It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

elizabunny

I just had to post again after reading all the other posts on here. As if it isn't hard enough for everyone trying to cope with these difficult times, short-time working, redundancy, debt etc., there seem to be so many of us who are seeing it not only happen to ourselves, but also to our children. For me this is the worst thing, we are older, have survived previous recessions etc., but our children have never been through it before. I thought I had got it all under control when DH was put on his 4 day week, but yesterday DS1 lost his job as well, it came right out of the blue, a real bombshell. They have a fairly new mortgage, a young son and of course, it's nearly xmas. All we can do is offer love and support -but not of the financial kind and it really doesn't seem enough. The loveliest thing of all though was the text message we received on our way home after visiting them. It said, "Mum and Dad I love u". If I could have framed that message forever, I would have done. The power of love is a wonderful thing and it proves we can all still help our families without it always being with a financial solution. How proud I am of them! Thinking of eveyone here with similar worries.

Yategirl

MRSMCAWBER wrote: »

oh before I go..Ceridwen -I have started my Potio appotment blog

:T please may we have a link

nannaC

Guapa1 wrote: »

You know on good days, this is how I feel.
However on bad days (like this one), I am angry.


Then this year through no fault of my own, I had an accident at work and have used nearly all my savings to get well. Nothing has worked so I got referred to a pain clinic to be told that this is it, this is the pain you're going to be left with. Now my job requires at least 80% fitness and nearly a year later I'm not even close to that. I'm being harassed by the company my employers have employed to 'facilitate my return to work', and I'm having to come to the terms that I might have to leave a job that I absolutely adore, have been doing for 10 years and not trained in anything else.

Hi Guapa1,

I know you have probably already thought of this but just in case hope you dont mind me trying to help a little. As your accident was at work, did you fill in an accident form at work, if you were you off work for a while after the accident then the firm should have informed the HSE. Also if you pay full stamp then the sickness benefit people should have sent you Incapacity claim form after 26weeks off work instead of statutory sick pay. This is payed even if you get half pay. Also if it was a work accident it might be worthwile asking them about industrial injuries. If you need advice then the CAB are wonderful, I know because I too had to finish work on medical grounds and they helped me. Whatever you do do not resign your job, have the return to work crew asked you to go for a medical yet? Sorry if this sounds a bit hotch potch, but am trying to remember things as I type. Keep your chin up big hugs from [EMAIL="Nanna@c"]Nanna'c[/EMAIL]

Caterina

...and to add to nannaC's post above, if your job is in the public services and you would normally go on half pay after a certain time, if your time off sick is work-related they are not supposed to put you on half pay (but double check with personnel).

A very good place to check this sort of things I believe is ACAS, and if they cannot help directly they will be able to point you in the right direction.

http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1461

Best wishes

Caterina

MRSMCAWBER

Hi Yategirl..

yep.... But I have only started it today..im soooo no good with technical things -so im hoping by starting now -by the time the new season starts I will be up to date :rotfl:

http://potioappotment.blogspot.com/

please feel free to give me any feed back -better ways of laying it out or sharing information etc I need all the help I can get :rotfl:

boredofbeingathome

Looking forward to following your exploits Mrs.M.

buxtonrabbitgreen

I also keep hearing of more and more people I know being made redundant. It is a very difficult time. We are used to it as my oh has been made redundant so many times I have lost track. His seasonal job will be finished 4th Jan and it will be more difficult than ever for him to find another this time.
We think we are ok (all of us that is) have a level of debt we can manage, I have quite a bit, mainly through the oh's work problems. Fortunately my mortgage will be paid off in March, but if I were to lose mmy job too we would be right up the creek.
I feel sorry for everyone in this position, especially those with huge mortgages and for the last 10 years there hasn't been any other sort with the ridiculous price of houses.

gairlochgal

I do feel for the kids. I'm 44 and my parents grew up in rural Ireland so I have some roots in frugal/green living, as well as the 70s here in England. My kids are 8 and 11 and have grown up in an easy economic environment so far, but are young enough to adjust to thinking about money saving. It's the ones now in late teens/early 20s must be taking it really hard as they start to wake up to the toughness.

Westywoodpecker

Primrose wrote: »

Westywoodpecker - sorry about your son's redundancy. Having lived through a couple of redundancies in our household I know how devastating it can be - it feels like a personal rejection of all you are worth and all your skills, but of course it's not. As your son is a car mechanic could he try and freelance around your local area to earn some money until another job comes along if he's sufficiently advanced in his training. If he has some tools, there may be lots of car drivers around who are watching the pennies at the moment and if he could undercut the local garages there might be an income for him, if he's got the courage to spread the word amongst friends and neighbours

Hiya Primrose & ceridwen

As his training at Audi has only lasted 18mts out of the 3 yrs, he will not be allowed to do any work on his own due to not having the correct qualifications,and also from the insurance side too. He has tools which are still at the garage in last yrs Christmas pressie (tool box)

I've had a long chat to him today to ensure that he is aware not to take it personally, but to realise that it's the climate we are in. He says he realises that but feels he's being punished for someone else's mistakes. I couldn't argue with that.

His dad spoke to a friend who owns another garage locally, and he said he too has had to let all the apprentice go this week

Thanks for all the kind words, I've been really blown away & will show him tomorrow the support shown from the lovely mse'ers

happytails

Hiya everyone, just catching up on all the posts since i was last on. I agree, it seems those that live beyond their means re loans, flashy cars and credit cards etc etc unnecessaries in my opinion, who then cannot afford to repay, go bankrupt, get their debts wiped and a council house and benefits whilst those that scrimp and save and dont get credit cards and loans (unnecessarily) suffer like hell.

We have never got a credit card as we knew it would be bad for us, we have a £700 overdraft and i wish we'd never increased it from the £100 we started with - we were 18 and just moved in together and we thought nothing of it - now almost 2yrs later we are meal planning and only having the heating on 2hrs a day, conserving petrol and trying to save. - We have an unplanned but not unwanted baby on the way and have bought everything outright (and freecycled ) and my mum and dad are buying our pram, still only £200 instead of the ones that cost £600 or more :eek: i see young mums pushing!

I just keep telling myself we will be better people because of the crunch and everything we've been through - if only my friends would take me seriously :rolleyes:

Been to a chinese banquet (5 courses :eek:) and it cost £40 for 2 of us incl drinks :eek::eek::eek: it was my Uncles 50th, really enjoyed it but going to have to be extra resourceful when it comes to meal this month to make up for it!

Just noticed i use this ':eek:' icon the most in my posts - thats how bad things are getting :rotfl:

p.s When i got made redundant in Oct, the next day my brother said he got made redundant too. Everyone felt for us and helped my bro get a new job but i just found out today that he got sacked for taking 3 days absent without permission and didnt want to tell us :mad: fair enough hes 17, he lives at home, no bills but i was furious as i had got made redundant the day before at 5 months preg and feeling pretty !!!!!! but i still took time to help my bro get a job and sods law he is on more money than me now how does that work??

Sarah xxx