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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask how I dig myself out of this hole?

253 replies

Gotnopaddle · 27/08/2016 20:22

I'm up shit creek.

On maternity leave and now picking up less than I pay out. In a lot of debt, unsecured. This includes installment loans. I've fallen behind on all payments and they're stacking up. My phone was cut off earlier and I simply can't afford to get it reconnected.

I'm married but he does not agree with credit. Has said many many times that if he finds out I'm in debt our marriage is over. He gives me money for shopping and pays most of the bills, except for Sky. Which will be cut off soon too.

I'm not here to talk about DH or his attitude but I'm sure you'll all tell me to LTB. I just want to know how to get out of this hole. I have nothing of value to sell and no chance of income as I can't afford childcare. I don't get any tax credits because of DH's earnings.

What the fuck do I do here? Sitting here quietly freaking out over it.

OP posts:
WinterIsHereJon · 27/08/2016 22:28

In her op it was stated that her DH pays all bills except sky...

couldntlovethebearmore · 27/08/2016 22:29

Is your mat pay the maternity allowance off the gov? Otherwise you may have to pay it back if you can't return to work.
And sad as it is you may not be due back until Jan but if you are in debt you need to find a job and start earning

Lapinlapin · 27/08/2016 22:29

I'm sorry op, he sounds awful. It seems quite clear that he's expected you to contribute half of living costs, despite earning way less than him. I can totally understand how easy it must have been to rack up debts in that situation. And then add interest etc and your current total is a lot higher than the original.

I think you need to talk to him, but really you need to leave him. It can't be any way to live, having a husband who is happy to let you go hungry for goodness sake? When my money was getting short on mat leave (and prior to that dh and I had been equal in terms of earnings) dh gave me extra money so I could buy new clothes, because he knew I needed some. That's how a caring husband should behave.

You deserve better Flowers

Nanny0gg · 27/08/2016 22:29

The approach your DH with the problem and show him what you're doing to fix it. Then tell him what he needs to do. £40/week is not very realistic for a family with a baby still in nappies and drinking formula (?). Break it down for him. Show him that you have done your homework, don't get emotional, show him solutions and ask for his help and support.

Someone who charges the mother of his child to live in 'his' house when he earns 4x her salary isn't going to offer any 'support' is he? He is financially abusive and I hope the OP rings Women's aid to get advice.

AnotherPrickInTheWall · 27/08/2016 22:29

Step change is your best bet. Sorry you have had this wake up call at such an importune time in your life.
In the last 30 years ,saving hasn't been big on most peoples agenda, so I understand how you have got into this mess.
You can get out of debt, but have to learn how it is possible to live frugally and still have a good quality of life.
A few years of lean living will pay dividends in the long run.

CheshireChat · 27/08/2016 22:31

Look up women's shelters in your area, women's aid is probably the biggest.

Regarding your debt, talk to CAB or any of the free debt companies- you have options like going bankrupt, an IVA or others I'm not familiar with. This means they'll take into account how much you can afford to pay to your creditors and then you keep the rest to live on. If your credit score is already bad then you have nothing to lose maybe just your husband.

If you'd like more info, PM me and there's some really knowledgeable posters that might be able to help you if you post in Relationships.

Good luck!

Lapinlapin · 27/08/2016 22:32

She is living frugally! It's her abusive husband that's the real problem here.

Leta86 · 27/08/2016 22:33

OP Flowers for all you have to go through.

ABSOLUTELY agree with everything mummyoflittledragon stated, take her advice and work on it. DO NOT play an ostrich.

I can totally see how scary this must be for you, I've got my guts in a twist just reading what you're going through. hugs for support

You need to get out, for your sake and your childs. It will hurt, but staying with him will hurt far far more.

Just coming here is as far as I can see a step back on a long way to happiness. You'll get there.

unleashingtheflyingmonkeys · 27/08/2016 22:33

I am more worried about your mental health at the minute OP.

One line that stood out to me was about your 'only friend' getting higher rate PIP. You need to blank out what other people are doing and focus on yourself. Truthfully, are you feeling depressed? Maternity leave can be isolating, and with a young child, no money, and an unsupportive and frankly abusive DH you must be going through a lot at the minute. Your self esteem and confidence to me sounds like its gone through the floor.

You need to deal with yourself and how you feel, before you can find the strength to tackle this. Your situation is unmanageable, and your DH is being an arsehole. You are not lucky to live under his roof, he is lucky to have you there from the sounds of everything. If your child or a friend was being treated how your DH is being treated, what would you say to them?
You need to stand up for yourself, no one else will. But you are worth and deserve so much more than this. Not eating in the day, looking after a little one will make you ill.

First off, citizens advice. Google your local branch, go with your LO to a drop in appointment, take all your financial docs with you, as well as your creditors and they will instantly do a income and expenditure with you, so you can see the full picture. I worked for Nationwide in their credit card collections department, the CAB carried a lot of weight with us, and we were happier to help people who were taking proper debt advice, rather than ringing saying 'I'm skint'. It shows you are taking your debt seriously, and also shows if you have taken the trouble to go to them, you will maintain an arrangement. I have taken one pound a month payments on 20k of credit card debt before and frozen interest on the condition that communication was maintained, the pound payment was made every month on time, and that it would be upped as soon as that customer went back to work. It will be difficult but not impossible. There is light at the end of the tunnel you will get there.

But, by yourself. This dick you live with, is not providing you with emotional or financial support and quite frankly doesn't respect you at all. You will have to tell him the truth, but you are in the marital home, he cannot force you to leave without a court order, if he tries to force you out ring the police.

Speak to citizens advice, they will help in terms of benefits and help. Go on entitled to.co.uk - enter in your information with out your 'D'H and you will see how much better off you are.

Go talk to your GP as well or health visitor, you sound stressed and depressed, and I think that you might need some help there.

You must be feeling so isolated, but you aren't. I am happy to PM you and provide support if you feel you need it. I just wanted you to know it will get better, it wont be great straight away, but decisions need to made about your marriage, and then about your debt. Chin up.

emjking · 27/08/2016 22:34

Keep proof that you have paid towards the mortgage especially as your name isn't on the mortgage, there used to a ruling that you can stay in the house until your youngest is 18 not sure if that still applies, I would find all this out and get the facts before approaching husband, don't agree to leave as you might find it hard to what you are entitled to.
I am on a joint mortgage but as neither or us can afford to buy the other out we house share which is fine most of the time, we both have our own money and pay half the bills, but appreciate that doesn't work for everyone.

emjking · 27/08/2016 22:35

Should have said we are no longer together as a couple - just friends

nilbyname · 27/08/2016 22:36

nanny I agree with you completely, but I also think the op must fess up in a controlled and managed way. Get some power back.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 27/08/2016 22:36

If he earns 4x what you do then he should be putting 4x as much in the pot. A 50:50 split would be totally unfair and abusive.
I earn much more than DH and the thought of imposing a 50:50 split would make me ashamed.
Why are you not on the mortgage?
Do you have receipts from him for every penny he spends?

Gotnopaddle · 27/08/2016 22:41

unleashing I'm already being treated for depression. You're right though. Watching everyone's lives like it's their highlight reel.

I am taking in what everyone is saying by the way. Local cab is walking distance. I can go there and see how I stand. However bad it is. Then I'll have to tell him but I don't know how. Can't breathe thinking about it. I am sure it'll be the end of the marriage though.

OP posts:
thisismeusernameything · 27/08/2016 22:43

I would write everything down in a letter to him OP. It will help to get everything off your chest if nothing else. Flowers and hugs

AyeAmarok · 27/08/2016 22:45

I am sure it'll be the end of the marriage though.

If it is, you'll be debt-free.

Every cloud and all that...

Mummyoflittledragon · 27/08/2016 22:46

You tell him when you've done you're homework. And when you're ready to protect yourself and your child whenever and however necessary.

It won't be anywhere near as hard when you are solid ground. Just reread what unleashing said a few posts back about working in a credit company. It was very interesting and should give you some hope as well.

Sorry you're struggling emotionally. Life shouldn't be like this. You're worth more that being with a man, who can put you through such an ordeal.

unleashingtheflyingmonkeys · 27/08/2016 22:47

I would bet he has a huge chunk of savings somewhere, given his salary and your contributions etc.

Moneysavingexpert.co.uk is amazing and will really help.

When I have advised people before, a budget helps. So things like rent, council tax, utilities are essential bills, then food, clothing, travel, toiletries. Your H is covering expenses, so once the CAB have written to your creditors, then you will find you have a bit more money to live on. Do you shop at Aldi or Lidl, my food bill halved going there, meal plan, freeze food etc.

Have you sorted out LOs clothes, and tried selling any old ones on facebook or ebay that hes grown out of - that might help a touch. Talk to womens aid, or the cab, and see if you can get on the council housing list, if you cant privately rent. Some councils in some circumstances can help towards a deposit, and have agreements in place with landlords to help you access housing, it depends where you are. You need to be honest about the domestic abuse you are facing (financial or emotional abuse, or coercion, is included in the definition for the most recent legislation), you can then access support - counselling for example, and if it is on record, it may help you to gain help to be housed further down the line. Just something to consider.

Unlockable · 27/08/2016 22:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

emjking · 27/08/2016 22:51

Please let us know how you get on, take care x

CheshireChat · 27/08/2016 22:52

Because we chose an IVA we started paying £71/ month as opposed to £300+ and that's based on what we could afford.

Ask at CAB what your rights are if you decide to leave your husband, you'll probably be better off and be less stressed as well.

Gotnopaddle · 27/08/2016 22:55

He has about 65k in savings but I only know that from seeing his online banking over his shoulder

OP posts:
hrtbigbutt · 27/08/2016 22:56

Stepchange, contact Asap they helped me deal with mine, didn't take dh earnings into account ( I was on mat leave too). Depending on amount owed you might be able to get debt relief order.

CoolCarrie · 27/08/2016 22:57

Why are you not on the mortgage? It is your home & your child's home, not just his! Sorry he sounds like a bastard, please take the advice given from other posters, you can't go on like this with him!

Gotnopaddle · 27/08/2016 22:59

He bought the house without me.

OP posts:
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