Finally I have a mortgage I can start to pay off!

Cheery_Daff

Sorry to hear work's still slow for you, what a nuisance. Is it worth doing a bit of Christmas temping to build up a bit of a stash, or is that really something you wouldn't want to do? Completely get it if not, I wouldn't if I could avoid it. Hope things do pick up in the new year.

themadvix

Thanks Cheery. The problem is I think they'd want more out of me than I've got time to give really. And with the virus, I'm not sure I'd want to. It's tempting though, although I think being on my feet all day would be a shock to the system! I think it would have to be waitressing/bar work as a) I have experience and b) it looks like it's too late now for JL and RM jobs. Part of me is tempted.... (and according to the rates advertised by Pizza Express on their signboards (£11/hour), things have moved on from when I used to get paid £4.25/hour!). I'll have to think about it...

Cheery_Daff

Yes, I quite get it would be a shock to the system, I think I'd definitely struggle with being on my feet all day these days! 😮

themadvix

There is a receptionist role at a chain hotel available near me - 16 hours a week. Worth considering. Deadline for applications is 31st, so I can think about it, see what the likelihood of my friend having work for me is and maybe apply. It's for a company I've worked for in the past and the perks are good... minimum wage, but it would be guaranteed income, something a bit different, social and still few enough hours (especially if some are anti-social) that I could work well around it. Will definitely discuss it with DH.

Karmacat

Oh madvix, sorry to hear about the finances situation, attached to the incoming work situation.  I well remember that feeling of "what on earth am I qualified for?" and for me the answer was "nothing at all" - and especially difficult for you when your chosen path isn't bringing in enough, not right now anyway.  

One thing I wondered about before I got ill was the role of Virtual Assistant?  I'm not sure if it's your cup of tea, but it sounded an interesting concept to me back in the day.  

Receptionist at a chain hotel could also be extremely interesting though - a lot of life passes through reception!

themadvix

Thanks Karma. It's always nice to know I'm not alone. My sister has done some VA work, so I could talk to her about it. It's possible I could, but I would have to seriously brush up on my Excel skills and mail merge and all that jazz (depending on the work, obviously). That said, I may well have to do that if I get some work from my friend (although I'm hoping that would be something a bit more mindless, she does tend to give me wide-ranging stuff to do - including once asking Richard Osman to speak at an event! He said yes and seemed lovely).

Yes, reception at a chain hotel would certainly be interesting. It's not cheapest in the area though, so hopefully that would help.... That said, the nearby hotel that was used for dubious (hourly) purposes (which I used to work in the adjacent building to, with aforementioned friend!) has since closed... It occurs to me that I would have a limited amount of annual leave.... 😮 (all of which would be used up in May, pretty much, assuming I would still be there then (and that I apply and get the job too!)). I really need my friend to come through!

ETA
* Won £15 on the Gfk TV survey - cashed in my 90,000 points for tickets though!

themadvix

Hmm... so when I looked at my figures earlier, I'd forgotten that I hadn't invoiced my main client (was waiting on some info from him). And now things are looking much better! Still nowhere near where I'd like to be (with the bit I held back last month, I'll be able to pay myself just under what I paid myself this month), but healthier and less stressful than they were. And there's still time to get some more platform work done to increase this.

Have just spoken to my friend and she has long Covid. Signed off until Jan at least and is managing to do one thing on a good day (alternating days). She says each week does bring improvement, so that's something, but she's normally so full of life. Am seeing her for coffee next Friday, so will have a proper catch up then. Really feel for her.

Karmacat

Absolutely, how awful for her.  It's the thing that worries me most of all  

On the finance side of things - well, that's better then, for this month, pulling that non-invoice out of limbo has helped a lot.

South_coast

What about looking into doing a bit of delivery work, like KK is doing? You'd have total flexibility over your hours then, so you wouldn't have to worry about committing to certain hours/not being able to take time off when you need it

newgirly

I’m glad things are a bit better financially than you first thought this month Vix 🙂