Oh god I am in so much of a mess!!

bank_of_slate

Hi Laura, there will be a way to sort this, but don't try to shoulder all the fret, worry and burden by yourself!
Now you have a full SOA try calling CCCS for some professional advice.
You are by no means the only one in that situation, keep posting on this board for support!
...Linda xx

Waspeze

This was posted on the BR board yesterday.. there might be some suggestions in there that might help?
Though to be fair the OP was on benefits so different situation.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=922977

Merlot

Laura, you need to sit your OH down with a piece of paper and do an SOA and show him where the finances lie, the debts will be increasing all the time, and now is the time to take action, I'm gonna sound harsh here, but no-one, but only you and your OH can do anything to get the money together for the fees, you need to reduce your outgoings today, and you could have your fees within a few months, and you will feel much better within yourself if you are doing something positive to get the fees together.

I don't want to upset you, but the situation is not going to get any better without you and your OH taking positive steps.

Come over the Old Style board and ask for help reducing your food bill, they are a friendly bunch and will help you.

YOU CAN DO THIS, it will a little effort but its going to be sooo worth it.

Merlot.x.

xoxlauraxox

Thanks everyone.

I don't help myself really because I worry about absolutely everything and tend to panic. I'm going to sit down and have a cuppa then try to think it over properly rather than having everything spinning round in my head and getting really stressed out about it.

I have just made the situation worse recently but I suppose it too late to realise that now so I just need to get on with it.... I think i will definately have to get the slow cooker out for some cheap meals which will last.

I will post up again in a bit when hopefully i will of calmed down a bit and will have a bit more of a clear head, thanks for all the help so far, its surprising what a bit off support can do.

Laura

bank_of_slate

We're here whenever you need us Laura!
Keep checking out the 'Freebies, no spend required board too, you can often get samples and freebies through the post!
...Linda xx

maxmycardagain

whose debts are they, do you have any joint debts?

Dinah93

Hi, a few things jump out at me from your SOA (that people mostly have picked up on).

Electricity £100 pm. This is just a crazy rate, are they charging you for arrears or anything? We have electric only, no gas, on a prepayment meter and use the heating for a couple of evenings a week and our bill is under £50 a month (up to £65 in the winter).

Housekeeping £400 pm :eek:. Is this just for the 3 of you? My housekeeping budget for all food, toiletries, cleaning, cat food and litter etc is £120 pm, and I often come in under budget for 2 of us. We have meat and at least 2 veg for every dinner, and all our lunches are included in that too. Get to know your local suppliers, I get a huge bag of potatoes from the local co-op for £1.89 that will last us a whole month, compared to what £1.89 used to get me in a supermarket it's just on a different scale! I do do some batch cooking, and use my slow cooker, and am a frequent raider of the offers and reduced sections. I only allow us one 'treat' per week (this week, oreos, on offer at morrisions BOGOF 89p). Always go to the supermarket with a list, and meal plan before hand so you don't just pick up what looks nice. If you usually shop at morrisions buy The Sun newspaper this week as you get £5 off your shopping if you spend £30.

TV licence £27. Could be mistaken but isn't this the quarterly ammount? I think we pay £11-£12 a month.

£24 Sky. This is a luxury. You are tearing yourself up and doing daft things trying to keep afloat, right now not having this so called luxury will make your life better.

Keep a spending diary. When you are recording every penny you find yourself spending less and can see where money is escaping to.

As others have said, ebay/amazon everything that isnt nailed down. I've been making around £60 a week lately selling books on amazon, and womens clothes go well on ebay. I got a lot of the books I am selling in a £3 per binbag library sale (they were going to burn the unread ones, had to be saved for loving homes), which I would recomend as opposed to turning over items from catalogues, most likely at a loss. You'd be suprised at the things some people want that is just gathering dust. I've sold a brita filter jug (used), my old breadmaker, worn shoes etc

Best wishes to you, D x

mdhughes03

as well as cutting down on your housekeeping bill, bear in mind that you might be missing out on offers. FOr example I think you would qualify for Boots Parenting club? they often run offers on products for children under two and this could maybe save you some money on essentials?
You could also do with taking advantage of reduced price food-if you have a freezer you could grab the meat etc reduced as it's on its last day and freeze it-this can save soooo much money. I'd reccomend a good read of the Old Style board for food/shopping advice. The amount of meals those peeps can make from a few £s worth of ingredients is incredible. All these things you can look at as not giving up something you're accustomed to, but a new challenge of finding the best deals and bargains-warning, it's addictive just check out the Quick grabbit while you can board!

As others have said, it's a big task but it's do-able one way or another and what the people on these forums don't know ain't worth knowing so breath a sigh of relief-facing up to the situation and trying to start a plan of action can be the hardest bit and you've already done it :beer: