Back in debt and on DMP after battling addiction 😢

leighavfc

Hi all

Here I am again... in a position I vowed never too be in again after climbing out of debt a number of years ago....

Over the past 6 months or so I have been battling addiction with drugs. I have put myself in so much financial trouble that I have spent all my savings and any money I've had feeding my terrible addiction.

I have no money too pay my rent coming up towards the end of the week or a few other upcoming bills either... I'm in such a bad way... just don't know what too do! I've tried to get a loan too cover me for this month until I next get paid (which I shouldn't do being on DMP either!), I'm getting rejected everywhere though. I have no other friends and family too turn too now... because I owe most of them money too.

The only positive I have is that I have managed too be clean of drugs for the past 3 days and start reattending Narcotics Anonymous meetings in an attempt too stay clear and clean of the substances that I have so selfishly and stupidly allowed too take a hold of me and pretty much ruin my life in the short term at least...

I'm at rock bottom 😢

RAS

Well, it doesn't look like you can pay the rent on time, so contact the LL and explain it will be late.

Ditto the other bills.

Beyond that, rent and council tax are priority, so make sure you organise your on-going finances to pay them again this month, and to hell with the other debts. Unless you owe vehicle tax or insurance?

You might be able to negotiate a little slack with CT if you ask nicely. As long as you get up to date soon.

Tell the DMP provider you're in a mess too and they can pause the plan.

Otherwise, any food banks near you? Any Sikh temple that offer Langar? Make sure you take your shoes off at the door.

Budget pasta is 28-41p per half kilo and that's bulk towards 5 meals. Yellow stickers likely in any local supermarkets?

EssexHebridean

As a first positive - when you are at rock bottom, the only way is up, right? 

Do you have regular meetings you can attend at NA? Are there others you can get to even if you have to travel a bit - assuming you can scrape the cash for that? I'd hazard a guess that the accountability those provide are absolutely vital at this point - and while we're talking about "this point" - well done for your current run of staying clean - that's a great start. Do you have support to help you deal with any withdrawal that is ahead? If not can you find out from NA where that might be available.

The advice to speak with your LL is good. Similarly contact the council about the CT as said - even if they are willing to alter your DD date to a later point in the month that might help. When do you next have income arriving? 

What other bills do you have coming due? Are your DMP payments going out through one of the free debt charities? If so speak with them as RAS says - explain that you need to pause the DMP for this month at the least - they can deal with that. List out the stuff you need to pay if that helps and we can suggest what order you need to tackle them in and the things you absolutely must pay.

Do you have enough food in the house to be able to feed yourself for the next little while at least? An audit of everything you have in the fridge, freezer and cupboards might be a plan - then you know where you stand on another priority. 

EssexHebridean

Hey @leighavfc - how's it going today?  Hopefully the sun is shining with you as it is here and you're starting to feel as though you can see a way out of your situation. Remember you know from past experience what a great source of support and accountability MSE can be so make use of that support. Maybe consider asking for this thread to be moved over to the diaries board and see if you can challenge yourself just to check in daily and chart your progress?  

There are folk here rooting for you - there always will be. 

leighavfc

Afternoon all

Apologies I haven't replied, had a couple of busy days and been trying too keep up with my recovery and attending meetings. Fortunately I have done this so far.. at least a step in the right direction so far. I have meetings locally I can attend every night of the week without great expense which is helpful of course, despite financial negativity I feel positive in tackling all these problems right now which is good and hope continues going forward.

Right I have spoken too Payplan, with whom my DMP is with and told them my situation this month. They have noted on the system and will notify creditors for me. In the meantime I will work a plan out on how too go forward and when I can return too payments with them.

Tonight I need to contact my Landlord about the Rent being late this month (due tomorrow). Problem I have here is I don't get paid again until 21st April, and also if I pay 2 months rent out that day I will be struggling to cover other bills again and causing other issues. I'm thinking of asking him if I can pay this month's rent over 4 months along with the rents due in those months... meaning an extra £200 a month for 4 months covering the arrears and also full rental payments in those months if that makes sense? What are your thoughts on that?

The rent and speaking too the landlord is the one that's worrying the most... he is a nice bloke and we've had no problems either way with each other tbh. I think it's the shame of having too tell him his money is going too be late and that there is a problem that's worrying me. I'm sure he will be ok about it.. but you just never know do you.. in all fairness its all my fault anyway so whatever happens I have too take it on the chin.

Council tax I will be contacting them ASAP and discussing with them on how I go forward with the arrears I owe them from the now last tax year. 

I will put out a proper post here later with more info on my situation for you guys too have a look at and offer your suggestions. Thanks for reading and replying, I really appreciate it. Has helped me get into this positive mindset about tackling it all too! 

EssexHebridean

Well done Leigh - you're sounding so much more positive which is great to read.

Just keep taking one step at a time - and remember that the people who are there to support you - whether in real life or virtually - are there for you and happy to be so. 

You can do this. 

Martico

Just popping in to say that I'm rooting for you also - great steps so far, and sound advice so far too.
Good to see you looking positive and looking up

leighavfc

Statement of Affairs & Personal Balance Sheet

Summary

Monthly Budget Summary Amount(£)

Total monthly income 2,367

Monthly expenses (incl. HP & secured loans) 2,150.34

Available for debt repayments 216.66

UNsecured debt repayments 181.96

Amount left after debt repayments 34.7

Personal Balance Sheet Summary Amount(£)

Total Assets (things you own) 12,135

Total Secured & HP Debt -19,220

Total Unsecured Debt -6,141.07

Net Assets -13,226.07

Household Information

Number of adults in household 2

Number of children in household 2

Number of cars owned 2

Income, Expense, Debt & Asset Details

Income Amount(£)

Monthly income after tax 2367

Partners monthly income 0

Benefits 0

Other income 0

Total monthly income 2367

Expenses Amount(£)

Mortgage 0

Secured/HP loan payments 400.4

Rent 397.5

Management charge (leasehold property) 0

Council tax 172.81

Electricity 78

Gas 78

Oil 0

Water Rates 0

Telephone (land line) 0

Mobile phone 63

TV Licence 13.25

Satellite/Cable TV 46

Internet services 0

Groceries etc. 400

Clothing 0

Petrol/diesel 100

Road tax 14.43

Car Insurance 47.37

Car maintenance (including MOT) 0

Car Parking 0

Other travel 0

Childcare/nursery 300

Other child related expenses 0

Medical (prescriptions, dentists, opticians etc.) 0

Pet Insurance/Vet bills 0

Buildings Insurance 9.58

Contents Insurance 0

Life Assurance 0

Other Insurance 0

Presents (birthday, christmas etc.) 0

Haircuts 30

Entertainment 0

Holiday 0

Emergency Fund 0

Total monthly expenses 2150.34

Secured & HP Debt Description Debt(£) Monthly(£) APR(%)

Mortgage 0 (0) 0

Hire Purchase (HP) Debt 19220 (400.4) 18.8

Secured & HP Debt totals 19220 - -

Unsecured Debt Description Debt(£) Monthly(£) APR(%)

Capital one CC 498.33 98.33 0

Capital one CC 203.36 10.4 0

Zopa CC 626.96 73.23 37.4

Western circle 841.7 0 0

Tick tick loans 769.35 0 0

Fernovo 192.64 0 0

My finance club 704 0 0

Fund ourselves 464.4 0 0

Cash4unow 130.33 0 0

Morses club 1710 0 0

Unsecured Debt totals 6141.07 181.96 -

Asset Description Value (£)

Cash 0

House Value (Gross) 0

Shares and bonds 0

Car(s) 12135

Other assets (e.g. endowments, jewellery etc) 0

Total Assets 12135

Comments on the results

You have sufficient monthly income to meet your expenses and your minimum monthly debt repayments with £34.7 left over.

Notes:

1. I owe £3700 to friends and family too which I forgot too add onto SOA

2. Arrears as of tomorrow of £397.50 on rent. Partner has her half to pay ready.

3. Arrears of £660 on 22/23 tax year. Amount in SOA is my monthly payment for 23/24 year

4. Arrears if £800.84 on HP car finance from missed payments in Dec and Feb

5. Arrears of £14.43 for my car tax.. Will be retaken on 11/4/23

6. Arrears of £250 on childcare fees

I cannot believe I have put myself in this much trouble during my battles with addiction. Mortified after writing it all down in this post 😢

Please feel free to ask questions, or offer advice/suggestions... even too tell me how much of an idiot I am is fine honestly!

leighavfc

Sorry for the information overload there by the way. Wanted too give a full picture of what's going o

TheAble

One thing I would say is that you should treat your rent as a priority expense. With children especially you shouldn't risk the roof over your head. Your LL may be understanding but he'll privately be concerned about the missed payment.

leighavfc

TheAble said:

One thing I would say is that you sure treat your rent as a priority expense. With children especially you shouldn't risk the roof over your head. Your LL may be understanding but he'll privately be concerned about the missed payment.

Totally agree... this is the thing I'm most upset and annoyed about that I have potentially jeopardised the roof over all of our heads for my addiction  problems. I knew this was coming if I didn't stop... selfishly I kept going and going until I ended up in this situation.