Pulling my frugal pants on.

Cherryfudge

ladybird1106 said:

 I’ve been back over my application form and there was a couple of things that stood out, which I couldn’t alter. My past expertise and knowledge wasn’t necessarily inline with what they wanted. Although I did talk about transferable skills blah blah blah. Anyway not meant to be. 

 

Of course my next question is going to be: what can you do to fill in the gaps?  And when you talk about transferable skills, have you listed yours and given examples of how they would apply in X post? For instance: 'my 20 years of experience as primary carer for a family member with (condition) mean I am a steady, reliable worker, able to prioritise and problem-solve, calm in a crisis and accustomed to liaising with professionals'. That's just off the top of my head as there would be lots more you could add so if you haven't already, google 'transferable skills'. There are various lists you could use to identify what you already have and what you might benefit from working on.

If you get the chance to read more around areas you are interested in, look out for 'buzz words' to drop into applications, and watch out for phrases that are no longer used (I still have to correct myself and say 'learner' instead of 'student').

ladybird1106

I think the biggest gap is probably not working for almost 18years so no recent employment. I think I need to look at maybe getting some voluntary work. Which will ease me back into work and on the plus side I can see how the youngest copes without me be on constant tap. Buzz words are definitely something I need to look at. Thanks cherryfudge.
  Made another £20.50 from selling another item. Will add that to my 🐞PP. later today. Need to perhaps having a running total in my signature.Right time for a snacklet 
 Love 🐞

ladybird1106

Off to the plot finally, seems ages since we’ve been. So behind in getting it winter ready. 😖.
love 🐞

Cherryfudge

ladybird1106 said:

I think the biggest gap is probably not working for almost 18years so no recent employment. I think I need to look at maybe getting some voluntary work. Which will ease me back into work and on the plus side I can see how the youngest copes without me be on constant tap. Buzz words are definitely something I need to look at. Thanks cherryfudge.
  Made another £20.50 from selling another item. Will add that to my 🐞PP. later today. Need to perhaps having a running total in my signature.Right time for a snacklet 
 Love 🐞

Voluntary work is a great idea, just as you say, it's recent, it gives you experience and it will show up any areas where youngest still needs support.

Don't think of yourself as not having done anything though, and don't let anyone else think that either! You've done loads especially in caring for others, you've just not been paid for it. Also, it's been up to you to work it out, which you can 'sell' as 'ability to take the initiative and work independently' (though you could counterbalance that with teamwork somewhere along the line).

Nice work on another sale, and enjoy being out in the fresh air.

KajiKita

Agree with @Cherryfudge, as someone who used to recruit people, I genuinely liked employing working mums (and parents in general, not to be sexist) as they have an amazing ability to prioritise, juggle and build strong relationships with people. 

It is about demonstrating how your life experience will be useful in a work context. Then identify the technical gaps you will inevitably have, acknowledge them and then say something about how you plan to work to fill those gaps quickly (online learning and research for example) and how much you are looking forward to learning in these areas. That’s up front, honest and proactive. I would respond well to that in an application and would likely get you an interview - I have always worked to the axiom that “you can teach skills but you can’t teach attitude’ … 😉

I have been clearing weeds in my veggie patch this morning and relocating sprouting elephant garlic 😉

KK

ladybird1106

Thanks KK . 

The plot is looking so much better. 

Frugalness for today.
1. Stew prepared from fridge bottom veg and in the slow cooker.
2. Tea was lots of pickie bits that have been languishing in the back of various freezer draws
3. Dad had lots of those blue plastic cover shoes, I’ve been wondering what to use them for. They make excellent dog poo bags. 

4. Lots of free exercise-yoga and walk miss giddychops 

 Not so frugal
1.  Yoghurt covered Brazil nuts should not be bought as they are too damn moreish and 1 is just not enough.

Love 🐞

KajiKita

Well done on the plot progress. 👏😊

We have big plastic bags in work that make a really good bin liner - I trialled one this weekend and will ask for a few more when I see the cleaner again this week 😊 Glad the shoe covers are being similarly repurposed. 

I was channeling you yesterday when putting washing on the line - it wasn’t dry when it came in, but a lot dryer 😊

KK

ladybird1106

Very busy day, lots of running about. Went to dad’s to get the last piece of furniture. Whilst out estate agent phoned, someone wants to view the property. It’s not even on right move and no photos yet.  Arranged for later in the week as there is still stuff everywhere ( half sibling). So I will go over later in the week to show potential buyer around. 

Quick shop and then trip to the orthotics department at the hospital as the youngest shoes need attention. Another pair ordered but this time they will be reinforced where they toe. 

Frugalness for today
1.  Used natures tumble dryer
2.  Claimed another piece of furniture of dads for use at home.
3. Fridge bottom stew with yorkies for tea.
4. Ys stewing beef (freezer for another time)

Not so frugal
a. Yoghurt Brazil nuts just too moreish (all eaten)
love 🐞

Cherryfudge

I think we could allow the yogurt Brazil nuts, don't you? Seeing as you have a lot going on.

Great that there's a potential buyer already!

ladybird1106

Dad’s house is finally looking presentable. Brought a few more things home. Will need a massive rearrangement in the new year plus a declutter. 

OH and I went out for our Christmas meal it’s been years since we last did it. We used to do it when the kids were tiny. However, once they hit school age they became money pits 🤣, money became tight so it was knocked on the head. Lovely local Greek restaurant with a lot of gluten free options, had cheeky cocktail too. £82 for an enjoyable evening, although OH came home and had a sandwich. Apparently it’s for medicinal purposes, to soak up the alcohol 😝. 

It did give us chance to chat about future goals some agreed on others to be revisited. Amounts will depend on dad’s house sale. EF is needed as this is currently empty. OH has been in his job 3 years, so if he became ill he’d get 3 months full pay 3 months half pay. The plan is to cover a full year taking into account what he would currently get. A bit morbid and probably not needed but it’s something that worries me.  The longer he works there the more cover he gets and as that happens I would transfer that  money I’ve put aside into our pension pots. We are planning on selling the shares his parents bought us for a wedding present. They aren’t worth a great deal, so will be sold in the new year and money put into my 🐞PP to maximise this years allocation. A new kitchen is in the cards as ours is falling to bits. Nothing flash. Talked holidays and agreed to buy more days in April. Actual holidays are already booked. Hadrians wall walk, gower with mum( she’s paid for accommodation, I drive, pay for petrol and food and do the cooking) gower with in laws( paying half accommodation) and lakes with mum ( I’m paying to say thank you for all her support with dad - her ex). 

We need to get an electrician in as we have a few issues that need rectifying. 

However the house needs to sell first. 

Need a slow day today as symptoms for my condition are raising their ugly head .
love 🐞