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AIBU?

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Original poster

I can't afford to get to work

193 replies

FiscallyChallenged · 16/09/2015 21:46

I was laid off my last job in July, and received my last set of wages (3 weeks worth) at the end of that month. I live in London, and I didn't get a travelcard last month because I didn't see the point if I wasn't going to be travelling every day, and I needed to make my money last as long as possible.
I started my new job last week, and have to pay pay-as-you-go fares to get there and back, which costs £7.60 per day. It would be cheaper to get the bus, but there's never any telling how long it would take- I took one home on my first day and it took almost three hours! I now have £15 left, I'm not paid til the end of next week and I have no idea what to do. It's way too far to walk, I have a bike but it's a bit of a wreck and doesn't have any lights. I'm already surviving on an apple and cup-a-soup for breakfast and lunch. I can't get a season ticket loan as you have to buy the ticket first before you're reimbursed. There's nobody I can borrow money from.

Help! Any ideas?

OP posts:
PressTheAButton · 17/09/2015 01:08

OP, have you posted before when you were stuck for cash?

Firstly, I wanted to say congrats on the new job! It's going to be a tricky couple of weeks but once you get your pay check hopefully you will be able to get back on your feet. If it wasn't worth signing on because your DPs salary is too high then i presume his salary isn't too bad.

Have you got any other things that you have to pay for over the next week?

I think it might be worth looking at a pay day loan. If both you and your DP are working then I would have thought you would be able to get one. You might feel more comfortable doing that than asking for help.

PressTheAButton · 17/09/2015 01:20

You might have been unlucky with the bus the time you tried it. If you left for work fairly early and biked to Walthamstow and caught the bus (48?? Not sure) then I would be surprised if it took anything like 3 hours. I would have another look at it.

esmeralda1234 · 17/09/2015 01:26

I was in your exact position last month.. my savior was the old phone I had on my shelves. The £30 from this paid for my travelcard for the week. Do you have anything like that? Also have a look if your oyster is registered if you have any unclaimed refunds.. I had a look and there was £15 waiting for me! Any spare oyster cards you have are worth £5 as well, so might be worth cashing one in to top up another! Hope it all works out for you.

UnderTheGreenwoodTree · 17/09/2015 01:35

Don't cycle 10-13 miles in London if you're out of practice and only had an apple and a cup a soup! It would be better to get the bus and just take the time - getting home frequently takes longer than getting into London.

Payday loan - those companies are hateful - but this might be a circumstance it was genuinely good for - as you know you're getting paid soon. Pay it off though.

I have to ask - is your partner eating? I can't believe you're getting through a working day on so little - presumably you eat together at night? Is he eating so little in the day?

Whatsforsupper · 17/09/2015 02:06

Can you let us know if you've sorted this out?

Penguinandminipenguin · 17/09/2015 05:48

How much do you need to see you through to next Friday?

DontDrinkandFacebook · 17/09/2015 05:57

I was going to suggest asking for an advance as well - surely there is an HR department (or at least a person responsible for HR matters) in the London office? Are you saying their payroll is done from another country? Confused Its a shame you didn't sign on, it would have solved this problem.

DontDrinkandFacebook · 17/09/2015 05:59

I think it's best to speak to your new manager and explain the situation honestly. They must at least have a petty cash tin they have permission to raid, it's not like you are asking them for an advance of hundreds.

Sockattack · 17/09/2015 06:04

Presstheabutton. Her partner would only need to work more than 24 hrs earn around £130 a week for them not to qualify for JSA. Hardly a decent wage...

whois · 17/09/2015 07:25

Payday loan for the travel card amount and pay it back the very second you get paid.

AnneEtAramis · 17/09/2015 07:42

OP, cycle to Walthamstow and get the bus. I used to get the 48 all the way to London Bridge - about 2hrs and the 55 from Leyton to Oxford Circus - again 1.5 hours. I think for 9 days this is the best option.

babybat · 17/09/2015 08:04

OP, I'm in London and I have some spare bike lights you can have for free. DM me if you'd like them.

MrsDeVere · 17/09/2015 08:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

rainpouringrainbows · 17/09/2015 08:15

If you cannot get a salary advance, I would ask the local church to help. It is a really hard thing to do, but I would explain, ask them to buy the travel card for me (you don't even want cash, you need transport) and give the money back when you can. There are still some lovely people around here.

AskBasil · 17/09/2015 08:21

Do you not have a friend who would loan you the money?

How is your DP getting to work? How is he eating?

I don't think you can access Credit Union loans unless you're already a saver with them.

But the church is a good starting point,because they will be able to signpost you to organisations which give either crisis loans or grants to cover situations like this.

Don't cycle 13 miles in London if you're not used to it, it's dangerous.

MrsDeVere · 17/09/2015 08:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Thelushinthepub · 17/09/2015 08:31

Ok I'm confused- you have £15 until tomorrow? So you posted this yesterday you needed x2 return journeys? The bus (or multiple buses) is the best option surely? Yes it will take time but take a book and get off and walk when you're within a couple of miles of work.

What would you cycle (dangerous and your money will be wasted on lights) or go to the council or church? What would they do? Asking work would make sense if you were talking about a week or month but not 2 days.

Friday will be a great payday!

Anotherusername1 · 17/09/2015 08:32

The Evening Standard ran a campaign about poverty in London last year, I wonder if there are organisations that could help you with a loan.

But do you have an Oyster card? I wonder if some of us on here could credit it online for you? You only need about £40 for next week's fares.

Anotherusername1 · 17/09/2015 08:32

When I say "only" I know it's a lot for you but not a lot to "crowdfund".

Thelushinthepub · 17/09/2015 08:35

Ok last post has clarified its £15 for next weeks travel also. I would go for a payday loan or ideally, ask work. If they need to get overseas authorisation for a £50 salary advance there is something wrong, tbh

Misnomer · 17/09/2015 08:45

Actually, I think you would have been entitled to out of work benefits if you were made redundant/lost your job - this is contribution based jsa. It isn't means tested for the first six months. I guess that may have changed recently but I'm fairly sure my friend was able to claim after she was laid off and her husband makes decent money and this was only about a year ago. Did you try to claim? It would have been a shame not to, especially as they can help bridge the gap between starting work and the first pay check. For anyone else in the same position please check out your rights.

Misnomer · 17/09/2015 08:48

OP, I'm sorry to doubt your story but I'm also really struggling to see how your company would not be willing to give you an advance. I've worked for international companies in London and I've never come across one that would have to authorise something like this from their international headquarters.

Misnomer · 17/09/2015 08:53

Here's the relevant link about benefits:

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/in-work-or-looking-for-work/benefits-for-people-looking-for-work/

I'm sorry but the OP's story doesn't add up to me.

MidniteScribbler · 17/09/2015 08:58

Can you have a chat to the boss? When I worked corporate we would often give new starters enough from the petty cash tin to cover their first week or so until they got paid. They put in an IOU and it got paid back after their first pay. Heck, I'd have been happy to give any of my staff $50 out of my own pocket for the first week if it meant them not having to do a stupidly long commute or live off two minute noodles.

OneBreathAfterAnother · 17/09/2015 09:05

OP would have been entitled to contributions based JSA but you cannot claim retrospectively, in any circumstances, so telling her that now is not helpful. Ignorance of entitlement is no defence.

I'd go for a payday loan if you'll be able to cover this month's travel and next months, OP, because cycling 10 miles each way on an empty stomach isn't likely to feel good or leave you in a good condition to be working.

Do you have any jewellery or gadgets that you could pawn for 9 days? They only need to be worth £40, and that way, if you can't pay it back for whatever reason you do have the option to forfeit the goods.

I can understand your reluctance to explain your circumstances to a new company but if all of the other options are no good, I think you may have to ask for a small advance, or whether it's possible for the company to buy the season ticket today and for your repayments to start from your first pay? That's probably not too much of an unusual request.