Getting out of my comfort zone

gilligansyle

It's all still cheaper than buying ready meals, and there's no salt in it!

You're lucky that your children are smaller. Mine is 22, so eats like an adult and as he works and its not his debt I feel its a bit unfair to be quite so restrictive on him, hence the coke etc. Having said that, they've now just rung for pizza between them so will probably pinch some of that.

macgirl

Hey Gill you're very quiet - hope you're ok hun xx

savingholmes

hi gill - where are you?

gilligansyle

Thanks for popping by SH and Mac

been having a bit of a think about a few things.

Have had 2 telephone interviews this week, but didn't get either job, but at least I get as far as the interview. There is very little work in my field around here, so will have to travel wherever. I am trying to look for jobs but have to be realistic about salary expectations as I will still need to cover mortgage etc. so can't do basic jobs on minimum wage - well not unless I work over 60 hours a week!

Technically at the moment I'm unemployed, but have part time jobs that are keeping me going. I registered with the JobCentre but don't claim JSA because initially I had savings, and also didn't think I'd be out of work this long. Had a talk with advisor from Union and financially I may now be better off claiming JSA but don't really want to do that as feel it is just too depressing.

Add to that DS and I had a humdinger of a row about the way he speaks to me etc. so things are a bit fraught around here. He's all I've got and I think that clouds my judgement sometimes.

I'd better go and see what's been going on in the world. Haven't even watched telly much, just been sitting working stuff out, so am assuming that if something major had happened someone would have told me.

Today's economy meal is some of the Approved Foods rice - bargain - with homemade fishcakes. First time I've tried that, but found some unidentified fish at the bottom of the freezer and it seemed like the best bet.


**stops rambling and puts kettle on**

gilligansyle

savingholmes wrote: »

Hi Gill

My meals so far today smart price porridge - cheap

I wish I could take to porridge, but I just don't like it. I have however found that I prefer value weetabix to the real thing, as they don't go as soggy.
Actually that's probably why I don't like porridge

hypno06

I think I've got some unidentified fish in the freezer too, so could work fishcakes into our menu......thanks for the idea!

Tonight we have some sort of mince with rice thing.....bit like a risotto but more meaty.....lots of onion, peppers, masses of herbs and seasoning, and all done in the wok so little in the way of washing up DS is cooking it.....even better!

Sorry that things are up and down with you - I am sure a job will happen soon - if you are getting to the interview stage, it is just a matter of time. And if you need to claim JSA, then do so. It may not be ideal, but ideal doesn't pay the bills, sadly!

macgirl

Hiya, sorry things are a bit rubbish

Although my kids are much younger I've been in tears today at DD1 never taking a blind bit of notice of me (she's almost 6 :cool:). It always makes me feel better to talk to friends in the same boat, so I'm sure you would get support from peeps on here in the same situation. Hope things smooth over soon.

I agree with Hypno about the jobs. It is so disheartening to almost get there, but as you say, at least you are getting interviews, so it IS just a matter of time.
Will you contact them for feedback to help for next time? It might help.

JSA is also something you should accept if needs be - why struggle unnecessarily? You really never know what is round the corner and I'm sure something will turn up soon and reward all your efforts. Don't give up

Just a thought, but could you teach crafts at night school?

Enjoy the fishcakes

savingholmes

hi Gill - I would have thought you can't claim jsa while you have part time jobs - could you get income support?

gilligansyle

savingholmes wrote: »

hi Gill - I would have thought you can't claim jsa while you have part time jobs - could you get income support?

Hi

thats exactly the point. If I gave up the part time jobs and claimed JSA I would be better off in terms of other benefits, ie. housing support or whatever its called now. I can't even get CTax paid at the moment. But I like the independence of working.

As hypno said I am getting interviews so something is right.

Feedback from the interviews is generally that someone else had more experience in the particular area they were looking for. There are a few jobs I've been put forward for where I know I am one of few people in the North West with the experience so they will be the telling ones. Ijust hope that the petty minded little !!!!!! who used to be my boss is not dropping poison around.

Was reading someones diary - was it SH? or hypno and there was talk of coaching. Thats something I did in previous job, and have ILM Coaching cert, so maybe look at doing something with that, but not sure what.

Am testing my touch typing skills here as have lost my glasses so sort of guessing what has been written.

gilligansyle

Right, update time

Have been out with my brother for coffee today and talking a few things through with him. He thinks I should look at doing more with the ILM coaching qualification and maybe look at doing NLP. I also received a phone call from agency about temp job. Lots less money but am going for the interview tomorrow. They want someone to start on Monday.

Been thinking seriously about claiming JSA and here is how it works out - may put into a proper SOA.

Currently:-
Income (from part time jobs)- at least £70 per week, sometimes as much as £110
Mortgage £551 - paid from savings
Secured loan £442 - paid by PPI
CTax - paid from savings
Gas and Electric - £20 a week
Petrol -£20 a week
leaves at least £30 for groceries, but generally is more like £50.
Most large debt payments come from savings, and PaDs from shopping savings and tips from the pub job. When loan finishes in April, will pay this off cc's.

With JSA:-
Income £64.30 per week
Mortgage £551 - the interest on this would be paid
Secured loan £442 - still paid by PPI
CTax - reduced to around £12 per month based on DS contribution
petrol costs- much reduced as not needed to travel to work.
would be left with a guaranteed £44 per week for groceries.
Loan will be finished in April, so no big debt payments, and would just PaD to the remaining cc's.

So not much better off on a weekly basis, but won't have a £500 drain on savings, which are now below the limit for JSA. And would be able to claim other things, like dental etc.

Will wait to see outcome of interview tomorrow. Only for a six week temp job, and on £200 per week less than I used to earn, but better than I get at the moment.

On the food front had my first disaster. Decided to be lazy and do risotto in slow cooker. Just about edible, not something I would repeat. So have just had egg on toast as consolation.