So poor I can't even pay attention

Piquant_2

teapot2 wrote: »

Hi Piq, sorry you are feeling down and fed up :grouphug: - have a dodgy hug on this Sunday evening. You seem to be caught up in a horrible Catch 22 situation - you want to work and have found some work but the regulations make it so difficult it might not be worth your while. The system truly does suck :mad:.

I worked in a cafe in the local park when we first moved back up here and I was looking for work. I can honestly say it was really hard, exhausting work - even with free cake and meals :T. There was hardly time to breathe some days it was so non stop busy but as you say honourable work and very satisfying in its way. Think the only job that left me feeling more tired was being a cleaner one summer.

I really hope things pick up and can I suggest going to the CAB and getting some detailed advice re your mortgage and your options with benefits? Take care, hope The Bear will oblige with a !!!!!cat snog? That always helps

Thanks for the dodgy hug! I need it today!

I prefer working to not. It makes you feel better about yourself, just saying 'I'm going to work' makes you walk taller. It is the hardest physical work and I ache all over from bending, stretching, walking, standing still, it won't do me any harm and will keep the pain-killer industry going!

Will look into CAB as you and ani have suggested, fairly sure they won't be able to help. I'm the one who has to help me, the system doesn't help it all. It certainly doesn't encourage working!

love to you back!! Piq

Baldybear

Good morning, sorry everything is so dam complicated, jeez isnt it better that someone works doing something rather than sitting around, mind boggles. Hope you manage to find some way around the mystery of the system. No help am afraid but can send positive vibes and hairy (stroppy tho this morning) horse hugs

Piquant_2

Baldybear wrote: »

Good morning, sorry everything is so dam complicated, jeez isnt it better that someone works doing something rather than sitting around, mind boggles. Hope you manage to find some way around the mystery of the system. No help am afraid but can send positive vibes and hairy (stroppy tho this morning) horse hugs

Thank BB, it does seem the way that it is easier not to work. Just about to post my to-do list

Enjoying the hairy horse hug!

Piq

Piquant_2

• Four jobs to apply for - three full time, one part time
• Contact Endowment policy company
  - change of name
  - advice on freezing policy, paying less etc
• Contact CAB
• Research and contact Welfare Rights
• Contact Council re council tax
• Activate new bank account
  - contact mortgage insurance people to make payments to new account
  - contact building society to change direct debit to new bank account

Piquant_2

moo2moo wrote: »

I know I'd hate this as a suggestion but it seems you're rapidly running out of options ...... perhaps you could consider taking in a lodger either under the rent a room scheme or as a house share and spilt the bills 50/50 which would alleviate the pressure somewhat.

I do hate it! but thank you! But that will further complicate council tax allowances, benefits etc.

Also I live in the middle of nowhere, not sure if anyone would want to live out here. I will look into it.

Piq

suburbanwifey

Piquant wrote: »

I'm going to see if I can get more hours at the cafe and add it to paid writing and see if I can get up to 30 hours. Although then I will lose my mortgage insurance payments. Maybe that's not the route to go?

I'll contact the council about tax this morning. I'll write them a letter shortly.

Thanks EE

Piq

Piq,

If doing those 30 hours means you don't get the mortgage interest paid by the insurance, I'd think very carefully before going that route. You risk losing your home and with only 4 years left, I feel that would be very unwise. Security, all that money spent, your own home etc. You need to find the best solution to keep your home safe, forget debts, they can whistle if things get truly impossible. They can't take off you what you don't have, the bank/building society can make you homeless if arrears get out of hand xx

grannyx2

Piquant wrote: »

I don't know anything about IFA, I will have to do some research. I've put it on my ever-growing list. I'm a smiley sort of person, but it seems to be on upside-down today!:(

Independent Financial advisor, just in case you try goggling IFA as a business. x





I'll be better by tomorrow Granny, just a bit of a blow, that's all. I have no idea how to tell folk I'm going to default. I have three months money left. I might leave it another month and pay as usual and apply for every job I am remotely experienced for. I think the time has come to be flexible with the truth of what I actually have experience of. Just because I managed, doesn't mean I can't do hands on. I know enough about a lot of things to get by and I learn quickly. Which means I can do most office jobs!

Piq

Write to your creditors, explain what has happened and ask them for a bit of breathing space with your repayments. Tell them you can't afford to make the normal payments at the moment, but that you will make a token payment, just to show willing. I think there are template letters on this site somewhere, I'll see if I can find them.

I know you've said you've got a bit of your redundancy left, but that should go on your priority expenses, not your debts. It won't last forever and I worry that things won't turn around quickly enough, although with your determination, they sure should.

I think most people extend the truth on their CVs, (have a look at my diary re my job search) and I don't see anything wrong with that.

Good luck Piq, we're all rooting for you. Found this, just for you



BFN Gx2 x

brizzledfw

Hi Piq

Just catching up..was so pleased to see your new job...then all these rules about payments etc...it's a bloo@y indictment of how mixed up things are in this country if you ask me:mad: it's the advisers not knowing their stuff and getting it all wrong that I particularly hate and I wish it were an unfortunate one off but I know it's not.

I know I have suggested this before, as others have, but I do think taking in a lodger, with extra cash if you provide food would be a good supplement to your writing. Mondays to Fridays maybe?

I am SOOOO praying that you get a break here. And I am spectacularly irreligious...so that's a sign of how much I rate you. Keep on going. Am sure I wouldbe a blubbering heap by now so your tenacity and perseverance is an example to us all..and especially me...

Hugs and large glasses of wine.. ( and cake)

Brizzle

grannyx2

Can't find the link on here, so sending you an example instead. Hope it helps x Gx2 x

Dear Sir/Madam

Re: your reference :

Since making the above agreement with you, my circumstances have changed. I am unable to afford the agreed monthly repayments at the present time.

This is due to ........ give details of your personal circumstances which have led to the problems e.g. losing a job, income reduced, relationship breakdown, ill health etc.

I enclose a personal budget sheet which shows my present financial position. As you can see I have no money left to pay my credit commitments.

In view of my circumstances I ask that you accept a token offer of £1 per month to be reviewed in six months. I would also ask that you consider freezing interest and charges so that the debt does not increase further.

In order that I can make these payments easily, please forward a payment book/standing order/direct debit form (delete as appropriate)

I hope you will give kind consideration to my personal circumstances, and of course if my circumstances do improve I will contact you again.

I thank you for your attention to this matter, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours faithfully

Piquant_2

suburbanwifey wrote: »

Piq,

If doing those 30 hours means you don't get the mortgage interest paid by the insurance, I'd think very carefully before going that route. You risk losing your home and with only 4 years left, I feel that would be very unwise. Security, all that money spent, your own home etc. You need to find the best solution to keep your home safe, forget debts, they can whistle if things get truly impossible. They can't take off you what you don't have, the bank/building society can make you homeless if arrears get out of hand xx

You are right. I need to put some of my dreams on the back burner for a while and find a full time job as quickly as I can. Having said that, I've not stopped applying for jobs, since January I have applied for 423 different roles. Today I applied for three and have two left to do.

I don't want to lose my home, but even less do I want to lose the Captain, I truly couldn't bear it. I haven't done everything I should have today, I needed to go and see him to get things in perspective.

Piq