It's ALL going wrong...

Time_to_face_the_music

I think it's mad to have the car

Rochdale_Guy

Okay, thanks for that.

I kind of get the impression EVERYONE thinks that, but it is my escape. When things get too much, I can jump in and drive to somewhere quiet with no bus route and have a nice walk...

As for redundancy, it also appears I am alone in thinking I'm entitled to that after 10 years of working for the Council, and I shouldn't hold on for it and get another job ASAP.

Rochdale_Guy

Anyone know about benefits?

I have been told that if I am under occupied, i.e. a single person in a 3 bed flat, they no longer give you full housing benefit.

Well, I got this flat after suffering badly from constant leaks and flooding from the upstairs flat, and after constantly complaining about drug use in the flat above me.... that was a one bed flat on the lower level, so I now have a 3 bed flat BUT pay full rent for it, before anyone accuses me of stopping a family having this flat. It's not exactly a high demand area I live in.

Anyway, sorry that was slightly off topic.

floopnoodle

Rochdale_Guy wrote: »

It's not exactly a high demand area I live in.

Which part of Rochdale do you live in?

Most of it is within a couple of miles of countryside and has a direct bus down to town.

floopnoodle

Rochdale_Guy wrote: »

Thanks flopnoodle, but I decline on the basis I don't think it's relevant.

Maybe you decline on the basis that you live walking distance from the town centre so don't really need a car.

Maybe if you didn't pay to run a car you don't need you would be able to look further afield for a new job as you'd have extra money for the commute.

My Mum has worked for RMBC for 30 years. She's currently teetering between being made redundant and being forced to take a much lower paying job at 30% of her current salary which will give her a final pension of 'not very much', based on final salary.

Be thankful you've only lost 10 years and you're young enough to get another job.

Surely you've gained some extra skills over those 10 years to go out and get yourself a better paying job.

Rochdale_Guy

Oh, sorry, I deleted the post whilst editing, my apologies, here it is:

Thanks flopnoodle, but I decline to answer on the basis I don't think it's relevant, sorry!

The point being, I like to go where there IS no bus route to get away from people to be able to think.

As for housing benefit reductions for under occupancy, it's true from April 2013, great, just great.

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:CpuZ2T-s8o4J:www.parliament.uk/briefing-papers/SN06272.pdf+housing+benefit+for+under+occupancy&hl=en&gl=uk&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEEShwSOU8yimTHah9oDlvsZ3-t9IZPcgr_HTEzHR1Ha5iwq2ZWB3bLhS5PKUBgrgDGouvyph7lclgiZPae8Lri_2h4vYCxaN7SF5i-VWNXODRQrCADzLJZS-a3aVvz5HjNNeIbyER&sig=AHIEtbQi9CjWVFKRugVBEX8sf1WirHhgUA

or here

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:1rt1Jz7gqjMJ:www.tameside.gov.uk/factsheets/housingbenefits.pdf+housing+benefit+for+under+occupancy&hl=en&gl=uk&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESh8xn6ubmr6fs_3uEGqTTI1P9h0QgT-UQCXpjiGCcW4qMxA4o_Ecf87sNN03aKXa_h1YpUX4dHhH5VpqFNo5LJJqHVYhCj9zYCk8Xo7wplzrhR3zyUXhHK47ZxJOaVeoapAkrQw&sig=AHIEtbRB-S-mOStCrWjPJljDf_Fqi6HMcg

I'm in a lose/lose sitaution no matter what I do.

rdchick

Hey R_G!

So sorry to hear that you are losing your job - that sucks bigtime - however have you thought about selling your car and getting a new one as in a cheap one (I got one (01 plate) for £500 after selling my 04 plate car) isn't there a clause in the bankruptsy thing where you can have a car under a certain value?

Again, try not to panic - and no you don't need to have a service - that's voluntary MOT is a must though xxx

rdchick

Also, as for adding your CV to places like LinkedIn and CV sites like Monster you get people coming to you - saves you looking for a job - it's the 'in thing' to do right now - never know what's around the corner xxx

Angry_Bear

I think you need to give yourself a shake and tell yourself to stop being so negative (easier said than done I know).

Keep looking for a new job, if you get one you'll still be entitled to any redundancy payout - although you should make sure your new start date is after your finish date from the council.

Call your council and ask about the housing benefit - it may be that they will pay full HB unless they offer you a smaller place and you refuse.
Consider trading in the car for a moped or bicycle - much cheaper to run but you will still have the freedom that is so important.

Call CCCS and talk to them, they should be able to reassure you about your options.

At the risk of sounding like some terrible self-help book, stop focusing on the problems and start working on solutions!

(P.S. I do appreciate how difficult things are, please take this as a well-meaning tough-love post not a kick-em-when-they're-down post.)

bluebag

Hi, Rochdale guy

It took me ten years to dig myself out of the debt hole I had oh so easily got myself into.

One of the things that stopped me losing my mind was getting away from it all. I used to take the train with a cheap off peak ticket as I didn't have a car , I would then hike it out to somewhere lonely. I need solitude to empty my head. (just ask a fisherman, they seem to know the loneliest places somehow)

The other thing that helped me a lot was to stop looking at things as problems ( digging out from debt is all one step forward and eleventy steps back! LOL) and start looking at things as challenges, something to use invention, creativity, help from others and a very firm can-do attitude to get over/through/round it.

I am moneywise in a comfortable place now , not loaded, but not poverty stricken either. I've come through job loss, childbirth, severe illness, divorce and a lot less help available then than is available now.

Keep your chin up, your head held high and retain the confidence that you can do this! if I can ,anyone can. Keep on going, you are doing allright man.
Wishing you all the very best.
bb