working from home?

Catwoman1975

MaggieD wrote: »

If you don't mind me asking, what do you do?

I am an internet assessor for a company called Lionbridge

http://www.lionbridge.com/lionbridge/en-US/company/web-site/internet-assessors.htm

johnpaulpops

Rather than looking for something working from home, have you considered looking at work during term times? I imagine the roles are sought after, but, as mentioned on another thread, "you have to be in it to win it " - it's always worth applying. Some companies also offer flexi time or job share (local authorities?).

Coming off benefits will give you self pride even if it doesn't mean you're rolling in it. Working tax credit and tax credits will help plug some gaps depending on your income.
JP

tsstss7

MaggieD wrote: »

am a single mother of two boys, age 10 and 13 and I have been on benefits for a few years now.
As I own my house (jointly with my ex partner) I am in a difficult position with regards to going back to work - this is because, no matter how many calculations my lone parent advisor comes up with, they never include the mortgage, saying that my ex should pay that - he is currently living with his new partner and trying to force me to sell our house so he can have his half of the equity - I am in no position to buy anywhere with the half I would get.
I wondered whether anyone else on this site is in a similar position, and whether it is viable that I can work from home and earn enough to cover my mortgage, bills, council tax, etc (this would have to be around £1000 per month minimum).
I can type and have experience with computers too.

I think you might be better off going out to work 16 hrs + during school hrs and claiming tax credits - I'm pretty sure with tax credits you'd be close to 1000 a month not including csa monies (if you get any) - I always thought with single parents there was a minimum income guarentee of £250.00 per week?

I found when I was working part time (a few yrs ago but don't think it's changed too much yet) that I earned enough in wages, tax credits and csa to not qualify/need HB and council tax credit.

You would get help towards childcare (which is tricky I know with older ones and means holiday clubs) and if you did job share hrs you might find the time apart from your kids isn't too onerous. I worked part time when my LO was 8/9 and the two/three days a week in holiday club were fun for him...it just started to be "not so fun" when it was full time and I had to make other arrangements to minimise time in childcare as he started to hate it.

If that really isn't an option then here's a list of suggestions of flexible working for yourself options (some of which require training) that I can think of off the top of my head :-

gardening
dogwalking
childminding
tutoring
massage therapy
accounting/bookmaking
cottage industry (jam making?)
homeopathy/alternative therapist (can't spell it or say it so hope you know what I mean)
proof reader
internet sales/research
Ebay seller
home internet business
web space developer
phone job (dirrrttty talk lol)
phone sales

thats all for now but for more idea's you could try the up your income board for different income stream idea's

ilikedrawing

Your children aren't going to feel any differently about you if you went and got a job. My mum went back to work when myself and my brother were similar ages to yours. She was divorced from my dad, who thankfully didnt try and evict her (and his own children) out of the house they had bought together. She worked part time at an office on the outskirts of town, she was always there for us if we were ill or needed her.

You could work part time doing most jobs, just have a search to see whats available at the moment. Im not sure what your family situation is like but get your parents and your ex's parents/aunties/sisters to help you out on the holidays. I have brilliant memories of spending most mornings when on school holiday with my mums auntie (a grandmother figure for me) baking cakes, drawing, watching films and cartoons, reading books together etc Good times!

Im 23 now and i think my mum was amazing to be a single mother, have a job, have a nice home and lovely home cooked meals every night. Your children will no doubt feel the same once they get a bit older. :-)

Catwoman1975

ilikedrawing wrote: »

You could work part time doing most jobs, just have a search to see whats available at the moment. Im not sure what your family situation is like but get your parents and your ex's parents/aunties/sisters to help you out on the holidays. I have brilliant memories of spending most mornings when on school holiday with my mums auntie (a grandmother figure for me) baking cakes, drawing, watching films and cartoons, reading books together etc Good times!

I think it is a bit naive to think every mum has free childcare at the drop of a hat. I have no one at all to watch my daughter during the holidays (grandmas, aunties etc all work themselves) and even if I did I would not ask as grandma has done her bit. I would also think it a bit of a cheek if one of my siblings or daughter when she is older asked me for free childcare during the holidays.

It is really hard to get childcare for this age group 11 – 15 and I understand the OP’s frustrations.

ilikedrawing

Please dont call me naive, i said in my post that i didn't know what her family situation was like. Hence it being one suggestion IF she has that available to her.

Catwoman1975

ilikedrawing wrote: »

Please dont call me naive, i said in my post that i didn't know what her family situation was like. Hence it being one suggestion IF she has that available to her.

I am sure if that option was available to her she would have been back to work long ago. Not many women stay out of the workforce for 10-15 years through choice as it is career suicide.

MaggieD

Thanks for all your advice - Ideally I would love to start a business making the crafts I do as a hobby - I know that this would be nowhere near enough to live on (I used to do it when I was with my partner and it was just pocket money really) - I am also a qualified florist, but that is very poorly paid too.
I really hate being on benefits and am desperate to get out of this poverty trap that I'm stuck in, but when my own lone parent advisor can't give me any hope or help I feel completely at a loss as to what to do.

Butterfliesarepretty

Hi MaggieD I want to work from home and I have just put my ad in the local paper (4papers in total) costing £76 and I have support from my friend who is a self employed fin advisor and he reckons if I advertise to type student dissertations, letters, memos and more and also send letters out to small firms say ten a week I have a good chance of building it up.

Not everyone wants to type and is not fast at typing, and so some people will pay cheaper rates to someone working from home. I am trying to get temp work until I build it up or part time work. I need to make £800 a month to get by. Also while doing this I am doing a course through learn direct. So I would give anything you want to do a good go. If you don't try you do not find out.

tsstss7

MaggieD wrote: »

Thanks for all your advice - Ideally I would love to start a business making the crafts I do as a hobby - I know that this would be nowhere near enough to live on (I used to do it when I was with my partner and it was just pocket money really) - I am also a qualified florist, but that is very poorly paid too.
I really hate being on benefits and am desperate to get out of this poverty trap that I'm stuck in, but when my own lone parent advisor can't give me any hope or help I feel completely at a loss as to what to do.

Honestly - I'd say go for it before your children are 12 and you are complelled to look for work, it's far better to feel you have an element of choice in what you do and at the moment you have nothing to lose by taking a job and finding you hate it - provided your children are still under 12 you can leave without sanction.

..if you cannot find enough hours to get to 16 see if you can take a lesser part time job and combine with your crafts - you might find either takes off (or you might not but at least you would know). If the crafts really are not likely to provide you living then you may well have to accept that they are just a hobby and direct your talents elsewhere...perhaps a related field with more capacity for profit?