Don't Know Where To Turn

Deepindebt_3

Thanks dudleyboy. We do have mobiles, but they are pay as you go and £5 will last months, so didn't put that down. The internet is in with the phone. I have considered freeview, but there are a few channels such as sky1 and nickleodeon which a frequently used in our house, and as we do not go out very often it is our only form of entertainment.

I have considered childminding and have a meeting on 14th November to enable me to go further on this, but it can take 6 months to get registered. I was on about £8.75 an hour, but looking at jobs lately it seems to be high for a part time job and I may have to look at lower hourly rates. The jobs I applied for recently have been anything between £6 - £8 an hour. My youngest starts nursery on the 6th November, so if I haven't been offered anything by then I will consider temping.

anniestar

Good luck and welcome. Hope things improve very soon for you. I'm sure they will.

Deepindebt_3

Thanks anniestar, I hope things improve soon. I was dissapointed today as I didn't get a job that I was interviewed for last week, mind you probably a blessing as it was only 16 hours a week and I need about 20-25 ideally. However, on the up side I have sold a couple of things on ebay and my account now stands at £24.64 so I am going to concentrate and put a few more things on there tonight. If I do not need it to cover outgoings in the month I will use the remainder at the end of the month to pay off our debt.

I was feeling a bit down today but need to look on the bright side. So I am going to take my son out tomorrow and enjoy the day, free of course. As I should enjoy my time with him while I can.

mrs_deadline

That's the spirit DiD, the best things in life are still free. I sympathise - redundancy is dispiriting at the best of times, let alone when finances are stretched.

Job-wise it sounds as if you could have been at a level where the jobs going aren't exactly advertised, people hear about them by the back door so to speak. The advice I've heard is make a big effort to keep in touch with everyone where you used to work, people in the same sort of line, contacts who have lots of contacts, also get your OH to do the same at his work. Essentially make sure that everyone who even vaguely knows you, knows what kind of job you're in the market for and thinks of you if they happen to hear of an opening. Best of luck!

gallygirl

Hi DiD, welcome and don't panic, something will come up soon!

Just a few suggestions:
- check your paperwork and contact your mortgage company - are you entitled to take payment holidays? This would give you breathing space for a few months, hopefully by then you'll be working.
- I would strongly recommend signing up with an agency - who knows what it might lead to. Or stack shelves - you can't afford to be picky!
- sign up for all mystery shopping companies, plus quidco, pigsback, survey sites. Every £5 helps!
- Get on MSE Old Style board - your shopping bill could be lowered. As you're not working now is the ideal opportunity - scour Aldi, Netto etc, the quality of most things is excellent. Cook from scratch, meal plan, do the store cupboard challenge, bulk out meat with beans & lentils. Then when you get your new job do a mammoth cook in prior to starting so you are organised!
- longer term - even doing 4 or 5 more hours 30 hours a week would help pay debts off sooner.

Good luck!

southernscouser

Deepindebt wrote:

I have been lurking on this site for a while now and read SouthernScousers story yesterday showing how far he had got in a year. It really inspired me

That is very humbling!

Good luck with your journey! You will get there!

Deepindebt_3

Thanks mrs deadline and ali007 for the great replies, and nice to meet you southernscouser.

Well yesterday I was feeling down, today I feel ecstatic. A company I had an interview with last week rang and said I had the job. It is 25 hours a week and in between school hours, so I can take and collect my older son from school and take my youngest in a few weeks when he starts nursery. Only about 3 hours a day childcare, so things starting to look up. I start on Monday.

Now time to start concentrating on the debt. Then in a few months I will tackle the high mortgage payments and get a better deal. I am going to put it all in my signature and will keep you all updated.

Thanks again

kathfisch

That's great news about the job! Sounds like just what you were looking for in terms of hours/timing etc! :T

Good luck with tackling your debt, I can't add any more advice to what's gone before, except that a spending diary can be a really good way to keep track of your money and where it disappears to! Just record everything you spend and add up weekly totals in categories like food, travel, clothes, etc. You might be surprised!

Best of luck, keep us updated!

Kath

gallygirl

Don't you just love it when a plan comes together :dance:congratulations!!!!!!

Keith

I had trouble quitting smoking. I went to the doctor and he gave me a prescription for Nicotinell, it didn't work the first time but two years ago, second time round it did.