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Original poster

In so much debt I don't know what to do

48 replies

sosadandashamed · 17/02/2011 21:11

Don't know if Im posting in the right placed but here goes.
I am in so much debt I feel like it is taking over my life and I don't know what to do.
Simple fact is my outgoings are more than my incoming, Ive robbed Peter to pay Paul and it has snowballed scarily in the last few months.
I owe money for overdrafts, credit cards, payday loans, water rates, council tax.
In fact the only thing Im not behind with is my rent thank god although I got a letter yesterday saying it is being increased from the 1st of April.
I just don't know what to do or who to turn to and I seriously feel like doing something stupid.
I could ramble on but doubt anyone will read it.
I just feel helpless and so ashamed my life has turned out like this

OP posts:

namechanged1234 · 26/02/2011 17:14

Sorry I can't offer much practical advice, but have you checked to see if you're entitled to any benefits? If you're on a low income then I would have thought you could get help with housing/childcare or something. I think the government website has a calculator or something that works it out for you.

collision · 28/02/2011 22:44

bump

wickedorwhat · 14/03/2011 18:21

10000 grand is not that much sad. there are a lot of people in more debt than that. i say you need to get angry and dont be intimidated by these sharks. ok so you spent more than you could afford. most of us do. my dh s business folded when a company went bust and did nt pay him it was a lot of money about 300,000. he had a credit card and a car finance and he just said f... off to them they have pestered him but they give up eventually. these card providers and others just sell the debt to other blood sucking agencies in the hope they can bully the money out of people. im not telling you what to do only do what you can, im only saying to you that you must not let them grind you down. they can have their money when you can afford to pay them. good luck

madmomma · 22/08/2011 18:56

OP you must get to your GP and get some anti ds if you are feeling suicidal. You may only need them for 6 months, but you have to take some action about your mental health. Once you are feeling a bit better in yourself, you'll find it easier to move forward with sorting the debt.

Lilyloo · 22/08/2011 19:16

This op is from February

madmomma · 22/08/2011 21:00

Oh yeah - duh! Hope she's ok

dementedma · 27/08/2011 22:39

we are on year 5 of a 6 year debt repayment plan with payplan. They have been brilliant. We started out owing £18K and are now down to just over 3K and tentatively beginning to think there might be light at the end of the tunnel. it's feckin hard going though and has all but brought us to our knees at times.

Ivette · 01/11/2011 18:44

call Harrington Brooks, they are great, I am paying 50 pcm and everything is taken care of, co debt collection agencies calling me anymore!

prayingmantisgroupie · 29/11/2011 11:27

Old thread I know, but to anyone in a similar situation, please be aware that Harrington Brooks are a fee charging company. You're much better off going to CCCS or CAP - why would you want to add fees to your debt?

nothingoldcanstay · 30/11/2011 20:51

My advice would totally be to go to Uni. You don't actually pay any fees till you earn over £15,000 (may even be £21,000 these days).
I'm better off going to Uni 8 hours a week then before when I worked as a 32 hours a week as an LSA plus weekend job. I get £3000 3 times a year + a grant of £300 twice a year. lump sums really cut bills down to size. Can now get housing benefit and obviously students don't pay Council Tax. Still get child tax credits and as I'm not working can also get free school meals. Also entitled to student overdraft of £1000 interest free (this bit is worrying actually).t's 3 years breathing space and then you might even stand a chance of a better job at the end.

maigwa · 25/04/2013 14:47

This reply has been deleted

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Ghostsgowoooh · 26/04/2013 04:15

I am with Christians against poverty at the moment. They are good, they deal with my creditors, have gone through incoming and outgoings with a tooth comb and given me a budget. They take a set amount each week from my bank and spread it out amongst my debts so I should be debt free in 1-2 years. They even put someone's aside for me on savings which will be going on Xmas pressies for the kids.

I have been with before but I left because I didn't see eye to eye with my case worker and also because my dp at the time did everything he could to make me leave them, he used to spend the money the budget money down the pub.

Cap really are good. I know many of their volunteers in my area anyway as their local office is close to where I live

leaderscorp · 15/05/2013 04:58

Have you consulted debt relief expert already? If not, then I suggest that you should see one.

3nationsfamily · 23/05/2013 13:24

This is a ZOMBIE thread. OP was 2 years ago

Nannakaka · 07/07/2021 21:56

I'm a mum of 3 grown up children but I'm very poorly and in a lot of debt I just don't know where to start to get help I'm in about 15000 in debt any advice on where to start I have a very small income very distressed mum\nan

LuluJakey1 · 07/07/2021 22:05

@Nannakaka

You might be better starting a new thread. This one is 10 years old. Also, talk to Citizen's Advice Bureau.

Nannakaka · 07/07/2021 22:15

How do I start a new thread Lulu jakey 1

SirenSays · 07/07/2021 22:22

@Nannakaka Definitely agree you should start a new thread. Give Stepchange a call tomorrow and talk it through with them. Make sure you have all your figures to hand so you can get accurate information.

Nannakaka · 07/07/2021 22:32

Thanks so much I think iv started new thread siren

TooCloseToTheProject · 07/07/2021 22:34

You could also try Christians Against Poverty (for debt) and the Money Saving Expert website for tips.

AMCDad · 10/07/2021 20:05

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Amandasummers · 10/07/2021 20:18

Op, I’ve been recently working with CAP (Christians against poverty), they’ve been helping me solve my debt problems. I was very apprehensive at first due to being non religious, but I can’t thank them enough for taking the pressure off (I have posted many threads in desperation previously, and felt like you not long ago) xxx

Amandasummers · 10/07/2021 20:19

I found CAP easier to deal with because they helped find the info needed if I couldn’t etc, unlike when you call step change and have to have every bit of information ready for them.

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