60 year old widow needs some advice to survive

Mara69

If I were the OP, I'd move. There are loads of much cheaper properties available.

sniggings

oliveoil99 wrote: »

As I said earlier my land/lord will not let so much as a mouse in this property and I would never put myself in a situation with strangers no matter who they were, as you get older you feel more vunerable and a woman alone try to understand that.

if your landlord will not allow a meter some/all waterboards will then allow you a discounted water rate instead.

dorsetlady

oliveoil99 wrote: »

Aren't you just perfect when you get off your high horse look at me. I have worked for 40yrs it's only the last 2yrs I have claimed HB so when you point the finger 4 are pointing back at you.

What the hell are you talking about? :mad: I'm not on my high horse and am not pointing the finger at anyone. I've been in a similar position to yourself and know how hard it is on benefits hence hoping I'm never in need of them again!

I was stating that I expect earning a little extra by cleaning etc (as suggested by others) is no good to you as you get most of what you earn stopped from your benefits!

seven-day-weekend

starrystarry wrote: »

I get the impression that the OP isn't interested in any of these ideas for earning extra money, she's been quite negative about all of them. I think she was hoping someone would be able to suggest a way of claiming further benefits. Hence posting on this board rather than the jobseeking or increase your income boards.

I must admit I thought that too. There have been several ideas for earning money suggested and all have been met with some reason why it is not posssible.

I think the negativity does come over, and also the fact that she considers herself 'elderly'.

OP, you need to either move to a cheaper place, reduce your outgoings in some other way, get a lodger or get a job. There are not really any other options and people here on theis thread have been suggesting ideas, all of which have been deemed unsuitable, but there are not really any other options.

sleepless_saver

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

I think the negativity does come over, and also the fact that she considers herself 'elderly'.

.

Yes. Not getting at you OP, but elderly to me is people over about 80 - and a lot of them would be cross to be called elderly. 60 is definitely middle aged these days!

SandraScarlett

What a sad situation to be in, it must be so exhausting for you, trying to find a good, and satisfying solution to your problem. I can only agree with what others have suggested, but wondered if you could offer your services to working mothers in the area?

I have a friend who has 2 children delivered to her home, having been fed and watered (!), and they are there for half an hour, then she takes them to school, and repeats the procedure in reverse, at the end of the school day, when she gives them a drink and a biscuit, and later, a cooked dinner. She gets £15 a day in term time, £75 per week, and has them 2 whole days a week in the school holidays, and gets £75 for that too, so she knows her income is steady.

The mother considers her "a treasure", because her own mother and MIL live too far away, and the children love having Grandma Judy, and it is reciprocated. Other Mums have asked if she can look after their offspring too, but my friend reckons 2 are ample, so gives them names of her friends who are interested in a similar arrangement.

Whatever sort of employment you would seek in the "caring community", be it like my friend, or perhaps working in a care home, you'll be viewed as a mature, motherly, dependable woman, who won't be absent for period pains, or an unexpected long weekend at a festival!

I wish you every success, and hope you find something to suit you soon.

xx

oliveoil99

darlyd wrote: »

OP try gum tree and advertise as a mature lady looking for small jobs, cleaning, babysitting, dog sitting even companionship etc etc.. You be surprised what responses you will get.

What about avon?

Thank-you that companionship sounds a good idea an old gentleman has been giving me the eye in the local Co-op maybe a meeting over the baked beans could be a good idea. Tried the the dog walking one that's was the first on my list as I love to walk and enjoy animal company. :~)))

marybelle01

oliveoil99 wrote: »

The land/lord has not put the rent up for the last 5yrs and it is the going rate for the street it's a 2 bedroomed bungalow with a garage and alot of ground space.

Yes, but that isn't really the point is it? You don't need 2 bedrooms and do you really need a bungalow - that piles on the rent as bungalows are in shorter supply on the rental market - and you do not need a garage or a lot of ground space. You need a property which you can afford! And there are plenty of those available.

I am afraid that I echo the thoughts of others here. You are coming across as very negative. You either need to find a job - any job, and not just the job that you want - or you need to reduce your outgoings and the rent is the most obvious drain. I realise that neither of these options is your ideal, but beggars cannot be chosers. The amount of benefits you get isn't going to change and this property is not going to get any more affordable.

oliveoil99

Dunroamin wrote: »

I'm afraid that you have come over as very negative on this thread, despite people feeling a great deal of sympathy for your situation.

Perhaps something to bear in mind with your future job applications?

Thank-you for your "Positive" approach to my thread I do wish I could be just like you in fact I wish I could be you!!!!!! Then I wouldn't be this benefit scrounger that has worked for 40yrs and only asked for advice not condemnation but went to bed last night cried my eyes because I so wanted your appreciation (not).

starrystarry

oliveoil99 wrote: »

Thank-you for your "Positive" approach to my thread I do wish I could be just like you in fact I wish I could be you!!!!!! Then I wouldn't be this benefit scrounger that has worked for 40yrs and only asked for advice not condemnation but went to bed last night cried my eyes because I so wanted your appreciation (not).

You're over reacting now. Nobody has called you, or even suggested that you are, a benefit scrounger. People are trying to help you but you need to take some responsibility for getting yourself out of the position you're currently in.