I am so scared

kath20

My situation is so ridiculous and it is all my fault. I was a high flier until the company I worked for closed my department 3 years ago. I was not greatly concerned as I was very popular and had a good reputation. Unfortunately all the projects I was promised kept being moved to later and later and I just could not get the full time job (the consequence of that was that my income in the second half of that year fell to a third). I divorced that year too which meant that the childcare rocketed ( I do not receive any child maintance from my ex husband). I borrowed and kept going, because the work could come any moment and eventually it did only it was half of the rate of what I was paid prevously. The problem is that all that time I had no way of reducing my outgoings as I financialy supported my blind mother too and frankly, I just could not believe that my career and earnings could take such a downturn. I never signed on and never asked for help. What I did when I
got a longer project though, is that I moved to a cheaper flat and streamed the outgoings as much as I could. My mom moved in with us (we are in one bedroom flat) and of course I totally adjusted our lifestyle.
The problem is that besides doing that, I can not catch up because I still work from project to project and however hard I try I always end up with gaps between work that when added amount to 3 months a year. So, when I work I go on binge working (weekends, double shifts) just to keep up with all the outgoings. Of course I tried to get the full time job because I am desperate for security but the industry I work in seems to live on hire and fire. I mean it sounds pathetic, but I just can not face the shame of calling the debtline. My repayments are so high now that trying to pay off debt has become an obsession and the site is my last attempt to preserve my dignity. But what shall I do if it does not work?

bonnie_2

can you post your outgoings and debts so that we can help you, are you claiming tax credits and have you tried getting a council or housing assoc house to reduce your rent.

mummytofour

Hiya,
Have you tried getting temp work between contracts? Even if its packing or bar work, something to bring money in.
If you post you out goings and what you own, then people will be able to advise more.

Edited to say, please dont be scared, these things can be worked out.
Vxx

kath20

I have not contacted the council or housing association yet.
I could claim some benefits for my mom I think, although I have not looked into it.
I am too proud. I get a bit of tax credit £44 a month.
My rent is £975
My childcare is between £400 - £500 a month
Council tax is £120
Household bills including insurances are £200
Debt repayments are £1000
My net income last year was £44.000

kath20

My income was £44.000 which makes it about £2700 a month net

bonnie_2

if you try and list every single debt and bill individually it really does help us to work out your money.could your mum not look after your child for you.how old is your child. you should be able to claim benifits for your mum depending on old she is as well.

mummytofour

The rent is hight where so you live? could you move somewhere cheaper? Please can you break down the bills a little more household bills and what you pay for each? Also debt repayments, how much to who and how much is each account out standing? also the intrest rate. Child care, does dd go to nursery? every day? how old is she?
Where is food in your budget?
Thanks
vxx

kath20

MY mother is blind. My daughter has to be picked up every day from school, she is 9. Then she is brought home and the babysitter has to cook for her and my mom as my mom can not cook. We can not move anywhere further out, as all my work is in town. When I work I come home between 7:30 and 8 pm if I am lucky, meaning that if I am not on some important project when I have to work later.
Then I would be paying even more for childcare and travel. I can not list my debts now, it is too upsetting. I have to keep going for two months and then I will simply have to file for bancruptcy.

Murtle

if you are struggling to work out your complete budget, look at the top of this thread, it says Budget planner in yellow. If you click on that it will take you to Martins budget planner, which will prompt you to add in all your outgoings. Don't panic...it can be resolved

take care

x x

bonnie_2

you will have to list all your debts for bankruptcy so you may as well get it over and done with. the or will probably take a percentage of your income at that level of earning as well, somebody will say on here if i am wrong.

kath20

Thank you. I will look at it now and fill it in the morning, but I know already that my outgoings are higher than income. I just can't believe that I have worked for twenty years, looked after everyone and now have to go to talk to somebody who earns less than me and try to explain why I am in such a mess. And just recently I applied for a job, tailored for me, and the agent told me the age is against me. Age? I am supposed to work for another 27 years. You know the most pathetic thing is that I am so experienced and so good at my work and do get to work on such prestigious projects and in all this mess, I have to turn up looking smart with a smile, cracking jokes. I have now spent almost two years working mostly for one company on various projects and then I applied for a full time job and they have not bothered to even reply. Why should they? It is much better to have me on hire and fire basis and not pay any sick pay or holiday pay. Anyway, I am not the only one treated this way, there are plenty of my colleagues in the similar situation, only they don't have to look after a child and a parent. I wanted to write an article about it but then I surely won't get any work. The most pathetic is that when I meet some of the clients in town they ask When will you set up your own company? Such a talent. And what use is the talent now? I can't even sell one t shirt.