It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

elizabunny

Oh Reverbe, this a terrible thing to have happened to you and an absolutely appalling way to be treated. I really feel for you as a similar thing happened to DS1 last week and he had been in what he thought was a brilliant job for less than 3 months! Some of these so called great companies seem to have no scruples when it comes to getting rid of people and not offering them a penny in financial compensation:mad:. The answerphone thing is absolutely dreadful and I would console yourself with the thought that if they can treat people like that, then they are absolutely not worth working for. There are better things waiting for you, even if you cannot see that now. There are such kind people giving loads of good advice in this community I'm sure it will help you through.

mardatha

Where is the best place to buy dried milk ? Not baby milk.

Charis

ceridwen wrote: »

..and on a different tack....just come across this article.....by an American who apparently has a good track record of accurate predictions....:

http://www.commodityonline.com/news/Revolution-food-riots-in-America-by-2012-13062-3-1.html

Hmmmm......whaddya think?

I think I would like to know who wrote that article, the source of their information and their knowledge of the subject about which they are writing. This web page appears to be extremely interested in an Indian perpective on the global economy. Perhaps it is wishful thinking by the author that the US will collapse and India will reign supreme. I would query the comment that the US 'will become an undeveloped nation'. It may go to rack and ruin but I can't see how it can become undeveloped - if anything it is overdeveloped. There are also gleeful comments on that site about the negative effect of the credit crunch in Germany.

Our primary concern on this thread has to be to concentrate on what we can do as individuals to improve the quality of life here and now and how we can support each other and not get depressed and bogged down by pessimistic predictions from the Punjab. Every positive action we make is a step towards digging ourselves out of the mess into which we have allowed successive governments in our own country and the US to lead us.

I think 'The Hum', which we have spoken about on one or more of these threads is no mystery. It's not a geophysical phenomenon, nor is it electromagnetic radiation. It's the sound of generations of our hard working ancestors turning in their graves. :eek:

pagangirl

Big hugs reverbe - sorry to hear about your job - what an awful firm - (probably doesn't feel like it now, but you might 've had a lucky escape if thats how they treat their staff). I'd get in touch with them to hear what they have to say - but no one can make your mind up for you hunny, although some great advice from friends on this thread. Have you tried phoning ACAS to see if they know if it was legal to leave a message like that?
Hope something turns up for you soon.

jamanda

I've picked up dried milk from Home Bargains (if you have one) or Asda. I seem to recall it isn't where you think it will be.

Handy to have for emergencies - gone in secret stash.

Charis

mardatha wrote: »

Where is the best place to buy dried milk ? Not baby milk.

Mardatha, this might help

http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/Shopping/FindProducts.aspx?Query=dried%20milk%20&SortBy=3

There are four tabs at the top, one each for Tesco, Sainsbury, Asda and Ocado, and several types of dried milk. Or were you thinking of ordering in bulk quantities?

Approved_Food

mardatha wrote: »

Where is the best place to buy dried milk ? Not baby milk.

http://www.approvedfood.co.uk/powdered-milk-1-kg-bags---not-chinese-origin---uk-brand-266-p.asp

calleyw

Got electric and gas bills today.

Not as bad as I thought even with price rises and it covers the period from 22nd August until the 24th November 95 Days.

Gas bill was £15.78 and we use to for heating and cooking and heating water. We pay between £10 and £15 a month towards it. But we are £33.84 in credit :jwith another £15 to be paid on this month. Only used 42 units. Could be low because of my gas oven has not be in action due to being broken.

Electric was £49.61 again have been paying off £10 or £15 a month so only £23.17 to pay. But really only £8.17 as would be paying off £15 this month anyway. Used 362 units.

Again sorry to hear about people losing jobs etc.

Everyone take care.

Yours


Calley

D&DD

*runs in late as always*
Still haven't caught up hope you're all well and warm,was a bit worried when I saw the news as I know some of you are oop north
Will catch up tomorrow now as I have a quiet day planned..yeah right:rolleyes:

Carly84

Hello all.
This is my first post, although I have been getting MSE email & keeping my eye on the forums for a while now.

I am in desperate need of advice please.
I am a single mum to my beautiful 13 month old daughter. My husband & I split at the beginning of this year, when I was still on Maternity Leave from my job as an Account Manager, recieving SMP. I have stayed in the house with our baby & my husband pays his half of the mortgage on the understanding that I eventually buy him out.
He doesnt help in any other way, eg maintanence, but I have been happy with our arangement for the sake of keeping the peace!
When my SMP came to an end, I handed my notice in (as I worked field based, 50 hours a week) & took a part time job at a local opticians, working 21 hours a week so that I could still be there as much as possible for my daughter. I recieved CTC & WTC.
I coped perfectly fine.
Then 2 weeks ago, I was instantly dismissed from work! It was very unfair but after seeking legal advice from ACAS, CAB & a solicitor, there is nothing I can do as I havent been employed with them for 12 months!
I went straight to the recruiment agency & gave them my all my details, hoping for a job asap then went to the jobcentre & made my claim for Income Support, telling them what my husband pays.
As I have a mortgage, they wont help with any housing costs for 39 weeks.
Then I recieved the letter that tells me what Income support I will be recieving.......£26.27 a week!!!!
With that, my husbands half of the mortgage (£235 a month) and CTC, I will get a grand total monthly income of £515!!! The mortgage alone costs £470!
What can I do? I have rang them & they said its right but I have no idea how the hell I am going to cope.
I am well educated & prepared to take almost ANY job. The only set back is that it needs to be part time with set days & times as I rely on childcare.
I have never claimed any benefits before.
I have been lucky enough (from reading this site!!) to beable to claim for some of the grants available that I previously had no idea existed & this week they came to do my cavity wall insulation. They are coming next week to do the loft insulation & the one bit of recent good news I recieved was that I am eligible for a Warm Front grant to have a new heating system.
I currently have the old style back boiler with none of the timers/thermostats working, no immersion button, takes 2 hours to heat water for bath, then its gone again! and no radiator in the biggest room in the house, the living room!
I am conscious about energy sving...using energy saving lightbulbs, switching things off (lights, electricals etc) and avoid having the heating on & use blankets, extra clothing & a little halogen heater. But even with that my gas bill is £54 a month & my electricity bill is £74 a month!
With the measures that are being taken, I am sure to see a massive improvement in he heat in our home & the bills but in the meantime I am wondering if anybody out there knows of any other help I am entitled to?
How do other people manage to live?
I have done everything the 'right' way & its all gone wrong. I have always been such a confident, happy go lucky, doting mummy & independent woman but this has really knocked the wind out of me & I feel like a failure to my daughter.
The other 'bad' thing is that we have got a holiday booked & paid for, for the first 3 weeks of Jan ( I wouldve cancelled if I didnt stand to lose all my money) so if I was lucky enough to find a job before Christmas, the chances of them employing me when I wont be there for the first 3 weeks of the new year, are slim!
My husband wouldnt help out in any other way. I know he has a legal repsonsibility for the house as he stills owns half, but you cant expect the unexpected - he has to live & also has another child.
I have possibly got a job lined up for the end of Jan, when we return from our hols but that is weeks away yet & I have no idea how the hell we are going to pay the next 2 months (at least) of bills & mortgage.
Can anybody help please?
Thank u.