Serious question - need to make a lot of money

deedee71

Sorry to hear someone's thoughtless comment has affected you.  My friend was told by a local authority to stop applying for promotion as her tattoos (upper arm and wrist) meant she'd never be promoted.  She actually moved to the NHS and has made great progress in her career.  Maybe look outwith your current work area.

Have you tried lenders a bit out of the mainstream?  I've got a bit of a complicated situation and have had mortgages with Aldermore and First Direct.  In fact First Direct's underwriter even phoned me to chat through some things.  You're initial mortgage rate may be a bit higher at first but they may be more inclined to lend a higher amount.  Good luck! 

unicorndeva

There are some companies that run focus groups which seem to be quite well paying. I've earned £170 in the past month for being part of two separate groups taking a maximum of 4 hours each. There are no guarantees with them as it's all market research as and when their clients want it but might be worth looking out for them.

ladyholly

Hi I didnt want to read and run even though I have no real advice except to say ignore what was said. Just apply for anything you are able to and if they bring up being a single parents challenge it as that is discrimination.

MalMonroe

"I work full time for the NHS and am trying to work up the ladder to increase my income but my manager telling me it'd be too difficult as a single parent battered my confidence." 

Your manager's comment is not only disgusting but also discriminatory. Employers are not allowed to use anyone's marital status when employing staff and you shouldn't allow such an ignorant person to influence your choice of career or job. I'm sorry that your confidence was battered but whether you are single or not has nothing whatsoever to do with your ability to do any job. It's not even as if you would be increasing your hours or anything, as you already work full time. 

If you want to work your way up the NHS ladder, then you do just that and if your manager tells you anything like that again, please report her. In fact, I'd be tempted to report her anyway.

I've also been a single parent and worked full time within the NHS - I was determined never to rely on benefits. And I owned my own home. You can have it all and you can climb up that NHS ladder. In my experience, there are always jobs becoming available. There's no reason why you can't start applying for more responsible, better paying roles. Just because one person tried to belittle you for being a single parent - well that's her problem, not yours. Go for it! And keep trying because as the ad says, you're worth it.

goldfinches

I didn't want to read and run either and wondered whether your looking at this site https://www.askamanager.org/ might be helpful. It's a site based in the US aimed primarily at women and has a wonderful, thoughtful commentariat.
I have found much of the advice given on work situations and how to handle them invaluable and the tips on how to show your achievements when applying for a new job are very good too.
There's a lot of very realistic discussion about handling managers who are inclined to judge your personal situation which you might find very useful.
Like the commenter above said, keep on keeping on and remember we think you're worth it.

SweetPotatoPie

I’m confused. You live in Bolton, so the average terraced house price is around 100k. You have 16k for a deposit which is over 10%. Have you tried a mortgage broker? I’m a single parent and was able to get a mortgage. 

As for your manager, sounds an absolute idiot! X 

FaceHead

SweetPotatoPie said:

I’m confused. You live in Bolton, so the average terraced house price is around 100k. You have 16k for a deposit which is over 10%. Have you tried a mortgage broker? I’m a single parent and was able to get a mortgage. 

As for your manager, sounds an absolute idiot! X 

Agree with this. Even if the OP is in the lowest band, they should have a budget 100k+. Something doesn't add up. Perhaps they work part time?

OP - some more information about your job, salary/pay band, mortgage progress so far would help people give constructive advice. 

In the public sector we get paid less than the private sector, in exchange for a variety of financial and non-financial benefits (pensions, sick leave, flexible working, job security etc.). If your main objective is to make hard cash now, giving up those other benefits and joining the private sector might be a good option. This might only be viable if you're doing a clerical job, rather than a clinical one, but from your OP it sounds that way.  Even if you are doing a clinical role, doing it through an agency basically swaps these benefits for hard cash. 

wannabe_a_saver

What kind of role are you in at the moment?  Does your NHS Trust have an education/training team?  They might be the best people to talk to about progression rather than your manager.  

General_Grant

ladyholly said:

Hi I didnt want to read and run even though I have no real advice except to say ignore what was said. Just apply for anything you are able to and if they bring up being a single parents challenge it as that is discrimination.

MalMonroe said:

. . .
Your manager's comment is not only disgusting but also discriminatory. Employers are not allowed to use anyone's marital status when employing staff and you shouldn't allow such an ignorant person to influence your choice of career or job. I'm sorry that your confidence was battered but whether you are single or not has nothing whatsoever to do with your ability to do any job. It's not even as if you would be increasing your hours or anything, as you already work full time. 
. . ..

Discrimination is not unlawful - job offers are made because someone has discrimated between individuals.

Discrimination on the grounds of marital status is unlawful but it appears any discrimination would be on the grounds of their childcare responsibilities not on their marital status.

However I do agree that it is not acceptable that having childcare responsibilities should of itself be used as a deciding factor.  On the other hand, if those responsibilities did have an adverse effect on an employee's ability to do the job . . .

whatstheplan

I don't know the Bolton area however looking online, there appear to be 3 bed properties from £100k.  Granted these might not be in the best areas, however looking at £120k+ the choice seems to improve.  You've done well to save £16k, an 80% ltv mortgage would require £24k deposit based on £120k property, or £18k if opting for an 85% ltv mortgage.  I don't know your circumstances (not my business) however if you were able to save £18k+, there might be mortgage options available for you?  At least that would get you out of renting and your payments would be going towards a property of your own, albeit maybe not the property of your dreams however it would be a starting point?

Easy to say, however don't listen to anyone saying you can't do x because you're a single parent.  Not only is that discriminatory, it's factually incorrect.  My mum was a single parent bringing me and my sister up in the 70s-90's.  She was a full time teacher.  It can be done.  Look at it this way, maybe they see you as a threat so are seeking ways to put you down?  Ignore them best you can, set your goals and go for it.

Good luck