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

[scaryclown]

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..

We do have a buffer, but there's been times in my life when it's been close like this between jobs/at flat moves - in those days I was very glad I did have a credit card ticking over.

OP, if you do have to live off lentils and just get by these few weeks, then longer term, get a credit card that you pay off each month/don't use, it's just a lot easier at times like this when you already have access to credit lined up when times are good.

I am well aware this doesn't help you today - but there may be others on the thread who don't need credit now, who might at some point if something similar happened to them, and it's one of those things that are worth thinking about when you don't need it...

used to work in a sort of bank....... non-profit. They gave loans to people with the loan amount based on their social welfare payments but the purpose of the loan noted as new job expenses

Some credit unions will still do something along those lines.

This is what credit unions, bank loans or credit cards are for. When I got my first job out of uni 25 years ago I had to move from Ireland to London and find a house share. I had to borrow £1000 to do it. It's just what you've got to do, it's not your employer's fault!

Unless you live somewhere ridiculously hilly then 10 miles on a bike isn't far. I used to cycle 7 each way into central London and I did it quicker than it would have taken me to catch the Northern Line.

Although you'd need showers at work though

Local councils do a loan scheme which is something like 2% interest for those who are struggling and have a new job in last 4 weeks.

I used it when I went back into work.

Other option is speak to job centre they sometimes pay your first months (or in my case weeks) travel.

I had 6 week crossover on last job move OP and it's tough, I feel for you!

My first proper job I had to take a bank loan out.

Couldn't stop with family and graduate job was in part of country knew no-one - good wage and great job but cheapest accomodation needed one and half time rent for depoist and first month rent - then train fare to office then food and smart work clothes.

It was very scary to add to my education debt - but long term it was only option I had.

We went into debt when DH sole wage earner was made redundant and had to stay afloat few months on savings - then pay out to get to new job and last first month out with no money coming in.

It's the way it is.

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.

😂😂 How's the view from your bubble?

I'm always a bit depressed by employers like this TBH. If people start with us mid-month and miss the payroll cutoff we always ask whether they need a salary advance, because six weeks (or more) without getting paid is a long time for some people and just because I'm fortunate enough to have a financial cushion, I don't assume that everyone is in that position.

I wonder how the holier than thous on this thread would react if their work changed their payroll to mid-month and announced there would be a six week gap between paydays as a result....

Lots of credit unions will not give a loan, unless you have been with them for a set amount of time.

IME all decent employers pay monthly, and its only shitty, low paid, temporary jobs that pay weekly.

IME most decent employers are happy to give an advance when you start as they know you may have additional costs e.g. moving house, transport.

So what's the problem? Why are you blaming them for you having no money?

Ask HR if you can have your September salary paid at the end of this month. I can't see why there wouldn't be enough time to set this up - if you've got a start date then they know you're coming and what your salary is, fgs.

You may be taxed at emergency rate but this may happen anyway and you'll get any overpayment back in your next pay once this is sorted out.

I think you sound like an arse. If you've not planned for a rainy day it's your fault. No one else's.

As business owners we offer all new employees an advance up to half a months wages. We pay everyone twice a month.

I hate monthly payroll. It's so much harder to budget and as the person processing payroll I find it easier to do it twice a month.

I know it's too late right now but I would ask on Monday when they can set you up on payroll. I would build in more room in your budget by cycling 3 days a week and taking the bus the other 2 days. 10 miles by bike isn't that bad. Even at a slow pace (unless my bike speedometer is wrong) it's a 40-50min ride.

mama and boom If you don't have something nice to say find another thread. You must have such sheltered/sad lives to be mean to someone who is trying to help themselves. It's great the OP has gotten a job. It's a very common problem that the Op has. I've been in the shoes of the Op and I'm someone who today who can relate, empathize and doesn't forget just how hard it can be to turn yourself around.

I was with you until you started ranting about employers making it hard

Scaryclown has more form than the racing post for self pity and buck passing.

Because nothing is ever ,scaryclown's responsibility and she is a victim of persecution and she's incapable of taking responsibility for herself or her own fuckups.

Oh and didn't she start that anti-Semitic thread that got deleted a few days ago too? (Apologies if not)

I think you sound like an arse.

Well, coincidentally....

Don't worry. They have free tea and coffee so I can live on sugar and milk. :)

So my plan is max frugality and reading on the bus to stave off existential despair.

I have also made a note in my fantasy organisation's induction policy to welcome new starters with a bus pass and weekly pay for the first month of probation, along with my regulations for arbitration on boss/employee disputes so that bosses can't take out their personal political strategies on juniors, and positive feedback training.

Also I have started my list of mumsnet terms who are positive helpful and practical, and those who are mud-slinging impractical problem magnifiers just in case I recruit by username.

Thanks all! Batch cooking 50p lunches tomorrow and getting my locker noodles packed...

Another vote for asking for an advance (I am a finance director) - seems you are just a bit unlucky calendar wise with your start date as it is presumably too late now to pay you at the end of September.

In the circs, I would expect the employer to offer something.

Most people I know used up their 3 month buffers long ago, and are just about managing month to month/week to week.

Please, OP, there is no shame in needing an advance in a new job, especially after years of government austerity, please just ask. You don't have to have a large advance, just enough so you aren't quite so squeezed.

I don't know anyone living week-to-week!

And I'm certainly not super posh or anything. Just everyone I know is sensible. Not one would be spending money they don't have an building a buffer is a necessity for emergencies and not dipped into for treats.

There are plenty of threads on here like feed a family of 4 for £20. I would do that to build my buffer is needed not just live until i ran out of money!

Also it isn't that hard to get an overdraft is it? I had at least £1k as an 18yr old on part time minimum wage.

How would weekly pay help? After your first month, you'd have to wait a month after having just had a week's salary - I don't think it's helpful.

However, I run a payroll and frequently ask new starters if they need a small advance. I also ensure that I get then on the first month's payroll. If you were starting at my place of work on Monday you'd get 2 weeks' pay for September.

Do you know for a fact you won't get paid until October?

It used to be far easier to get credit than it is now.

'Also it isn't that hard to get an overdraft is it? I had at least £1k as an 18yr old on part time minimum wage.'

How is the world so full of such smug and naive people? How do they get so far are in life being so incredibly clueless and unable to think outside a tiny box? Here's a newsflash: after 2008, banks stopped doling out loaned money to all and sundry. So yes, it can be quite hard.

'I don't know anyone living week-to-week!

And I'm certainly not super posh or anything. Just everyone I know is sensible. Not one would be spending money they don't have an building a buffer is a necessity for emergencies and not dipped into for treats. '

You know the minutiae of everyone you know's financial details? For real? Sure. You honestly believe everyone who doesn't have this buffer is someone who spends frivolously? Fucking hell, what a world to live in! There are millions who live week to week and it's not because they spunk every penny away, it's because inflation's gone up to nearly 3% whilst wages have stagnated.

Jesus wept.

Boom Everyone you know has a three month buffer, do they?

Then I can safely say you don't meet people from a variety of backgrounds.

I used to get anxious if I didn't have 4 months of living expenses at all times. Then stuff happened and I slowly ate through my buffer. I'm ok right now, but I haven't yet had a chance to rebuild savings.

What do you think happens once your gold standard three months runs out - do you think life always conveniently works out in neat patterns? Sometimes, people can still be desperately scrambling through shit for years, not just three months.