Please help - I'm literally paying to work!

paybacktime2008

Here's an idea! Is there a notice board at work? Ask if anyone is willing to put you up one night a week in exchange for babysitting etc...or a nominal fee. You never know someone might have a spare room but desperately nneds a sitter one night a week?

PasturesNew

Suzkin wrote: »

Not in my line of work (i.e. career) unfortunately, and the work available where I live tends to be pretty low level and 'non-progressive' - despite registering also with agencies etc. Yes, it really is that bleak.

I'd say sod the career for now. Was there work that you do where you live before? Can you not just do something else for up to a year or so while waiting for jobs to come up much closer?

Burlesque_Babe

Hi Suzkin

I guessed you were down in this part of the world from the description of your journey into London. I once had to do it daily for a fortnight from Poole and I vowed never again.

Is there nothing in Bracknell/Reading etc? What kind of work do you do?

firesidemaid

i would also post on the travel board re. the train fares as the folks on there like a challenge.

if you post your potential start and destination points, the experts will take a look and suggest the best deals for you - have you looked at split ticketing?

what about even a food chain/cafe at the station as a second job? would prob get some free food and you would be right there to get your train.

Suzkin

PasturesNew wrote: »

I'd say sod the career for now. Was there work that you do where you live before? Can you not just do something else for up to a year or so while waiting for jobs to come up much closer?

Hi again, I really take your point. However, I did what you suggested - on and off for over 5 years - in between being unemployed for approx. 5 times as well. It wasn't nice. One of my employers asked me to do criminal / dishonest things, which I NEVER did (they were a Lettings Agent), so they fired me; the one after this i.e. most recent one (a very nasty company) bullied me and called me names so much that I ended up taking months off sick. Then I resigned.

So, my personal experience of this location/area is very bleak - and I'm determined to get my professional career back.

Suzkin

firesidemaid wrote: »

i would also post on the travel board re. the train fares as the folks on there like a challenge.

if you post your potential start and destination points, the experts will take a look and suggest the best deals for you - have you looked at split ticketing?

what about even a food chain/cafe at the station as a second job? would prob get some free food and you would be right there to get your train.

Thanks so much! I didn't realise there was a Travel Board! I shall pose them a Sunday afternoon brain-teaser x

MyLastFiver

Suzkin,

I don't know what your "career" is, but it doesn't sound like much fun if you're getting £8.50 an hour, no benefits and a temporary contract. You say that previous employers have bullied and taken advantage of you. Is it possible that your current employer is doing the same? I suspect you have a tendency to sell yourself cheap, if you'll forgive the expression...

How will enduring such conditions further your career? What line of work are you in?

You say your house needs building work, but you also have £19000 in cash. What needs doing that will cost more than that? I may be able to put you in touch with a good builder who can help... PM me if you like.

Alternatively, you could use some of the £19000 to pay off your mortgage, and buy a travelcard with the rest :-) thus saving yourself thousands in future interest, as well as balancing your budget and making the current job (almost) viable.

Suzkin

Hi MyLastFiver,

Thanks for your reasoning. I'll send you a PM after I've had my tea!

skintandscared_2

I work in the City and used to commute from Portsmouth Harbour so I know what a long journey it is, and how expensive it is. I am lucky enough to have a very well paid job but even I struggled. How far from Waterloo do you have to travel? Could you cycle it? Lots of people get the train into London and then cycle the rest of the way. Cutting the underground bit out can take that extra off your fare?

Suzkin

skintandscared wrote: »

I work in the City and used to commute from Portsmouth Harbour so I know what a long journey it is, and how expensive it is. I am lucky enough to have a very well paid job but even I struggled. How far from Waterloo do you have to travel? Could you cycle it? Lots of people get the train into London and then cycle the rest of the way. Cutting the underground bit out can take that extra off your fare?

Hi - I'm going from Waterloo to Holborn, and then back again.

I think I would make a saving of approx. £50 per month if I walk there and back comparing 1 month season tickets with/without underground (i.e. £448.20 incls underground; £396.70 without underground). Mind you, doing that I would miss the usual 5.35pm departure, and so arrive home after 7.30pm...

I was paying £20.65 per day incl. underground BUT when my start times changed on Wed & Thurs to 9.30am, this sort of went out of the window. I'm not sure what to do for these days.

5 x £20.65 = £103.25, which would have been cheaper than a 7 day season ticket. I only go up 5 days and so wouldn't really make use on the w/e.