Debt is getting to much

[mymoonshift]

I'd really love some advise. I am £1800 in debt (which I know isn't a lot in the grand scheme of things) but I just have no way of paying any of it off and I feel like I'm sinking. I'm currently on maternity leave so get approx £525 a month and I have no way of paying for child care so can't go back to work even part time. My bills (not including any debt repayments) come to £610 a month so my wages don't even cover my basic bills. Can anybody offer any advise at all? I can't get accepted for credit cards or loans and the ones which I do get excepted for have a crazy APR. I just don't know what to do anymore.

Universal credit?

Is your child’s father on the scene?

I'm sorry to hear of your predicament. Is your childs father paying child maintenance?

Re the debt, if it's possible, could you sell some of the stuff you spent the money on and use that to make small repayments. who do you owe the £1800 to?

Have a look at the "earn £10 a day working from home" thread. Lots of people there make a tenner everyday without paying for childcare obviously. This would soon make a dent in your debt.

What kinds of debts are we talking about - rent/mortgage or loans/credit cards or a mixture? List them all with the amount you owe and account numbers etc.

Make an Action plan:

1. Check you are not paying too much for your bills- invest a couple of hours in shopping around for utilities etc
2. Plan to use up every scrap of food you have in the house instead of doing your usual weekly shop. It will be boring but will stretch out this month’s money
3. Apply for Universal Credit- you may be eligible for help towards childcare costs
4. Contact your creditors and ask for a payment holiday and/or an affordable payment plan. They will be more amenable if you approach them before they start chasing you / issuing proceedings
5. There are various organisations such as Step Change or Citizens Advice who can help you for free.

Do you have family who might be able to help with childcare until you get back on your feet financially?

As others have suggested

Are you claiming everything you are entitled too. If you go back to work UC will pay up to 85% of your childcare costs so going back to work is a possibility.

Is the father paying his share? If not go through CMS and let them do all the leg work

Ref debt go to step change or CAP. They will help you agree an affordable repayment plan.

You can sort this and get yourself into a better place.

Are you a single parent? When I was most of my childcare costs were paid for through tax credits and it was definitely worth going back to work.

Is the child's father paying their share? They should be paying maintenance?

And are you receiving all the benefits you can? Check the entitledto website. Also I assume you have registered to get child benefit?