So what do you do when you can't cut any more?

squeaky

Melusine wrote: »

I'd guess you're pretty good on using up left overs from meals

hahaha People get leftovers after meals? Not with a PW, they don't.

Yes, my humour is a bit dry at times

Anyway... stop chatting with me and get your finances sorted out first.

You'll find me over on OS (Old Style) when you're done

monkey22_2

Hi Melusine,

Just wanted to send you my best wishes - you've got an awful lot on your plate and I don't know how you do it. You certainly deserve more help and support with your son.

I would definitely call CCCS or Payplan today - it's the best thing I ever did. They will help you calculate how much you really can afford to pay back and they will negotiate with your creditors on your behalf. It was like a weight being lifted off my shoulders. They don't charge for their services and they're very supportive.

One thing that struck me was, with your writing skills maybe you could make money writing short stories for magazines?

Good luck with everything,

monkey

Jacks_xxx

Aw honey...You sound really fed up. I don't want to exhaust you with lots of nagging but something needs to change doesn't it?

I expect it's hard for you to ask for help, (it is for me too) but I really think you need some. Could your doctor or social services give you more help? PW Charities or support groups maybe?

I think you need proper help with those debts as well.

if you don't want to speak to a person right away you can fill in the debt remedy calculator at CCCS which will give you a good idea of what their recommendations will be.

https://www.cccs.co.uk/debtremedy/(pfhxeg3j550mowfhxpr2qj55)/start.aspx?hp=3

I definitely second the Old Style Board recommendation - especially the Grocery Challenge. We used to spend £600+ in the supermarket every month for 2 adults, 2 teenagers, assorted extra mouths as and when, plus a grumpy fussy cat - but this month thanks to living on mainly veg and rice we've spent a ridiculously low amount. (this includes loo roll and toiletries etc as well.)

My G.C. progress is in my sig below so you can see it reduced gradually as I started to try different things. (some worked, some didn't!) reducing your spend is do-able I promise. Maybe not by as much as ours because you're much more sensible than we were already - but every little helps doesn't it?

And keep posting honey, and we'll keep reading and responding.

Love Jacks xxx

Melusine

dog food, yes, thank you, I'll look. diet foods yes, thanks (but bear in mind Weight Watchers won't let PWs join because their diets are so strict and restricted). Don't buy beauty stuff. Just deodorant, soap stuffs and shampoo.

Am on phone waiting for cccs to answer, Thank you to those who put me in touch with them.

floss2

Keep us posted on how you get on

Floss x

Melusine

One thing that struck me was, with your writing skills maybe you could make money writing short stories for magazines?

Would I love to. Many do not take stuff from outside writers, you have to be on their staff. Some don't pay. Of those that do, the competition is soooo fierce. An example, Woman's Weekly publishes 3 stories a week. They get 1000 submissions every week.

floss2

I guess you already have this, but just in case you haven't... http://pwsa.co.uk/

Melusine

Thanks, floss. My son is a member. I'm not because it is his special club. (But I get all the newsletters, via him.)

Burlesque_Babe

Not much to add really on top of all the other wonderful advice, just to say that cleaning and washing up wise, I use Stardrops (as many MSE'ers do) and it saves a fortune on cleaning stuff and you can even wash clothes in it (I do the throw my dog sits/stands on when he is in the car and it comes out clean and soft) - I've even used it for washing the pots this month and it is fantastic. It is about 60p a bottle from Asda.

I would echo many others in saying to use Quidco. There is a thread on the Freebies board (I think) of all the ones you can sign up to which pay you a little bit of money just for registering. It won't be loads but I regularly receive an average of £50 - £75 a month from them for either swapping insurances, signing up for various offers and also when I shop for presents I try to use them as much as possible. It won't affect your benefits either.

floss2

Melusine wrote: »

Thanks, floss. My son is a member. I'm not because it is his special club. (But I get all the newsletters, via him.)

Do they have a parents support section? They may be able to help with things like the keypad lock for your kitchen door etc - in fact thinking about it, have you asked your HA for specific help like that?

Where abouts in the UK are you?