Losing 1k pm income

[Threeinyellow]

As the title goes, it looks likely that I may become unemployed and lose 1k in income. Owe approx 11k debt. Possibly housing too.

Total income £3290 (incl UC with housing benefit element and £70pw CM for 2DC)

Total debt
Loan 9650 excl interest
Credit card 780
Store cards 185

Outgoings
Rent 900
Council tax 111
Water 39
British Gas 105
Mobile 64
Broadband 20
Dental 22.50
Dc sports fees 10
Pet insurance 6
Vet 12.50
Tv licence 13.50
Union 10
Contents ins 8
Help to save 50
FOOD 550
Child ISA 10
Driving lessons 280
Tesco subs 7

Any advice or signposting very much appreciated.

I wonder if you could contact the creditors to see if they would accept a debt repayment based on your reduced income given your change of circumstances, or if they would reduce or freeze the interest payable? Head over to moneysavingexpert to see the advice there - the forums are great and they really helped me when I was in debt.

Yes exactly, the figures aren’t adding up.

Ok, I apologise. I'm not feeling great. The 2k, it's actually 1900, comes from UC including child benefit and part council tax benefit.

When looking at phones compare the price of buying the contracted hand set with buying a recon phone. Sometimes cheaper.

OP have you looked at 0% credit transfers? That might help lift some stress massively for you OP and buy you some time. And better to do now while you're in work than when you stop.

Also, when I've had to give up work for health/caring commitments previously, it felt so completely daunting and scary to start with. But, the not rushing and cramming work around everything did buy me a little more time in the day. I maxed use of this with building a super whizz monthly spreadsheet cash flow and tracked absolutely everything. Every penny. Something I'd never had time for before (and I regret not having time to keep up with it now I'm back FT). I was able to search high and low on the best deals for EVERYTHING. I monitored all the selling sites and got myself some fabulous bargains. It became an obsession and a way of life. I was so proud of myself. You will be too, once you're over the shock of it all. You will cope and adapt. But you have to find the right level of work for your mental health. Can you try to keep some hours going at all? Even just half a day here and there would keep you a bit skilled and give you something for you.

Also, BT do broadband for UC claimants at £15 a month. That's a £60 a year saving right there.

It's a savings plan for those on certain benefits. Can save £50 a month and at the end of the term you get effective 50% added on

You will be entitled to free dental care if unemployed and see if any dental training hospitals near you as they do it free and it’s overseen by specialists. There is one in deblnmsrk hill London
also pet insurance doesn’t seem to cover very much will large excesses. Maybe put half the money in a separate account. You may never have vet or dental bills fingers crossed in near future
sorry you are in this situation
also porridge jacket potato’s are cheap and filling for your kids. See if can get free school meals

And me and both my adult kids in decent jobs. The system is broken.

Nowhere does the OP mention any PIP/DLA being claimed or any entitlement to them .. 🙄

How old is the child you may have to homeschool? Do they have health needs? Have you looked at alternative education options/EHCP? (Yes I know how bloody hard that is, but pushing on that was the only way my DSis managed to stay in work - her child eventually got an EHCP and decent alternative education options.) Have you spoken to www.stepchange.org? You may be able to restructure your debts. I‘m sorry this is so hard.

When you're out of your contract here are social tariffs for mobile and broadband contracts that might be useful (in addition to the utilities a PP mentioned). There are social tariff SIMs as well if those suit you better.

I wd retain the dental plan.

Much cheaper than paying without insurance.