So poor I can't even pay attention

Piquant_2

lucielle wrote: »

Morning Piq, hope the shift goes quickly. I feel your toe pain. My darling git barged out the stable knocked me over and then stood on my foot, looking down at me with his equivalent of a horsy grin. I was yelling at him to get orf! My foot went through many shades of black and purple before returning to normal.
L

The joy of a half tonne animal :rotfl:I luckily remembered the 'lift' command and he kindly lifted the offending hoof whilst still stretching for the hay which was so much better than any he had in his stable...

PinotGrigio41 wrote: »

I may have a sneaky bottle of something hidden away to liven up proceedings !

I always have wine, my parents go to France every six weeks and bring loads back, so I can always have a glass or two when necessary!

On a serious note, I worry about you too. I often mention you to Mr PG , I think he thinks of you as one of the family now . Isn't it strange how we can be so concerned for people barely know ?

...but we all care about each other, just look on any other diary and see how everyone looks out for oneanother. It's not like that on the other threads, the relationship one has some humdinger comments on other folks problems :eek:

You mentioned Mars Bars, was that on my thread ? I have stacks of Choccy here going begging, shout if you need Chocolate Food Parcels or else at the rate I am going it could end up in one of my random dinner concoctions !

Thinking of you x x x

Keep the chocolate for pastry brush pie or milk bottle top pasty. I need to lose weight to fit in work clothes, this is one of the silver linings!

Snagggles wrote: »

Glad to see you Piq, even if you are not feeling great. Sorry you are so overloaded with worries at the moment. Jobhunting is utterly horrible, especially when you can see your money draining away with every passing day.

Just from reading your diary, it's obvious you are intelligent, a good communicator, witty, resilient and kind, and if I were an employer, I would snap you up.

I wish I could help in some way. The only advice I have is just keep on trying. I found job hunting to be mostly just about volume. It's hard to apply for tonnes of jobs though when there just aren't that many available. Also look out for jobs that want you to fill in their own in-house application form, so you have to write more (and more specific) things. They are a nuisance, but they put a lot of people off, so a few hours spent doing a really good job immediately puts you into a much smaller field of 'people who could be bothered'.

I do a bit of proofreading, so if I can ever help with reading anything through, do shout.

Also, get some steel toe-capped slippers, for when you are around Colin. :rotfl:

Thank you my multi-gg'd friend. Proof reading is always much appreciated. I apply for about ten jobs a week, many of which I either have no interest in or experience I am out of touch with what I am qualified in now and it's hard to learn off the job.

I hate those forms, completely random questions...

Piquant_2

desert_rose wrote: »

Have you thought about claiming working tax credits?

Have a look on entitled to (to work out if you're eligible), but from what you say, you sound as if you very well could be.

I have looked into it. If I went full time at Pr£t, I would earn minimum wage and they only guarantee 35 hours a week, even with working tax credit I could only cover the mortgage and nothing else. If I could cover the basics I would do it.

slowlyfading wrote: »

I was thinking, I could send you a parcel with some things in if you'd like? Nothing much, but a few bits and pieces just say the word and it'll be in the post xx

No. But I love you

Piquant_2

dorothy52 wrote: »

God you sound so fed up, Piq, and I can understand why. Hmmm, I wonder if between all of your lovely friends on here we can come up with a way for you to find your way out of this, at least until another job comes up. Are you on a DMP? If not, is there a reason why you have been avoiding this route? I am by no means an expert, only know what I have read on here, and of course you don't have to answer if you are not comfortable with doing so. What I AM a bit of an expert on, however, is making money.....not millions:rotfl: but certainly on an 'every little helps' basis. Again, I have never claimed them, but I don't think you will be entitled to WTC as you don't work 30 hrs, and besides, it would negatively impact on your having the interest on the mortgage paid.

I feel sure that you could make some money on producing some lovely stuff for the garden and sticking them on e bay as a business seller. I did this 5 or 6 years ago (not garden stuff), my forte is sewing, and it really took off and was lucrative as well. You could go on the cutting tax thread and establish just how much you can claim, legitimately, as a business expense and you will be surprised how little tax you need to pay on your earnings, particularly in the first year of trading as you will have start up costs. Do you have a garden centre near you? A friend makes a fortune every year by producing Xmas wreaths for a local garden centre. She just popped in one day with some samples and they placed an order on the spot.

It's certainly worth thinking about, and if anyone can market themselves and their product, young lady, it's you.

If nothing else it will give you something positive to focus on, and I am absolutely convinced that you CAN do this. I did it. I gave up a very good job (which I hated) to do it and made a good living.

So what do we think girls? (Apologies of there are any closet male lurkers). Can we galvanise our lovely Piq to grasp this challenge and run with it? Oooh, I am quite excited now!

Dot you are lovely, I am glad you are my friend. I've never looked into a DMP as up until now I've coped with paying back what I owe, maybe now I need to look into it.

Yes, I could make some bits to sell on aseb@y or the like. I seem to have lost my mojo though If I hit the craft centre and got some acrylic paint I have enough broken pots to make a few plant markers. I have been making stencils myself, I'd need some heavy weight card if I was going to do it properly. I will look into costs tomorrow morning.

alioops78 wrote: »

G'day Piq

Really sorry to read that things are getting you down (and a few other people as well).

As always the offer of anything that you need is there you just need to ask (seriously I still have the socks ).

I wish that there was something that I could do but am finding myself in a bit of a funk at the moment due to work, health and generall sh*ttyness.

As you know we're all here for you to moan to and hopefully provide solutions if possible and if not to add our own moans to hopefully cheer you up.

My moan is that husbandpet makes this face :eek: whenever I mention trying to concieve :rotfl:.

Oh just remembered that I have some aussie chocolate biscuits called Tim Tams that I will happily send to you, don't worry I have another pack. My dad describes them as naked pengiuns :rotfl:.

Really do feel like I know you and always check how you're getting on as I think of you as a friend.

Love and hugs
Alioops xx

Naked penguins?? They do sound nice, but I need to lose weight, really I do! Moan away, I don't mind in the slightest, neither does anyone else here. We all have problems, mostly money, certainly a few difficult OHs and some very naughty pets!

I think of you as a friend too xx

Februarycat wrote: »

Sorry to hear you are feeling down Piq, I know how you feel. I'm in a similar position to you and know what it's like. I can't claim any benefits either yet others people seem to get everything going. There are no jobs around are there, I now work as a cleaner part time, its the only job I could get but its not what I am qualified to do but looks like its all thats going.
I hope you find something soon or win the lottery thats what I keep hoping for.

I do a lot of cleaning at Pr£t, they don't employ cleaners, the staff have to do it all. I hate cleaning and it's not nice when you spent so long qualifying for something else. But it is earning some money and earning some self respect, so stick with it. You like me will come true in the end!

Piquant_2

Mara_uk7 wrote: »

Piq, What kind of horsefood do you buy for Captain, I work in the industry and sometimes see sales reps for D&H or Spillers. Might be able to wangle a voucher or two to help with feed costs if that would help ? Always nice to get something for nuffink !

Okay, with some embarrassment, I admit that Spillers vouchers are tempting :o:o The Captain so loves his dinners :rotfl:He has the senior maintenance mix and he has almost licked the inside of his food bucket off. Before he was on this feed, he would regularly leave his dinner, just wasn't interested, but this one has rung all his bells!

bast wrote: »

Piq You sound so fed up... I am so desperately sorry for you... and whilst I am scatting around for money .... and this month has been an absolute nightmare of a month full of expenses and unexpected expenses... I am not in the position of being 300 pounds down a month.. that is of course worrying.
You try so hard to find a full time job .. You are treated appallingly at the part time job, yet you do it with such stoicism I really respect you for that. I honestly do not know what to say about the overdraft but surely if you have a chat with someone at the bank explain your circumstances somebody has to listen. You cant give what you do not have. The fact you have used all your redundancy money to pay off debts should go in your favour surely to god..
I am now back on the boat and the quietness is lovely, I was being dragged into all sorts of things which was making me desperately unhappy. I hate arguments... Bad few weeks but things hopefully...(please god) can only get better for all of us... Take care Piq and I think your son sounds lovely...xx

PS: Edited to ask in the bread and water club can we please have the occasional glass of wine...x

Yes, we will have wine at the bread and water club. It's the only thing I have plenty of! I know you've been having it rough recently and I'm glad things are easing a little for you.

I don't think the bank will be sympathetic despite having used redundancy for payments, it's not the way of them, I'm afraid. The banks behaviour has been despicable this week over people who have got a digit wrong on their accounts and despite having the correct sort code and name have refused to refund monies that have gone astray. So much for the digital age...

missrlr wrote: »

Piq - hugs, sorry been AWOL with RL becoming traumatic this week.

YOU WILL SURVIVE

I will provide wine as DMiL and DFiL provided some from La Belle France so twas free to me! I am all about the sharing (except for poorliness, then I hide in shame!)

Chin up petal, it will all be fine I promise you (just not sure when right now crystal ball a bit cloudy on that one!)

Ah dearest missrir, I have been keeping an eye on you too. I hope you're feeling better now. You and granny have been through the wars on the health front.

I'd like to believe you on all your positive feelings, but it's just not happening at the moment but I do still love you too!

missrlr

Piquant wrote: »

Also I'm finding it hard to come to terms with this new me that can't be bothered, I'm always tired and, please don't shy away, but even having a shower seems too much sometimes [I always make myself, you'll be pleased to hear, but sometimes I can't be bothered ] If I didn't drive myself on I would either stay in bed or stagnate in front of the television.j

Honey. You DO NOT have to come to terms with this new person. You can boot them in to touch (sorry watching rugby)

I am so sorry to hear of your predicament. I wish I could come up with some miracle suggestion but the only thing I can offer is answer the following "what do you want to do" and then "where ideally do you want to do this" then maybe there may be a glimmer of light? Could you do a skills update course via JSA?

That's all I have. Sorry I usually do better .... I will join you in a small glass o vino just to celebrate animals and the joys they bring

Piquant_2

suzeesu2000 wrote: »

Piq, have you applied for the warm homes discount? saves £130 off your energy bill each year.

If you are only earning 15 hours a week, are you claiming income support top ups? Am sure you would be entitled.

Also, have you got a spare room? Maybe a foreign student for two week blocks might help out? I know they pay in the region of £300 which might help you a bit. Alternatively what about having a lodger? You can put very firm boundaries in place and still earn a bit.

Don't get despondent or downhearted Piq, we are all here willing you on. You're not alone :grouphug:

I've got used to not using the heating. Most the time the heated throw and Colin do the trick!

I can't have a lodger as the bathroom is only got to through my bedroom - old conversion!

suburbanwifey wrote: »

Sadly, if those incomes came in the mortgage insurance that is currently paying her mortgage would cease, so she would probably be worse off - its a bad trap to be in

Yes, you are quite right. The insurance pays out £600 a month for my mortgage. This is why I can't work more than 15.5 hours a week because I'll lose it and be in an even poorer situation.

ani_26 wrote: »

Me too. I don't have any money, but i could send you a small food parcel. I've managed to build a small store cupboard, and i can send you a few bits and pieces too. I could even send you some 10p fresh veg.:rotfl:


And some seeds.



Just let me know.


It's nigh on impossible finding jobs, despite what anyone says.



:grouphug: Sorry about the cheesy hug, but it's well meant. xx

I like the cheesy hug! It's good to see you again. I'm looking forward to sharing your summer gardening diary with you again soon. I'm happy to swap seeds and maybe plant markers with you, no food parcels allowed, I'm okay really I am!

I am growing some foxglove seeds on for the woody area of the garden, they won't flower until next year, then, hopefully, will self-seed for years to come.

Piquant_2

NewLeaf wrote: »

Ok Piq.. spurred on from Dorothy's post and the crap times we are all having, I was in bed awake thinking most of the night. I know yu are a keen gardener and I was thinking of what Dorothy said and I had either a moment of inspiration or madness.

what if you had a job that included your own cottage, with all the utilities paid, 18 hours a week, doing gardening, and got paid a small sum in salary? if you could rent out your house, plus having your living expenses mostly met and a small salary would that hold you until you found your dream job? And it was close enough to the Captain?

http://www.lady.co.uk/home/classifieds/5319

Please let me know if I am bonkers?

This is amazing! I had never thought of it at all. I am going to apply for it! And if it's gone see if there are any more like it. Mind you I don't know much about tree maintenance! But I could learn on the job or tree....

You are brilliant, thank you!

gallygirl wrote: »

:T:T:T Perfect :T:T:T. Thinking outside the box is NOT bonkers. I was thinking of options re selling house but this is better .

Isn't it just? I'm going to look into it as soon as possible

walkers60 wrote: »

I was also thinking last night about you, Piq. Have you gone down the reclaiming PPI route - if this is relevant? ... it can be done if you did have PPI in the past. There's lots of information and guidance on other threads.

I also like the broken-pots-labelling idea in the garden as well as stones and slate. Great herbs idea - very popular. Also chat to local garden centre (as another poster mentioned) or smallholding owner who sells eggs etc outside - perhaps you could add variety to their stock... just thinking allowed! There is a small 'farm' near us that has a cafe and lots of quirky and unusual crafts and plants for sale - they have developed over the years and it is a great place to visit. It isn't neat and pristine - in fact the opposite is probably true! They also have chickens and pigs for the children to see. Perhaps there is something similar locally to you. Perhaps you could give demonstrations of making and looking after hanging baskets, planting tips, veg growing .... grow unusual herbs / seeds that are not usually on sale ... I must stop thinking at night!!

Walkers

I did the ppi years ago. It's how I cleared about £7k of my debt. I did it when the site first started talking about it.

What you're talking about on the garden centre ties in with the idea I had recently, but don't have the capital for. I'd have to do some research as I don't think the local one does quirky stuff at all.

I'm collecting tins for growing herbs in. I need to find some of the continental type ones with the design already printed on the tins. There used to be ones with olives on, but I can't remember where I saw them.

Piquant_2

taxi73 wrote: »

Aww Piq if anyone deserves a break it's you.I wish I had the answers I really do

Excuse me??? You are a much braver woman than me and I want you to get the break before I do!

dorothy52 wrote: »

See, what did I tell you? I just knew that all of us would come up with some fab ideas! Please think about some of our suggestions, Piq. For once I speak from experience and KNOW that you can do this - I did. From small acorns do great oak trees grow. I do not have a creative bone in my body, not really, yet I have a skill which I have perfected over many years and it has made me a great deal of money. I started out just doing what I suggested to you. For a while I did it alongside that minging ft job I told you about a while ago, and do you know what? It became ny ticket out of there. I still work now but have a better job, but still freelance to this day and it is very, very lucrative.........in fact I have a task now and should be working on it as it is a tight deadline, but I will be honest, I too am worried about you and would rather spend a few minutes encouraging a dear friend to enhance and enrich her life, I can always work through the night.

Please pm me if you want to talk about it 'offline', and please, please don't give up, we are all here for you and I am frankly humbled and quite tearful to read the comments from your/our wonderful friends on here, what a lifesaver this site and in particular this forum is.

Take care and chin up.

Dot

Thank you Dot. I'm thinking again, which must count for something!

beanielou wrote: »

Sorry,all I can say is keep plodding xx

Plodding away, complete with sore toe :rotfl:

Piquant_2

Igamogam wrote: »

Lots of great ideas here - liking Dottie52 esp - Happy to help with sending you something - like others have said havent got much but.........
My DD1 cant find work in her field with first class honours degree, my best friend OH has just got redundancy notice after working all his life since leaving university and now in his 50's doesnt hold out much hope and when you hear that C8sta had 1500 applicants for 1 job it all sounds soooooo insurmountable. You have always come across as a resourceful sort of person I am sure something will come along soon but in the meantime I understand how difficult this all is.

I couldn't believe that about the applicants for the C0sta job, yet people come into Pr£t everyday asking for a job.

The job market is horrible at the moment, it is a terrible place for those caught up in the search for work. Ageism and most other sorts of ism are alive and well out there.

Piquant_2

I'm off to have some dinner. I was going to do the baked mushroom risotto so that I could post the recipe for you, with photos. Then realised I don't have any mushrooms. I'm meeting my dad for coffee tomorrow I'll pick up a couple then and do the risotto for tomorrow evening instead.

On another good note, I don't hurt anymore. I wonder if I had some sort of virus or whether my upped thyroxine dose has finally cut in?