I could really do with some ideas.

llamatown

I'm really sorry this is my first post here, and already I'm asking for ideas. Not a brilliant situation, but anyway.

Situation:
I live with my parents, and between the three of us we need to earn more money to be able to keep the house. We will be okay until August, but if we don't do something we will lose it.

My Mum has built up our business, which is web based, however due to competition (large companies who have development funds we do not!) our sales, although steady, are well down on previous years.

My Father - whom is nearly 70 - works from 6am every morning writing new content and exercise material (the website is e-learning), and every afternoon / evening is working as a private tutor. This is 6 days a week, the earliest he finishes in an evening is 8:30.

I am unskilled and work part time for a convenience store. I have worked for the same boss since I was 16, and take any hours I can get. Unfortunately I am on a 0 hour contract, and as the shop owner is skint as well, my usual hours per week there are 11. Some weeks it can be as good as full time, but hardly ever. I was working towards an open university degree - however I have had to put that on hold because I can't afford the fees.

The rest of my time is divided between helping my Mum & Dad out with their businesses, and working self employed as a home IT technician / networking technician etc...

I realise the ideal solution is for me to get a new job. At least a full time job at minimum wage would be many, many times better than what I'm doing at the moment. And herein lies the rub: I can't get a job.

Over the last six months I have applied for 168 positions. That's everything that I have seen available in our local area within my skill set (admittedly, not very big at all). I'm absolutely happy to do anything from cleaning bogs to retail work (which I have 9 years experience in my current position), to burger flipping - but even my applications to McDonalds have elicited no response!

It's not even a case of my clicking the 'apply now' button for each position. I've reviewed my CV thoroughly for each application, written a covering letter for each application, where I can I've talked directly with managers and business owners before submitting my application etc...

I'm not downtrodden, and I'm not going to give up, but what else can I be doing? There must be something? I'm registered with mystery shopping agencies already, and that work comes under my 'self employed' bit above, but I can't believe that there's not some way around this!

Perhaps I just need some lateral thinking...

scaredofdebt

You appear to be intelligent, determined and hard-working (if given the chance). Just keep going and your determination will be rewarded.

I was made redundant and it took me over a year and over 100 applications to get a job, but I got one in the end.

My business (I work part time for my employer) is beginning to take off as well now.

Good luck!

zugzwang

There's so many things you could be looking at, but chances are you've already considered/ tried them.

For example you could:

- consider a lodger.
- look at what benefits you qualify for.
- draw up a household statement of affairs (publish it here on dealing with debt board?) and look for savings.
-pro actively go into every local shop and ask if they need someone.
-broaden your skills through college or voluntary work.

etc.

Anyway I suggest you read through the job seeking and debt threads, and eventually you'll find an idea you haven't tried and suits your circumstances.

anotheruser

Maybe look at a bigger supermarket?
They may be able to offer more hours, plus you will get benefits such as cheaper shopping, which may help.

culpepper

Look on the website called downthelane which has some interesting alternative ideas about finding employment of various kinds.

Mojisola

Are your parents claiming pensions?

ms_night_ryder

Can't your mum get a job?, surely it only takes 1 person to run the business, you could all alternate.

You have I.T Skills, so your not unskilled at all.

Paper round, going on fiverr, ads on gumtree. Sign up to pph etc.

DKLS

Does your IT skill set extend to e-learning?
If so I would suggest that would be the best repute, day rates are usually around £250-500 per day depending on sector.

Sophie-1

Have you considered retraining, there are many courses you could go on which will increase the chances of you getting a job.
Good luck.

Zooca

What's the shortfall - between what you'll be earning and what you'll need?

Just to get a better idea of the level of extra income needed

[Deleted User]

Some ideas that might help:

First, how close a check are you keeping on your outgoings – first rule is always to “plug any leaks” so do a complete overhaul of your finances; Martin’s budget planner is very good.

Keep applying for jobs – and at the same time, find out if you can get some careers advice (with a view to retraining) and CV help. Good places to start are your local Job Centre and local Government offices (some do run free careers and guidance centres).

You sound like you have IT knowledge – could you offer individuals private computer lessons? (Someone I know does this and she charges £12 per hour AND gets it).

You’ve got retail experience – sounds like you need to find another business to work for. Don’t forget that your “customer experience” is also useful in loads of other areas where dealing with the public is important (e.g. local government jobs). Don’t limit yourself to shops.

Re your Open university degree –was that towards getting a better job/career (or for interest only)? If the former, you might be able to find some help, e.g grants and bursaries that you don’t have to pay back. Do a search for the Educational Grants Advisory Service.

Good luck. Let us know how you get on.