Anyone else feel they will lose everything now?

[SouthWestmom]

Dh earns a decent wage but with four kids and one at uni plus a high mortgage we have very little buffer. His job will probably go if the economy slows. I can't work because of caring duties. We probably have a full months worth of expenses in savings.

It's not just staying in for two weeks. It's if he loses his job. I just can't see us surviving months of this.

I have my last holiday dogs today. This is the time of year I build up savings, to carry me through the rest of the year. I’ve been looking through my list and although some of my clients work in essential services, it only takes one family member to wfh or lose their job and I lose that day care dog. I’ve went from a situation where I was turning dogs away to a business that is sinking. I did this so my life wouldn’t be spent as a carer for my child and no career. Funny how things turn out.

That's helpful *Chrissie

I forgot to add, I’ll always be a carer, but has the luxury of working from home.

My job has just gone from an exciting new opportunity to a business that is falling a part. Our main projects are likely to be suspended and the reality is there will be little new business and little revenue to sustain our current team. Job offers to new people have been retracted. What will happen is anyone’s guess. It will all depend on whether the business will carry the team until things get better again. I’m very worried. DH job is stable though, which is something. We also have a good six months salary or so in savings. So not destitute but some really worrying times ahead.

I'm a publican, it's a brewery pub, we are fucked, we won't recover from this, when we close, most likely tomorrow it'll be the last time my doors will swing,

Oh I'm so sorry. It is crap that nothing is definite, and just don't go not we are closing things.

Honestly I don't feel better hearing others have six months savings! I feel stupid and crap that we earned decent money but couldn't afford to save properly.

No idea what will happen. Should be able to do some work from home, not sure how though.

Massive sympathy for everyone shitting themselves about finances.

Dh and I are both self employed and renting. To be honest we were struggling financially anyway so have no safety net for a period with no income. It's terrifying.

I'm self employed and have had to let all my customers go because of the nature of my work. I've got some savings that will see me through a bit, and then I'll have to rely on my parents which is extremely embarrassing.

I'd just got to the point where my income was going to increase above subsistence level and I was going to have a decent amount of money for the first time in years!

However, I feel extremely, extremely lucky that I don't rent or have a mortgage. My heart goes out to everyone who will struggle.

I do think that all the people advocating lock down are underestimating the effects of this. I know we need to save lives but the suffering caused by economic hardship will also be very great

Trying not to think about it. I’m about 5 months in to the probationary period of a new job. I’m hoping they are thinking long term, I have no savings and rent privately.

I left a part time job in the NHS for greater financial stability for me and my Son, so I didn’t have to rely on tax credits, to worry less. I’m not so sure now.

This has the potential to swallow so many people up

I just wish the government had offered more reassurance. Everything was just a vague hope or expectation. The only concrete thing is SSP from day one but nothing today.

And self isolating for 14 days without being tested - with three younger kids coughs and temperatures are a regular occurrence anyway.

It's the personal fear - keeping a job and the wider fear of there not being a job.

I really hope we all get some better information over the next few days

I can't work because of chronic illness. DH works in social housing, and his area of work will be absolutely on hold anytime now. It's unlikely there'll be other work for him to do.

DD has been told this evening that she's lost her job, and with it the master's degree she was saving to start next year.

We have about one month's worth of savings. We are fucked.

So sorry to everyone else here in the same boat.

Yup. Possibly my baby as I'm a teacher and 29 weeks' pregnant so will be working as usual tomorrow.

I'm terrified. I defo think il lose my job cause they will fold. My dh is a tradesman so expect people to start cancelling soon. I have just been looking on indeed there seems to be alot of NHS jobs on (I could do clerical work) and support and care worker vacancies. I have my disclosure and have been security screened for my job so have planned in my head for dh to stay home with the kids if the worst comes to the worst and il work as many hours as I can if I can get a job.

to everyone who is worried.

I'm not saying this to grandstand but rather to offer a bit of hope that some people at least are being socially responsible.

I got a call today from my tenants. They've both (a couple) lost their jobs today in the leisure industry.

They are are lovely young couple with a young child and they are devastated and wondering how they are going to make ends meet. They've been really good tenants - house proud/pay on time/quick to inform me of any issues so I can address them before they cause major problems etc

I'm lucky that DH and I have no mortgage and copious savings and work in a sector where are jobs are likely to be unaffected.

So I've basically told them not to worry about next months rent and that we will see how things develop but I've no intention of making them homeless in this crisis.

Obviously we will have to see what packages the govt will offer to help people such as them but I've already much decided regardless that if rent has to be token (or non existent) for 6 months then so be it.

I'm sure there will be other landlords who will be making similar calls wrt historically good tenants (though sadly probably not as many as there should be).

@DeRigueurMortis, what a kind and thoughtful landlord you are.

Just got off the phone to my mum and dad (both in their 70s but quite robust) and my dads got a shocking cough. Praying that it’s not anything serious but they are now self isolating.

My work has been annihilatied. Over £200k of cancellations. Can not believe the day I’ve had. Feels like I’m in a dream. I’ll probably lose my job this week.

DHs company will fold this month. All that hard work down the drain. So upset for him and the 20 staff he’ll have to let off.

Supposed to be going on holiday next month to the Algarve. It’s not been officially cancelled but I can’t see it going ahead. Portugal was destroyed by the last financial crisis and they desperately rely on the tourist industry.

This time last month all was going so well. I can’t understand how it’s changed so much. Really don’t want to be an adult anymore.

But when this is all over we’ll dust ourselves down and rebuild our lives. We have no choice.

@DeRigueurMortis

Thank you - I don't think it's being kind.

I think we are in extraordinary times and need to help each other as much are we are able.

I just hope that many other people feel the same.

What practical measures can we take now to make sure we're not fucked or can at least last a bit longer?

Looking through my direct debits, cancelling anything that's not essential. Struggling to think of anything else as I feel my heads in a spin.

I had a transplant in December, we've already struggled last few months with me on ssp. There is no way we can do another 3 months. Looks like we could lose our home, and before anyone asks I've checked with bank of Ireland and they are not currently offering any payment holidays on mortgages under covid 19. The last 3 months took every penny of savings we dont have any more. Just wish more advice was given to reassure me. I'm so stressed and crying through all the worry of it. That will make my current health situation even worse

@DeRigueurMortis You're a lovely person. I hope some more landlords follow in your footsteps.

Yes. Just cancelled all my clients as with my work I travel to people's homes. My business is now suspended until such a time as the restrictions are lifted - whenever that may be. I hope I can get my clients back, or my business is going to be set back to the start again. I have built it up over 6 years and now it's all gone. And the money too. We should be ok as long as my husbands job carries on - but it's linked to the airlines so that could be problematic. No idea what we'll do then to be honest.

We're just going to have to put all bills on the back burner and hoard money for very basic stuff. The place dp works is looking pretty likely to go under due to all of this.