Its tough, it will get better and guess what its freezing brrrrr!

ceridwen

rachbc wrote: »

This has been going on for months and months too and tis very draining on morale. We did worry about spending on doing the house with things being how they are - but then I figured heck if I loose my job I'll be there more to enjoy it!

It IS a very fine balance I feel personally - between having enough savings put by for emergencies on the one hand (the "having enough to live on for 6 months" the pundits advise) and not having enough savings to go over that £6,000 cap that the DWP set on maximum savings allowed (think that even includes previous month salary??) because anything over and above that means losing benefit if one becomes unemployed on the other hand.

I will be interested to see what the position is when all the hodgepodge of current benefits gets rationalised into a Universal Credit (or whatever the name for it will be..?) - as to whether people will actually be able to have a reasonable amount of savings without being penalised for not having spent that money before they knew for sure they were going to lose their job. I would imagine there will still be a cap and that it will still be set at £6k?? Personally - I find it makes life a lot easier to work out in that respect now the mortgage/debt has gone (AT LAST!:D) and I reckon I can do "basic living" on £500 per month if I had to and "bare subsistence living" on £400 per month (including Council Tax even). So - I've set my personal savings limit (for the time being) at £3,000 and do "investment spending" and stocking-up with spare cash. Other people obviously have to work out personally where they stand in this respect.

Spending money on your home to make it a more comfortable place to be in case of imminent unemployment sounds very sensible to me if there is spare money available to do so:T. Attractive decor, comfortable seating to sit on, a decent t.v. (if you own a t.v.) and everything necessary to grow however much food the garden is capable of growing (dependant on its size) - these are all things to think about as to how well they will serve their purpose if it comes to spending a lot more time at home. Not to forget any equipment required for any free/cheap hobbies and interests one has...

I've been unemployed before myself - so know how the time could "hang heavy" if one doesnt develop enjoyable things to do. Just think of it as the Plus Side to unemployment - the silver lining to that particular cloud is a lot more time to do whatever you want. I have sometimes wondered if there is "method in the madness" of portraying anyone who is unemployed as someone who stays in bed till midday and then spends the rest of the day watching t.v.. Perish the thought that anyone might actually find some enjoyable/constructive ways of spending their time it seems.....

ceridwen

Hippeechiq wrote: »

You're joking?! Strewth! I'm not surprised it makes you angry! It made me angry just reading it! My god! It's enough to make you want to flatten the accountant every time you opened your wage packet!

There are times to joke and times not to - and the possibility of losing your job is no laughing matter. I've got a pretty good sense of humour, but that's just taking the you-know-what

Fingers crossed for OH getting this new job hun

On the other hand he could react by sighing heavily and sarcastically and doing the lift eyebrows/quick dismissive flick upwards of head that I would personally in those circumstances (the quick way to "say" - "You're not STILL trying to panic people into resigning are you? - IDIOT"). Employers DO "play that little game" of trying to push people into resigning in whatever way they can think up - and comments like that are part of that "game". Your O.H. needs to take a deep breath and think "Here we go again...yet again...yet again" (in a sarcastic "tone of voice") to himself when that accountant does that - and just take whatever practical action is necessary as regards that job/finding another job and try to disregard "the monthly ritual".

Not easy - but it IS an employer tactic and to be treated as such.:cool:

juliethemuse

sammy_kaye18 wrote: »

Well I think my luck has changed so I'll say that quietly.

Had a phoen call earlier from a caption competition I entered last week on a pet shop website - and I won! :j:j:j:j

£50 voucher to spend on their website as I like. Only down fall is it has to be spent all at once and on their website only so looks like my pooch is going to get very spoilt!

well done i entered that comp too, only my caption was rubbish

big thank you for the flea tip, i never knew lavender oil worked, i'm definitely getting some as because the weather is mild the fleas are hanging round longer than usual

i'm going to be very MSE this weekend and not spend a flipping penny! i have won a weekend in London, rail travel, 4 star hotel food all catered for, so i'm going to make sure i have a huge steak Saturday night,i cant remember the last time i had steak,

hope everyone is well, i didnt get the job i went for but never mind, just got to keep trying

ceridwen

AnnieG wrote: »

That's good news Sammy, well done. I agree with Frugal, if you can get a load of dog food and store it somewhere it might be helpful. I'd even offer you my garage but I think you're quite a lot further west in Wales than me!
My interview yesterday went well, I think! I've got another one tomorrow morning, and am waiting for the agency to ring me back about a third. the one I'm waiting to hear about sounds really interesting and I'm desperately trying not to get my hopes up about it because it's with what seems like a really brilliant organisation. So, I'm sitting here with crossed fingers again!!!
It's really getting cold now, no sunshine today. I went to bed in pj's, socks and a big hoody sweatshirt last night and took ages to get warm in bed. I think I'll get my hot water bottle out tonight, and maybe an extra cover as well. I meant to go to Asda today to get fleecy blankets but didn't want to go far in case they rang to arrange the interview - the chap rang this morning and asked if I'd be able to go today at short notice and I said I could, so I've been in limbo all day, just waiting.

Agree with stocking up with dog food Sammy - congrats on that win. Maybe you're now starting in on a "winning phase" in life..:D

ANNIE - Don't forget that MSE trick of using a few blasts from a hairdryer to warm up the bed and various cold bits of your body when you get into bed. I went through two electric blankets in pretty quick succession and thought "Blow this for a game of soldiers - electric blankets are obviously not designed to last very long (even if they are high-quality - as my second one was). I'm not going to buy any more - I'll just use hotwater bottles and/or some quick blasts from a hairdryer now." So - I've got a spare hairdryer and just leave it plugged in by my bed and have some quick blasts with it on cold nights and just get a hotwater bottle or two as well if its a particularly icy night.

Also - would it be an idea to tell this prospective employer your mobile phonenumber - and then you arent "trapped" at home hoping/waiting for a call from them? Oh...if only mobiles were available back in my "dating days" - all those evenings of waiting for a call that I could have avoided.......but at least it stops worrying whether firms have tried to contact me in my absence. They simply cant have been trying if they havent used my mobile to ring me and I'll be wary of dealing with them again...:D

HariboJunkie

ceridwen wrote: »

On the other hand he could react by sighing heavily and sarcastically and doing the lift eyebrows/quick dismissive flick upwards of head that I would personally in those circumstances (the quick way to "say" - "You're not STILL trying to panic people into resigning are you? - IDIOT"). SOME/A FEW Employers DO "play that little game" of trying to push people into resigning in whatever way they can think up - and comments like that are part of that "game". Your O.H. needs to take a deep breath and think "Here we go again...yet again...yet again" (in a sarcastic "tone of voice") to himself when that accountant does that - and just take whatever practical action is necessary as regards that job/finding another job and try to disregard "the monthly ritual".

Not easy - but it CAN BE/IS an employer tactic possibly carried out by a small number of employers and to be treated as such.:cool:

As an employer and an employee I just wanted to edit (in red) that for you to give a bit of balance.:) I agree that the acountant's actions are deplorable but in many years as both employee and boss I have never encountered it so it strikes me as being unlikely to be the norm, as you suggest. Indeed it may just be down to a horrible accountant, rather than the employer.

Well done Sammy :T
Hope the job thing works out for Mr Hippechiq. x

I agree about the price hikes. :eek: I always have a decent stock of flour and I will shop around to find it a bit cheaper.

Made most of my preserves today. 6 jars of bramble jam, 3 bottles of elderberry cordial and 6 bottles of rhubarb and ginger jam. Apple, sloe and rosehip jelly is dripping through its muslin bag and we made a batch of mini lemon meringues which were yummy.

Spent a great part of the day chasing clients for their overdue payments. :mad: Hopefully those who promised to pay tommorrow, will.

ceridwen

sammy_kaye18 wrote: »

Annie G --- where in south wales are you?? Im in Port Talbot.

Have decided to spend my winnings wisely.

Have therefore decided on a big 15kg bag of IAMS for small senior dog. Have a bin that is used for dog food so it can stay in the kitchen. This is £37.78 (but as its over 6kg it is free delivery)

a Halti for pooch (its hard work walking him with the buggy and a harness is just making him pull more so hoping a Halti will help resolve it as it means I have control of his head) This is £8.23

So I'm left with £3.99 so figured Id treat him to a jumbone and a pack of Markies and it came in total to about £49. :D:D:D:D:D love it. That's pooch taken care of till about Xmas though I think so hoping to save up the same amount over the next month or so in what I would have spent in food so I can keep him on it and keep getting big bags.


Frugal --- this was the picture and my caption.......



"........watching from afar, Mr Tiddles knew he would never be found in time for his veterinary appointment..........."

Was landed though with that prize. Also had a phone call from the post code lottery too earlier after they sent me the free £12 earlier - they want to ring back later to help me get the £12 off my card but figure I might use that to buy some tickets with and give it a shot. Anyone ever had any luck with them?

Congratulations to all those with new job prospects or news.

I CAN only speak from my own experience - and my "rule of thumb" is that if I've got the slightest bit of doubt in my mind as to whether spending a bit of money on something that I hope will be an "investment" (ie including lottery tickets of any description) then that means I won't win/come up with the goods and I will have just wasted my money.

Errrrrr....you sound like you have that "bit of doubt" - so my advice personally would be to give that one a miss - I think its lined up for someone else this time. So - since you've got the "doubt element" on that - then put it towards something "practical" (eg a little bit of debt clearance or stocking-up).

My own personal rule of thumb is that if I'm "totally impelled" to put some money towards something - with absolutely NO shreds of doubt at all - then its got my name on....its worked so far...:)

Hippeechiq

ceridwen wrote: »

On the other hand he could react by sighing heavily and sarcastically and doing the lift eyebrows/quick dismissive flick upwards of head that I would personally in those circumstances (the quick way to "say" - "You're not STILL trying to panic people into resigning are you? - IDIOT"). Employers DO "play that little game" of trying to push people into resigning in whatever way they can think up - and comments like that are part of that "game". Your O.H. needs to take a deep breath and think "Here we go again...yet again...yet again" (in a sarcastic "tone of voice") to himself when that accountant does that - and just take whatever practical action is necessary as regards that job/finding another job and try to disregard "the monthly ritual".

Not easy - but it IS an employer tactic and to be treated as such.:cool:

I think I may have a shorter fuse than you Cerdiwen I'm afraid I don't suffer fools gladly, and usually let them know it, regardless of who they are.

Congrats on winning the competition Sammy :T

ceridwen

Hippeechiq wrote: »

I think I may have a shorter fuse than you Cerdiwen I'm afraid I don't suffer fools gladly, and usually let them know it, regardless of who they are.

I'm not good at "suffering fools gladly" either - but (not knowing what age you are.....) maybe I've just had more years of wondering how to best deal with them.........:rotfl:. Hence I react to that sort of thing with "Here we go again...again...again......" (sigh........).

My own "short fuse" comes when someone neither knows nor cares how to do their job properly - or when I spot that wary look come into their eye that means "She knows I'm trying NOT to do my job properly and I wonder JUST how loud she is going to yell about it.....:rotfl:".

AnnieG

ceridwen wrote: »

ANNIE - Don't forget that MSE trick of using a few blasts from a hairdryer to warm up the bed and various cold bits of your body when you get into bed. I went through two electric blankets in pretty quick succession and thought "Blow this for a game of soldiers - electric blankets are obviously not designed to last very long (even if they are high-quality - as my second one was). I'm not going to buy any more - I'll just use hotwater bottles and/or some quick blasts from a hairdryer now." So - I've got a spare hairdryer and just leave it plugged in by my bed and have some quick blasts with it on cold nights and just get a hotwater bottle or two as well if its a particularly icy night.

Also - would it be an idea to tell this prospective employer your mobile phonenumber - and then you arent "trapped" at home
hoping/waiting for a call from them? Oh...if only mobiles were available back in my "dating days" - all those evenings of waiting for a call that I could have avoided.......but at least it stops worrying whether firms have tried to contact me in my absence. They simply cant have been trying if they havent used my mobile to ring me and I'll be wary of dealing with them again...:D

I hadn't thought of using my hairdryer, that's a great idea, I'll give it a go.
The consultant has got my mobile number, and I wouldn't normally sit at home all day waiting for them to ring, but he called me at 9.30 this morning asking if I'd be able to go to the interview today at short notice, and I didn't want to be in Asda and having to dash home to get changed, or driving and unable to take the call if he rang and said 'go go go'!!. Serves me right I suppose, I'll just get in with it next time!

Hippeechiq

ceridwen wrote: »

I'm not good at "suffering fools gladly" either - but (not knowing what age you are.....) maybe I've just had more years of wondering how to best deal with them.........:rotfl:. Hence I react to that sort of thing with "Here we go again...again...again......" (sigh........).

My own "short fuse" comes when someone neither knows nor cares how to do their job properly - or when I spot that wary look come into their eye that means "She knows I'm trying NOT to do my job properly and I wonder JUST how loud she is going to yell about it.....:rotfl:".

Well, I'm 51, and I'm at that stage of my life where I prefer to "tell it how it is" .......mind you......I've been like this since I was 16 :rotfl:

Incidentally - am I the only one who sees their age written in black and white and thinks what?! :eek: ....when did that happen?

Did you not hear anymore from them after 9.30am then Annie?