what would you do if this was your situation?

cookie220985 · 26 December 2009 at 7:14PM

Ok, because of my debts i had no choice back in january 2007 to get a 2 nd job, only thing is, i'm not a driver nor am i medically allowed to drive, im a mum of 3 (2 at the time) so it had to be a job to fit round school ,nursery, or childminder hours. And the 1st local buses start running at 7.02am in my area. So i madly started the job, however heres the thing,

it takes me an hour to walk it from my home, distance of 3.55miles there and 2(local buses with 11 change over) on the way back, luckily im a disabled buss pass holder due to my mental disability, but i have to be in for 7am so i end up leaving at 6am mon-fri, only to be working from 7-9am and be back in time for the childminding pick up of my 9month old, but was my (4year old, 2yr old at he time).

Being a new years round the corner, do i give up n get a fresh nearer job, or do i carry on and do the 60min walk a day, for the grand total of a £12 pay a day, knowing it would cost me £7.20 a time to taxi it there(only done that once.lol)

does this seem enough daily exercise to follow? regardless of any weather, and time of day?

if i didnt have this job, id lose more than £154 a week on all income for the family!!

what do you guys think??

andy40 · 26 December 2009 at 7:25PM

£154 is a lot to give up, but from what you say it looks like you get £12 for 4 hours (up at 6, home at 10?), which is a low £3ph.
Do you like the walk or the work?
Do you really need the extra £154pw?
What would you do with the time if you didnt have this job?

You can always look for something better paid/better hours and keep this job until you find it.

Beckipeg · 26 December 2009 at 7:34PM

If you're in debt then I think you are right to get a job to make a start at paying them off, even if it doesn't pay as much as you'd like or be as easy to get to as you'd like. You don't say how long you've actually been doing the job - since Jan 07? If so, you've stuck it so long, then it's worth keep going until you at least have another job to take its place. £12 a day is better than nothing particularly if it affects your £154 a week income.
If you can't drive, can you ride a bike? It would get you there (and back) a bit quicker and they're often available on freecycle if you don't have one already. Not sure what you mean by "does this seem enough daily exercise to follow?" - Both physical and mental health can be improved by regular exercise and 2 hrs a day walking / 1 hr a day cycling doesn't sound too much. My husband cycles 12 miles to work and 12 miles back in all weathers (I admit I don't though!)

Hope you're able to work out what's best for you - MSE is great, but don't forget to check with those who actually know you and your circumstances too.

cookie220985 · 26 December 2009 at 8:35PM

andy40 wrote: »

£154 is a lot to give up, but from what you say it looks like you get £12 for 4 hours (up at 6, home at 10?), which is a low £3ph.
Do you like the walk or the work?
Do you really need the extra £154pw?
What would you do with the time if you didnt have this job?

You can always look for something better paid/better hours and keep this job until you find it.

by the time i get home my childminder and 9month old are stood on my doorstep, its nearly 10am yep. The walk is a doddle once ive got past the halfway point of the journey, but the 1st 30mins is so tiring, it makes me have doubts about the job, its only 2 hours cleaning a pet shop, but i get on so well with everyone, ive only just returned in october after being on maternity leave, but they do so much for me let alone me for them.

My PM job from 3-6pm wasnt paying enough to qualify for tax credits with 2 children at the time, let alone the debts, but that jobs only 15mins away and they wont increase my hours with it being at a school, as eveyones home by 7pm at the latest.

If i didnt have the £154 pw i wouldnt be able to feed my kids nor pay the bills, never mind the debts,

if i didnt have the job, i suppose id be doing the school runs and tidying up an hour earlier than i already do.

cookie220985 · 26 December 2009 at 8:39PM

Beckipeg wrote: »

If you're in debt then I think you are right to get a job to make a start at paying them off, even if it doesn't pay as much as you'd like or be as easy to get to as you'd like. You don't say how long you've actually been doing the job - since Jan 07? If so, you've stuck it so long, then it's worth keep going until you at least have another job to take its place. £12 a day is better than nothing particularly if it affects your £154 a week income.
If you can't drive, can you ride a bike? It would get you there (and back) a bit quicker and they're often available on freecycle if you don't have one already. Not sure what you mean by "does this seem enough daily exercise to follow?" - Both physical and mental health can be improved by regular exercise and 2 hrs a day walking / 1 hr a day cycling doesn't sound too much. My husband cycles 12 miles to work and 12 miles back in all weathers (I admit I don't though!)

Hope you're able to work out what's best for you - MSE is great, but don't forget to check with those who actually know you and your circumstances too.

I started trying to take control of debts and stat the job both in january 07, the 2006 crimbo had gone way OTT with everything, i also was in the planning of my wedding then too so that never helped. I cant ride if i try, the hills scare me as it is let alone my bum.lol. maybe its just me having a pre-january depression phase.lol, im just no seeing the point in anything at the moment, thanks anyway guys.

QueenBeruthiel · 26 December 2009 at 9:35PM

Can you advertise in the local press, shops, post offices, etc. for a lift? The journey as it stands sounds too much - too much exertion, too much time.

Or - is there any way they could rearrange your hours at the pet shop? If you started half an hour later in the morning, would this fit in with the bus schedules?

cookie220985 · 26 December 2009 at 10:26PM

good point, but if i started 30mins later, i wouldnt be able to finish the job properly please pets at home. im banished off shop floor at 8.30 as it is.

that way id get to the bus station for 7.20am, station being a 45min walk from another angel and then id have to wait 35mins for the changeover bus to get me from station to pets at home.

Kirri · 26 December 2009 at 10:50PM

As it sounds like the job itself isn't too bad (plus it's a good way to get in exercise you may not otherwise do so a bonus there!), could you maybe get a cycle off Freecycle to make it a little quicker and just walk the bike up any hard bits/hills? I think I'd also feel a bit safer at 6am on a dark morning if I was on a bike rather than on foot.

sallyx · 26 December 2009 at 11:01PM

I think if you can't afford to feed your children if you don't do this job then there is no question to be asked. You all need to eat and therefore you HAVE to continue this job for the time being. I would look for something closer to home, have a look at some agencies as they often have early morning cleaning jobs available and then once you have another job lined up then think about quitting this one. Until then, you will have to ride it out

MrsTinks · 27 December 2009 at 1:36AM

Could you look at being a self employed cleaner? I know round here they seem to charge round £10ph for cleaning peoples houses... if you could pick up a few near your home would you still qualify for WTC? (sorry I don't qualify for any so I haven't the foggiest...)

what would you do if this was your situation?

Comments

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Categories

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free