can the CAB really help???

[pleasemum]

without going into detail here we are in serious debt, so bad that only have £44 to last until 28 feb, i have no idea what to do. have been up all night and been literally sick with worry, can't eat and have no food in the house any way, have spoken to the bank but they just said sorry we can't help, can't borrow from anyone ie family and wouldn't ask, can't use credit cards, i know no one can do any thing but just wanted to ask....the thing is we will come into some money as MIL has died and the house has just been sold, but between now and then...help. have spoken to all the people we owe and have reduced payments but its the cash flow situation until the end of the month. even the bank said we had done the right thing by keeping them informed and reducing outgoings...everything is just awful and i can't think straight anymore, was crying at work and made up a story that had really bad pmt and felt ill.

Just a thought but if working in a big place is it at all possible to got in confidence to human resources and ask for emergency pay advance? If small place they may even be approachable.

Assumed that they bank will not lend on basis of what you are inheriting. Do you have tins in cupboard/frozen food in freezer that can make dinners from? Otherwise is it possible to live on cheap supermarket own brands?

CAB may be able to make better suggestions or even help. Wish you luck.

I've been there and i know how stressful it can be..i used to dread the post!! I sort help from CAB they were fantastic. You need to go see them and they will set up a meeting for you to see someone that can help you. You need to take details of all the money you owe, everything you have coming in and details of your outgoings mortage, rent, council tax, shopping budget set a reasonable amount for this as you do need to make sure that you can still eat and put clothes or nappies on the children. They will write to everyone that you owe asking for them to stop any interest, and to reduce your payments to an amount you can afford. This will take the pressure of and allow you to live again but still pay off your debts..i wish you well and i hope you get it sorted.

2nd recommendation for CAB, they really take the stress out an otherwise unbearable situation.
This coming from a debt collector, so they must be good

I recommend Credit Consumer Council - they are on the internet and are a charitable company so do not make any profit from you ie they don't charge. They have loads of advice online and you can ring them and see a counsellor.

CAB are a bit wishy washy, they aren't necessarily professional, my FIL used to help out with insurance for CAB and NEVER worked in the insurance industry! My Aunt had help from them and they just fudged all her figures on the income and expenditure form to make out that she had no money even though she genuinely didn't, even things like lying and saying that they use the laundrette as their washing machine was broken etc.

I also was a debt collector before becoming a sahm.

CAB is ALWAYS worth a go - it depends a bit on which advice worker you get, but most bureaux have specialist money advice workers and you should get good advice there.