Can we have a nice, kind supportive gowd we are in so much debt type thread?

[grumpypants]

One where we can just be noice and not scathing? I am just always doing little sums in my head, about when things will be cleared, etc. We have sooo much debt. Interest only mortgage, can't afford repayment at the mo. Credit card - bought rubbish house, paid for work with 'real' money, living expenses on cards. Loan, car loan, overdraft etc. It's about £35k unsecured. We pay 1,000 each month in debt. I am so shocked by how this happened, but there are no expensive shoes peeking out the wardrobe; it's a combo of poor choice, me giving up work due to ill child, and the house falling apart just after we moved in...anyone else? I am trying so hard to cut down, and to pay stuff off - one day I really want to enjoy the money dh and I earn.

qed I hope you get some sort of resolution. Itss worse not knowing probably. Hi vicar 2015 is looking good for some of us.......

Oh it is so depressing isnt it?

Dh and I dont drink (or very little ) or smoke, dont go out, no take aways, holiday in the UK, dont have a swanky car, dont spend anything on clothes (my jeans are literally falling apart and I wouldnt have a winter coat if my mum hadnt bought on for me) dont buy "nice" things for ourselves.....I treat myself to a book for my kindle occasionally (or the 99p ones!) and dh buys a hobby magazine every month and does 5 a side every week which costs £3 per week.

Our savings are down to £500....xmas, moving house and having to fix all the issues the previous owners left us with has wiped us out.

We have cc debt but not too much, but I cant see it ever getting paid off....if anything else goes wrong then the savings are gone and stuff will have to go on the cc

Dh works f/t and I am a sahm - we have been a single income family for nearly 9 years now. Ds1 has sn so me working hasnt really been an option for us til now, but ds2 starts pre school (had to wait til he got his free 15 hours funding) next month and I am looking for a p/t job.

Those of you who have to find money for childcare have my deepest sympathy I dont know how successive govts think families can manage with childcare costing what it does.

Hi Becarooooo and Vicar - just want to give (((hugs))) to you both. Just dealing with what life throws at you is hard enough let alone trying to pay stuff down. As well as deciding to only have one child because of DS's SN which when as a toddler meant life was hell, having to factor in childcare meant that it would have cost us a minimum of £1000 for childcare for a/s club and holiday club for DS and nursery for a baby. Just couldn't contemplate it.

Becarooo - I have a link for all the free Kindle books books every day. I love it as I feel like I get a treat for nothing:)

It IS depressing. Its the lack of a safety net that is so frightening - we can't save because we have debt and so every disaster goes on the cc. I am thinking small scale: if I let my mind spiral ahead to retirement and poverty I will be lost. I can't bear to stand near pensioners sifting thro the out of date stuff in the supermarket because it feels too Xmas Carol like.

You see Grumpypants I love the short dated items in the supermarket. We even have a shop near us that sells off out of date or short dated items all the time. I love going in to stock up and coming out with two big bags for £4! Also used approved food before and they were very good value.

Hi ben

Thanks for the hug :)

I was really chuffed the other day...I got 4 books for less than £3!!!! (I know it sounds sad but this is exciting for me )

My kindle (an xmas gift 2 years ago from dh) is my one luxury (although at one point I did consider selling it as I couldnt justify it to myself any longer. Cue dh giving me a stern talking to and I still have it - thank goodness! - I love it and use it everyday).

My hair really needs cutting (got a hair dye half price at the shops) but I havent had it cut since November and I am starting to have to wear my wooly hat whenever I go out due to looking like a scarecrow the cold weather

I know what you mean re: looking ahead....I have no pension and no way of getting one til I get a job....sigh.

Chatting to my dbro and SIL today - they have a new baby and are renting atm (and have been since they married) My dbro does not have a job atm, my SIL is on mat leave from her job as an assistant manager for a retail chain and they have just gone onto the council house waiting list....they have no money for a deposit and are in a damp/smelly property but its all they can afford.

Deeply depressing.

Yes, maybe I should shove the oap out the way and grab a bargain I have no pension either and no plan beyong realising where we are and trying to turn it around. Odd chunks of money need to go on debt in the future obv.

Here's the free kindle books link

I have had my hair cut at the college lots of times now and it only cost me £1.50 with a level 2 student. The haircut is checked all the way through by the tutor so I felt very confident with it. Also treated myself to a facial for about £4 :) I also wore my hat today to hide the hair

Thanks Ben x

I shall be investigating that link... My one big thing is books, can't give up reading. Back at garage, car still not ok, now up to 650 quid.....aaargh!

Bloody Eshitbay. I am doing OK, but people can't read. People wanting me to post 'collection only' items; pay cash for 'PayPal only please' items.

Non-payers (or are they just slow?)

'Tis all worth it in the end I suppose...

it will all be worth it...

Well luckily everyone has now paid up and there is £200 in paypal account. But thinking about how much all that stuff cost new makes me wince.

Off to Aldi in a minute with tokens a plenty!

Just listed a few things with amazon...wii fit plus, V Tech smile motion and Glee season 1+2 dvd box set I got for xmas. All new and not used (but unboxed) so hopefully will sell.

Should I put them on e bay too?

Have a Silver cross jet pramette to sell too...where is the best place IYO? Its as new but obv used!

Crikey - I'm no expert. My default is to use Ebay, but that's only because years ago I had a few issues with Amazon (we're talking pre-broadband) when I didn't get notification of items sold, so I had a few angry customers!

Check out what other people are selling, and completed listings on both sites. That should give you an indication of where to sell.

Oh! The wii fit has sold!!!

Thanks smacca Dont really use amazon or e bay much to sell stuff...just to buy

Have put the pram on MN for sale boards...wish me luck! (its a lovely pram...sob, but no more babies for me!!)

Excellent - well done!

My good news - got picked to do the Tesco trial so that's a £50 saving next week. DH can have exciting food (he always gets boring stuff as we are all veggie and he isn't)

That's brilliant. Any more news on the car?

Hiya,
I found myself really strapped for cash when I first moved in to my house with my wee one. Over the years I have tried to save money in everyway I can. I try not to buy anything unless it is really needed, I try to ebay stuff as soon as I feel we don't need it anymore. Its amazing the money you get for certain things, esp old toys and I also buy expensive purchases for the kids second hand on ebay..ie ski suits for the winter, £6 for a hardly used one compared to shop prices!
I know at times it all seems like pennies but it all adds up.
I feel,the pain that it is, you do just have to keep switching & changing gas, electric, mortgage, insurances, credit cards, to get the best deals. I always shop ahead & have things in for kids birthdays, often u pop out for a present and spend a £10 where u can often pick stuff up from argos clearance for a few £'s.
I really wish all of you lots of luck in trying to sort out your debt, you just have to explore all avenues to try and save. Also remember some of the best things you can do as a family are Free!

I really need to put more things on eBay but I'm feeling too poorly at the moment for it. Took 100 parcels to the post office before Christmas and probably have another 30-40 things to eBay. Just need to psych myself up for it!

Money problems in the Ben house ATM. Somehow under budgeted so had to ask my parents for money so that the direct debuts would go out. I hate being on long term sick. Just makes me feel like I'm scrounging and that I shouldn't have nice food. Were not talking waitrose obviously just basics, aldi and low fat stuff for weight watchers. My parents are so supportive though as they don't want me to go back too early and risk damaging myself further. Also got a parking ticket. Went to pick up dh which I normally do and stupidly stopped in a loading bay. We have concil video cars here that sit and watch you. £35 down the drain :(

Thanks fin OMG ben - 100 parcels!!!!!! how annoying re:ticket.

Car still in garage - really really dreading it just not being able to be repaired. Fingers crossed...

Ebaying is irritating me today. Had to give a (fair) partial refund in an item I didn't know was faulty. I am supposed to have a courier collect an item next week but communication with buyer is crap.

Ho hum. 200 quid in PayPal account now. Waiting for 100 quid via quidco, and have switched utilities etc which should save £72 per month. Sticking to meal planning budget seems to be working too.

Keep it up. I don't seem to have much access to extra money, so am trying to pay down stuff.

Superscrimpers is on. I don't know whether this is inspiring or depressing