Can't go on...

Angel1980_2

Hi

The best thing to do is go to the job centre and discuss this with the guys there.

They will tell you what is best. They are ok its the forms and stuff you get afterwards that are a pain.

Call your creditors and explain the situation see if they can help you. Dont just ignore the situation.

happy2bhere

I know how desperate it can feel to be over-whelmed by debts. Please don't panic. You're acknowledging your debts and taken postive steps in seeking advice from this site. If you feel over-whelmed by the amount of info available here (there is soo much stuff here!), then you might find a session with a debt counsellor with the Citizens Advice Buereau helpful.

1. - your current income
Everybody without an income is entitled to state benefits. The amount paied to you may be lower than usual if fired from your last job, but some income is better than no income. Especially as it allows you to claim other benefits such as housing benefit (to pay your rent) & perscription costs. You can also apply to the social fund for a loan or grant to cover costs of clothing, furniture. If you are really struggling for money for food you can also apply for a crisis loan which is paid to you the same day. Interviews are usually done over the phone. I wouldn't reccomned the above unless really desperate as they will deduct money from your benefit before you recieve it. However, if you are in in need repayments can be as little as 50p a week depending on how much you are entitled to.

2. - paying off existing debts
I definatly reccomend seeing a debt counsellor at the CAB, see yellow pages or google it for number of your local office. They will be able to negotiate with creditors on your behalf to freeze interste rates (to stop you from getting in more debt) and negotiate new repayment terms that you can afford.

3. - Pay everything with cash
A pain i know, but if you withdraw a weekly cash amount knowing that once its run out thats it, its surprising how much less you spend.

4. - Why did you get in debt?
Its all very good paying off youre debts, but you have to acknowledge what led you to being debt in the fisrt place. Sounds like it was more circumstance than spending habits in youre case, but worth a thought!

5. Its not the end of the world
Being in debt can be really depressing, but you have to try and remain postive. Be kind to yourself.


Sorry that its such a long reply, hope it helps someone!

Gem_84

My account is overdrawn by the amount above and my partners account is overdrawn by about £550, his limit is £800. We'll be ok for this month just about but if we don't get an injection of cash from somewhere soon then we probably won't be able to afford next month. My partner earns £600 p/m after tax but spend about £50 p/m on petrol commuting. This is the only money we have coming in at the moment so we've been increasing our overdrafts every month to make up the shortfall but this is just pushing us further and further into the red.

I spoke to my bank the last month and they gave me a high interest credit card and offered to re finance my loan although as I'm now out of work I wouldn't be able to afford the re-finance.

Luckily these are the only debts I/we have.

Thank you so much for all of the replies so far, they're very much appreciated

debt_doctor

Gem, go to the CAB. I know it can be hard work getting seen, maybe have to queue etc, but they can advise you on your debts and benefits. Your last employer is obviously operating illegally and you should not have your JSA sactioned for that. Go and sign on, then go to CAB.

Best wishes

Dumb_Blonde_3

Ebay things, car boot sale, have you any 'large' stuff that you can sell - put an add in a shop window.

Advertise your babysitting skills/dog walking etc. Even watering peoples gardens while they are on holiday - anything.

I know these are not big earners but as you have interviews lined up - it all takes time - the interviews then starting and maybe having to work a month in hand etc - you need to get some cash fast.

When doing the food shopping - buy the shops own brands for a while.

In your SOA you haven't put down gas/electric or food

LookingAhead

Aren't the employers breaking the law paying Cash In Hand? I know that doesn't exactly help the OP but...they shouldn't be doing it and they can't fire someone for refusing to work for what would have been less than minimum wage! What about NI?

They can't be allowed to get away with this......it'll keep on happening to other people.

gollygosh

Hi there, have you considered some agency work until one of the interviews pays off? they have lots of stuff available. Some of it might be a bit brain numbing, but it will pay the bills and it'll give you less time at home stressing about the problem.

Gem_84

Hey all

Thanks for your advice
My partner pays the gas/electric and food comes in when we can afford it. Usually around £45-£50 a month.
We're ebaying things atm, and I'm having a good think about what to sell. I'm registered with two agencies and have a couple of interviews lined up.
As far as my previous employer is concerned, he is under inspection by the inland revenue because as a freelance I was entitled to minimum wage and wasn't paid it. So fingers crossed he'll get what he deserved.
I am off to try out everyones suggestions. So thank you all again

bathgatebuyer

Gem_84, I notice exactly how you're feeling at the moment. I was there myself about 2 -3 years ago. I lost the job I was in at the time as I made the mistake of saying to someone in the office that I wasn't really enjoying it, and they sacked me because they didn't think my commitment was 'enough'. I made the mistake of not going to the Benefits Agency as I had a really distressing experience with them 7 or 8 yrs ago and couldn't face going to see them. So I struggled by unable to claim on any of my PPI for the mortgage, car loan, HI loan, credit cards, council tax exemptions, etc because I wasn't on benefits. It was only when I eventually plucked up the courage to go and see them that I started to be able to get JSA money in to help with basic living expenses, and also submit claims under my PPI. I won't pretend that claiming JSA was an easy process as there are a lot of forms to fill in, and the people who work in there conducting the interviews can be quite disrespectful in the way they deal with you. But every little bit helps and the £50 or so I got a week to live off, made an amazing difference. For a start, it meant that food was on the table. It also meant that I didn't have to beg or borrow from friends anymore. The lowest point I was at was when I went into the local McDonalds and took someone's half eaten leaftovers. Absolutely shameful, but that's how bad it was for me when I wasn't getting any money coming in.

Don't be ashamed or embarrassed about your situation. There's nothing to be embarrassed about. It could happen to anyone. Hard as it may be to believe but there will be a job around the corner and slowly but surely, you'll get back on your feet. Like other people have suggested, take on whatever you can at the moment. If that means doing cleaning or other people's ironing or whatever for them, then fine at least it's money.

Also, try to relax. I know it sounds really easy to say, but at the peak of the distress and upset I was under, I wasn't sleeping, but was lying awake all night waiting for the DCA phone calls and letters to arrive. A good day was one where no debt collectin letters arrived and the phone only went 2 or 3 days an hour! But the horrid feeling in my stomach of bad news waiting to happen meant that I just couldn't relax at all. Even now, I hate the sound of my own phone ringing, and can't wait to get home to check the mail to see if any nasty letters are lurking. I really did bury my head in the sand at the time, and longer term it's left me with quite a low self-esteem and low confidence. If you can take this situation into your own hands now, speak to CAB, claim your JSA and whatever housing or council tax benefits you are entitled to, take on whatever shop, cleaning, bar work you can, you'll start to feel much better about your predicament, and able to do whatever you can to take control of the situation. Do what you can to make things better now and not only will it help you in the short-term, but longer-term you'll feel much stronger too.

An remember, a problem shared really is a problem halved.

Gem_84

Just a quick update

I have had 1 interview already, and have 3 lined up, for Pets at Home, Staples and Debenhams not to mention applying on a daily basis for everything and anything. Looks like things may be looking up and I am hoping to start to pay off this overdraft soon!

Thank you all again for you help and support it's really nice to know you can turn to people who wont judge you and give you solid advice and guidance based on personal experience