No Money, thats No Good!

**Kat**_2

Oh no I'm really sorry to hear that. Is she able to work part time in a shop/bar/restaurant to tie you over - not ideal I know but some money is better than no money. I also remember you have children - have you informed Tax Credits etc?

jwil

Oh sorry to hear about your wife's hours, not the greatest start to 2011 is it. I hope you manage to get something sorted out.

.NoMoney.

Thanks for the kind words - she has looked at part time work but there isn't any about near where we are, especially not for the days we can support without having to pay for childcare.

We have informed the benefits people but there is nothing they can do until they recalculate our entitlements in April, although because the current batch is based on the wifes earnings with 9-months spent on maternity leave her earnings are going to have increased when we give the new figures in April.

Still, didn't spend anything yesterday and have lunch with me today so fingers crossed I can keep the spending down.

**Kat**_2

They are telling you fibs! When my DH got made redundant while I was on mat leave in 2008 they increased our payments immediately. My sister's did too when her OH left her (well, actually kicked her and their daughter out and they live with us atm). May take 6-8 weeks to be processed but you shouldn't have to wait until April.

.NoMoney.

Thanks for the response Kat - I shall get the OH on to chasing them for a better response, hopefully that should assist somewhat.

However, this week has been decidedly better than the rest of 2011 to date. Over the weekend the OH spoke (opportunistically) to a family friend who happens to have family in the field in which she works, a surprise call later and she has an interview this Wednesday to either move firms or work for both (something her current contract permits).

On a role of goodness, I came to work today and spoke to my boss - advised that following their expected news that we wouldn't be getting a pay rise/bonus this year I needed overtime as increase in essentials means I need more money to survive - and her response wasn't negative and I now have an additional £100 p/m of overtime to work towards each month.

I guess someone took pity on me after my post last week and decided to give me some New Year goodness - hopefully it will last longer than a week though.

**Kat**_2

That's great news! All my fingers and toes are crossed for your OH x

jwil

That's great news for you and your OH. Fingers crossed for the interview!

pennywisepoundstupid

Glad to hear things are going better, good luck for the interview,

ebayqueen_2

Hi there
Was sorry to see things not going great for you but what good news you have had now. I really hope all goes well for you and your wife. All will work itself out.
God bless

.NoMoney.

Good day all - my wife had her interview but has decided that she will likely turn any offer down - they will require her to undergo their training program (even though she has confirmed it is identical to the one she did not too long ago with her current employer) and that they won't pay her for the weeks training. Also, to begin with they cannot guarantee her the hours she will require, potentially taking up to 3-months to get to the level she wants. This isn't an option so will more than likely stay where she is - she has scheduled a meeting with her boss to discuss an increase in hours/options based on advice I have provided, so fingers crossed.

Yesterday we decided to look at a new house (strange for a DFW you may think). However, the house is one we have been on the look out for in a very long time and is in the area we really like (both sets of families close by). The best bit is that it is being marketed at £10,000 less than what ours was valued at 2-months ago when we had a valuation done by a local estate agent when considering options for equity release. So, having viewed it, there is potential we could get it for considerably less than the asking price, which given our current house is in a desirable area (catchment area for the best primary and secondary school in the area) we could sell really quickly and make a saving helping us to clear some debt. Our eldest already goes to said school, and because she will still be there when the youngest starts she is certain of a place, so that would be a bonus.

However, I am sceptical as would need to market ours and await offers before it would be viable, and obviously, despite our perfect location and valuation, there is no guarantee that the house will go for what it is considered to be worth.

Apart from that - no money saving for me since Tuesday.