Fed up of struggling for money

[kit10grl]

My salary is our biggest income, since ive been on maternity leave we have lost around £900 a month off our income. Its killing us. Ive cut back on everythign we can, sold one of our cars, got cheaper insurance stopped eating out/ordering in. Still tho we struggle to make ends meet every month. For every bit of good fortune we have their is a bad, in one day i got a tax rebate cheque and a parking ticket.

I go back to work the last week of jan, parttime for a month using my KIT days so frm feb money should be fine again but in the meantime were still struggling. We are oweDH aunt around three hundred pounds we had to borrow to pay rent last month. And this month its a tossup between paying the gas/leccy bill or the car finance. Both of which are a month overdue already. My credit cards are all maxed out. I just feel like collapsing under the stress of money worries. I despratly need new clothes as nothing i have fits but have no money to spend on them.

I just wish that in times like this companies could understand when i say 'i know ive missed a payment but if you could just hang on two months i can make all the missed payments and then carry on like normal from then'.

Its so depressing i just keep thinking LO's first xmas is going to be crappy cos im broke and stressed and i want it to be special.

I know theres nto much you can say. If you could just reassure me they cant reposses my car without at least a fair bit of letter writing and warnings that would be a great help

 

[Pearls18]

Sorry hun, it's hard being on mat leave, we have quite a big credit card bill we are paying off from going so overdrawn while I was on it, have you informed tax credits of your current situation so they are paying out for your current income not last years? And have you spoken to your council to see if they can assist you?x

 

[Duffy]

Big big big hugs.

I just lost my job yesterday I was fired for bogus ass shit, but are carpayment is now a month late, I'm hoping they give me until the end of the month to pay it. I understand where your coming from on stress.

So massive big hugs.

 

[kit10grl]

Sorry hun, it's hard being on mat leave, we have quite a big credit card bill we are paying off from going so overdrawn while I was on it, have you informed tax credits of your current situation so they are paying out for your current income not last years? And have you spoken to your council to see if they can assist you?x

I did contact them, took awhile to convince them but we got there. We are getting CTC and WTC as well as the child benefit, still a big deficit tho, and my road tax reminder just came through.

DH and i are sat down together tomorrow for another number crunching session

 

[Dinah93]

I would recommend contacting CCCS or Christians against Poverty (don't need to be Christian to use them and they're free) to get professional advice. If you are struggling with your debts it may be worth considering setting up a debt management plan. This will freeze your interest on them and set payments at a level you are judged to be able to afford. A DMP is free, it will have a negative impact on your credit record and make it hard to get more credit, but from the sounds of things you're already having a bad impact on your credit record. CAP can also help with money management techniques, setting up a family budget etc.

It may also be worth going to moneysavingexpert.com forums, and go to the Deft Free Wannabe board. The posters there are incredibly helpful and can offer advice in areas you may be unaware of.

There is light at the end of the tunnel, you just need some knowledgeable advice on managing your finances to get you there. Don't be afraid to make the call to these charities, they deal with people every day with spiralling money issues and won't judge you.