Before I start I am not hinting for foodparcels, loans or any charity as I am a proud woman but I think my family is about to go under. I can't take much more and have been crying with stress for an hour now.

[twinsetandpearls]

As you know we have just moved and coud not sel our house.

We made plans to move before the credit crunch and we were desperate to move.

We agreed to rent the house to my sister and her friend for just under the mortgage, as they agreed to move out if we got a sale and we knew the house would stay nice for any viewings.

a fortnight after siging agreements the other tenant buggered off owing us lots of money ( and my family) My sister could not afford the full rent ( which was subsidised by us so we agreed that she could pay her third ( her house mate had a son so they used two rooms and she used one) This meant we were subisidising her by almost £500 a month. She knew we coud not sustain this and oromised to look for a flatmate, she has not and four months later we are £500 a month down. Our savings have gone on a deposit for our rental house down here and moving costs. We are now sinking.

We should take this girl to court for the money she owes us but we don;t have the momney to pay for a solicitor.

Then to top it all I have had some money taken from my bank and the bank are investigating but seem to be dragging their feet. I have given them a crime number which will speed it up, hopefully.

To top it all our car died and we needed to replace it as once a month my dp has to go back up to Lancashire. So spent his money just before my bank was drained.

Dp gets paid on Friday and until then we have no money. We just about have food. A friend drives me into work and I owe her petrol money, she is now skint so we may not even be able to get into work from Wednesday. We are now one month behind with the council tax as well. My anti depressants ran out last week and I can't afford my new prescription which is probably making things feel much worse than they are.

We are going to have to completely cancel Christmas this year, we were going to visit family and now dd is heartbroken as she can't see her dad, extended family or the friends she left behind over Christmas.

I have phoned the estate agents who are selling the house and they will rent it out but they have said because the rental market is saturated the rent will not cover the mortgage. But we will be subsidising at £100 rather than £500 a month. I know this is going to cause a huge family row when I have to ask my sister to leave the house and I am dreading it.

I know everyone is going to pile in and say you shouldn;t have moved but when we made plans the credit crunch was not big news so we thought, and so did the estate agent ( although they would say that that we would sell). When it became clear that we could not sell I even tried staying in my old job but as my school wa bankrupt they would not give me my job back once my notice had gone in.

I don't even know why I am posting this, I guess I just need to offload.

Shoshe I will do anything if you keep calling me young lady

TSAP if you have nice clothes you want to "move on", have a look out for a dress agency or similar nearby..esp if you have eveningwear (good time of year ).

There were several where I used to live and always busy. You usually leave you stuff with them and if it's sold you get 50%.

I don;t think womens' clothes sell well on e-Bay because you can't try them on.

Good luck with the legal / house side of things.

frayednot that is a good idea. Dorset girlies is their a dress agency near?

These young girls.

Mean it if you need anything just ring.

TSAP - over the summer, I had foreign students to stay, 12-13 yrs old, via an International School here in Devon.

it was a pita sometimes, but financially tided us over, and we're doing it again next year. In fact, 1 student we had wants to come back to us at Easter.

It may be worth looking into - I work in a school so the hours fitted in with them.

Not in immediate area, although there should be with the amount of 'dress' events on Camp.

Think there is some in Poole and Bournemouth tho.

TSAP, what a crappy time you're having. I don't know if there is anything I could do to help, but you know you only have to shout and there are people willing to help.

I can offer some sympathy and will post you a packet of chocolate hob nobs if you let me know where you are which ALWAYS make me feel better, if only temporarily. just sneaked a peek at your photos too, the picture of you and your dd is lovely.

Hoping things get better for you soon. xxxx

Twinset and pearls, just wanted to add my support. Our family is in a very very similar situation, about 6 bills need paying this week and the credit cards are maxed (i know i know but we had to eat/ mend dp's car (taxi)) and overdrafts are at max. I can't sleep either and don't know what to do.
Having read your thread I will go citizens advice.
Hope things get sorted for you :}

Someone at work will know Shoshe.
Thanks Bibi

Hope things sort themselves out TSAP.

If you have a military base nearby there will be a dress shop doing the business.

Definately ebay any designer gear but you will be suprised by what you can car boot.

I know this sounds odd but you might want to try it - but we went to our local tip last week and someone had left loads of kids playstuff for re-cycling. Their was a slide, playhouse etc etc (as well as lots of other really good condition things). The guys at the tip sell re-usable stuff for a really small price. We picked up a slide for £3. I bet you could car boot it for loads more. I am considering going back

Thanks pamplemousee. I do feel as if we are at tipping point. But am trying to see it is a challenge that will bring dp and I together.

callmeovercautious there is not a dress shop on the military base here, just a thrift shop

oh TSAP - that all sounds like crap

Hope you can get the ADs sorted out - they're a priority and you mustn't stop with them - especially at times like this.

Agree a mortgage break would be good - fingers crossed for that.

I don't know your family situation but is there any way your DD's Dad would lend you the money or see a trip to Lancashire as a xmas present to your DD?

I have a few vouchers here and there I'd be happy to send you if you CAT me? It wouldn't so much be a present, as me forwarding something on to you I haven't got around to using!

Good luck and please get in touch if you want - you're a MN old timer (although not old in a crumbly sense, obviously) and in these times of MN change we need to stick together . It's a horrible feeling that being on the edge of going under - I was there a couple of years ago and 'twas not pleasant at all. xxx

The Orange Tree in Ashley Cross, Poole, takes pre loved clothes but pays you after they have been sold. They do not sell them cheaply so you would/should get a good price when sold and with xmas coming up many ladies will be looking for new dresses for the festive season so worth a shot.

Really hope things improve for you soon

I will have to check what I have. I have already sold a lot when dd was a baby.

I do have some armani coats, gucci shoes and similar. Have 2 louis vuitton handbags that are in amazing condition but really do not want to part with them.

Have tonnes of designer baby clothes but was keeping them incase I had another. I would be able to raise money on ebay for those.

I think we are going to have a hard 6 months but the long term future is good.

Go for it TSAP - putting baby clothes on ebay I mean, if you can. They will get a good price and if you do have another there are so many people out there with baby clothes (nice ones too, maybe not designer but nice all the same ) to give away or lend.
If I had anything left of value I would sell it just to make me feel like I was helping dp who works continually. I am actually selling our sofa on ebay at the moment!!

I think Irene's in Broadstone (near Wimblene/Corfe Mullen) is a dress agency.

Have emailed you, tsap (that must be a record for speedy arrival of a CAT)!

Have you spoken to the council about the HA rental schemes?
Our local authority will rent homes from private owners at the amount of the mortgage for a long term let of normally 3 yrs. They have HA tenants in. They have to return the property at the end of the tenancy in the same state it was in when the contract began. (the HA not the tenants).

My childminder has just done this as she was in pretty much the same situation as you are.

Your sister is taking you for a ride. She is an adult and is responsible for her own living arrangements, it is not down to you to subsidise her choices.
Give her notice, get new tenants in. If you can get tenants i wouldn't advise selling for a couple of yrs.

I am positive Armani Coats and Gucci shoes will sell very well at 'The Orange Tree' - if parting with them is not too much of a bind. Why not call them for an idea of how much commision they take and the sort of price they might put them on - 01202 742333.

'Mooch' is in Station Road, just around the corner from the Orange Tree and that sells designer names at designer prices, so I know many ladies pop into The Orange Tree who can certainly afford decent prices for good condition pre loved clothes.

armani? Gucci? Louis Vuitton?
Were you a banker in a previous existence?

Sorry to hear you are having trouble tsap
Wish there was something I could do

Newspirits we will phone the council tomorrow about HA scheme. Thanks for that. Will they take on any house, there are houses that I know are housing association houses but they tend to be in cheaper areas.

Countess they are things left over from my marriage, I have already sold loads as my ex husband left us penniless. But I have a few things left. He was more of a wanker than a banker.

Thanks for that cupcakes.

I also have other shoes that have never been worn that I am willing to get rid off, things like moda in pelle, iregular choice etc. Would an agency take them or would I be better on ebay?