Missy’s Surviving the storm so we can dance in the rain.

slm6002

It is stressful and I do think small businesses will be hit hard by extra costs.  I am today looking through recipes to see how I can make use of my slow cooker.  It would mean less fuel needed and cheaper cuts of meat could be used.  Plus it has the bonus of a meal being ready at the end of the day when its too easy to grab rubbish to eat.  I have 3 fussy children but they are going to have to either try it or go hungry.  If you dont have one look on the freebie sites around you as they are often given away for free.
I do think having a look at the wage you and OH take home is a good idea.  If it is not going to be viable for it to carry on it will be a hard decision but one that will need to be taken.  I am sure things will work out which ever path you go down, but double check you are not entitled to benefits, even if only a small amount, as being on them often opens the door for other help.
I hope the bbq goes well and you can enjoy yourself 

missymoo81

@joedenise that would be the first choice but there’s no way of swapping as other staff or on the opposite shift or the late night beforehand. 

And thanks @s@slm6002 I will have to do the same. I’m seriously considering going plant based to try and save some money. 

missymoo81

Ok well the  problem of next Tuesday has gone away as the job has been cancelled but the problem will come up again and again. We need to sit down and chat about how we’re going to sort the lack of money and the struggling business. OH is rather loathe to talk about it though. Or won’t give me a clear answer on things.

He’s got work elsewhere today, so I’m covering most of his shift at the business but having to bring the children, which is fine just a little boring for them. It does mean OH is ending up doing an 11 hour day but it’s just how it is.

Everyone I speak to seems really disheartened at the moment. Just with life and trying to live etc. but there’s no answer is there. 

Sorry for the Moan, will be back with a more positive post later. 

Hope you are all doing ok? 

missymoo81

Ok I wish I had something more positive to add, but have had the rubbishiest day. Another member of staff may be leaving but from small business this time. I thought I’d sorted out childcare for adhoc job but it appears not and it is a huge issue. And to top it all I found a fine letter from the dart charge I thought I’d paid but hasn’t . Which house sitter had put behind a load of stuff 3 weeks ago, so have now been fined £72.50 because it’s not within 14 days and finally my tooth crown just fell out earlier!!!!!!! I can honestly say I just burst into tears. Everything just feels so hard and I really seem to have to work so hard and overcome so many obstacles just to go to work and earn some money!!!!

Chrystal

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”  The saying is attributed to Einstein.  

Things don't improve unless you do something different.  OH sticking his head in the sand won't make the work situation improve, and with the state of everyones finances getting worse it's possible, or even probable, that the service you offer will  be one of the things people let go first. I understand that it's what you both prefer to do, but surely practicallity has to come first.

I  sincerely hope that you can get your heads together and come up with a  solution, but you need to see the situation as it is, not as  you wish it to be.  XXX

RelievedSheff

Oh Missy.

That sounds like a terrible day. Sending you big virtual hugs.

I really do hope that you both find a solution to the work situation soon.

Bluegreen143

Sending much love and hugs @missymoo81 ❤️❤️❤️ I do somewhat agree with @Chrystal that it may be time to take a good hard look at what you get from the business versus stress.

Look at your REAL hourly rate. How much do you and OH take home after all costs (not just tax, wages, business expenses but also do you spend more on takeaways and convenience due to being so busy?). Divide your wage by your REAL hours of work (including getting to and from work perhaps multiple times a day).

Once you have the real hourly wage you earn you may find that a paid office job will actually earn you as much even factoring in after school care (or you could negotiate slight part time hours, rather than being part time by working fewer days I work shorter ones so I can do the school run at 3). It’s not as difficult as you may think to cover school hols as it’s a case of booking holiday club for many, for me we just took unpaid leave which all parents are entitled to. I know your ex has the kids some of the holidays too so you’d maybe not need to cover it all. 

Or maybe with childcare you wouldn’t earn as much as you do now, but you can only find out by properly working out your actual hourly wage and decide if it’s work all the stress. And same for your OH. 

I really admire how you try to hold it all together and I honestly just want to give you a big hug as your life seems so stressful and busy. If you were earning mega bucks it may be worth it but if you’re struggling to make it all work financially I’m sure there must be a better way which reduces your stress. 

My company are giving a really good cost of living rise due to the inflation so that’s something to consider too, as well as the pension benefits, sometimes employment has that benefit over self employment where you are more cushioned against inflation (I appreciate not all companies give cost of living rises but many do). 

I think it’s a good time to be job hunting too as many sectors/companies are struggling to recruit and are willing to negotiate flexibility etc.

RelievedSheff

Bluegreen143 said:

Sending much love and hugs @missymoo81 ❤️❤️❤️ I do somewhat agree with @Chrystal that it may be time to take a good hard look at what you get from the business versus stress.

Look at your REAL hourly rate. How much do you and OH take home after all costs (not just tax, wages, business expenses but also do you spend more on takeaways and convenience due to being so busy?). Divide your wage by your REAL hours of work (including getting to and from work perhaps multiple times a day).

Once you have the real hourly wage you earn you may find that a paid office job will actually earn you as much even factoring in after school care (or you could negotiate slight part time hours, rather than being part time by working fewer days I work shorter ones so I can do the school run at 3). It’s not as difficult as you may think to cover school hols as it’s a case of booking holiday club for many, for me we just took unpaid leave which all parents are entitled to. I know your ex has the kids some of the holidays too so you’d maybe not need to cover it all. 

Or maybe with childcare you wouldn’t earn as much as you do now, but you can only find out by properly working out your actual hourly wage and decide if it’s work all the stress. And same for your OH. 

I really admire how you try to hold it all together and I honestly just want to give you a big hug as your life seems so stressful and busy. If you were earning mega bucks it may be worth it but if you’re struggling to make it all work financially I’m sure there must be a better way which reduces your stress. 

My company are giving a really good cost of living rise due to the inflation so that’s something to consider too, as well as the pension benefits, sometimes employment has that benefit over self employment where you are more cushioned against inflation (I appreciate not all companies give cost of living rises but many do). 

I think it’s a good time to be job hunting too as many sectors/companies are struggling to recruit and are willing to negotiate flexibility etc.

There is also sick pay and holiday pay to consider with employment rather then self employment as well as the pension contributions. It can all add up quite quickly.

As well of course as a known wage coming in on a known date which helps no end with budgeting. 

Bluegreen143

@RelievedSheff agreed, my DH just did jury duty and the actual pay they’ll give you in lieu of your wages is crap but fortunately his employer told him they would cover his jury duty on full pay instead of him having to claim the time back from the court. If he was self employed he’d not have got paid for that time (10 days) apart from the money from court. You don’t think about these things but they do all help.

jwil

Big hugs from me too.

I agree with the others.  People are going to cut back on as much as they can just to get through the winter.  Whatever you and OH decide to do, it's going to be really tough in your industry.  A stable income from one of you will really help cushion the blow.  Childcare can be expensive, but stable childcare that you can rely on is really valuable, and one thing ticked off your mental load so you don't have to worry about it.  The more flexible you can be about the type of work you are willing to do, the more likely you are to find a job that suits the hours you want to do.

I can remember all the stress and worry of trying to find childcare and worrying about whether it was worth it.  Once we had it sorted, it was just like all that stress disappeared.  We could go to work and not worry about the kids, and knowing the cost helped us budget.  Once the kids get older and the childcare reduces then you suddenly feel rich as you have the same income but fewer costs! One tip for uncertain hours - if you are anywhere near a hospital see what childcare the hospital staff use.  We found one which does extended hours, flexible hours, and a breakfast/after school club and holiday club.