Ok, so hubbys hours are cut to half by employer and we have 100 month for food!

Mumolulu

onlyroz wrote: »

He needs a job now - even if it's shelf-stacking or pizza delivery - to accompany the job he already has. Once he has a job then he can start thinking about applying for a "better" job in the trade that he's qualified in.

Do you work part time at the mo then?

I do work part time yes, contract for 8 hours a week, but with xmas coming up I'm getting a few more hours extra each week, earn approx £50 per week, which our joint account needs, so I prob get around 30-50 per month for my own spending, stuff like xmas/birthday presents and odd thing for the children.

Mumolulu

Carmina_Piranha wrote: »

This is just peanuts but would up your food money by an extra £16 per week approx - could he deliver the free newspaper on his day off? I did it for a year, and although it's a lot of faff with all the leaflets I usually earned at least £16 a week. I am assuming that your little ones would already be in nursery on his days off and he wouldn't have them 'helping' with leaflets, or taking them out with him.

It only takes a few hours, they worked it out at average hours meant minimum wage pay. I did it when my son went to school, so it was something to do while I job-hunted.

or, as he has a car on those days he be a taxi driver perhaps? i don't know if there's anything else involved, i just remember when i was little that my dad got a job driving taxis for 3 months in the winter after he was made redundant.

When my little one wore nappies I joined the tesco baby club, and so did my husband and both of the rabbits. lots of points or money off coupons when you but nappies and wipes, and there are glitches where you can buy cheaper brands and still get the points.

re the paper, I called about this a while ago, for myself actually whilst on mat leave, and they told me the pay was £6 for the round! I know what he would say if I told him to do that. He'd rather eat potatoes.....

Taxi driving has a large outlay at first, you have to pay upfront for a few bits, radio, licence I think etc, my dad is a successful cabbie, and I know its not cheap to start up. Good idea though.

I am loving the rabbits.....:rotfl: we are a member of tesco club, got my stuff this morning actually. I do use those....I'm not being much help here am I....

You are all so helpful. I didn't think I'd get such a big response. :beer: He has also looked at Sainsburys online tonight, and there is nothing in our area that would be worth him doing. Some are early shifts, some 20 miles away.
God life is crap! Just a vent there....

Mumolulu

Steel wrote: »

Hubby doesn't have to go the whole hog and set up by himself. There's no reason why he can't do the odd job for people for a while to earn extra income. Loads of people are staying put and extending/improving their homes and need someone with his skills.

You say he qualified as a joiner - what can he do? For example, can he make wood or mdf replacement kitchen doors for someone who wanted a new kitchen but can't afford one? Or even build a good quality wood kitchen? I bet there's loads of things he can make.

Might be worth letting the neighbours know if they're planning on extending or improving and need a joiner he's your man and he gives good rates....

He has been talking about this for a while now, starting up, few cards through doors etc. Not sure about the kitchen doors, but he can do stuff like skirting, door frames, fit doors, make a lot of stuff (kitchens are quite a speciality I think and he just needs to fit 1 kitchen with a proper fitter and will then know exactly what to do). There is certainly a lot he can do yes. He built a bird table for his mum etc... He is also really good around the home tiling, garden work etc, can do most stuff bar electrics and plumbing.

Odd jobs certainly sounds the way to go I think. Just got to encourage him, he'd love to, but is just a bit low at the mo with stuff.

Kandipandi

If this is a short term thing can you not contact your mortgage people and ask to go interest only for a few months (if you have a mortgage that is). This could give you a bit of breathing room just till after christmas at least. Just a thought. Good luck whatever happens x

nick_b

Mumolulu wrote: »

Is making my own bread really cheaper? I bought a wholemeal loaf from asda last week that was on offer reduced to 50p.

For 42p you cab buy a bag of ASDA bread flour, which will be enough for three loaves. Add a few pence for yeast, bit of salt and sugar (if you must) and you'll have three loaves for about 50p. Plus, it won't be full of nasties like emulsifiers, bleach, preservatives and enzymes. (Sorry, bread evangelist here!)

Mumolulu

Kandipandi wrote: »

If this is a short term thing can you not contact your mortgage people and ask to go interest only for a few months (if you have a mortgage that is). This could give you a bit of breathing room just till after christmas at least. Just a thought. Good luck whatever happens x

Hi there, the stupid thing is, I actually contacted them, I went into the bank, and was able to sit down there and then, which was great, and explained the situation, and in a round about way was told the following:

'Well your mortgage is the one thing you have to make sure you pay each month, and if I was in your situation, I would be making sure I buy Tesco value beans instead of Heinz, I would ask family for help to see you through.'

And here is the best advice I received:

'You can always get yourself a credit card, 0% for 12 months and put your food shopping on there' :eek: :mad: :eek: :mad: :eek: :mad:

I have never felt so effing patronised in all my life. I didn't need that advice, stupid woman. She also said that they could only help us if we were in arrears (which we never have been), unfortunately we had our mortgage break when I was on mat leave for the second time, so thats not an option either, despite the fact that we have every insurance going.....

Our mortgage is only £320 per month as we are on a shared ownership scheme, so pay rent too, which is £130 something I think, so its not as if its a huge outlay, its just hubby gets paid so little.

Thanks for your suggestion though. :T

Spendless

Mumolulu wrote: »

Hi there, the stupid thing is, I actually contacted them, I went into the bank, and was able to sit down there and then, which was great, and explained the situation, and in a round about way was told the following:

'Well your mortgage is the one thing you have to make sure you pay each month, and if I was in your situation, I would be making sure I buy Tesco value beans instead of Heinz, I would ask family for help to see you through.'

And here is the best advice I received:

'You can always get yourself a credit card, 0% for 12 months and put your food shopping on there' :eek: :mad: :eek: :mad: :eek: :mad:

I have never felt so effing patronised in all my life. I didn't need that advice, stupid woman. She also said that they could only help us if we were in arrears (which we never have been), unfortunately we had our mortgage break when I was on mat leave for the second time, so thats not an option either, despite the fact that we have every insurance going.....

Our mortgage is only £320 per month as we are on a shared ownership scheme, so pay rent too, which is £130 something I think, so its not as if its a huge outlay, its just hubby gets paid so little.

Thanks for your suggestion though. :T

do you have mortgage protection for if you lose your job? have you read thru the small print/contacted them to see if it kicks in if hours are reduced?

Savvy_Sue

nick_b wrote: »

For 42p you cab buy a bag of ASDA bread flour, which will be enough for three loaves. Add a few pence for yeast, bit of salt and sugar (if you must) and you'll have three loaves for about 50p. Plus, it won't be full of nasties like emulsifiers, bleach, preservatives and enzymes. (Sorry, bread evangelist here!)

The thing you have to watch with home made bread is how fast it disappears.

I make a loaf, it's gone at one sitting. I buy a loaf, it lasts two days.

ailuro2

Last time I heard it cost £30 to have a new internal door hung, so for someone wanting to replace their doors it would cost them around £150 pounds not including buying the doors.

Put a few leaflets through the doors advertising an hourly rate (assuming he knows what to do re paying tax, vat etc. on a second job - have a look at the up your income board) Offer to work alongside homeowner too - that can help interest the DIYer into getting a hand from someone who knows what they're doing - especially as it can be tricky to get a good finish on skirtings/covings.

I see a few vans now with the offer of a handy man, including building flat pack furniture.



Of course if you're only working 8 hours a week, then you could go out to work and let hubby look after the kids full time. Makes sense when your earning potential is £7,ooo greater than DH's. Leaving his current job to stay home for a bit could be the catalyst he needs to go for it on his own.

sad_dog_lady

hi. my hubbys hours are going from 40 to 20 so i thought id let you know my plans..
first i ave writen everyone and photocopied our "in out " form
then i contaceted the ben agency & wftcr
next i was told that i would still be topped up and not to worry
when i realised we'd be 600.00 a month worse off i panicked a little but
made tough choices
our council tax will be free.... so thats 100.00 saving
the cards have told us we can have interest frozen and pay 5.00 a month
so thats saved me 300.00
canceled my sons private school fees and asked for a scholar ship
and for a local job 4 myself...
nil desperandum