Need some advice for my mum please

naturaljazz

As you have one extra bedroom I would look at finding a cheaper one bedroom place as a priority. 2 bedrooms is a luxury you can't afford. I would look at a weekend care job, lots of those for minimum wage. You will increase your money and keep the weekly job which you like. You may get universal credit to help towards rent for a one bedroom, have you looked into that? Get cab to go over your benefit entitlement. In my area UC is used for single person claims. Council tax support as well. Fill an online form in and see what happens. Evening babysitting is another money maker, agencies take on older folk like us. Money wise, keep a really tight budget, make a real and honest budget, stick to that. I work in school so only do 32.5 hours as full time, I can live fine on that, run an old car and go out with friends sometimes. But I am really careful with spending. I use cash drawn out, food budget does not include take aways etc. Circumstances alter facts, and it's all about adjusting the mindset. Good luck

downshifter

As a 65 year old separated woman I can only agree with the ideas above. I have 3 jobs at present (I had 5 until recently) plus odd bits of babysitting and things like surveys etc, (which bring in £50 a month so not to be sniffed at!). It does require a mindset change, but this is a whole new start for you so you have the chance to re-invent yourself and your life. Incidentally one of my jobs is as secretary to trustees of a small local charity, just a few hours a month but it all adds up. I often see similar roles advertised. Maybe a possibility for you?

Have a think about your skills, not just the work/career you've done for most of your life, then offer those skills to an employer. A friend who is my age, touted her cv around some posh shops in our town and ended up with a brilliant job in an interesting crafty type shop. She was previously a civil servant.

Look at the old style thread on here for ideas for cheaper lifestyle and Ilona's blog Life after money for a really positive view on living on your own in your 60s. It can be a real life shock to find yourself suddenly on your own but the opportunities and challenges for sorting yourself out are wonderful. A brand new start!!!

Good luck

DS

Darksparkle

downshifter wrote: »

As a 65 year old separated woman I can only agree with the ideas above. I have 3 jobs at present (I had 5 until recently) plus odd bits of babysitting and things like surveys etc, (which bring in £50 a month so not to be sniffed at!). It does require a mindset change, but this is a whole new start for you so you have the chance to re-invent yourself and your life. Incidentally one of my jobs is as secretary to trustees of a small local charity, just a few hours a month but it all adds up. I often see similar roles advertised. Maybe a possibility for you?

Have a think about your skills, not just the work/career you've done for most of your life, then offer those skills to an employer. A friend who is my age, touted her cv around some posh shops in our town and ended up with a brilliant job in an interesting crafty type shop. She was previously a civil servant.

Look at the old style thread on here for ideas for cheaper lifestyle and Ilona's blog Life after money for a really positive view on living on your own in your 60s. It can be a real life shock to find yourself suddenly on your own but the opportunities and challenges for sorting yourself out are wonderful. A brand new start!!!

Good luck

DS

Sorry to go off topic but what surveys do you do and how often do you spend doing it?

downshifter

Gosh I'm so, so sorry, I've only just seen this. Post Xmas brain fog!

There are some threads on the Up your income board about the best survey sites, everyone seems to have different experiences but the best for me are Prolific Academic (by far, the surveys are intelligent and interesting and the pay adds up really quickly surprisingly. I made £25 in 3 days once.) Yougov also good, and like PA don't screen you out when you've nearly finished a survey. Valued Opinions are ok but devils for dumping you when they've got the info they want and the other good one is Pinecone.

Hope that helps, probably too late to be any use now. Would love to know how the OPs mother is getting on.

DS