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Original poster

We're in a mess and I feel like I am drowning

173 replies

Miren · 04/09/2014 14:18

Due to unforseen -and very unfortunate- circumstances we find ourselves in an absolute mess WRT our finances.

We got to the point where we stupidly have relied on Wonga loans for the past couple of weeks to tide us over and now seem to be stuck in a vicious circle.

Our outgoings are stacking up and our income has been dramatically slashed.

We have 3 Dc who have just gone back to school and already subs for various things are stacking up.

I don't know what to do -I'm not coping very with it all Sad

OP posts:
Bearbehind · 06/09/2014 10:58

If it really will only save you £50 a month then it's obviously not worth it but is that based on a 3 bed similar quality property to where you are now?

Have you looked for smaller less appealing properties closer to at least one of your jobs?

Does the £55 a week really only have to cover food? If so it might just be doable but it'll be tight.

How are you servicing all your debt repayments for the next few months?

Original poster
Miren · 06/09/2014 11:02

50 -75 less a month will get us a much smaller house in a much less desirable area. Our house is cheap for what it is.

55 just for food - I've covered everything else.

I've contacted our creditors and given them the StepChange ref number that we were given. They give us a 30 day grace period and freeze interest.

OP posts:
theendoftheendoftheend · 06/09/2014 11:02

55 should be do-able, do your DC get free school meals? We are living off similar at the mo, its not fun but it is do able (although I'm 1 adult with 3 DC TBF)

atticusclaw · 06/09/2014 11:06

Please don't dismiss talkinpeace's threads and spreadsheets. They are extremely good and she spends a lot of time helping people with finance problems.

Original poster
Miren · 06/09/2014 11:09

They don't theend

OP posts:
LittleBearPad · 06/09/2014 11:19

Why don't they get fsm? It would seem likely you'd be able to get them.

Original poster
Miren · 06/09/2014 11:23

We didn't qualify - but I think once our housing claim goes through we will.

OP posts:
LittleBearPad · 06/09/2014 11:25

I'd contact whoever you need to contact (school? Council?) and apply for them concurrently with the hb claim if at all possible.

Original poster
Miren · 06/09/2014 11:25

Can you do that? Will give it a go

OP posts:
LittleBearPad · 06/09/2014 11:29

I don't know. But phoning up to ask might mean you get them sooner than waiting. Every thing will help at the moment.

DaisyFlowerChain · 06/09/2014 11:40

If you get £700 a month in tax credits (based on last years income) then he can't have been earning a £1000 a week last year. To get £8400 in tax credits his salary must have been low. How were you affording your rent last year?

Given the debt you have, the luxuries you are paying for and the high rent you have some harsh choices to make. You need to find something else to add to your new work hours as those few part times hours will help but it's nowhere near enough. Your husbands salary is strange, suddenly dips but then will go back up, how do you know it will or are you counting your chickens again.

If you have no mobile signal at home why on earth are you paying nearly £100 a month for mobiles?

Original poster
Miren · 06/09/2014 11:45

We were in a different area last year. Our rent was less than half.

And no - it most definately isn't an option to move back.

We got an offer, uprooted. Got carried away and it fell though.

OP posts:
specialsubject · 06/09/2014 11:46

I think moving may have to be the last resort - in this financial situation they will never pass credit checks.

so all the luxuries to go, lots of stuff to be sold, no TV boxes or any other gizmos - get to the library and borrow some books. And also the swimming lessons go.

Bearbehind · 06/09/2014 11:49

Why isn't it an option to move back? If what you moved for has fallen through what's stopping you?

Original poster
Miren · 06/09/2014 11:53

It just really isn't. Absolutely not. If it was we would have gone when things went wrong. I'm cautious about outing myself - it's quite a unique situation

OP posts:
DaisyFlowerChain · 06/09/2014 11:56

Your previous threads show the move was very recent and earlier this year you were working and booking luxury holidays. Why can't you move back? Unless the £17k of debt occurred in the last month you passed credit checks to move this time.

Just give notice and move back. I can't think of many absolute reasons a person can move house when renting.

Bearbehind · 06/09/2014 11:57

If you can't go back to where you came from (really hope it's not about losing face if you went back) then why can't you consider going somewhere else where you rent would be half what it is now?

If you've moved to an expensive area but your reason for moving has gone you really do need to seriously investigate the options for moving again.

frostyfingers · 06/09/2014 11:58

Well it costs a fortune to move anyway so I'm not sure it's sensible right now. Better to get a grip on the situation as it is and see where you are in a couple of months I'd have thought.

Original poster
Miren · 06/09/2014 12:00

I'm grateful for the help and advice I've been given on this thread, it's been really useful.

Feeling a bit suffocated by the finger pointing and spying now so I'm going to leave it here.

OP posts:
Bakeoffcakes · 06/09/2014 12:38

I don't blame you Miren. Some posters seem to be getting a bit out of hand. I hope things get sorted for you.

Bearbehind · 06/09/2014 12:44

Sorry you feel like that OP. I hope you get yourself sorted.

Original poster
Miren · 06/09/2014 12:49

(Not by you bear - I value the advice you have given me - thank you)

OP posts:
rainbowinmyroom · 06/09/2014 12:50

It costs a fortune for one, Daisy. And if you need HB and have no guarantor, it can be extremely hard. If you have a violent ex. Lots of reasons.

EhricLovesTheBhrothers · 06/09/2014 13:01

6 month tenancy - can't leave midway
Kids in school - no school place for them if they move
£300-500 in letting fees
£1200+ to find for deposit before current deposit is released
Moving is too expensive and impractical for this family now.

DaisyFlowerChain · 06/09/2014 13:13

Enrich it may not cost the OP that much and she hasn't mentioned that there would be no school places either.

Given the fact that the rent is struggling to be paid much less the debt, booking a £170 Xmas day out last weekend is not exactly the sign of somebody desperate to change things. That could have fed them for two weeks.