I have less than nothing in my bank account until 31 May

[iloveruby]

According to my bank account I will be £99 over my overdraft once all my direct debits are paid.

I don't get paid until the 31 May.

I have some available credit on credit cards but I don't want to use them because that will make next month's payments even higher.

So, what do I do? I've got to pay for fuel and food for the month.

I'm currently looking at things to sell.

Is there anyway to reduce credit card payments without it impacting my credit score?

Help me please!!!

@NoSquirrels Thank you! I really needed to hear this and I know that apart from sorting out the credit card repayments I need to look at why I got into this mess so I don't make the same mistakes again.

Speak to stepchange. I did and although I don't have a resolution yet, my life is so much easier. Trashed credit ratings making your life bearable isn't such a bad thing. Credit card companies Aren't actually monsters, especially during current times. Talk to them. Seriously. Life doesn't get easier burying your head in the sand. Rip off the band aid and deal with it! Good luck :)

If you are on certain benefits, you will be due a cost of living payment. Due now.
Otherwise speak to step change etc and get your debts under control.
Go on Money saving expert, especially the debt free board.

@Littlejacksmummy I've just started entering in my debts into the stepchange form!

@Treessquirrels I've joined the NSD challenge on the MSE forums and set myself the target of 10 no spend days.

Some of the threads in ‘cost of living’ tropic are very informative. Good luck.

Do you work from home?

If so, how about signing up to Rover? It's an app for paid dog sitting. Someone I know does it for extra cash, she gets about £20 a night but I'm not sure how quickly you get paid, whether it's instant or end of month.

How old is your horse? Just wondering how long you will be paying for him. I sympathise as I have a 27year old one who has been retired 10 years

Community bank loan? Tesco or other vouchers? What’s in your food cupboard?

@iloveruby have a look at Twig! It's an app where you can sell bits and bobs - they pay pretty immediately so it's a good way to get access to cash quickly rather than waiting for a buyer

Do you know the interest rate you're paying on your credit cards? If it's high, see if you can swop to a 0% or at least something lower. The added advantage is that when you transfer a balance it pays this month's bill and you then usually don't have to make a payment on the new card for a few weeks.

Obviously there's usually a balance transfer fee but if you are paying a higher rate of interest on the existing card, it'll all balance out.

Any direct debits due after about the 10th/12th (too late to move sooner ones I guess), ring and ask if they can be moved to a date after next pay day.

Obviously an unexpected expense is the tipping point, but as I think you realise it's good to put a long term plan in place for trying to cut back, ideally reducing credit card balance so you've not making such large monthly payments (and interest).

In the short term, I'd say only use the car for things that are absolutely essential, ie work and looking after your horse (if you really can't walk to either location). People on here are great for coming up with solutions for meals/cutting back on food spend when money is tight, so if you post either on here (or start another thread) letting us know what you've got in, you'll get lots of replies making suggestions for things to go further.

Ask CC companies for a one off payment holiday -if agreed it won't affect your credit score.
Cut the cards up
Remove card details from online accounts
Gather up and put any stuff you can sell on ebay/ vinted.
Write a realistic budget, include haircuts,insurance, Christmas, birthdays, pets.
Set up a weekly food budget, all meals are included , take packed lunches.
Once you have done this come up with a plan regarding CC debt It's not available CREDIT it's DEBT and further misery down the line.
0% if you can.
If not when you ask for the payment holiday tell them you are struggling and if you can freeze the interest for a period.
If your debts are really massive Stepchange or CAP can help