More debt?

[Anonnnntg]

I’ve never been in this position before and it’s causing me to feel very down. Long story short I have about 3 months left of Mat leave (have a ds who is 6 months old) I have accrued £3.5k debt on a credit card and £700 in one overdraft and I haven’t even paid towards joint monthly bills this month, whilst on Mat leave I normally put in £400pm but physically can’t this month. Dh covers what he can. Just to add the credit card was being paid off before Mat leave as I had about £1.5k on it already.
I just don’t know what to do? Should I be looking at returning to work earlier? (Have already cut this from a year to 9 months) and baby is exclusively breastfed so I’m trying to wean him over the next three months.
Is there any other streams of income I could use in the meantime? I know how bad it’s got to me mentally now because I can barely sleep, also think I may be suffering from post natal depression and trying my absolute best to not let it take hold but it’s getting to that breaking point. Should I be getting a credit card with 0% interest that I could do a balance transfer to and maybe borrow more? A loan? I just don’t want to make another bad money decision.

Hello OP, sorry to hear your so over your head. Firstly I'd suggest doing a balance transfer to a 0% balance transfer card with no spending. They are available.

Do you have any family, who could potentially lend you some money to tide you over this month before you sort something?

Can I suggest maybe looking for an evening job for yourself? That way, childcare is always in place and free, and you can be bringing in money to contribute and clear the debt. It's not an ideal situation but it's a means to an end and stops the debt racking up...
needs must.
Dad can take over after dinner. Loads of factory jobs/cleaning jobs/supermarkets hiring especially this time of year.

Get proactive, don't burry your head. It'll only make it worse. And I know it's a sacrifice not being with your DC a bedtime but, you aren't enjoying your time at home regardless because your so panic stricken with money matters.

Good luck x

Wow - that's technically advising benefit fraud. Not a great decision at all.

It seems like you have entirely separate finances while living together and having children together. While this works for some, it doesn’t seem to be working in this case. You need to sit down and discuss a shared approach. Is he expecting you to contribute the same amount as you used to even though your income is massively reduced while you look after your shared child? If so, how is he expecting you to fund that?

It is in no way fraudulent, technically or otherwise, and neither does it contravene any DWP rules, provided the OP and her partner are genuinely maintaining two households, with the intention of doing so for at least 6 months.

Your advice is despicable

Hmm… I notice you offer no useful financial or practical advice to the OP yourself…

Well I’m certainly not advocating she commits fraud. You must have the morals of an alley cat.

The OP is not asking for advice on morals, but on her very difficult and precarious financial situation. As I said in my previous post, the course of action I recommended is neither fraudulent nor attempting to be.

Thank you for all the advice.
so in terms of work I am employed at the moment which makes it difficult to get any extra income because I technically can’t work. I have managed to speak with my employer and booked in to start and use some annual leave I have built up. It means the next 2 pay days are going to be super tight but I’m hoping the debt will be able to be cleared, that’ll be my main focus.
Also I understand the point of claiming UC as I have thought of this but it’s not the route I want to go down, (for one I would be worried) and I want to return to my job that I’ve worked hard at for years and I also want my kids to see me working (in the current times I’m not willing to give up my job to claim benefits.