Determined to sort my financesout

Determined18

Hi everyone,
I am now new to MSE, many years ago I used to post daily and was debt free for a while. I have started a new username as it is a fresh start! I lost my well paid job in 2009 due to disability, had a major illness and eventually a mental health breakdown and this affected my finances. My husband has known about my debt for several years and kindly agreed to take on most of the household bills to help me get debt paid off. I have worked part time self employed and we have no childcare costs, so I should be able to do this, except our plan isn't working.
I have been in denial for too long and have ignored a lot of communication from the companies I owe to. I still have bad days, but made a plan at new year to grow my business and get debt paid off, but it hasn't worked. I don't talk to many about my situation but I have decided it is finally time to get focused on this.
I am spending the bank holiday weekend going through finances and working out what I actually owe (they have gone to debt collection agencies now).
I will post a breakdown when I can.
Given all the debt, I am actually not in a bad position otherwise, I have some passive income, equity and on the outside, a nice life.
I have already cut back on spending, my car is worth £500 (needed for my disability and also self employed work), sold everything that isn't nailed down etc but I will be looking to take tips and look into how to further help myself out of this mess.

BadBookkeeper

:)Hi determined18. Sounds like you've had a tough time. Well done for getting started. Good luck on your journey.

laurag89

Hi Determined18, good luck on your debt free journey! Can't wait to read your progress!

redofromstart

Good luck with it determined

Narola1976

Hi, welcome to your fresh start; good luck - we will be cheering you on from the sidelines. You can do this!!!

too_much_debt

Good luck Determined18!


Thanks for your comment on my diary earlier! I am sure we can both do this if we keep motivated!


TMD

Charlady

It takes a lot of guts to admit your finances are in a state. Well done you! It might not be possible but have you thought about advertising in your local shop to do gardening or cleaning work( if you are able) I took this route after not working ( due to sciatica) for 2 years. No employer would even give me an interview. I did the cleaning for 18 months then applied for jobs using references from my clients.
If you are disabled have you tried claiming Personal Independence Payment from the Dwp?

Determined18

Thanks everyone,your support and suggestions mean a lot to me.
I did get indefinite care DLA for years until they changed it to PIP earlier in the year, there was a problem with my form and they ended up stopping my payments. I need to re-apply for PIP in full, I see no reason why I wouldn't get it as my condition is permanent and affects many aspects of my life. I need to get onto them this week (please give me a kick up the rear if needed).
The suggestion of gardening and cleaning is welcomed and a good idea, but I have a severe back problem and had surgery on it 3 times, plus a heart condition, I can't manage my own garden (which is 10 ft high in weeds - no exaggeration!). I can tutor online and mark exam papers and this is what I do freelance, it can be done from home at a time that suits me and fits around my childcare issues. I have applied to some more companies to do this so I get more money, maybe I can face to face tutor some local kids too.
I think the main things I need to do this week are:
- go through all the paperwork I have and work out what I owe to who
- contact them, especially the ones that have gone to debt collection
- call PIP and get another application form
- post an SOA so you lovely people can suggest any improvements
- chase any emails from companies I have applied to for freelance work, look for further opportunities

On the plus side, I had a "free" day yesterday, I took my son (10) to the park so he could play tennis for an hour, then he had a friend come round for the afternoon and they watched DVD's, then I went to a friends house for a coffee &catch up with her, she is too trying to save money as she is now a single parent, we swapped ideas about how to moneysave
Hope everyone is having a good bank holiday weekend.