Fighting debt alone- the sword is out 24 December 2019 at 10:37AM in Debt free diaries 68 replies 4.1K views

Blackberrycurved

Hi yes I’m in Liverpool but I think it is the same in many larger cities the need is too big so they close it altogether. Persistence I think and plodding on hopefully but then I have the urge to spend stupidly. I’ve decluttered a 2nd room tonight a few books to sort but it is only about an hour away from finished. I’m agonising over my vinyl LPs I could try to sell them but I’ve been saying that for years and haven’t. I spent £6 on makeup otherwise it’s been a cheap weekend. I’ve not been anywhere and got lots of chores done. I might go to the pictures on Thursday but probably better to go next week on meerkat Tuesday or Wednesday it is half price. Will it ever stop raining? Cat Litter I buy the cheap Tesco one £2 one bag does 2 litters. I change them every other day so I get through just under 4 a week then I buy liners £1.50 for 2 packs which last just over a week then food on top - I wonder how many Slimming World Syns cat pie is?

supersaver1000

Well done on the decluttering. I've had a good sort out recently and have 16 bags to go to charity. The CS I want to donate to is a bit difficult to get to and has random opening hours, but I really need to crack on with shifting them now I've decluttered.

I know what you mean about the little furry things, but they are priceless for company and cuddles, wouldn't be without mine for the world although he could do with going on a SW diet himself

Blackberrycurved

So I’ve just updated my diary with a long post and it’s disappeared exhausted as it’s 1am. I’ll come back stronger tomorrow

Blackberrycurved

Okay it's been a rubbish 2 weeks. I went to work last Tuesday not the one just gone the one before and felt rough and should have gone to bed but didn't. Then I ended up spending 7 days in bed feeling terrible and I've had the flu jab. The worst thing is knowing I'm sessional and so if I don't work I don't get paid, I lost about £450 went back to work this Thursday too soon and now I'm coughing up a lung again. Not getting on well with this new website I've lost my pic and this text is bold and typing double spaced and I don't know how to change it.

Good things 

Being sick I have had time to think and to work out figures and what I owe properly. I did a snowball calculator thing and Jan 2022 is my debt free date as it stands. 

Bad things

Did lots of figures and realised why it makes no odds clearing the debt unless I get my income sorted as I'll be more in debt as I overspend my income. I don't think I've ever budgeted properly even since I've been on here.

STEPS

I cancelled my gym membership at the council gym saves me £30 I have to pay 2 more lots. I could cancel DD I will still owe it but it might allow me to pay the £60 when I have - May instead of 1st March 1st April - undecided. I have reduced my dental bill from £25 a month to £16 I can't get treated on the NHS because I don't respond to the injections I have to have a sedation needle so no NHS dentist will treat me. I have taken on 2 private students to pay for food and petrol and hair and stuff so I need to put money away for things in advance. Feeling a bit shocked by how much a week of the flu can throw me off.

I actually have figures Loan was £11,000 in 2018 now £3537 

CC was £4,000 in 2018 now £6,000

To cover all my debts and bills costs me £1132 a month
Today issues
I owe £500 tax / £26 to my optician £20 to my friend all to be paid within 2 weeks
Having Flu means I am £16 short in one bnk account £218 short in another £191 short to my other account.
So £425 to find very quickly or DDs will start bouncing £120 from new student may help if they pay me in cash if I have to invoice or wait for a cheque not so. And another £546 to find or I'll be in trouble.
Plus I have worked out that my monthly living expenses are £300 so unless I want to continue using my CC I need to start finding that every month on top of the £1132.
I could pay tax on Credit Card but possibly not a good idea this is totally none negotiable though at this point.
I am thinking of taking out another loan £1500 - stupid idea ? To pay tax £500 and and £425 worth of bills due to illness and £300 for food and stuff. It's stupid I know. Tomorrow I will pay friend £20. I have another £20 left petrol or food I think petrol because of work but it's awful being hungry. I'm going to sleep I have enough milk for one cup of tea tomorrow might look better.. 
 

GlendaSugarbean

Before considering taking out more credit, can you contact one of the free debt advice charities to discuss some options? It's sounds like you are struggling to cover monthly debt payments, so would a DMP be an option? Sorry if this is something to have already thought of.
Rather than taking out a loan, would putting the HMRC fee on a CC give you more options?

Blackberrycurved

I did once but I’m not struggling if I don’t take any time off sick it’s because nothing is a proper job and like millions of others I don’t get paid if I’m not there. So, they didn’t recommend it at this point. Yes the HMRC on CC might help? Struggling today. 

Blackberrycurved

Okay still feeling overwhelmed but a bit better, there is nothing I can do. I'm not hiding or ignoring bills or spending more than I need. I've spent £17 on food and £25 on petrol on CC. It is Tuesday and I've earned £70. Tomorrow it may be more or less I have a roof over my head. I have warm drinks, a coal fire and cats. I knew it was going to be a fight but I thought January would be the killer not February. Going to curl up in front of the fire and stop worrying in 17 days I will be paid. Tax is going on CC and I am going to pay my friend the £20. I'm on a mission to find £425 before everything starts bouncing on the £17th. I have about £80 in a paypal account so about £350 ish I need to sell some stuff quick I have a pushbike bike which I'll get  £150 for but my best friend bought it for me last summer - she'd be heartbroken. Making Ovaltine and chilling trusting the universe 6 days yet.

Sarahwithlove

I agree with some others it sounds like you are struggling to make your debt repayments and live. I'd suggest contacting a debt agency. Do you rent it is it owned or mortgaged? 

[Deleted User]

Hi, I've just found your diary, well done on taking this great step towards sorting your finances and sorry to hear of your loss.
I'm also in Liverpool - have you tried Talk Liverpool? You can self-refer on their website. I did when I was suffering from stress last year, they called me for a telephone assessment within a week or two, and then I attended a 6 week stress management course for free starting the month after that. It was a group class but no discussion or anything so it wasn't awkward, just listening to the therapists really.  When it was over, I had 2 sessions of 1-2-1 therapy as well, then stopped because I felt better, but could have had more.

Worth a try, and I really found it so helpful. 

[Deleted User]

Also, if you enjoy going to the council gym, could an off-peak membership work for you? With that, you can go weekdays before 4pm and all weekend. Swimming and classes are included and it's only £15 a month. Might be a good compromise?