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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:
cod · 18/04/2006 19:45

yes hwat about if every tiem you wanted to spend over a certain a mount there was someone you "HAD" to run it past and justify it tot hem
no one soft mind.......

Original poster
misdee · 18/04/2006 19:53

i am thinking of handing my bank card over to my dad and asking him to withdraw xx in cash per week to give to me for food and bills that need paying cash (my gas and electric), tho want to switch them to normal meters now are previous debts are gone and put it on direct debit.

OP posts:
spacecadet · 18/04/2006 20:07

misdee-ive sold my house to clear a few additional borrowings etc. after dh left, i had a hefty mortgage, which dh was paying to start with but solicitor said he wasnt obliged to and he prob wouldnt have to pay as much maintenance as he was paying on the mortgage, with all my outgoings, i was up the financial creek without a paddle, i binned sky etc and sold lots of things but my overdraft was getting higher and higher.
you need to visit the cab for advice, they may be able to put you in touch with a debt counsellor, who can also contact creditors on your behalf and arrange affordable repayments.
cut up the credit card.
hold a car boot/yard sale.
sell stuff on ebay.
take your bears to a collectables specialist..

spacecadet · 18/04/2006 20:08

swithch over to normal meters as you actually pay more to have a card meter.

Original poster
misdee · 18/04/2006 20:09

i know, just we had a debt from a previous house which we couldnt afford to pay in one black so had the card meters installed. now debt has gone iwant them gone.

OP posts:
spacecadet · 18/04/2006 20:10

ring them up and ask them to take them away, there was a card meter in this house when i moved in, i asked then to take it out.

Original poster
misdee · 18/04/2006 20:11

will call CAB tomorrow to try and get an appointment. need to go and pay credit card and catalogue(final payment for cataloguie) tmorrow as well.

OP posts:
Pixiefish · 18/04/2006 20:13

Is there any help that you can get for travelling costs to hospital to see Peter?

SenoraPostrophe · 18/04/2006 20:14

I thought they'd changed the law to stop leccy companies charging more for card meters? bloody outrageous.

good luck misdee. I personally would be inclined to go down the collection/car sale route (why won't you get their full worth?), but you should manage without.

spacecadet · 18/04/2006 20:16

misdee-pixiefish has just reminded me, did you know that you are entitled to travel costs back for visiting peter?

Pixiefish · 18/04/2006 20:18

spacey- thought i'd read that somewhere- glad i got something right.

tbh I wouldnt get rid of broadband though as it can be a lifesaver for you and MN is such an important lifeline for you

Original poster
misdee · 18/04/2006 20:28

yes i am entitled to another lot of travelling costs back i works out as about 70pounds per 3months. so will do that.

OP posts:
7up · 18/04/2006 21:13

hi misdee i havent read all the thread, its sooo long but i have debts amounting to over £10,000 from a 4 years ago that spiralled when i couldnt afford to buy food due to a huge repayment on a loan so used credit cards to buy essentials and then couldnt afford to pay them either. i went to CAB who got in touch with the debtors and to this day i still pay £5 a month to the three companies i owe too.

7up · 18/04/2006 21:14

thats £5 to each of them by the way

nutcracker · 18/04/2006 21:24

Just had a thought Misdee, could you cancel delivery of the wooden house thingy, that would save you a bit ??

Original poster
misdee · 18/04/2006 21:28

i thought about that nutty, but i need it due to lack of space inside here. I am ok for this month, have added up lose change, premium bonds etc and we're fine.

I am not totally broke, we have enough to cover bills and live on, but just want to cut back as much as possible. want to see debt going down and not up. just hoping dd2 qualifies for DLA now, tho am not holding out much hope.

OP posts:
noddyholder · 18/04/2006 21:37

Misdee I know it is hard but once you start being really stingey and cutting back it becomes almost as addictive as spending!

Original poster
misdee · 18/04/2006 21:38

lol, i bet it does. I had a doll arrive this morning, bargain off ebay, i think i could double my money on ebay with her. worth a go eh?

OP posts:
noddyholder · 18/04/2006 21:43

Worrying about money is so unfair in your situation but that is how it seems to be for people who are ill.Every single person on my dialysis ward had lost their house and I was younger than them all and still I lost mine We were skint a few times but nothing compared to the first holiday after my transplant money couldn't buy it.I really hope it is Peters turn soon.Definitely start being frugal it is great fun!

Original poster
misdee · 18/04/2006 21:45

i am busy trying to seperate some chicken breast which have frozen together, i only need 2 for tomorrows dinner and they are stuck i na lump of four! need to find the hammer.

OP posts:
longwaytogo · 18/04/2006 21:49

Why have they cut dd DLA thought you only just got that for her, why do they always seem to kick those who are already down.

nutcracker · 18/04/2006 22:15

Just another thought Misdee, Argos have metal sheds for £99 at the mo, could you get that instead of the wooden thingy ??

SparklyGothKat · 18/04/2006 22:18

Misdee you would be entitled to a Budgetting loan \link{http://www.dwp.gov.uk/advisers/claimforms/sf500_print.pdf#search='budgeting%20loan'\see here} to pay of £1000 of your debt. You don't pay any interest and its taken out of your benifits weekly

Original poster
misdee · 18/04/2006 22:21

my income support is only 6.10 a week, i doubt they will allow me very much on a budgeting loan.

dont think the kids would like a metal shed to play in. its playhouse which will be used to house their larger toys and things that cant fit in here.

OP posts:
SparklyGothKat · 18/04/2006 22:23

I'm sure that doesn't matter, even if they have to take over 2-3 years I'm sure you will be able to get one. Worth a try.