Mud, floods and money worries

Moneywhizz

I'm sorry to read how difficult things are for you and there isn't an easy way out of all of this. It must be so frustrating for you when you are trying so hard to get on top of things but not getting any support from your husband. I was in a similar position many years ago and in the end I had to take my young child and left the marriage with nothing but debt. It was difficult for a few years but it would have been more difficult tasty. I eventually pulled us out of the hole we were in and it was amazing how well we actually managed when there was no one sabotaging my plans. I hope you can find a way to change your circumstances for the sake of your health and your children. 

Dizzy_Imp

Today has been particularly stressful.  There have been tears and tantrums, phone calls and chocolate...I'd have had gin, if I hadn't had to collect the small beans from school...

I've looked into getting a single loan to cover all of our debts (I know that consolidation loans aren't recommended by most, but it would give me breathing space to get on top of things) so I've only got one payment to be mindful of rather than about twelve different ones, all exiting my accounts at different times each month and requiring money to be juggled around to ensure each can be paid on time.  Hubby has agreed to sell the Audi and has actually cancelled his Sky subscription (yes, I nearly fainted) so there is light at the end of the tunnel, which is not the oncoming train. He has, however, forgotten to submit his expenses claim on time, so that's another lot of money we will be missing for another month.

I spoke to my largest credit card provider and explained our difficulties and they have kindly agreed to freeze the interest and not take payment this month, with no penalty.  I do have to pay the deferred amount early in April, but DH should have been given back the incorrect tax deductions in this month's pay by then, so it will be possible to pay up and keep on track.  The lady I spoke with said she had never seen such a clean record, as I have never missed a payment in the twelve years I've had the card, which I was pleased to hear and helped, I think, with my grovelling request.

HM pizza based made and topped with whatever the fridge had to offer for tea - both boys very pleased and hubby impressed with my frugal offering, so the leg of lamb can be slow cooked tomorrow for a Moroccan dinner with couscous and salad.  Another day of creating a culinary delight from the storecupboard is in store tomorrow. 

I was very brave and chased up a late paying client, who very promptly paid with apologies for forgetting, so that was a good result, if slightly underwhelming in amount, but as they say "Every little helps"

Anyway, waiting for Small at his gymnastics class. Tiny should be in the bath or shower with DH supervising the event whilst avoiding water through the ceiling like last week...

mumtoomany

Hi, Dizzy Imp. I'm sorry to hear of your struggles. A thought from me which may help the shopping bill a little later in the year. As you have goats anyway, have you thought about taking on one or two orphan lambs, to grow on for meat. They could live with the goats, maybe, until later in the year. Also have you looked into getting a DMP. You could try giving stepchange a ring, see if you are eligible. Should prove less interest than a new loan. HTH. 
Sending good wishes and hugs, mumtoomany.

kazwookie

Dizzy hugs, xxx

savingholmes

Have the floods now subsided? Can you get to your gp or do a phone consult?

Dizzy_Imp

Well, we have survived another few days, mainly thanks to my stepson who loaned me a chunk of money for a short time.  The food cupboards are being run down and there are many complaints of the lack of biscuits and other snacks, but I've been providing good, homecooked meals which everyone has eaten and enjoyed. I may do some more baking tomorrow,  but hide the results from the kids and hubby to ensure they last long enough to make into a lunch box for school!

I have agreed, in principle, a consolidation loan for the huge amount that is on our credit cards at a significantly massively lower % rate, and, once that is up and running, it will give us a bit of breathing space and the opportunity to be able to pay off any few remaining bits and bobs without wondering where the next meal is coming from.  I realise consolidation loans are frowned upon by many, but for me, it's a huge weight off my mind to know that I've got some wiggle room.

The floods have mostly gone but the surrounding fields are a total mess.  We are still pumping one well, due to a high water table to keep the house dry, but the grass in our paddock and orchard is dead.  Hay will be very expensive later this year for many farmers and smallholders, and subsequently food prices for the general population will rise, to try to claw back some of the losses. 

My GP tried to ring me to talk about things with me, but I missed the call and now because of COVID-19  my surgery are only issuing prescriptions through one door at one of the satellite surgeries, at certain times of the day.  I feel sorry for NHS staff who must feel like the band on the Titanic, playing on.  The shops in our local-ish town have been picked clean of toilet rolls and pasta and there is no alcohol sanitiser to be found anywhere .  I was quite shocked to hear of a woman selling bottles of hand sanitiser on eBay that usually retail for around £1.99 for £10 each.  Her husband was boasting about how much money they had made and didn't seem in the slightest bit concerned that they had not only preyed on vulnerable people's fears, but thay had cleared every shop of their product.  

Anyway, enough rambling....

savingholmes

I think in the circumstances a formal lower interest rate loan sounds sensible. Hope you manage to sort things with your GP. 

Dizzy_Imp

Right, so this !!!!!! just got really serious with the COVID-19 shutdown.
I now have zero income. Not a single penny. My dog boarding business has had to close and future bookings are being cancelled left, right and centre.  My credit cards are totally maxed out and hubby won't be paid for a few more days.  The loan company's website is down, so I can't see the progress on my application and my tenant is claiming she can't pay the rent, despite getting a large contribution towards it through Universal Credit.  I'm fully prepared to wait for the balance between what she gets in benefit and what I charge (which is not even the going rate for the property) but to refuse to pass me the UC money is unfair on me and my family.

I could cry every minute of every day right now.  I know there should be an announcement from the Chancellor today regarding help for the self employed,  but that won't be available in time to stop my direct debits and standing orders from bouncing...

And I'm homeschooling two feral hellbeasts.  FML.

vampirotoothus

Hi phone your mortgage company if your tenanted property has a mortgage. They are duty bound to assist you at the moment.

savingholmes

Sorry it's such a struggle. Keep plodding - one day you will get to the other side.