A downward spiral

Seaxwyn

Hi Empty pockets

That's good news about the house. Did you get anywhere with the Inland Revenue, asking them to reduce your tax bill

Empty_pockets

Did eventually phone the IR. Found them pretty useless tbh.
I said i may have missed some expenses
They said send them in and they would recalculate - Fair enough

I also said i would have problems paying in Jan
They said they will look at it in Jan
I said I wanted to sort something asap as I def couldn't pay
They wouldn't do anything, just said phone back in Jan

Bear in mind it was the specific 'debt' line I was phoning.
What the hell do they do for the other 11 months of the year.

Tried to do the right thing and go to them explain the situation and sort something out. Surely its better to do this now than days before the money is due.

I also know the chap at CAB that does the debt management. Made an appointment to see him on Tue.

chevalier

Hi there
You mentioned you had children, so does your partner work. If not can they start. Even if nothing else perhaps they could do daily clicks, research better insurances (to get cashback), to surveys for money online, do mystery shops (which can be fitted around school)? These will all bring extra money that would help.

Secondly the drinking. Drink is a depressant. If you are down about your finances not only does it NOT make sense to then add a depressant to your down ness, it is costing you money that you don't have. You know how bad it would be if you got caught over the limit. You would not only lose your licence but your job as well. So time to cut back and use the money saved for debts.

Does your OH know the extent of the debts? Are they onboard?
chev

Wesker

Just a thought, but have you got a spare room you could rent out to a lodger?

Empty_pockets

I am seperated from the kid's mother. I currently single and live alone.

Have a friend coming up in a few months, moving back to Yorkshire needs a place to stay tll he gets sorted. After that i'll get a lodger.

Always put it off before as the kids need somewhere to sleep when they visit but i guess needs must.

Seaxwyn

Hi there Empty Pockets. Shame the IR weren't more helpful - but did you try explaining that your income is lower this year? When I was in a similar situation I did that and they told me to write in requesting to reduce the 'payment on account' part of the bill. I think it's worth another call if you didn't discuss that specifically.

taxi73

HI emptypockets...it seems you are in the same position as me and DH..we had a really good year and ended up paying loads on account and the accountant has just finished this years books and I only owe £35 and DH £201 but because I'd paid over £900 last year as a payment on account I don't have to pay his and they owe him £700 back and I only have to pay my £35....do you have an accountant?....if not go to your local tax office or taxaid centre and they will be able to help you.
The drinking isn't helping matters either ...both financially and mentally.You really need to sort that out as well..drinking will not find you the answer.
It can be really hard being a taxi driver as I well know but taking time off to drink...is costing you loss of earnings as well as what you are spending on it..as you know early mornings and tea times are the busiest parts of the day on the day shift or anytime on the night shift..you can sort this out ...you need to have faith in yourself...and to see your GP if depressed...this isn't meant to sound harsh...but if your licencing officers are anything like ours...then you can be breathalysed anytime on a spot check ...then where would you be?...if you were over the limit from the day before...I'm sorry if this sounds hard but it's serious...I would certainly be in touch with the IR to sort it out though...what they told you cannot be right as you've phoned to try to sort it out.surely they should help you.

Empty_pockets

Noted on the drinking.

I am generally feeling better about things and haven't had a drink since Sun. This is more due to trying to improve fitness more than anything else but its def had a positive affect on my work.

hypno06

Glad that you are feeling a little brighter, and good news on the not drinking, for whatever reason!

One thing a lot of us have found is that even in the bleakest of times, the support of these boards keeps us going, and gets us through. I know you have "lurked" for a while, but become a regular poster and you will get all sorts of fantastic advice and realise the opportunities that there are for making extra money etc!

Keep going, baby steps they might be, but they are all steps in the right direction.

TheAble

Hi, I was wondering what the work subs were @ £450/month?
Also what is equities 1,2,3?
Is the £40 monthly training fee essential?
You say you live alone - is the life insurance needed therefore?
You could probably cut your food bill in half.

Good luck,
TheAble