startagain, Starts Again....... Again

Wordsmith

What do you do, Aesop?

Aesop

I work 3 days in an office, it is a training centre and we look after people wanting to get the qualifications to prove they are competent at their job and next we will be doing the beloved apprenticeships.

When not there, I do avon and Mystery shopping. the word in pink as several members have had their sigs removed as promoting their own business. so being careful. not that it is in my sig!

startagain_2

Good Morning everyone,

Aesop - no one could ever accuse me of being a sheep. That's for sure.

dojoman - thanks for the thanks, but where are you? Haven't seen you post for a while.

Wordsmith- I am not sure about what I want to do. We talked about proof reading, like you, but I agree it seems difficult to break into and there are an awful lot of people already doing it. I am not dismissing it out of hand though.

I am really just brainstorming on my own at the moment and even if it means only using my skills, wit and intelligence I am sure I can make a few bob somehow. I have lots of time on my hands, being single with no real committments, have a decent computer and printer and am still not too old to learn new things - even at my advancing years.
I have thought about starting my own little cleaning agency - I like cleaning, strangely enough, and this area is ripe with wealthy families and big houses .... that is one idea.
I am going to do my boot sale season this year, buying stuff from the local auction and then reselling it. That was quite lucrative last time I did it - takes a lot of commitment though.

I spent ages yesterday researching Working Tax Credit and how much I would be entitled to if I worked certain hours. The job I am going for is 22.5 hrs but if I could get 30 it would make a big difference as I would then be eligible for WTC. I find it ironic that the limit for claiming is £13k and yet most of the jobs advertised in this area currently, in an admin type role, are paying between £10k and £12k which to me says that the wages in this country are pushing many people down to poverty levels, especially single people. From April 4th my rent and council tax combined is £100 a week. This government needs to speed up moves to make work pay or we are in for a real bad time, in my opinion.

The snow has gone almost as quickly as it arrived, thank heavens. We had a covering of about 3 inches by midday yesterday. Nasty.
MrT is a bit of a wimp with snow and rain and would rather postpone a walk than get his feet wet. He will be pleased that things are back to normal.

My noisy downstairs neighbours have got friends to stay for the weekend. So the tally at the moment is 4 adults, 2 kids, 2 dogs, 3 cats and a bird in a 2 bedroomed flat. Wonderful!!!! :mad: A tv was blaring in 3 rooms last night at 11.00pm when I wanted to go to bed. Earplugs cut it down a bit but I suffer from tinnutis and it can be very uncomfortable with earplugs. I wish they could be rehoused to a house and just GO AWAY.. It doesn't seem to affect me quite as much as it used to, but it is still a pain.

I got some more surveys yesterday and am on my way to claiming another tenner. I have also put my name down for Tesco home panels and am thinking of applying to be a mystery shopper. I have got a training session with my HA on Wednesday entitled Tenant Inspectors and that covers mystery shopping amongst other things. Could be handy.

Is anyone else hooked on The Tudors? It was so good last night. I might save up for the box set of all 4 series when it comes out next month. Fantastic.

Can't think of anything else to say. Have a good day everyone. I think a home made rice pudding is the special of the day today. Must remember to eat half and freeze half rather than eat the lot....

Hugs
SA

savingwannabe

Wow another gloriously positivie post. You do cheer me up SA. Glad dojoman is back too. I have missed you too. I hope you have been well. I like you please do stay.(Ages ago i used to be a bit scared of dojo - scary name - i know i am stupid sometimes - but you are lovely)

I like the idea of a cleaning agency SA wow. Very entrepreneurial and useful in today's stressful work environment especially if you live in an area where the population will prefer to spend hometime with their families.

Glad the snow is gone! We didn't have any thank goodness but it is just sooo cold. I have a day off today and half term hols. Lots to do but i am going to really enjoy myself and chill and watch films on the tv everyday. Luxury!!!!

startagain_2

Morning sw - nice to see you up and about.

I am having a lovely morning - in front of the computer, listening to Steve Wright's love songs on radio2, the News of the World open for a bit of scandal (love it) and drinking a cappucino. OK it is the powdered, packet version but still good.
I have changed my bed clothes, favourite day of the week when I can get into a fresh bed at night... bliss,until it gets covered in dog hairs about an hour later.....

I thought with the cleaning thing that I could start off as a one woman band and then call on a couple of friends for help if needed? One of my neighbours does a couple of cleaning jobs and she has said she would help out. I may well take it a stage further, if my creaking bones are up to a bit of physical toil..... heehee

Take it easy with your week off and just chill...

Hugs

SA

savingwannabe

I think the business is a great idea. Lots of staff where I work have cleaners and you would be able to negotiate and choose your staff, so no more hassles with disagreeable colleagues. Fab.

I used to listen to the radio a long time ago - R4 and one of my friends had a couple of shows on R1 but i love chilling in front of the tv now. When i was younger i wasn't allowed to watch it very much so it is a luxury! anyway i must pootle, back later.

copperjar

Hey SA, great to see you sounding so positive again.
My worry with the welfare reform plans is that they will just cut benefits and punish people for not working, but not actually put any resources into creating new employment opportunities or increasing the minimum wage. Don't get me started....!

Have you ever thought of a dog walking business or pet sitting? Someone I know pays quite a bit of money for her dog to stay with someone else during the week because she works long hours. Doggy respite. Or dog walking services have become pretty popular. Of course I'm only saying this because I personally can't stand the thought of cleaning - if you like it, then go for it!

LittleBoots

Morning

You sound like you are having the perfect Sunday morning so far.
I would still be asleep if it wasnt for my cat pawing my face to get her breakfast!
The cleaning business sounds great, if its something you could commit yourself to, it would be worth it

startagain_2

Back from the obligatory dog walk and he is now soundo in his bed. Hooray.

copperjar - I think you have hit the nail on the head. My own particular gripe with the back to work thing is that it takes SO LONG to get your benefits adjusted and that there is no transition phase from being on JSA to getting your first wages. As for the loans that are supposed to be there - forget it. Like with so many benefits you have to be on a means tested benefit for a full 6 months in order to qualify. Just because I have enough N.I contributions to get contribution based JSA doesn't mean that I have the funds to support myself for a month before getting paid. It doesn't add up or make sense. WTC is based on your income from a previous year ....huh? For so many people who have lost their jobs it means a substantial drop in income if and when they get another job. In my case close to 50%.. that is the truth.
littleboots - nice to see you here and I hope you are enjoying your Sunday. Me, you and copperjar are all members of the "getting over your ex" club. Funny how we all washed up here... like driftwood on a beach. I still get ex-texts and it is all quite civilised, thank heavens.
Hugs
SA

LittleBoots

Oh what a club to be in eh? I'm having a lazy sunday as I'm not feeling too great, going to have a wander to the shops soon to get some supplies for the cat.
Glad your ex texts are civilised. I have not one bad word to say about my ex, doesnt help much!
It's a lovely bright day today. Theres a Rangers v Celtic match on, I'm not in the least bit interested in it but my neighbours upstairs obviously are !!