Help me with my debt please! I'm desperate

[daisysun]

I'm desperate for money advise. I'll try and keep it short and sweet.

Me and DP had a baby last year. The plan was to go back to work at the start of this year and DD stay with my MIL as she has the same two days off a week and then have one day in nursery. However due to the pandemic MIL hours changed (she works for the NHS) so we could no longer send DD to her on these days.

Also, my boss was not accommodating for me to go back part time (which is fine and I understand why) so I quit my job and am now a stay at home mum. We get some UC a month depending on how much DP brings home.

However I am really hating not having a real income. I have £2500 worth of debt and pay £250 a month for bills. We cannot afford to send DD to nursery and won't get any childcare cost help from the state. We have nobody to look after her whilst I work due to everybody working full time. DP works nights every other week so I can't get an evening job.

I've looked at working from home but other than MLM's (which I am staying well clear of) I can't think what I can do. I really need to start making my own money again, I've gone from earning £22k a year to absolutely nothing and I just don't know how I am expected to cope never mind keep on top of my debts/bills etc. DP helps as much as possible but he now has to pay for all our house bills and his own bills so money is very tight on both ends.

Has anybody else been in a similar situation? Any advise is appreciated please!!!

What sort of work did you do before OP? Is it something with transferable skills? Or is there something you are interested in that could be wfh?
I know its stressful, but be kind to yourselves. That level of debt is understandable in the circumstances and is not insurmountable

It sounds as though you might be best to work at home OP so you need to get a bit inventive. Have you thought about child minding - is that something that might interest you in the longer term - I know it takes time to do courses and get yourself set up and registered but might be worthwhile if you love little children. Alternatively what about dog walking - that's something that you could do with a little one in tow. Taking in ironing? Doing a course in counselling? I don't know - it depends on your interests but could you set up a business wfh such as book keeping if you have an accounts background or something to do with crafts if you're into that - you get the idea I'm sure. In the meantime I suggest that you have a big declutter and sell everything you no longer want or need on facebook selling - it's surprising how much you can make doing that.
Also, I don't think that 2.5k of debt is that much so try not to worry too much about it - you're doing your best!
Good luck OP whatever you decide.

It also depends on the type of debt it is. As long as it's not rent, council tax arrears or TC overpayments it's probably manageable going forward. It may be an idea to try to contact your creditors to negotiate. There's a scheme coming in in May called Breathing Space which may help take the pressure off a bit while you get advice. You'll need to engage with an intermediary like Stepchange or CAB so give them a ring and ask what your options are.

Is your partner a very high earner (think over 100k)? If not, tax free childcare should be available.

Can you work when dp does not? If you did work more a childminder might be a cheaper and more flexible option. It sounds like you cannot afford not to work.

There is quite a few work from home roles on any job sites at the moment.

Would you consider childminding op? Most childminders I know are paid in cash.

If you are not working because you are caring for a child your DP should be sharing his income surely, rather than just 'helping'?

Evening/weekend jobs so that you don’t need to pay for childcare?

Depending on what kind of work you did previously you could look into virtual PA roles, many of them are work from home

Could you do a weekend job? Have you looked in virtual PA work? Also recommend the Dave Ramsey podcast for get out of debt motivation.

OP it would be helpful if you could list all your household outgoings eg rent, bills, car costs etc and income so we could suggest any savings.

I agree that a childminder would be a cheaper form of childcare and often better than a nursery in my opinion.

What qualifications do you have, if any? Have you considered going to college or Uni?

Also, have you considered your financial vulnerability? Considered marriage? You are now totally dependent on your partner but no protection of marriage.

Sorry to throw so much at you, you must be worried.

I don’t quite get this. What days a week were you intending to go back to work, which days was MIL going to have baby and which days was baby going to be in nursery? Did you hinge your financial situation on the assumption you would be able to go part time?

If you can lay out your household incomings and outgoings we should be able to make some more specific suggestions

OP, £2,500 isn’t a crazy amount of debt, is it on a credit card, and do you have it on a 0% deal? if not swap it to one asap

Have you seen the make £10 a day thread? There are some ideas about wfh online moderation type jobs

You also need to minimise expenses. Go through all your outgoings and reduce as much as possible and make sure you get what help you can. Cancel anything like Sky, Spotify, memberships etc and renegotiate and reduce all bills and food possible.

Can you declutter and look to sell some items?