To get a job on a chat line?

[Chuckthefucklebrothers]

I've done it before (years ago, mind). Didn't make huge amounts of money, but did make some.

I'm a single parent, very, very short on money. I have a cash in hand job which tops up my benefits (yeah, so flame me!) as I can't work 'properly' until my youngest starts school later in the year. For reasons that I don't want to get into for fear of outing myself (paranoid) I don't get much in the way of housing benefit so am struggling to pay my rent, never mind all the other bills (hence the fraud). However, even doing this & cutting back as much as I can, it is very difficult to make the cash stretch. And I feel horrible that I won't be able to do ANYTHING with the kids over the summer, no days out, nothing. But if I could make a bit extra working the chat lines at night & when the kids are at their dads' I could save the money, theoretically...

I'm gonna get torn to shreds here aren't I?

[MojitoMadness]

You probably will get torn to shreds. I can understand why you want to do it. Personally I couldn't live with constantly looking over my shoulder and the fear of being caught. But, if you can get away with it, go for it.

[Pumpkinpositive]

Can their father not help? Does he pay contributions?

[swooosh]

A friend of mine has done it and blogged about it. fromalditoharrods.com/adult-chat-lines-part-1/

I'm not sure I'D want to do it but for sitting at home chatting its not a bad 'job'

[NurseyWursey]

I don't see a problem with it at all!

[Chuckthefucklebrothers]

Thank you Mojito. I'm not sure if I can either but desperate times & all that. And it's not like I'm planning on doing any of this forever. Once September comes round I can get a proper, above board job & will hopefully have enough to live off. At the moment, unless I work 16+ hrs a week (which I can't) I'd be working for nothing.

[Chuckthefucklebrothers]

Thanks, will check out the blog!
Yes, one of the fathers does help but he's not earning much so not a great deal (and of course anything over a tenner a wk is deducted anyway...)

[vexedfoxy]

If some sad git is mug enough to pay a premium their 'phone bill to talk to you...you go milk them girl, if it gets you back on your feet better for all of us......

[WorraLiberty]

There's been a few threads like this over the years and I haven't seen anyone get particularly torn to shreds.

I'm not sure there's much money to be made from chatlines any more though, as it seems to be all web cam sites you see advertised.

[Chuckthefucklebrothers]

Are you sure UsualSuspect? I read that it got taken off income support.

[StrawberryGashes]

usual is right, the law changed a few years ago so now child maintenance is completely separate from benefits.

Have you checked that you're receiving all of the benefits you're entitled to?

[StrawberryGashes]

I don't agree with working on top of claiming benefits and not declaring it, but when I was a single parent I only had one child so I probably wasn't struggling as much as you are.

If you start work in September you may need start up costs like upfront childminders/after school club/breakfast club, work clothes, or transport fees so if you go ahead then put some money by to cover this.

[Chuckthefucklebrothers]

Wow, thanks for that link Usual. I'm really surprised! What if my ex was a millionaire (if only!) & paying huge amounts of maintenance??

I don't agree with what I'm doing either, in theory... In practice, I can't cut back any further so I NEED the extra income from the cash job. (It's only a few hrs a week btw, but even that makes the difference between having the money to get food & well, not). The chat line work would be paid through the bank, which is a worry. Perhaps it's not worth the risk, on reflection. I could make it up to the kids next year.

[HighlanderMam]

Gotta do what you gotta do, have you thought about doing the tarot reading phone line instead? Just as easy, but less, well, you know.

[Chuckthefucklebrothers]

And thanks for asking Strawberry, yes, I'm claiming everything I'm entitled to. Sorry for the drip feed but I've got over my paranoia - my eldest is over 18 & in work (again, not earning a huge amount), so I have lost a large chunk of housing & council tax benefit. Although he is contributing, I'm not prepared to ask him to make up ALL of the shortfall, just doesn't seem right. I am also paying off quite a big overpayment that happened because he didn't sign on when he left college (I thought I was doing the right thing by discouraging him from claiming benefits...)

[roastedalmondfudge]

I think there are two issues here - working + claiming benefits and working on a chat line.

No problem with the latter. I used to do it. The former - not so sure. But what the heck, YANBU.

[Chuckthefucklebrothers]

Highlander, if anything that seems MORE immoral, at least the pervy men who ring chat lines know that you are lying to them!

[roastedalmondfudge]

Why is the tarot reading better? That's worse surely - taking money from vulnerable people probably in need of comfort!

At least the sex lines are honest - money for a service.

[roastedalmondfudge]

X post chuck

[Cuddleswithcats]

If it helps you and your children then do what you need to.

[Only1scoop]

Go for it Op....
Saw that documentary lovely ladies talking risque ....whilst....

knitting....chopping carrots for supper....doing ironing.....

Very enterprising

[callamia]

My friend used to do the text sex lines. He earned a reasonable amount from it, and I assume that none of the men knew he was a chap either.
I totally see why you'd want to do it, and as long as you're not making yourself miserable over it, then do whatever you need.

[KatherinaMinola]

I had a friend who worked on a tarot line - apparently they really do deal the cards and read from them - they don't just make up shit. (Obviously it's all bollocks anyway - but it made it seem more above-board bollocks).

[Rommell]

I also know someone who works on one of the tarot lines and she has the cards and deals them and then talks shite at does proper readings for the people that ring her up.