It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

Maxjessdru

Kittie, really sorry to heard about your DD - its just awful and I think the waiting is the worst. We are still waiting for news at my work, but won't find out until week of 23/2. The pressure and stress are really getting to everyone, no-one's sleeping and people are sniping at each other. I just wish they would get on with it and tell us. At least the consultation process has had the result of them upping the payout a bit, but with no jobs around, I can't see anyone getting back into work quickly. I read in the paper at the weekend that my field (legal secretarial in London) was one of the biggest risers in people signing on (up over 200%!!!!).

Butterfly_Brain

I know what is to be worried about losing your job my OH was made redundant last year but luckily found another job very quickly even though it is low paid we are coping with a mortgage.
We paid off all our debts with his redundancy money first and foremost - that is one less worry. We were lucky that we have always kept a well stocked freezer, cupboards and sundries which helped to tide us over in the first 8 weeks when we had no money coming in, we had set aside money for bills luckily.
We were in a much better position than most and are thankful, but now the savings are rock bottom but we still have enough food etc to keep us going for at least another 6 months.
Remember to wait it out for redundancy otherwise you will not get any help from the government and don't have more than £6,000 in savings because you will lose benefit for that.
Good Luck x

[Deleted User]

There are going to be so many people made ill with all this stress. Thanks for your good wishes and I agree catznine abvout this being a wake up call. Now I have to do what I do all the time with my dh ie feed information in drips so there is no overload

in all honesty I feel like saying:
1 you need 2 words in your head when you go shopping `want and need`
2 stop your organic box and get to aldi
3 get a black book and write all your expenses down so that essential bills are top of the list
4 save every penny NOW. Every single penny counts and somehow get a three month cushion of savings (she may be too late for this)

phew, it is so hard to summerise all the stuff we have been chewing over on the two threads since feb 2006. There is so much that we have all learned

elizabunny

kittie wrote: »

oh heck, now its my turn to have that pit in the stomach feeling. My dd has just rung me and she is also facing redundency and will know next week. Oh dear oh dear, when will this nightmare stop!!!!

I am conscious that I have been waffling on about ways of trying to get us all through but I feel as though I am ploughing through mud. I can help here and there but it is jobs that are needed. I feel so so mad that through no fault of their own good people are having to face all this stress

Now I have to try and get my `head in the sand` dd to realise that facing facts re budgeting is vital for survival as is keeping a positive attitude, somehow

I am so sorry for you kittie and of course your DD, but this is when you need all your strength and courage to help keep her going. As I posted in November, when DS1 lost his job without warning, I felt sick and so worried for him. I tried to smile and reassure him and keep him positive, but secretly I was full of fear for him and his little family and what would happen if he didn't find another job, because they had a fairly new mortgage and a young son to support. Needless to say, we all had many sleepless nights, but one of the things he said to us at the time was, "I can't believe you're being so positive about everything" (little did he know). He amazed us though, because he also became very positive and very practical in what steps he would take to get back into employment. It also made him re-think his career choices, which has turned out to be a good thing, because he's now back in employment and I don't think he would be if he'd tried to find work in the same field as he had been working in before.

I do really hope your DD and you do not have to face this and that she will be able to stay in employment, but if the worst comes to the worst, I'm sure you'll find a way through it and so will she. xx

Yategirl

Hope your dd is ok Kittie... I wouldn't wish the stress and worrying that we have had and have over dh's job on anyone

Yes... want and need is very important - when you shop.. look at item you want and ask yourself if you really really need it...

I fully agree with having a cushion of savings but I know many people (and I hate to say this.. us included) either don't have a cushion or have a big enough cushion of savings... money is tight ALL the time... with everything going up in price... there is no spare to put away..

For those people with children... this post on "the simple, green, frugal co-op" about children and the pressure to buy is very interesting.

lilac_lady

Plus I was born right below the Campsies, Grew up in Glasgow I can't really believe it is still seen as some test of national pride to take your porridge unsweetened.


Of course it is. The other culinary qualifications are haggis and deep fried Mars bars.

lilac_lady

To kittie and others with children facing redundancy - just because some of us have no money worries at our age, the worry is always there on behalf of your family. I practice frugality so that I can help out my children but I'm not rich so I can't hep worrying about what will happen if they are out of work.
Our generation is used to cutting back but the younger ones have no idea of what's ahead if their income drops drastically.

mandy.h_2

well oh works had meeting yesterday about redundancies,
he has to re apply for his job as well as doing another job they are joining jobs together and paying one wage, he thinks he wont get it as others more experienced at other job, however union have told him that as its a disabled company (remploy) they have to give him priority as he disabled bit unfait to others i think but am grateful and he will get his job back on shop floor if unsuccesful so a lot of relief in my house we managed on lower wage before will do so again

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

mardatha wrote: »

Salt and cream !![/quote

I'm with you here.My grandfather was Scottish and a dentist and he would of never allowed sugar on our porridge.Not just bad for our teeth but sacrilege against the porridge.You just would'nt dare.

Charis

peternjob wrote: »

it seems to you tough in finding thread but finding new jobs is more tougher.

Spam. Reported. Also appalling grammar.

PS OK, I admit grammar is not the first thing on everyone's mind when posting and I don't want to put anyone off joining in if they have something to say but this irrelevant spam was nothing but irritating nonsense.