What should I do? Struggling

[tweedycoat]

I’m currently working FT. I’m due to go on maternity leave at the end of November. I’m signed off but still on full pay at present.

I’m in a bit of a mess, money wise. Unpaid bills and maxed credit cards.

I posted yesterday wondering if it was possible to take on additional work, the general consensus is not to due to being signed off.

I fully accept this but it does leave me in a difficult position to know what to do going forwards ... I have hardly any money to get me through this month even.

Is there anything I can do to try to sort this mess before I go on ML and my pay goes right down?

Speak to citizens advice.

Depending on the amount of debt you have versus your household income there's various options.

Phone stepchange today. Get a dmp in place, it'll make a massive difference.

A DMP isn’t suitable for what is a relatively small amount of debt and it would impact my ability to get credit in future. Thanks, though.

I understand op. Just to say that I spent 5yrs paying off a 4k debt using a dmp and my credit rating is now as good as my husband's , he has never had any long term debt.

Obviously I don't know your circumstances but it might be worth considering and give you some breathing space.

Best of luck , and I hope you find a solution.

Ask the moneysavingexpert forum for advice, many of them can be unjudgemental.

Start by listing every debt and every interest rate and go from there, have you cancelled any subscriptions, tv licence if you can and gone through all of your current bills to try and get cheaper deals, your water company might be able to give you a payment plan if you're struggling. Finally, check incase you will have any entitlements to universal credit when you go on SMP.

No entitlement to go on benefits.

Because I am signed off my pay has gone down, and it’s left me in a mess with this months bills. Just keep trying to think of a way forwards.

So if DMP isn't an option, and you aren't eligible for benefits, you either need to increase your income or reduce your outgoings.

I wouldn't think of taking on extra work while you are unable to work in your usual job.

So, how can you reduce your outgoings? Take a mortgage holiday, cancel some subscriptions?

Is there another parent of the baby in the picture?

Yes, but it’s a bit complicated. I won’t get into that, suffice to say it’s my mess and I’m trying to sort it but I didn’t anticipate some stuff that’s happened. I’ve reduced outgoings as much as I can but there are some things that just have to be paid, mobile phone bill, car insurance, and so on.

You really need to speak with stepchange. They help with income maximisation and budgeting advise.
There maybe some maternity benefits you are missing out on.
I work in collections, trust me that step change will help regardless of the size of the debt.