Need UK debt advice please.

notcut · #1 (**permalink**) 06-15-2009, 06:07 AM

Hello.

First off, thank you for any help offered. I feel ashamed to be in this position. I have been unemployed for 9 months now, I have been applying for countless jobs, had interviews, but then either am not hired or the company or job ceases to exist. I have been working casual shifts to keep money coming in, but it's nowhere near to what I used to be earnin***

In total I have about £800 per month coming out of my account, which never used to be an issue. However, since I've earned only bout £115 in the last 9 months it's become a real problem. I'm now overdrawn on my account, the bank is issuing fines and I can't pay any of my bills. I've spoken to my bank a number of times to explain the situation, I've spoken to all of my creditors to do the same. I've been to Citizens Advice, spoken to the National Debt Line, all to no avail. This morning was the final straw when I realised that I cannot afford food now, I have nothing left to sell. I am desperate to get out of this position, I am not looking for hand outs just a chance to work my way clean.

What can I do? Who else can I speak to? Should I consider bankruptcy? What does that entail? I've tried speaking to people about how that works but I have had a number of responses and they all sound horrific. I'm honestly at the point of giving up, I've tried everything bar selling my organs.

Any help or guidance would be appreciated.

NC.

rave415 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-16-2009, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notcut

Hello.

First off, thank you for any help offered. I feel ashamed to be in this position. I have been unemployed for 9 months now, I have been applying for countless jobs, had interviews, but then either am not hired or the company or job ceases to exist. I have been working casual shifts to keep money coming in, but it's nowhere near to what I used to be earnin***

In total I have about £800 per month coming out of my account, which never used to be an issue. However, since I've earned only bout £115 in the last 9 months it's become a real problem. I'm now overdrawn on my account, the bank is issuing fines and I can't pay any of my bills. I've spoken to my bank a number of times to explain the situation, I've spoken to all of my creditors to do the same. I've been to Citizens Advice, spoken to the National Debt Line, all to no avail. This morning was the final straw when I realised that I cannot afford food now, I have nothing left to sell. I am desperate to get out of this position, I am not looking for hand outs just a chance to work my way clean.

What can I do? Who else can I speak to? Should I consider bankruptcy? What does that entail? I've tried speaking to people about how that works but I have had a number of responses and they all sound horrific. I'm honestly at the point of giving up, I've tried everything bar selling my organs.

Any help or guidance would be appreciated.

NC.

Not sure if bankruptcy is the answer.. £800 a month could be done with a job in a number of areas, if you are prepared to take a step down the career ladder. I used to work as a Dominos pizza delivery driver- making as much as £100 a day. If you have a car, it would be a good way of keeping wolves from the door- also keeps the daytime free for productive job huntin*** Maybe check out your credit history, if its not worth keeping maybe bankruptcy could be a reasonable option- it sounds like you are trying hard but dont be ashamed to take a demeaning job; bankruptcy is worse!

good luck.

Fay · #3 (**permalink**) 08-19-2009, 06:43 PM

I agree with Rave145, I think you should avoid bankruptcy as much as possible. I know what you're going through is really frightening, I've been through the same but luckily for me just when things seemed really desperate I actually found a job and now am paying back the debt that I incurred over the first 6 months of this year. I had one part time job that just wasn't bringing in enough, and I was at the point of giving it up to take up full time waitressing, a thought that I absolutely hated but I would have done it because my options had run out basically. Waitressing and taking in typing at home for about £4 an hour. Look around you and see if there is anything that you can do. Last year I heard about a woman who started taking in the ironing of her neighbours and was now employing 2 other women to help out, so she must have been doing well, she had started her own little empire out of other people's laundry! The important thing is that you don't give up and that you don't do anything that you'll regret later, no matter how desperate things seem. Bankruptcy has all sorts of horrible ramifications that will haunt you for years, so it really is the last resort.

sapphirecapital · #4 (**permalink**) 08-20-2009, 12:46 AM

there is a social network even in the UK, so get informed and adjust, don't feel ashamed, there is always a way, whats your profession

MurryC · #5 (**permalink**) 08-20-2009, 01:17 PM

I agree - I have been in this situation before to and did all sorts of jobs whilst trying to find a permanent role from waitressing, bar work and even a cleaning job! At the end of the day anything is better than nothing!

Now I am working and paying everything off bit by bit and looking to the future when I can be debt free! Hopefully middle of next year if I am lucky! Fingers crossed aye?

It is an uphill struggle but so worth it! Bankrupty to me is an extreme case scenario - like saphirecapital says - what do you do anyway?

TMBGfan · #6 (**permalink**) 08-21-2009, 06:33 AM

If things are really at the stage where you risk losing your job then just take any minimum wage job the jobcentre has to offer. Flipping burgers at McDonalds or cleaning toilets will at least get you some cash to pay bills, more than £115 in 9 months. You can still job seek when you have a job, and employers will respect any work over gaps in your CV.

nard1 · #7 (**permalink**) 08-21-2009, 12:38 PM

Hi,

First of all, everything that people have said above I completely agree with. And FYI - I used to be a delivery driver for Dominos aswell and it pays good wage if your prepared to put in the hours - it's actually a really fun job!

I think you need to apply for anything you see. Start at the bottom again and work your way up.....it may not be your perfect job but out as much into it as you can and you will get as much out of it. I'm also a big believer in meeting your potential future employer - go around your local town and hand out your CV personally - it's hard to judge someone on paper - but if you go into a local company showing your personality and your will to succeed - you will be miles above the rest of the applicants that have just sent through their CV. You never know, they may want to interview you there and then - so dress smart!

Times are hard at the moment, but don't give up.....I know it may feel like that's what it's coming to - but just keep going - you will get your break.

Also, just quickly - due to the area I work in I've seen lots of CVs recently that have applied for jobs. The biggest problem I see is that these people that are looking for anything are not making their CV personal to that job role. If you apply for a customer service position - then emphasise what customer service experience you have/or what skills you have to make a fantastic customer service representive - don't go on about how you have worked on your own for the last x amount of years and how you don't have customer service skills - the employer will bin your CV straight away. Change your CV (just a little) for every job you apply for - and think about what the employer is wanting to see - that way you are more likely to stick in their minds when it comes to interviewing.

I wish you all the luck in the World.

Ryan6 · #8 (**permalink**) 09-18-2009, 10:43 PM

I think I could find some worthy solutions for you. BTW, have you consulted your family about this yet? Don't let it get you down and stay positive.

Sponsors