Finally Debt Free After 34 Years, But Still Need to Live Frugally

milann

I wonder how many children will stay in school? It’ll be a nightmare to organise. Our head teacher has been running around all day calling meetings with the latest updates from the LEA.....then the announcement this evening about closures. She looked exhausted. 

I can imagine there’ll be a lot of families niggling with each other as your other half and his haircut - I’m sure we will be if we’re at home together for too long without being able to get out. 

I’m going to try and get out each day for a walk away from people, do some knitting and crafts, plant some seeds , on my window ledge to begin with-  pick and come again salad stuff.....it’ll be cheaper than lettuce if it grows 😂😂

[Deleted User]

Will the new payment plans by the Government for people struggling with no/reduced income during the crisis be of any help to DH, HHOD?  From what I see so far it looks as if the only people not being helped are the self-employed who are 'sole traders with no employees and people in zero hours contracts although I  thought I heard the suggestion that they were going to extend sick pay to those who normally can't get it  Wasn't there something mentioned about mortgage 'holidays' too?  None of the 'new money' applied to us as we no longer have a mortgage and are retired on pensions so I didn't really take in all the details.  Sorry.

As for your wish to be offered work when the school closes, HHOD,I can understand it but  I have very mixed feelings about it.  Sorry.  I can see that you will want to be public spirited and help and that the money would be a lifeline but please think of your health.  You have a history of frequent colds (not that they are the same thing as the virus of course) and it suggests your immunity levels aren't 100%.  You also say you and your sons have asthma and your DH is in an 'at risk' group and already self-isolating.  There are some things in life worth a million times more than money.

Incidentally, I'd been accepted for quite a lot of exam invigilating at the local Grammar School this year. Good money and I was really looking forward to it.  Looks like that has all been knocked on the head now exams have been scrapped though. 

Thinking of you and your family.  Take care xxx

HairyHandofDartmoor

Well it's bad news for me as I'm losing all my overtime . I'll only work and be paid for my MTA job which is 7.5 hours a week. I don't know how we're going to pay our bills .

The school will be opening next week for children of key workers and vulnerable children. All staff have been told to turn up at their usual time on Monday. Even though there will be a tiny number of children in the school we will all have to work our contracted hours in order to get paid. So staff may be preparing teaching resources, doing admin, cleaning of resources, as well as looking after children. The school will be open in the holidays too!!! I don't know if support staff will be expected to work in the holidays, or whether it will just be teachers. We'll be given timetables on Monday.

Everyone is feeling pretty disturbed by it all, understandably, but at least most of them will still get their usual salary. I know I could have lost the overtime at any time anyway, but I do feel a bit like I've been thrown on the scrapheap . So tomorrow is my last day of TA cover. It will be hard to carry on as normal tomorrow.

HairyHandofDartmoor

The only positive angle is that I'll be less exposed to infection. Although I'll still have to go to school for 7.5 hours a week, so I will be exposed to infection, but won't be earning enough to pay my bills . It's hard to see a positive really .

teafor2

I'm really sorry to hear that HHD. I know you were hoping you might be called on to help out and still get paid. How many children are they expecting in? My friend's school is saying about 50% because of criteria that's been listed. Do you still have a mortgage? Would you consider taking the 3 month holiday that's been muted, although I've no idea if that's a standard given. I really feel for you, it must be such a worry.

Any chance of asking the DS's to chip in a bit more than they usually do or even better divvy up the mortgage, bills and food per person for the next few weeks? I know that's a tough ask but these are tough times. xx 

milann

That’s a worry HHD.....I’m not surprised though as school won’t want to pay extra when they have the other staff they are already paying to hand. I’m not sure what I’ll get paid whilst off - probably just sick pay......but the advice was very strong to stay off if you met criteria from a long list. They expected the advice to be followed......it is certainly a worry....
All I can suggest is look at the payments the government were talking about. Maybe a family chat about finances and the way forward.....

beanielou

Sorry to read your news 
What a worrying time for you

HairyHandofDartmoor

teafor2 said:

I'm really sorry to hear that HHD. I know you were hoping you might be called on to help out and still get paid. How many children are they expecting in? My friend's school is saying about 50% because of criteria that's been listed. Do you still have a mortgage? Would you consider taking the 3 month holiday that's been muted, although I've no idea if that's a standard given. I really feel for you, it must be such a worry.

Any chance of asking the DS's to chip in a bit more than they usually do or even better divvy up the mortgage, bills and food per person for the next few weeks? I know that's a tough ask but these are tough times. xx 

Thanks TF2 . I dont' think the school know for sure how many children it could be. It depends upon whom the government deem to be essential workers. 

We do still have a mortgage with 9 years to go on it. I don't know if a three month mortgage holiday would help us much, as we'd still have to pay it back plus interest and the schools aren't expected to open again before September.

I've already said to DS1 that we may need him to give us more money, but he only gets ESA so he doesn't have much to give. We could also ask DS2 for more money as his income should be unaffected (in theory but who knows).

HairyHandofDartmoor

milann said:

That’s a worry HHD.....I’m not surprised though as school won’t want to pay extra when they have the other staff they are already paying to hand. I’m not sure what I’ll get paid whilst off - probably just sick pay......but the advice was very strong to stay off if you met criteria from a long list. They expected the advice to be followed......it is certainly a worry....
All I can suggest is look at the payments the government were talking about. Maybe a family chat about finances and the way forward.....

Thanks Milann . Our staff have been told they'll get paid in full, but will be expected to work their contracted hours. God only knows what they'll be expected to do! I don't know what will happen about people who are self-isolating to protect a relative they live with.

We can always ask the DSs to contribute more, but DS1 is on ESA and DS3 is a student so they can't afford to give us much.

I don't think the government payments will apply to us as we're a micro business. But who knows. I can't think at the moment .

HairyHandofDartmoor

beanielou said:

Sorry to read your news 
What a worrying time for you

Thanks Beanie .