Honestly as desperate as it seems now you can and will get through this x

LannieDuck

I was just coming on to say exactly what Determined new ms just said above me

Worry about the next two weeks first. Do you have enough food in (the people on here can help you with meal planning), and do you have any bills that need to be paid?

Then you can look at the longer-term issue by posting a SOA.

enjoyyourshoes

Hi


if that is the reality, you will have to live off what is in your kitchen.


As Bear Grylls says 'the 3 threes'


3 minutes without oxygen
3 days without water
3 weeks without food


you will loose weight but you can make it !

randomer

I am a rubbish saver/frugal person but 3 weeks? really?:eek:

Angry_Bear

randomer wrote: »

I am a rubbish saver/frugal person but 3 weeks? really?:eek:

I don't think "just don't eat for the next 15 days then" is a realistic suggestion :eek: But nor do I think the immediate answer is to try to borrow money, it all depends on the situation.

The only things I can think of that you might not be able to defer at all is food and transport to work. But there are ways to get around both of these.

What food do you have already available, and do you normally need to buy food (e.g. do you live with your parents)?
Do you live alone, or could you get a flatmate to buy food for the next few weeks if you return the favour after that?

First make sure you have a plan to survive the next 15 days, then make a longer term plan so you don't end up in this situation again.

rogue999

Could you drop in on parents, siblings, friends just before dinner time and perhaps they'd offer for you to stay to tea - very cheeky i know but maybe worth a shot if you're desperate. Perhaps nip round returning something you've borrowed or a book you think they might like (from your bookshelf not a new one).
Nip into any local supermarkets just before closing for any very cheap yellow stickered items.