Taxi...from an ugly duckling to a swan

Double_Trouble

I am so sorry taxi that you are having to deal with all this it is really something that you don't need I hope you find a way through this and that your poor OH doesn't have to continue at such a crippling pace or else he will be cracking up and then they will have to pay up but nobody wants that to happen

Big hugs to you both

DTxx

taxi73

WOW what a lot of replies.Sorry haven't been around for a few days but my computer screen has gone so that is in the shop geting fixed.DH also took his in as well and we forgot about this old laptop so he's just set that up for me.

Thanks for all your support everyone.This Government has well and truly had us all over more so the workers of the country as this can happen to anyone of us.My poor huband is working too many hours now and it isn't enough money to pay everything.


What we've decided to do is:
(1)DD has upped her board from £150 p/m to £250 p/m...this will absolutely have to cover all food for 3 Adults and a large dog...will have eggs on toast,beans on toast couple of times a week to eek out budget
(2)We cancelled our holiday in May to Torquay...and used the money to pay the furniture off
(3)I will apply for DLA...this will be long and drawn out as they refuse nearly everyone but will appeal

(4)Will finish my ECDL and try to get a job even though I'm in agony
(5) I could apply for my taxi badge again but would fail the medical...so that's how far I am with things at the moment.

dizzy_lizzie

Ooh Taxi. Things can be just cr*p at times can't it!!!!
Huge hugs as usual and I hope things start to look up soon.
x

lucielle

Sorry to hear that things are so tough. You are doing the right thing in appealing. Take care
L

mum2one

I'd get the form sorted asap for the DLA, it was through the welfare department at the council that helps with the forms, think from when you apply for a form you have a month to send back, even if they do say no and you have to appeal, it does get backdated to the day they got the form, I know that doesn't help in the short term.

You've got ur Gp, your under the specialist, so those factors will help, I think they literally say no, so that those that are genuine will fight, where the others just give in.

You have done some brilliant meal planning, and within a 2 weeks your have the kitchen running like a restaurant, pleased DD can help out with the board, I know its only a fraction of the difference, but hopefully all help.

I don't know why, its a thought, your so organised with the accounts that you do for you andd hubby, it sounds like the account doesn't have to do much work, I bet theres other taxi drivers that aren't as organised, would it be worth looking into that - not to the extent of an accountant level, but from an organisational point of view, it might be on an ad-hoc basis, but at least you could work from home and around your health. I know thats the biggest bug bearer. Today I was asked to describe a typical day, - its like asking how long a piece of string is.

When I did the mystery shopping work, most of the jobs have a time period, if I did a cinema visit, then I had Fri, Sat or Sun ngt, - I would always aim for the Fri ngt, but had the back up plan of the other ngts.

Some of the other jobs where within a time frame of a week, thou again it was all ad-hoc, but where you are theres quite a few retailers that would have the jobs.

You need to put urs and hubby health first, is it possible that you could look into getting a 2nd driver.

Just wish I had a magic wand, if anyone deserves the magic you do. Ur one in a million. xxxx

taxi73

Where do I start?

Mum2one...I've looked at most ideas for the cab and the only sensible option is for me to drive days and my DH drive nights BUT I have to pass the same medical as a bus or lorry driver so would definityely fail.If I was to take a driver for either shift they would take the fuel out for that shift and we then split whatevers left 50/50 and we'd also have to pay extra insurance on the cab for that driver(a driver over 35 years old,holding a taxi badge for 6 years and 0 points on their licence would cost us £500 per year extra) ....the other option was to go in partnership with another driver and split everything down the middle...someone did approach DH the other week regarding this....we don't earn enough off the cab as it is getting the full amount of takings for all the hours that it is out and we don't know the bloke from Adam.....

So we'll stay as we are for now regarding the cab.This recesscion is really bad and a lot worse than 2007 but we will get through it somehow.

Think I will need to get a job.I would love to work but the pain stops me doing many things.Those are good ideas re other cab drivers books.


My daughter gets paid tomorrow so it will be my 1st month with my new budget of £250.It should be relatively easy as I have quite a lot of stuff in but anything left over from the month can go in the next months budget.I will need a bag of dog food but it's about £45 but will shop about

Got my laptop back today that cost £95 but had to be done.

Need to do some course work so that I can finish the spreadsheet part of my course for next week but the site will be down from 7pm tomorrow until 7am monday...so will do some tomorrow and the rest beginning of the week.

Got WWs Sat am and then will fill my ESA50 form in over the weekend and post monday when I do the banking.

elantan

i think this recession is going to take longer to recover from than previous ones, and i get the feeling that alot of things will need to change as well ... fingers crossed the new budget works out ok for you taxi ... do you have a spare room you could rent if worst came to worst?

taxi73

No no spare room as only have 2 bed house and DD2 lives here

Lemon_Tree

taxi when i was first starting out in my line of work i heard of a group of cabbies who got together, paid a couple of quid a week each and someone did all their accounts organisation for them. The person got a fair amount each week, though they probably had to do a fair bit of work but it was a small enough amount that the cabbies were happy to pay someone. It may be an option. It would certainly save them money if they took almost complete figures to the accountant as opposed to a shoe box of receipts which some still do.

taxi73

Sounds like a good idea LT the same as Mum2one suggested and worth thinking about.
My main concern is to finish my course first.
I went over my figures again earler and realised I was £100 out per week in my original workings so everything now nearly balances.(as best it can as I can only estimate what expenses I will incurr with the cab).

Got my £250 shopping money off DD today and it's still intact.
We ate out of freezer/cupboard stores today and will probably need nothing or very little over the weekend.