Am I better off not working?

Oldernotwiser

MortgageMamma wrote: »

Thank you so much - you have all been great and really kind - I was kind of expecting the "get back to work you lazy cop out" approach from a lot.

Ok, so, I have to leave work, claim income support, enrol on the arts foundation course, do that and possibly one or two other things, and then I can do a degree AND a teaching qualification - or are they one and the same? Do you get child care allowances if you go to college?

Have a look on www.direct.gov.uk for detailed information on student funding. You'll be in a better position to ask questions after that but, yes, there are childcare allowances.

blissfulbabe

Have you checked to see if your local college has an Access to Art course? Access courses (my college runs Art, Science, Nursing and Humanities ones) are aimed at adults who have been out of education for two or more years and who are thinking about going to uni but don't have the qualifications/ study skills/ confidence yet. They are free to people on benefits and time-tabled to suit parents who have to drop off/ pick up children from school.

They are very supportive but pretty intense as they take you from no knowledge to ready for uni in one year. I did an access course as a single parent in my thirties. I didn't go to uni but felt confident enough to apply for and get a great job - which led me going to uni and eventually into teaching - and I really love my job, even though I had never thought about being a teacher. The main reason I did the course was because my marriage had broken up and I was sinking into a very severe depression. The course forced me to think about other things and gave me a routine, both of which I needed desperately.

If you're interested you could call your local college and ask to chat to the course leader to help you make up your mind.

Whatever you decide to do, I wish you all the best

MortgageMamma

Sounds like it all worked out for you blissful - thats nice to hear! did you have kids when all this happened? I'm 33 and the thought of letting go of the world of work and becoming a student is quite a daunting one - but I'm sure if I set my mind to it I can do it..

MortgageMamma

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Not if she's planning on studying for the next 4 years she won't!

I thought it was until youngest child was 8? My youngest is fine and I've always wanted another child (my husband had a vasectomy done privately without my consent). I'll probably meet someone else and have another at some stage. I need to do it before I'm 40 if I do do it anyway if you know what i mean.

alwaysonthego_2

I have nothing else constructive to add but I want to wish the op luck. University is one of the best things I have ever done and if you enjoy your subject you will do really well x

dmg24

Hi MM,

I think most of the benefits issues have been covered, but didn't want to read and run ...

You are clearly feeling pretty shocking at the mo, but just to let you know how loved you are on MSE. I know the housing boards are all over the place at the mo, but you are without doubt still one of the most well liked and respected contributors there, and even though you are not actively contributing anymore, people still ask after you, and your past contributions are still highly valued.

I have also been through a situation that led me to change my outlook on work life balance, and I would agree that your priority is you and your children. You will have enough money to live on, albeit perhaps not to your past standards. You can always find ways to cut back to make things work for you.

Even if you have to come off IS before you have completed your studies, you could always continue to study on a part time basis. For many courses, this would only add on an extra year. Worth considering as a means to an end result.

I hope you can back on track soon. Best of luck x

blissfulbabe

Yep - my daughter was four when I did the course. It wasn't always easy but I did a Humanities course - if you're thinking about an Arts course there is less research and writing to do.

I won't say life has been perfect since I finished the course as I made some silly personal choices, such as getting back with my alcoholic husband. At one point I was 60K in debt and on income support. With the help of the CCCS and a couple of strokes of luck with my studies and jobs (I wouldn't have my current job if it wasn't for my personal tutor on my access course) I am now earning 31K a year, have got my debts down to less than 25K (and will be debt free in seven years) and own a house (well, I have interest only mortgage which I am overpaying on:rolleyes:).

The downside is that I don't have a pension and won't be able to pay an ammount into one that would give me a reasonable standard of living. The upside is that I have a job I love, my kids are happy and healthy and I can take pride in the fact that I will have repaid my debts in full - something I never thought I'd be able to say ten years ago.

If you can budget well and can manage (emotionally) having barely enough money to live on, I'd say go for it. If nothing else you'll be teaching your children that you can follow your dreams, if you're prepared to work hard. That's probably the best gift I've given my kids.

MortgageMamma

Good god blissful thats quite a thing to achieve in the circumstances. Well done - and I really mean that. You did well to sort the debts and not bankrupt yourself AND manage to buy a house as well - amazing.

Well you sound happy and you got through it so you've really inspired me - thank you - a lot!

MortgageMamma

dmg24 wrote: »

Hi MM,

I think most of the benefits issues have been covered, but didn't want to read and run ...

You are clearly feeling pretty shocking at the mo, but just to let you know how loved you are on MSE. I know the housing boards are all over the place at the mo, but you are without doubt still one of the most well liked and respected contributors there, and even though you are not actively contributing anymore, people still ask after you, and your past contributions are still highly valued.

I have also been through a situation that led me to change my outlook on work life balance, and I would agree that your priority is you and your children. You will have enough money to live on, albeit perhaps not to your past standards. You can always find ways to cut back to make things work for you.

Even if you have to come off IS before you have completed your studies, you could always continue to study on a part time basis. For many courses, this would only add on an extra year. Worth considering as a means to an end result.

I hope you can back on track soon. Best of luck x

Aw DMG thank you so much for that - do people really still ask where I am? I'd love to get back on the property boards to help but I just don't have the knowledge anymore - the mortgage markets have changed and I'm not authorised to give advice these days either. I left mortgages behind when I moved to Lancashire from East Sussex in August last year. I deliberately shut my mind to them because I was overwhelmed with the credit crunch and the fact I was absolutely broke. I have a crappy job now but I do my best at it. Or did. its looking increasingly like I wont be returning to work for a good few years. A step into the unknown.

Thanks for your support - I knew I'd need to "take something back" from MSE one day and I've got to say in my hour of need I've had about as much support from MSE'rs as I could wish for

SailorSam

Speaking as a refomed workaholic i'd say look after your health more, and if that means living off benefits that's what they are there for.
If the money is of less importance,what about using the skills you have, doing something you enjoy. Look to see if you can find any voluntary work, helping others should help you forget about your own troubles, and if at some time in the future you were looking for work, any prospective employers would see you as someone who works rather than a lady that has sat on her bum living off the state.