*SING* I WILL SURVIVE (AT LEAST I HOPE SO) (How has the Credit Crunch affected you?)

Member Name: bumblebee86

Product:	How has the Credit Crunch affected you?
Date:	17/07/09 (63 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: NONE

Disadvantages: STRESS, DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, NO MONEY RELATIONSHIP BREAKDOWN SHALL I GO ON....

The last year and a half has been a constant worry for me and my partner about the amount of money that may or may not be coming into the household. We were already struggling to get by but just about making the minimum payments on everything with just enough money to get by with a little bit for entertainment to go to the cinema once or twice a month.

My partner worked at a factory and we knew there were problems when about a year and a half ago the redundancy letters started to be handed out. First time round he was lucky when they made about 10 night shift workers and some day shift redundant. Phew we thought worry over... 3 months later another letter with talks of redundancy...he was lucky and agreed to go onto dayshift 5 day week (obviously for less money) the purse straps tightened! More talk of redundancies less than 3 months later and some more people went - the union decided to agree to a 4 day week now (about 32hrs and even less money)

Then in June last year the shop I work in was put up for sale...oh no what are we going to do now?? The stress and worry had consumed me - the more I was told not to worry the more I did.

Another 3 months or so went by and my partner was then put on 3 days at this point we could not cope financially with the outgoings causing worry and more and more arguments between us both - although it was no ones fault just the situation we were both extremely stressed and even a little depressed.

I didn't know if or when I would lose my job and the 27hours from his job was just not enough!

Luckily 6 months later in January they took the shop off the market after changing it to increase sales, which meant my job, was safe (or at least safer than before) but it was still very hard to pay the bills on time juggling each one and trying to prioritise.

I made an appointment with the CAB in February as I knew we were sinking fast and we needed some outside help after I broke down in front of my dad one day (which I just don't do).

Unfortunately just 2 days after my birthday in March (whilst out with my friends celebrating) I had a text off my partner that there was a rumour his factory had gone into administration? Should he go in the next day (Friday even though they don't work Fridays to see what was going on) I said of course and had to try and stop myself from breaking down in the restaurant - I just didn't know how we were going to cope?!

True to the rumour when he turned up the next day with a colleague there were a bunch of work mates and administrators (not everyone was there as they weren't told officially) and they practically called out names and told half to stand one side and the other half on the other side. Right that side you are redundant from yesterday!!! (I don't know how they can do that) the others still had their jobs but very unsafe ones.

So he came home without a job and no idea what to do!

It took 4 weeks to even get a payment off the JSA so we had to rely on £195(my wages) to pay absolutely everything! It just wasn't enough.

He looked on the Internet about his company and found out that the administrators had been called in in January but no one had been told!!!

At present there are now only about 10 employees from a factory that used to house 300 people.

It's been nearly 4 months of hell with debt collectors stalking me (like 30 odd calls a week) I have been to the CAB lots times (but it takes about 2 weeks to get an appointment) but the debts don't seem to take any notice.

My partner still hasn't got a job and we are trying to survive on my wage, which is near impossible - I just don't know what we are going to do.

We are not entitled to any help besides his JSA as they think £195 is sufficient - we are in debt up to our eyeballs. I would actually have more money if I didn't work but I couldn't do that. I also worry as my partner is getting more depressed staying at home all day doing nothing (no housework) and then I resent him because I have to go to work and do all the house work. A vicious circle, as I know how depression can get to you.


Basically the credit crunch has caused a lot of pain, stress, depression and arguments.

Summary: WE ARE ALL IN THE SAME SINKING BOAT!