I just can't make it all fit!

bow1508

I'm seriously trying to sort my finances out but I just don't know how I can do it. My husband and I have always been classed as low earners even worse since I stopped work to look after the children but now we have decided to go our own ways well I just can't see any light at the end of the tunnel. I don't drink/smoke/go out/spend money of clothes/have a huge dvd or cd collection so where can I cut back if all my money if going on household bills and whats left goes on the kids clubs? I'm sorting out the gas and electric to try and get the best deal, ditto with the phone but the shortfall is massive. Cant apply for income support until the ex has actually moved out and he can't go until he has saved one months rent as the councils only help will be to help him with some of the monthly rent. He can't go to a one bed tiny flat as he has a guide dog to think about. So I sat here last night watching the news about people earning 140 grand a year feeling poor and I got mightily angry. I'm trying to go back to work but I need something to fit around the children which so far the wages appear to be less than the working tax credits and child tax credits I was getting. So my one loan of £20,000 for house improvements that were needed as damage was being done is now going to end up costing me the house by the look of it. If I sell the car the childrens clubs which keep them fit have to stop as my daughter is in a football team and they then stop going out and get fat and guess what i'm a bad parent again. Am I the only one who feels like screaming? oh and BTW anyone voting for Mayor ken needs boiling in oil 13.3% rise on last year in a borough that gets virtually nothing as we are kent borders but still has to pay for him and his Mates to sit on their fat backsides! Phew vent over thanks

lauradora

Here here!!I agree!!!But seriosly post us an SOA and we'll all be able to help you out a lot more xxxx

Zebedee69

Aw, you poor thing.... Well you came to the right place and im sure more people will hop on in a minute to say howdy!

Have you done a SOA? have a look to see what SOA's other people have done on here and complete your own. Post it up here and well help you sort things out.

((( Hugs )))

Merlot

Firstly huge hugs. You have come to the right place for some help.

As mentioned in the posts above, can you list your incomings and outgoings, list of debts (loans/credit cards/arrears) with balance and APR's. Do you know if your credit rating is good? I'll find the link in a mo, so you can check, http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/credit-rating-credit-score#free

Well done for posting, We will be able to help and feel free to vent as much as you like...

Merlot.x.

bow1508

Thanks all, huge hugs, excuse me for being thick but whats an SOA? I only have one loan and I pay my step mum £200 per month as she lent me the money to pay off my mortgage interest free bless her. I need to pull out my loan papers and get onto that one too. Theres so much to read and go through on here it's wonderful. I'm telling everyone. Thaks again, feeling less tearful now i'm not usually such a wimp BTW

Merlot

I can't find the SOA sticky but I have found this,http://www.britishinvasion.co.uk/soa/soaedit.php

PENNYWISE_3

soa - statement of affairs
basically list all your incomings & outgoings with any apr's etc if u have credit cards.

people will then be able to make suggestions of where you may be able to make savings to your living costs that can make a real difference to your life. For example changing energy supplier, paying c tax over 12 months instead of 10 etc

Give it a go there's always lots of great people willing to help out:D

chevalier

Can I suggest that until you are back on your feet, you ask your step mum if you can reduce or halt repayments to her?

I don't know what it is called but if you are unemployed or have been out of the labour market, there is help in getting back to work, eg helping to pay for child care, retraining that sort of thing. Also you may want to see if the school will waive the payments to clubs if you are on such a low income. Ref the car, is there someone who would understand about you having to sell it, and offer to take your daughter to football with their daughter?

Not that I want to pry, but have you had any counselling to see if your marriage can be saved? If there is no hope, then once he has left, you will need to tell the council tax so you can get single persons discount, and maybe even council tax benefit.

good luck
chev