So close and yet so far

[moutonfou]

Last summer I was saving up to £500/month. We were building up a house deposit and doing well.

Then DH became unemployed for 8 months, I had to support us on equivalent of less than minimum wage each. Savings went.

Got into a cycle of credit card debt - paid off the balance each month, but that then left me short, so I had to start using it again by the end of the month. DH maxed out a student overdraft.

DH has now had a job for 2 months but we can't seem to get straight again. I'm still stuck in credit card cycle - just paid off £500, only have £42 to last 3 weeks so I'm going to have to start using it again. DH slowly chipping away at overdraft but again slow going.

I see a light at the end of the tunnel around September/October time but it seems so far away and is really getting me down. Our lives feel on hold.

The only thing I would say is that whilst yes, controlling your finances is important, it isn't worth letting it take over you. Focus on the positives and simply chip away at the credit card / overdraft xx

Can you switch the cc balance to an interest free account and pay that off bit by bit and live off your income instead?

Second applying for an interest free credit card. Other than that, do you have to pay £500 per month? I know you want the debt gone ASAP, but if you leave yourself enough to get through without putting more on the CC then surely that would be better?

Have you done a written budget? Write down all your outgoings and see what is available for the CC. Provided it's more than the minimum amount then you will still be chipping away at the debt.