Almost maxxed out

mildredalien

Desperado I think it's pretty clear that the job situation isn't likely to improve for you or your OH immediately, and that's sad but likely not something you can do much about if you've been trying hard for 3 years already! It must be so frustrating for you. (Although maybe we'll hear back from you next week about your OH getting a nice new job, who knows! ) However I do have some other suggestions for you or your OH to possibly increase income - how about:
- filling out surveys online for extra cash
- mystery shopping
- product testing
- volunteering for research (although be careful what you're getting in to!!)
- entering competitions
- getting freebies to supplement your grocery shop
- using cashback sites for your needed purchases
- carrying on the ebay selling (in a more casual way rather than trying to make a business out of it? not so stressful then!)

Not sure if you have been over to the increasing income boards yet but I'm sure there would be loads of ideas there that don't necessarily involve starting a business but could earn some extra cash! I think your short term plan looks great, it's good to cover all the options before deciding on bankruptcy. Also I just wanted to add, don't lose hope - there are plenty of people out there struggling horribly with debt or just the cost of living, but there are also plenty of people who are managing to get by and for whom general living expenses are covered by their income. It can happen for you too! Your current expenditure (excluding debt) outstrips your wage by £69 - you could definitely reduce your outgoings or increase your income to cover this.

I am glad that you are seriously considering some of the advice people have given in this thread, please don't take any of the advice or questions about your incomings/outgoings personally, people just need to get an idea about your circumstances and what is/is not doable for you to help make suggestions.

chevalier

hi desparado
It is a good point someone has made about tailering your cv. It is something I too am having to do, as I am sure having the amount of qualifications I have mean people assume i will always be looking to leave a job, that is under my qualifications if you see what i mean. Have you and OH got your cv's up on monster and seek in electronic form? Rather than just sending them to individual employers. Sorry if you are already doing this.

I am glad that some of the jobs looked interesting. I just wanted you to try and not give up hope. I too am unemployed, have a degreee, two post grad diplomas etc and still can't get a job. I am lucky though in that our income and expenditure, JUST balance.

good luck with moving forward.

Can't remember but have you filled in the debt remedy page on CCCS? It may help you decide what to do.

Also have you got any broken gold you can sell. With the gold price so high now you can get a really nice return, for very little.
chev

heathcote123

desperado1973 wrote: »

You bunch of self rightous bigots!

Sorry I asked. and NO I am not going to get a divorce!

Another satisfied customer

rising_from_the_ashes

MessyMare wrote: »

Oh, and another thing- if you or your OH think your degrees will make you seem overqualified for a job, leave them off your CV. I did for some jobs I applied for and got interviews where I suspect they would've thrown my CV in the bin otherwise.

chevalier wrote: »

hi desparado
It is a good point someone has made about tailering your cv. It is something I too am having to do, as I am sure having the amount of qualifications I have mean people assume i will always be looking to leave a job, that is under my qualifications if you see what i mean.

That is really good advice.

I have 2 CVs - I have one for my "proper career" with qualifications / training / jobs / skills etc on and a separate one for my "2nd jobs" - mostly bar / hotel work, supermarkets etc.

My "proper career" cv would be totally irrelevant to applying for a job in a hotel / bar / sm etc and the qualifications I have useless for them - this way I can show where I've worked, what I've done etc in a way that is relevant to that particular job.

Similarly, on my "proper career" cv, I make no mention of the 2nd jobs I've had - they are in no way relevant to these positions and would only take up valuable space. HTH

rising_from_the_ashes

On the subject of moving to find work, no it's not ideal and not nice. However, it can be done if needs must.

I grew up in a very rural place (which I love) and despite my best efforts couldn't find work there after being made redundant.

I eventually found a job in the nearest city but a 145 mile round trip every day made a huge dent in my salary. After doing this for over 2 years (whilst still looking "at home"), I eventually had to move.

It's hard and I would still (many years later) rather be "at home" but there's still no jobs there .... sometimes you just have to move where the work is.

sickasachip13

Hey desperado1973

I really don't have any advice to offer. You're clearly frustrated and anxious about the really tough situation you're in and I'm sorry that you've had a bit of a rough ride here with some of the comments.

Please contact one of the debt charities, as RAS suggests above. The calming effect of actually talking through our situation with CCCS cannot be described. We really thought we were at the end of the road and I am absolutely wound up like a spring by it all. A year on, we're skint, but we're surviving and an awful lot happier mentally. While it doesn't seem like it when you're in the mire, there are always options.

Best of luck.

SAAC