Going to be unable to afford rent

BigAunty

One of the regulars on this forum has published a recipe planner that feeds a family of 4 for £100 a month. A search of these terms on google should uncover it fairly quickly.

welsh_bristolian

BigAunty wrote: »

One of the regulars on this forum has published a recipe planner that feeds a family of 4 for £100 a month. A search of these terms on google should uncover it fairly quickly.

I assume you mean the thread with the id 3545131? (Can't post links) It is good and helpful, thank you.

BitterAndTwisted

It's the cheap-family-recipes.org site.

Someone with the whole day at their disposal should be cooking everything from scratch, finding out at what times the local supermarkets reduce their fresh produce and exercising their culinary and housekeeping skills.

If a full-time job at NMW is taken this could make the difference between keeping your heads above water and sinking into the mire. A person earning ten grand a year isn't going to pay much tax and NI on that: take off fares and you've got enough to make up the difference. The time to be picky is not now.

ZsaZsa

I know your partner is at home for other reasons, but when I first became a sahm I felt quite guilty that my H was the only one bringing in money. I quickly realised that although I couldnt help with our income, i could take charge of outgoings. I've taken over checking all our bills/moving suppliers, take the weekly meter readings to focus our usage, shop around for cheapers groceries/deals etc, cook from scratch,collect coupons, surveys for vouchers, stockpile for "rainy months" etc. The oldstyle forum has been invaluable for me. Perhaps this is something your OH could take on while looking for work? Ok, this isn't giving us a luxury lifestyle, but its certainly kept our heads above water

GDB2222

welsh_bristolian wrote: »

Yes, she's shown me emails (I didn't ask for proof, it was to show me the stupid replies and demands employers make).

If you are seriously thinking that you may be homeless, maybe it's time to be less picky. A job, any job!

welsh_bristolian

GDB2222 wrote: »

If you are seriously thinking that you may be homeless, maybe it's time to be less picky. A job, any job!

She hasn't turned down a job.

GDB2222

welsh_bristolian wrote: »

No, sorry, not the demands for her, I meant job requirements:
one job required a degree, 5 years of management experience and paid 20k.

It is really interesting how the job specifications have escalated in line with the escalation in academic qualifications. To get a job managing the local DIY shed requires a minimum of a 2:1 degree. I guess that 15 years ago the only qualification would have been relevant experience and the ability to do the job.

My wife has just re-entered the job market after 30 years as a stay at home mum. To get her qualifications, she had to complete an access course, and then a 4 years degree course at UCL. With a false start, it took 7 years to requalify. She earns under £15,000 a year, including London weighting, although I have to admit that that is for 3 days a week.

You have to take your hat off to her for passing her degree in her 50s, and finding a job at all in her almost-60s. She loves the job, and she is very good at it.

It is certainly tough out there in the job market. Nevertheless, if you are about to become homeless .....

By the way, my son is a contract programmer. He is also finding it tough.

GDB2222

welsh_bristolian wrote: »

She hasn't turned down a job.

Sorry, I am not meaning to sound like I am blaming anybody. It is really tough on the job market at the moment. Maybe she needs to be applying for jobs that you might feel that she is overqualified for.

There is no chance that you could send the cat out to work is there?

shop-to-drop

Both of you try supermarkets, there is a lot of recruiting in this industry ATM mostly flexi contracts with only 10 or so hours a week guaranteed but it would solve your current problems. Could be worked around other job hunting and your business and if your OH is hard working and ambitious there are plenty of opportunities for a career once you are in.

dancingfairy

Hi. You're going to need to rework your budget.
Make sure your partner is getting everything/you as a couple are getting everything you are entitled to for benefits etc.
Now you need to get your expenses under your income - you haven't given enough details but to me if it's a choice between paying 1 pound per month towards the loan whilst keeping a roof over youre head then clearly keeping a roof over your head is going to be the most important thing.
There are some things you may be able to cancel/reduce which need to be targetted first (if you can).
Are you sure you can't reduce your phone contract at all? Even if you are able to reduce it to a certain level at the moment and then a bit more in say a few months.
Head over to debt free wannabe and they will be able to help you better I'm sure.
df