Christmas worries :/

[mummienatt]

Hi all just needed to vent really tbh .after being scammed and not getting a penny back after being promised and promised Im now in the position were in struggling for Xmas .so annoyed in now paying my debts off on my own because I'm scared to go near another debt managent in case there the same .not sleeping with it or anything .after rent food council tax and bills were left with nothing waiting for a tax credits claim to be sorted but that could take weeks .sorry but needed to get it out so stressed and didn't no where to turn .sat here trying to juggle money around but I buy the cheapest food etc all ready .looking at signing up with payplan as there free just worried they'll take my money to n leave me high and dry .any ideas on presents I can make he's s 6 year old boy .things will be better once I get tax credits but it's taking forever to sort I get cben ev tue and get wages the week before Christmas but going to struggle to get anything thinking if ignoring the debts for the month xx

Try Step Change for debt management, they are not a scam they are a registered charity. We have been with them a few years now. They are helpful and supportive so it is really worth talking to them.

Step Change

I hope things get easier soon.

I think you need some proper debt advice OP have you tried the CAB? They could chase you tax credits claim for you as well. Payplan are free but you need £100 a month left over for them to take you on and there's StepChange as well.

You could send holding letters to your creditors to ask them to hold off for a short period while you get advice:
www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/debt_e/debt_letter_generator_for_creditors_e.htm

Hi yes was meant to go back but didn't just wanted to hide away but I need to deal with it and can't go on like this .so going to ring for an appointment hoping I get one before Xmas .just a mess ATM but could be worse .was thinking of ringing creditors and asking then to defer payments this month at least until tax credits are sorted I'm paying 550 pound a month to debtors hence the mess I'm in I just agreed because I was scared of the bailiffs .payplan have great reviews just panicked after the last lot .x

Thankyou will google step
Change .ive saved £10 out of cben and managed to get 5 books for £1 in the charity shop school fayre next week so going to Save this c what I can get xx Thankyou x

I don't want to sound patronising but its worth asking GP/HV to refer you to a food bank. This way you will save a bit of money to buy a gift & make sure you have something to eat over the holidays.

Try freecycle to see what you can get for free for your son. It's not about expensive gifts but making sure your child knows that he is loved and cherished. It is hard not want to buy toys but concentrate on creating memories that don't need a lot of money. For eg:
Making paperchains & decorations, baking biscuits, threading popcorn for tree & watching xmas films etc.

Is there anything that you can sell on local selling boards? Have a look on the Martin Lewis website to make sure that you are recieving all the benefits that you are entitled to.

www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/

Not at all patronising I shop month by month if that makes sense so I have food in and don't really want to take as I think some people are going with out food etc I have that I wouldn't like to take what some one more needy could have if that makes sense .
Just rang tax credits for an update the lady said my claims being assessed and shouldn't take long now but can't give a definitive length if time until I get paid .
Son isn't really bothered he's asked for 3 things turtles she'll raiser a scooter and daft robo fish lol found a scooter for 11 pound on amazon I'm sure it wil be fine just has a mini meltdown this morning feel silly now like u over reacted .spoke to cab got an appointment next thur to :) x

How about giving him 'experiences' as Christmas presents? You could do a Christmas Day treasure hunt locally with a 'prize' of some chocolate at the end. Homemade vouchers for things like 'control of the tv remote for an evening', a trip to somewhere fun and free locally, mother and son night in with his favourite tea and film etc will work just as well. You could make him up his own ticket book ??

I like the idea of a ticket book - and it would be good for kids to give to parents as well.

If you aren't behind with any payments for mortgage/gas/electric etc but are struggling to pay this month (maybe next) and you phone them before your next payment is due you should find that most/all will accept to either have a lower payment or miss a month completely. Also if you can't afford your debts, ring them back and tell them the payments need to be lowered. You will find that they will do this but will want to reassess every 3-6 months which is a PITA going through figures with them but it does work. Write down all money coming in and out beforehand, they will want to know this.
Hope you get something sorted.

Check out for free Christmas events in your area. Local churches often have nativity services for families that can add some Christmas cheer (and a mince pie!).

Money worries are horrible but you seem to be dealing with it really well and I am sure your son will have a lovely Christmas.

( Don't forget to have the who-can-make-the-longest-paper-chain competition will you?)

Hi Thankyou some good ideas like the idea of vouchers for treats round the home etc .going to look on free cycle if I can c anything in my area .
I have tried to ring the debtors one being marsdens over council tax arrears there words was in lucky u can pay in installments .cab have told me they can set me up on debt repayment plan .feeling better now I've spoke about it xx

I am glad that you are getting things sorted out slowly.

Do have a look on that Martin Lewis website & see if you can save money by changing utility suppliers, claiming back missold PPI etc & if you are entitled to anymore benefits.

Try negoitiating lower repayments for a longer period so you have a bit more disposable cash each month.

Shop at Aldi; Lidl, Asda to get more for your money & buy one brand down to save more money.

Poundland is your best option to bulk out your sons gifts. Freecycle is brilliant, my cm got an unopened tent (in its box) for absolutely nothing.
Its good to rant, its hard bringing up kids especially if you are doing it by yourself so dobt feel bad.

As someone who works in gas/elec please please anyone reading this who is struggling with bills please call your provider preferably before you miss a payment or start getting reminders we can and often do help. Obvs we cant write off debt but we have many different ways of helping spread the cost. I know this isnt exactly what OP was asking about but after a day of helping people who have all sorts of probs due to spiralling debt it is so much easier solved if you communicate with us right from the start. Sorry for the rant/hijack.

Hi I'm on pay weekly for my gas and electricity so I can't call them I put it in as I go .
Hopefully I will get sorted soon just a nightmare so close to Christmas .
Just wish it was different but can't have everything just been on google see if there's any help going to sit and write all what I have to pay this month then see what if anything I have left over cben will be spent on son scoping out eBay etc for bargains .as I said earlier could be worse some people r going hungry feel so bad for ranting over Xmas now when things are worse for others .thankyou everyone for all advice xx

Step change have a website and you can also phone them, not sure of the number but I know it's free from landlines. You can also fill in a debt advice form on their website which will give you a bit of advice straight away as to what would be best eg debt management plan, debt relief order etc. I can't link as on my phone but their website is www.cccs.co.uk all you need for the advice form is your income and a rough idea of outgoings and you don't have to put any identifying details such as name or address.

Can't recommend Step Change highly enough. They are brilliant and totally non judgemental. When you first speak to them they will suggest for the first month that you send £1 to each creditor as a token payment and that you advise them that you are in the process of organising a debt management plan. This will give you breathing space.

Yes was going to ring my debtors tommorow and tell them I'm in the process of organising debt management so hopefully that will allow me to keep the money I usually send them. .will ring step change tommorow aswell .i signed up with bt not long ago and I'm waiting for sainsburys vouchers to turn up of then hoping it's before Christmas though .x

Tbh I wouldn't phone and ask them but wtite and tell them. They will get their chance to agree or not to your debt management plan but this is where you start to take control and tell them you're in the process of sorting it out!

Good luck op- feel free to offload- I know people are worse off Han you but this is a place to offload and get advice. Good luck.

Thankyou everyone
Yes maybe I will write to them least they can't fob me off if I write .
Working until 2 tommorow but will ring them when I'm home .
Hopefully working tax will kick in soon and never no they may back pay I was told they don't always but I could be lucky .x

Well going to write to my debtors explaining my sutuation and get then posted today .hopefully it will help .
Feel awful today sounds so stupid that I'm this worried about Xmas got no sleep last night god nos why think it's because I'm worrying what the debtors will say .son has now asked for art stuff so going to try and mKe a big art hamper as that stuffs cheApish xx

Asda are good for cheap art stuff and also you can use things from around the house for junk modelling and similar eg bottle tops, foil cases, foil sweet wrappers, any left over wallpaper / wrapping paper, tin foil, corks for printing, sponges for printing and foam stickers stuck onto bottle tops to make little stamps.

have you got a nectat card? i have been saving points on mine all year and now have a decent chunk to come off my food shopping for christmas, you can also use them to buy toys or stuff in store

that would be a nectar card

Hi no don't have a nectar card as the sainsburys is in the next town but hopefully when I get the vouchers I'll be able to get over there to spend them on the bus .
aRts and crafts I was thinking paper paint pens glitter glue bits like that then print some activity sheets of at the library with things to make and do keeping milk bottle lids toilet roll tubes etc does that sound ok
Had a shock this morn went to check my bank and majorly overdrawn going to ring the bank when I'm on my dinner xx