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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Really struggling, is it just me

9 replies

chickenhouse · 13/10/2020 13:34

I'm 28, moved to Scotland from England on my own in Feb 2020 before the pandemic kicked off. I wanted to switch careers from admin into sales, started a new job in event sales (min wage + commission) and loved it, and then lockdown happened.

Everyone in the company was put on furlough so I've been living on 800 quid a month. Then had a couple of really rough months of being totally isolated in a new city, getting ghosted by a guy I really liked, financial strain, everything being shut down and not being able to meet any new people/being terrified to catch COVID if I did. I tried to make the most of it and I applied for other jobs (mostly admin) but honestly was holding out hope that I could return to this job I loved. I (yes naively) thought the pandemic would kind of blow over by now.

So October rolls around and I get let go, company has run out of money, cant pay me this months furlough. I have to dip into dwindling savings to pay rent and food. I am accepted for a temp job but it requires working from home and a strong internet connection (taking calls over wifi all day).

I cant afford to live on my own, I live in a self contained flat but I share the internet and washing machine with 6 other people (mostly students at home all day) and the internet is really slow. The agency I let through are useless and never want to fix anything, everything is the cheapest possible shite they can get away with, so they wont upgrade the internet, in fact they'd probably be happy if I left because they were advertising at reduced rent when I moved in.

I start this new job tomorrow and I feel like its just not going to work because of this slow internet issue, I'm already looking at places to move to but I have to give a months notice and things are already tight financially. I am really struggling not just with this but with the months and months of slowly being worn down into nothing. AIBU what can I do

OP posts:
PollyPelargonium52 · 13/10/2020 13:53

Can u buy a wifi booster for the room you will work from?

MsVestibule · 13/10/2020 13:53

All of that sounds really, really difficult. I would start the job and just see how it goes. Would it be worth you paying the extra for better internet? I know it's not fair, but if it means you keep your head above water while you're looking for something else, it might be an option. Would your new flat mates be prepared to chip in? It would only be a few pounds a month each, but I think one person would be financially responsible for it.

formerbabe · 13/10/2020 13:54

Sounds really tough.

I'm not an expert but there must be a solution to the wifi issue...hopefully someone techy could advise you.

Calic0 · 13/10/2020 13:56

Not just you, OP. I think most of people are struggling one way or the other and it sounds like you have had a really horrible time of it. I’m sorry.

One step at a time - a WiFi booster sounds like a great idea to start with. We got one nice and cheap from Amazon and it has really helped. What else can you change immediately - just a small thing - to help?

Fightthebear · 13/10/2020 13:58

Could you hotspot off your phone?

Works better for me when WiFi is slow.

SqueakyDogToy · 13/10/2020 14:01

Could you go to a pub/restaurant and use there wifi? I know a few places where I live charge something like £10 a week to "hire" a table, use there WiFi and unlimited tea and coffee all day. Its worth a look in to?

SqueakyDogToy · 13/10/2020 14:04

Also, Don't struggle in silence. Youv'e made the first move by talking on here. I find talking to strangers help, Even if it is on Social media such as MN or Fb. Could you organise a zoom chat with your friends and family?
Where do you stand on help with extra outgoing's due to WFH? Have you asked the company of they are prepared to pay the extra needed for a good WiFi connection?

Things WILL get better. I promise,

chickenhouse · 13/10/2020 14:08

Sorry didnt explain very well! I have to plug into the router via ethernet cable as the computer they've given me is not wifi enabled and I've done that and its still quite slow. I think I'll just have to give it a go and hope for the best, if not beg my landlord to upgrade and offer to pay. Thanks for the replies everyone think I was just having a bit of a wobbler x

OP posts:
Thief0fTime40 · 13/10/2020 14:26

Story on BBC news

Some pubs are renting out a table & chair with free wi fi for £10 per day

If pubs are closed, perhaps find some other place that is looking for income & people

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