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Original poster

We are screwed finiacally.

299 replies

misdee · 18/04/2006 17:57

ok, i know i am spendaholic, and need to stop. i have over 8k of unsecured debt. most of that was from before Peter fell ill, some of it is due to spiraling costs with him being in hospital. All payments are being met, but now dd2 dla has stopped (we are going for reconsideration), tax credits will go down (not sure how much by) and i could well have screwed up massively. I can clear over 2-3k straight away if i sell my car and my collectin of bears. But Peter says not to, as we wont get their full worth. But i dont know what to do. I am pulling the belt in as much as possible (all i need to buy for the next week or so is veggies, milk and some bread ingrediants.) and will be ebaying anything that stays in one place too long. but I am so annoyed that i got too complacent again. Its so easy to bid on things without thinking and paypal it. i want to shut down my paypal account but i dont know if thats possible. DD2 could well be reinstated within 11weeks(!!!) but i know they could just refuse it totally.

I dont know if i want advice or just a rant.

OP posts:
jampots · 18/04/2006 18:36

its worth holding onto their money as a real emergency buffer though (as soon as you cam finmd their books).

What about your family - do they have any money they can send your way?

Original poster
misdee · 18/04/2006 18:38

nope. no moeny anywhere, no rich almost dead aunty either. lol.

i am going to count all my loose change and sort it into bags, must have about 100 in coins about this place (my 500 pound tin is being broken into, screw the holiday savings, bills need paying)

Just need to clear the smaller bills. time to call sky again to downsize the package again. in fact i may get it cut off totally and use the freeview box thats about.

OP posts:
Mercy · 18/04/2006 18:40

I would sell the bears first tbh; are you sure you can get the best price on ebay as opposed to a specialist auction? If you can get a couple of hundred quid for them, put that towards the credit card debt. Agree with others re transferring to another cc.

What about telecoms bill? TalkTalk (Carphone Warehouse) have just announced a new deal, free broadband I think - haven't checked hte details yet though.

It's horrible being in debt - and yet so easy to do. WIll think on.

006 · 18/04/2006 18:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

zebrama · 18/04/2006 18:45

School lunches: DS1's school they do either hot dinner or they will do a packed lunch by the school staff. Maybe that would make her happy?
Sorry I can't help any more than that.
Are you on a local free-cycle list? Just if you ever need anything it's worth checking there first for it. You can even do "wanted" ads for specific items. I'm sure you could do "wanted" ads on MN, too.

popsycalindisguise · 18/04/2006 18:49

nappies? can you sell some of them?
any unwanted toys? buggies? :)

xxx

Original poster
misdee · 18/04/2006 18:51

i have sorted out some nappies to sell. and buggies. have loads in my loft to get rid of. might even get rid of broadband.

OP posts:
popsycalindisguise · 18/04/2006 18:52

no not broadband!!!
:(

Original poster
misdee · 18/04/2006 18:53

sky is cancelled. oh they do do a hard sell 'you are such a loyal customer we'd hate to lose you blah blah blah' they offered me a half price deal but i cant even afford that!

so its cancelled.

kids toys will be car booted. it may be time to sell dd3 puppyhugs comforter......

OP posts:
northender · 18/04/2006 18:53

Sorry to hear that misdee Sad. There are debt counselling services who are basically charities to help people in debt to organise their finances and they'll negotiate on their behalf etc. Will try and find a link or phone number. Definitely ditch the cards!.

cod · 18/04/2006 18:54

oh deffo that must be an economy
id bin sky
braodband
selt he bears ( puzzled look)
not get takeaways ( i knwo are weakness of yours md!)

northender · 18/04/2006 18:57

This reply has been deleted

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

jofeb04 · 18/04/2006 19:00

What about selling any electrical things to Cash converters??
We sell loads to them when we need money pritty urgently.
They except loads of stuff, cds, videos, tvs etc. They also take in old computers etc as long as they are not to old iyswim.
And, if you come into any money, you can buy it back (costs a bit more though). We never buy them back though.

fuzzywuzzy · 18/04/2006 19:01

not the broadband misdee...can you get talktalk?? they do this international package thingy which includes 8mb boradband for £20.99 a month, this includes line rental for phoneline...

Original poster
misdee · 18/04/2006 19:01

switching to ntl, slightly cheaper per month.

sky is gone. whooo hooo.

am barring myself from takeaways and eating out. definate weakeness that deosnt help my bank balence or waistline.

now how can i sneak the kids toys away.......

Peter said 'dont sell the bears' sorry but needs must. i am cashing in as much as possible just to try and cleart the overdraft.

now who owes me money............ Wink

OP posts:
Original poster
misdee · 18/04/2006 19:02

Peter has a set of decks, but not sure how he'd feel about selling them. they must be worth a fair bit 2nd hand.

OP posts:
GDG · 18/04/2006 19:02

well done for binning sky - in this situation you just have to go without 'luxuries' I think. Personally, I'd use the kids money to clear debt as well - just make a note of it and vow to get it back to them when they are older - you've got a looooooong time to build that up again.

I'm afraid I'd also bin broadband too - if you are that desperate. OTOH, if the internet is a lifeline to you...

I think you already meal plan don't you? Being strict about food shopping can save you a fortune.

Is there no way at all you can transfer the credit card to a 0% one??

It's very tough misdee - sorry you are having such a rough time of it.

Original poster
misdee · 18/04/2006 19:04

hmmmmmmz \link{http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pair-of-Technics-1210-mk3-and-Stanton-mixer_W0QQitemZ9711739120QQcategoryZ48460QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem\same set up as here} but we have a deck stand as well. and laods of records.

OP posts:
Mercy · 18/04/2006 19:04

\link{http://www.talktalk.co.uk/talktalk/servlet/gben-home-Home?bbcam=adwds_brands&bbkid=[talk+talk]&x\talktalk}

Socci · 18/04/2006 19:10

We get broadband with AOL for £15 a month - it's a lot faster than dial-up. I would be careful of TalkTalk (sorry Mercy) only because I have heard they block your access to quite a few things. I have heard people find TT a nightmare.

LadySherlockofLGJ · 18/04/2006 19:11

Is it Enid or Beety who had a nightmare with Talk Talk. ?

expatinscotland · 18/04/2006 19:20

we have freeview and tbh other than the discovery channels all day we don't miss much.

Original poster
misdee · 18/04/2006 19:34

what is an IVA? am seriously considering bankrupcy for me. arrrrrrrgh.

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 18/04/2006 19:35

an IVA is an involuntary agreement. it is the last step before bankrupcy.

i cannot recommend highly enough that you get some advice from your CAB or log onto the BBC 'Watchdog' website for the name of that charity that helps people w/debt for free BEFORE considering any action.

it's possible you may not need an IVA.

noddyholder · 18/04/2006 19:38

We were in that situation when I was on dialysis it is so unfair.We sold everything including our house so that dp could give up work and look after me.We didn't have a clue about benefits etc and probably really lost out but you get through it.I just stopped buying 'stuff' that we didn't need Sell anything you can live with out and pay it to your debt very satisfying I believe you will be rewarded at a later date Keep that in your mind and it will feel easier