Im up to my eyes in debt...cannot see a way out!!

Hell1

:j Hi Emma!

Just wanted to say Hi. Don't worry you are not alone. I'm a teacher too, love the job, you will get a full time job soon. You will find it hard, but you can feel proud of yourself that you are doing it on your own and looking after your daughter too. In years to come she will see you for what you are, a brilliant role model!
Take care
Hell:hello:

Tustastic

Hi Emma, well done for posting.
How about taking a bundle for your landline/tv channels, e.g. Virgin?
How about changing to PAYG for your mobile?
Is your ex paying anything for your daughter's upkeep?

chevalier

Tutastic beat me to it, ref maintenance for your daughter.

The other thing was any of the debt joint? If so even if he is left you, then he still owes his half. Needs must really, so if the creditors can't trace him, so are coming after you for all of it, then unfortunately, to help you, you will have to give them his address.

best of luck
chev

jak

I'm a teacher 2 and I can't find a perm. job. Nighmare...I sympathise. If one more person says to me...'there's a shortage isn't there?' I will scream. Anyway, you are not alone3. Good luck.
x

GeorgeUK

Hi Emma - if you could edit your SOA and add the APR's when you have a chance that would be great.

As you only have 1605 coming in and 1625 going out before any payments to debts, i think the £50pm holiday money needs to be stopped first.

Are you currently in a DMP and if so, is it with one of the free debt charities?
Can i also just check - you owe 8k to benefits? Is this right?

council tax - if you are paying this over 10 months, can you ask to pay it over 12?
elec + gas - seem a bit high. When was the last time you changed supplier?
water - are you metered? Do you use a hippo?
TV licence - you have 2 licences?
satelite/cable - a luxury. Can you afford it?
internet - no internet? or is this inclusive with the cable tv??
groceries - may be able to cut down a little. Check out the old style board for ideas.

Holiday + Emergency fund? Keeping a little back ok, but £50pm could be overdoing it a little.

Unsecured debts of £24,780? Not the 15,000 originally thought then.
For debts that are with a DCA, have you requested a copy of the CCA? Not good for overdraft debts, but you should ask for loan or CC debts.

mizmir

Hi Emma and welcome.

I wondered too about the TV licence - looks high for a monthly figure.
Some great advice so far - and hopefully you don't feel so alone - this board is a huge support and people will be here for you.

Re the holiday fund - could you stop or cut that for a while and instead concentrate on cheap or even free days out near to home with your DD? There is a board on here http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.html?f=28 with lots of ideas for how to do holidays and day trips cheaply or free - and your daughter will enjoy those just as much. Then once things are a bit more under control you can think about a holiday away. When I was growing up I only had 3 family holidays away (my father hated to go) but every year my mum would take us out for lots of lovely day trips all over the place - and we loved it - lots of variety and probably if I'm honest more fun than those three weeks away!!

Good luck and try not to worry - you will get through this.

Keeping_Positive

Keeping a spending diary is also good to see how much you actually spend compared to the budget. My kids and OH always end up over budget so easily. Try this link

http://www.spendingdiary.com/

Oh and more ((((hugs)))) and good luck you have found a great site. It has really helped me and others.

maggiem

Hi Emma,
Just wondered if you had thought of approaching adult ed centres? I used to teach a level and gcse at evening class and the rate of pay then was around £18 per hour for gcse or £24 for a level. It's also a good way of getting experience. Also will the school pay you supply rates at all?

Good luck - and teaching can be great if totally exhausting at times!

Horse_Owner

Can I just ask why you are paying so much in childcare for an 8yr old?

Emma768_2

My daughter has to go to breakfast club and to after school club because I work. The £50 holiday fund isnt actually for holidays as there was no other place to put all the bits and bobs that acumulate throughout the month like the school swimming lessons etc and is not actually £50, i think that maybe I hit the wrong button, should have been £30. If I could cut back on my groceries I would. I shop around and buy the bare minimum as it is and that does include washing powder, shampoo(generic brands) soap tooth paste and all that. I only have one package on sky and they do my internet so it is the cheapest option and I pay £23.00 a month through the easy card cash payment for my TV licence and that is the lowest rate they can do. I have just swapped suppliers for my utilities and I do not have a water meter because according to the sites that work out the costs for you, I would pay more.
Thanks to everyone who has commented, your support is appreciated.
Oh and I have had all the interest frozen on the debts so I don't have to worry about that and I would rather starve than have anything to do with my daughters father or allow her to have anythng to do with him...so the answer to does he pay anything is no and yes some of the debts were joint but they creditors dont really seem interested and they are eight year old debts now.
Again thank you for your help.