Just need to vent about money!

[aimee-lou]

Hi girls,

I am very lucky, I know that. I have a house, a husband who loves me and so far (touch wood etc) a healthy baby to look forward to in 2 months time.....but I've had enough of worrying about money.

Just as we were getting on the straight and narrow I get signed off with stress and end up on the pittance that is SSP because it's not pregnancy related (Will be challenging this but it doesn't change the situation).

We have debts (I think the majority of people these days do) and with everything I've been trying to keep on top but it's difficult and we've started to get phone calls from these people. I've decided that now that I'm on maternity leave (and on better money than SSP) i can tackle it, and do myself a DMP. Out total debt is less than £13k which is amazing considering that it was up at £22k 2 years ago!!! But I just feel like we're going backwards. It's payday tomorrow and we've just put our last £5 into the car as fuel - if pay doesn't go in tomorrow we are well and truly screwed! I'm trying to distract myself by sorting the house and stacking stuff up ready to do a car boot (may help even if it's just extra space!)

I'm just fed up of being on the bread line. I've had to do this all my life and just when my head pokes above the parapet, it gets the top shot off and I have to start all over again. It's majorly frustrating as hubby wont do anything about it and adopts a 'Laissez-faire' attitude to it all. I'm not mad at him, or mad at myself really, I'm just frustrated. I have a possible constructive dismissal suit to deal with, the car has to be fixed after an accident 2 weeks ago, we need new tyres and an MOT, We still have a load of baby stuff to get (got most of it thankfully), and to be honest, I'm really fed up.

Thanks for reading girls. I don't expect any responses as I am doing everything possible to get us out of this. I just needed to let my frustrations out and actually pull my finger out of my backside!!!

 

[kit603]

Awww hun, don't really know what to say but didn't want to just read and run *cuddle*

I feel much the same way to be honest, we're both working but often we'll get to the last week before payday and be struggling for petrol and things like that

 

[aimee-lou]

I think it's pretty common at the moment....but I'm just a little fed up. I have never ever been what I would call 'comfortable' for money and no matter how hard we work or how much I try, I just don't seem to be able to get there! I know once the debts are paid off we'll be much better but it's incredibly hard to keep up the repayments. I'm just sat now trying to figure out what my payment offers are going to be.....it's depressing!

Thanks for the response and I know we'll get there eventually

 

[kit603]

I think it's pretty common at the moment....but I'm just a little fed up. I have never ever been what I would call 'comfortable' for money and no matter how hard we work or how much I try, I just don't seem to be able to get there! I know once the debts are paid off we'll be much better but it's incredibly hard to keep up the repayments. I'm just sat now trying to figure out what my payment offers are going to be.....it's depressing!

Thanks for the response and I know we'll get there eventually

You're welcome and I think we all need someone to talk to about things at times I definitely understand where you're coming from though!

 

[aimee-lou]

thought about a little home business?

I've got 8-12 weeks left before baby arrives so I'm re-doing all my old business paperwork ready for after when I can re-start it (used to run dog training classes and do private tuition). It's certianly keeping me occupied!

 

[Seraphim]

Aimee, if anyone can, you can

I really empathise with this. I think I'm a bit like you - and I've been mapping everything out and trying to encorporate the most magical time with the baby coming alongside a really full on part of life where you're trying to push on through and create 'The Future' for yourselves

Half the time I wonder why I take on so much though. And I'm sure you know - whatever happens, as long as you 3 are happy and healthy, you'll be ok *squeeze*

PS. Not sure if you have a different sickness policy - but I'm now off due to pregnancy related issues, and still only on SSP x

 

[GersPrincess]

Oh Aimee-Lou, I can totally sympathise with you on this one. I think you remember me losing my job when I was 16 weeks pregnant? I've not worked since then, and I'm STILL waiting on my Maternity Allowance coming through, despite me applying for it at 29 weeks.
Hubby's ex decided to tell the CSA that he has never paid her a penny for their 7 yr old when she found out we were expecting (and cos he is a moron and paid her in cash every month, despite me nagging him not to) the lovely CSA are literally taking every penny they can from him, and he is being left with the basic amount they can legally leave him with (£660 a month).. So at the minute, his wages just about cover our rent and council tax, and then the child tax credit and working tax credit we do get for my 2 kids is spent on everything else needed to keep the house going.. its a bloody struggle and pissing me right off.. meanwhile, his ex has bought a new car (even though she cant drive) taken herself on holiday (leaving their son with us), bought herself lots of new clothes and hair extensions, meanwhile we are struggling more than I ever have done in my life.
We cant even get housing benefit or council tax benefit as they work the entitlement out on earnings BEFORE deductions - which puts us well over the threshold and nobody is interested in the fact we have nothing coming in. I even sold my beloved Merc and got an old landrover to get ourselves out of immediate debt.

BUT - I know it wont go on much longer. Once the new baby arrives, the CSA will have to reduce how much they take from hubby, our child tax credit will go up and slowly things will hopefully start to improve... and we'll have a lovely new happy baby to complete our family, and thats the only thing that keeps me going!!