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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be angry I very nearly can't afford to start a new job

135 replies

scaryclown · 16/09/2017 11:28

I'm just having a slight fear period S I'm starting a new job on Monday, I have to use a bus to get there, won't be paid until the end of October, and have £130 spare on top of my mortgage payments.

So.. I need £90 for all the bus journeys,
Have enough lentils,/ tinned tomatoes /rice / pasta to get by.. Just..

But won't be able to do anything else at all. I've not had income since 15th August..

It's stupid isn't it..

Sad

OP posts:
mirime · 16/09/2017 12:26

10 miles isn't far to cycle.

Depends on the route and confidence when cycling. I'll cycle to work now because it's mainly on quiet residential streets with very little traffic. Wouldn't have cycled before because I'm not confident cycling on very busy roads with huge lorries barreling along and idiots who think it's ok to speed and race reach other. It was bad enough crossing it as an pedestrian.

Penny4UrThoughts · 16/09/2017 12:28

Beachy, employers can pay how they want, weekly and monthly is the most common, some also pay fortnightly and some even quarterly (every three months), but that's usually for very part time roles.

SciFiFan2015 · 16/09/2017 12:28

Try this. liftshare.com/uk

Obviously only you have the right data to pop in but you never know! Might find something that suits.

Another vote for cycling here too at least until you build up the buffer of savings to allow for some sort of travel pass. Plus it allows you to exercise in your commute. You'll need to allow around an hour (maybe more) which might actually be the same amount of time as your commute by other forms.

Maybe your employer has an internal lift share scheme - you could ask.

Or is there some sort of local community Facebook group - with precautions perhaps you could advertise for a lift share there?

Good luck.

ComputerUserNotTrained · 16/09/2017 12:29

10 miles isn't far to cycle Hmm

Yes it bloody well is - if you're doing it day in, day out in all weathers. And both ways!

Op, have a look at car share schemes like this one

Regarding the shift from weekly to monthly pay that has been mentioned, some employers (including large ones) will pay fortnightly for a transition period, although they won't publicise the fact. It is sometimes worth having a quiet word with their HR.

HarrietVane99 · 16/09/2017 12:29

OP, is the bus fare cheaper if you get on or off further along the route? It might be that walking for 10-15 minutes could take you to the next fare stage, which could save you a couple of pounds each day.

Penny4UrThoughts · 16/09/2017 12:29

Op, could you have a clear out and list items for sale on ebay/Gumtree/Facebook etc? Most people have things that they no longer need that others would pay for.

SerfTerf · 16/09/2017 12:29

It's normal here beachy.

Except for manual or law wage jobs which are paid weekly.

ComputerUserNotTrained · 16/09/2017 12:30

x-post with SciFi :)

NotCitrus · 16/09/2017 12:30

This is exactly what a credit card is useful for if you can trust yourself to pay it back as soon as you get paid and not go beyond your means - typically no fee and six weeks interest free credit. Even if they give you a low limit like £200 it could help your current problem if you applied now - your current bank would probably let you have one even if you have bad credit ratings.

InvisibleKittenAttack · 16/09/2017 12:36

Monthly pay is normal here, as is monthly bills, makes life easier if all your bills come out a couple of days after being paid so you know what you've got left to live off.

OP - It's not your employers fault, or maybe they could have given the job to someone closer who can walk there...

There are some good suggestions on here, I would go with getting a credit card for the bus fares if you know you can pay it back when you get paid if you can't raise the money any other way.

Be careful turning up with a "my employers are taking the piss" attitude when they really aren't, you aren't doing them a favour by being there and you are unlikely to be the only person they could get to do that job.

October is a bit of a crap month anyway !

Evelynismyspyname · 16/09/2017 12:37

Beachy in Europe almost everyone is paid monthly, directly into their bank account minus tax and other deductions.

BakedBeans47 · 16/09/2017 12:38

If they are paying you at the end of October, they must be paying their current staff a salary at the end of September surely? I can see you might have missed their payroll cut off, but could they give you an advance of September's pay? Have you asked them? It's not really reasonable for someone to work 6 weeks before getting any money.

pastafairy · 16/09/2017 12:39

My last job paid on the 15th of the month, this one is the last working day. That was a long 6 weeks!

BoomBoomBoomBoooom · 16/09/2017 12:40

Everyone I know has at least a 3 month buffer- its your fault you don't.

Also can't you just get an arranged overdraft.

Iheartjordanknight · 16/09/2017 12:41

I certainly wouldn't tolerate waiting 6 weeks for pay, and wouldn't expect my staff to wait either. Most people would need to pay their mortgage/ rent in those 6 weeks.

Speak to them and ask why you can't get part payment on the usual day. They're probably just being lazy.

Credit unions are a longer terms solution I don't think you can just walk In and borrow money. You have to build up some savings

But yes credit cards or overdrafts are made for this.

BeachyKeen · 16/09/2017 12:42

Thank you for the explanations! We also do direct deposit pay, as the employer deals with tax/ei/pension.
I was just confused as to why they would, but maybe it's just less admin!

Iheartjordanknight · 16/09/2017 12:42

No they don't Boom 😂 What crap.

BakedBeans47 · 16/09/2017 12:42

Boom boom a lot of people live month to month. How is it their fault that they can't accumulate a 3 month buffer if they have to spend all their wages on basic living costs?

Iheartjordanknight · 16/09/2017 12:43

Beachy all your bills are monthly too, so you eg set up your mortgage payment the same day as your payday. Makes things easier managing money

Evelynismyspyname · 16/09/2017 12:43

Boom a 3 month buffer is sensible but young people just starting out and people in minimum wage commonly won't have that.

I think scary has changed jobs a lot and had a lot of short periods without work, so probably not built up a buffer.

Most people would need to be in a job at least a year or so to save a 3 month buffer.

ComputerUserNotTrained · 16/09/2017 12:43

Everyone I know has at least a 3 month buffer- its your fault you don't

Bollocks. And how on earth do you know everyone's financial situation, anyway?

Moreisnnogedag · 16/09/2017 12:49

Actually I think OP has a point - I've had a number of employers dick about getting that first pay check sorted, and have not been paid at all a few times. Each and every time Ive rung payroll they've been amazed that no, I don't have a pot of cash I can dip into to cover not receiving an entire months salary and yes, I do want my pay immediately not added onto next months

Moreisnnogedag · 16/09/2017 12:50

Ah boom everyone has 3 months saved up?? Oh and just ring up your bank to arrange an overdraft just like that. Do you happen to work in payroll? Hmm

BeachyKeen · 16/09/2017 12:51

All of our bills are monthly too, I guess we just save part of the pay from each pay, and set up your bills to come out on either the last day of the month, or set half of them up to pay on the 15th.
It's interesting to learn how it's done elsewhere, and I do appreciate people answering my questions!

EATmum · 16/09/2017 12:52

I work in HR and would always be happy to offer an interim payment for a new starter. Have you asked them OP? They may not have offered but they may be more sympathetic than you'd imagine. It won't be the first time someone has asked I'm sure.