Cannot afford a car 14 October 2020 at 3:07PM in MoneySaving mums 14 replies 3.4K views

Megcake

Hello,
just wondering if anyone can help me please! I’m currently going through divorce proceedings, a child arrangements order and a financial order as I split up with my husband two years ago and he’s dragged me through court (which I’ve had to pay for) and now refusing to sort finances out and is living in our jointly owned house, so I’m having to take him to court for that. Anyway, I have such bad credit as he ran up credit cards etc in my name and my car has just completely broken down. I have tried getting finance but to no avail, I am borrowing my dads car as he is away but needs it from next week and no family members can help me in any way. From next week I won’t Be able to take my children to school! I am totally stuck. I work, but can barely afford to live, I worked out I can pay up to £150 per month on finance but obviously can’t even get it so I’m stuck. What am I meant to do please 😢 xx

Comms69

Take the bus?

macman

'He ran up credit cards in my name'
Do you mean that he took out credit in your name and forged your signature? Or that you signed the applications knowingly? If the former, then you have to report it as fraud to clear your own credit file. If the latter, then it's your debt, not his, unless he forced you to sign.
Can you not scrape up enough to buy a banger for a few hundred until the financial situation improves? 
What is wrong with your car-they don't just 'completely break down', the issue is whether it's economic to fix it.

Spendless

Other than getting a car on finance, what are your options for getting the kids to school? How old are they? Can they be moved to a nearer school within walking distance? Why is your ex living in the jointly owned house and not you with the kids if that is more convenient for their schooling? Can they go and stay with their Dad for a while if that's the only way to get there? What's the options for public transport? 

RAS

Hi

If your husband financially abused you, you may be able to get the debts written off
go over to the Debtfree forum and speak to sourcrates
And take advice here https://debtcamel.co.uk/debt-options/less-common/write-off/

BAFE

If you split up with your husband 2 years ago then the bad credit remarks should shortly be removed from your file as they only stay on for 2 years.  Then you should be able to get credit.  Until then, it's public transport, taxi, shanks's pony or better still, get the kids dad to take them to school.

MovingForwards

BAFE said:

If you split up with your husband 2 years ago then the bad credit remarks should shortly be removed from your file as they only stay on for 2 years.  Then you should be able to get credit.  Until then, it's public transport, taxi, shanks's pony or better still, get the kids dad to take them to school.

6 years, unless it's AP / AR markers then it's 6 years from the date it was settled.

It's possible to get credit with previous credit problems, rates are not good.

Having a car on finance will not help you, all that does is provided more of a strain on your finances. Could your dad not help with a small amount of money eg under £1k so you can buy a runabout and tax it. Then you can pay him back at £50pm and save the £100pm towards MOT, maintenance, insurance etc.

Aside from that it is public transport, walking, buying cheap cycles.

If you live 4 miles from the school, have you looked into free bus passes for the kids. I'm not sure if it's the council or school who you need to speak with, it also depends on whether that is the closest school as if there is a closer one there may be issues.

pollyanna_26

Taking on debt to buy a car is not the answer to your problem. Follow the advice given re tackling the fact he ran up debt in your name..If you can't afford to buy a cheap car without taking on debt you can't afford the repayments. Any finance you may be offered will be high risk, high rate and will cause worse issues.

Public transport, offering to share petrol costs with another parent are better options until the court issues are sorted. After a toxic marriage I walked my children to and from school until things were sorted...

If you think you can afford £150 a month in loan repayments you can find an alternative way to get your children to school without taking on debt.

sheramber

If your children are out with walking distance to school there should be transport provided, unless you chose to send them to an out of catchment school.

Couldsavemore

How badly has your car 'died'?

How old are your kids? If they are secondary aged is there a specific reason they can't safely walk / scooter / cycle / get the bus? 

John_

Are you able to work full-time? I see from your other thread that you’re only doing a few hours per week, so that would help.
Can your children cycle, or can your partner help out?