Please give me advice

[Dragzena]

Just to clarify, this is absolutely NOT a begging post!

Dh was laid off very suddenly on Monday, the small company has completely folded and from what we can gather the boss has done a runner. None of the three employees have been paid, they were due a months wages plus two weeks holiday pay tomorrow.

He has been able to get another job starting after xmas but won't be paid until the end of January.

I've been sitting working out our finances and I would appreciate someone having a look and seeing if I am missing anything.

We have precisely £1785 to last us until he gets paid in his new job. Rent and bills for this period will be £1471 not including food for five of us. So that leaves me £314 for around six weeks.

Thankfully I have all the xmas presents and a few bits of the food but I can do Lidl for essentials. My oldest two wanted money for xmas but having explained the situation they are happy to wait until Feb for it. They do have a couple of little pressies for the day.

Do companies like gas/electric delay payments in cases like this?

We have no non essential or non contract direct debits that I can cancel.

Please give me your tips or ideas, thanks - and sorry this is so long but I wanted to give all the info 🙂

[Notreallyhappy]

Such shite news.

Phone your utility companies and ask if your in credit and what they can do to help.
If you pay council tax over 10 months ask for an extension to 1 explain why.
Stock take your cupboards to see how you can reduce shopping.
Menu plan as much as you can, using up whatevers hanging about.
Are you entitled to any benefits.? There's an entitled to web site.
Check here if you haven't been paid, it might help.
www.gov.uk/your-rights-if-your-employer-is-insolvent/overview

Try not to worry as you can get through it.xx

[Notreallyhappy]

*12 months council tax

[SecretTryer]

I'd check as well around the house to see if there's anything you can sell. There's surpringly high value in some old mobile phones, even if the screen is cracked or charging point not working.

[SecretTryer]

Also, just thinking, but now's a good timeto gather together any old vouchers/coins around the house and see what you have. Check old coats and handbags too. Mine usually yield something!
Credit cards too, I assume you have thought if that but if it's just to tide you over, that's a good option.

[Dragzena]

Thanks, I will try the council tax and get dh to phone he gas and electric company as they're in his name.

I phoned the benefits agency and there are no appointments until the end of January so by that time he will be working again. They weren't terribly helpful and she said there are no crisis loans or anything to tide us over.

I have made an appointment with the bank to try and get an overdraft just in case. I am going to get an application for a credit card too. We've never had one as this year was the first time we weren't struggling financially - I should have known it was too good to last but for he first time ever we had about £100 a month after bills and food. 🙁

[Dragzena]

Not really happy, thank you. I have spoken to the council and they have agreed to spread our payments over Feb and March as well so that really helps. Utilities weren't so helpful, even though it turns out we are £71 in credit they won't accept a reduced dd for the next couple of months. They offered to put us on meters which I have declined.

Secrettryer thank you as well, I have turned up a M&S gift card with £10 on it and about £4 odd in change from pockets and handbags. I also found a lot of coppers in dh's bedside cabinet so will be using them as well 🙂

[cantpickusername]

I would cancel all direct debits and then make up for it next month. Nothing is going to happen in a month, they might send an angry letter but you will not get a default or ccj and they will not disconnect your energy/water supply.

[Notreallyhappy]

Second what cantpick says , cancel this months dd tell them there's a cock up at the bank.
However if your in credit you can have it back, tell them you want it, you can up the payment when your in a better position.
www.netmums.com/coffeehouse/house-garden-194/money-finance-entitlements-267/358905-utility-bill-credit-can-i-get-back-all.html

If you shop wise with your m&s voucher they do nice 3 for £10 chicken thighs ,minced beef & small whole chickens, with £10 of lidl veg & add ons could feed your dh & dc for a good few days.
Good luck.x

[Dragzena]

Thank you both, I have cancelled the direct debit. Have also been to M&S and managed to get 2 small chickens, 1 pack bacon, 2 packs sausages, a whole meal loaf. All reduced to clear so with the voucher it cost me £1.11 so with the veg and potatoes I have in already that is enough for main meals for quite a few days.

I am livid with my friend. We were supposed to meet tomorrow, we live 170 miles apart so always meet halfway the weekend before xmas. I left a message the other night to tell her the situation and cancel this weekend as I really can't afford it.

Today I've received an email telling me her bank details so I can "just transfer M's (her son) xmas money as he won't get it tomorrow". I usually give him £20 cash as everything he wants is expensive and out of our budget.

I am very upset that despite knowing what's happened her only thought is for him to still get his money. 😠 I am really rethinking the whole friendship.

[Spam88]

Oh my gosh that's awful of your friend

Don't think I can offer any more advice than what's already been given and sounds like you've got a good plan in place :)

[Tryingtosaveup]

You are doing really well. Amazing amount of food with your voucher.
Your "friend" is being an arse. Text her back and spell out your situation.
And tell the utilities company you want your £71 back. It's yours not theirs.
Good luck.

[Dragzena]

Thanks, I had such a smile on my face at the till 🙂

I know we will be fine, we have managed before and actually from the end of January we will be better off as he will have a slightly higher wage. It's just crap timing but we have faced worse.

Thank you all for your help, it really has been useful 🙂

[carpedonut]

Have you replied to your friend??

I'd assume if she was a decent friend she was joking?

[tribpot]

God - your friend is unbelievable. What an attitude. I assume you are not going to send her son the Christmas money?

Your DH may be able to speak to his new company - obvs you wouldn't want to do this on day one, but if it's in the same industry and they have heard the gossip about the owner having done a runner they will be sympathetic, I'm sure. This might be a partial advance on salary so that instead of one very tight month you have two pretty tight ones?

I would certainly demand back the amount you're in credit, and then move your utilities when you're back on your feet.

Is there any work you could do weekends or in the evenings to bring in a few more quid in the meantime?

[Primadonnagirl]

OP...what country are you in? Confused re your comment about benefits agency... if you are in the UK there are appointments over the next week?

[RJnomore1]

Drag check Tesco club card vouchers and nectar points too you might have a few £ sitting there?

[Dragzena]

Primadonnagirl I am in England. I am only repeating what she told me when I phoned on Thursday. She said he would need an appointment and could offer him one on 24th January. I said he would be working by then and explained the whole situation and asked about crisis loans and she told me that they are now 'budgeting loans' and to be eligible you have to have been on benefits for six months.

Dh is going to be delivering takeaways over the next couple of weeks, it doesn't pay much but he's done it before as a second job and the guy was keen to have him as it's a busy time. 🙂

[Dragzena]

Oh and I have replied to my friend and told her I cannot send anything and I'm sure she understands I have to prioritise rent and food.

Haven't had a reply. 🙄

[Primadonnagirl]

Ah just re read your post.. it's because he has another job to start after Xmas that they are giving him a later appointment

[ivykaty44]

If you aren't tied into your utilities company then change to M&S gas and electric, they are a good price and you get a £40 voucher for changing.

Change your bank account to them and pick up £100 voucher and then £10 each month you have over £1000 paid in - which saves would cover so therefore you could get £220 in vouchers, worth saving for next year's Xmas food and drink & some presents.

Good luck with the new work.

www.gov.uk/your-rights-if-your-employer-is-insolvent/overview

Go to second page for details of where to write to

Please please claim back your lost wages and holiday pay from the government, it may not help now but the money should be paid to you and hopefully be useful at a later date.

[ivykaty44]

@dragzena hth