How has your life/income/job been impacted?

[moomoobaabaa]

Hi
Interested to hear about how COVID has impacted your household income and working hours.

I'll go first:
Myself and DH are both WFH on full pay, trying to fit full time hours in around a 2 year old. We are managing but it's tough and having to work weird hours with barely any time to relax, as we are either on duty with the 2 year old or working. DS usually goes to private nursery but he is obviously now home with us.

Health wise we have been mildly unwell for a couple of weeks - coughs, sore throats, some gastro issues, blocked sinuses etc. Basically had a virus of some sorts but no idea if it is corona or another virus.

I feel incredibly lucky that we can WFH for a long period of time if needed.

The news is focussed on the medical side of things, numbers in hospital etc. I thought it would be interesting to hear how lives/incomes are being impacted.

Both trying to work from home and 3 teenagers trying to continue their education form home. My work not busy at all so sitting around a lot with nothing much to do. DH shielding due to chronic health conditions so everyone nervous about the slightest cough etc. Spending a lot less as no petrol, parking costs, gym membership etc but longer term very worried about jobs.

I'm a sahm to a 2 year old and a 4 year old. Normally between them they have something on 5 days a week (nursery, playgroup, classes etc.) so of course there's none of that. They are keeping me busy with a different activity request every 10 minutes! DH still goes out to work (he started his new job the day we went into lockdown!) so in terms of income we're not affected yet. I'm trying to keep on top of my mental health as I've only recently recovered from PND.

Work wise, DH and I are both exceedingly lucky to be mostly unaffected. I'm a teacher, in the vulnerable group, so switched to online working, but not on the rota to be frontline, which leaves me feeling guilty, but it's justified by how poorly a standard chest infection made me at Christmas.

DH's work (factory) has switched from making airline parts to ventilator parts, but he comes home concerned about the risk that going to work where it is difficult to socially distance brings. He'd be happier furloughed and on less money! Esp as he doesn't earn that much as it is. And he's usually very well, but he's late 40s, quite overweight and newly diagnosed as T2 diabetic (so furiously dieting to try and reverse as much as poss!) So I'm worried about the risk to him.

DD1 is home from Uni for the year and has nothing to do. No job as her place has closed and we aren't pushing her to get one as she is asthmatic too, and I'd prefer she was safe - and that the extra supermarket jobs etc went to people who need it more, like my friends, whose new cafe has had to shut down. They are both now working in a supermarket until it can open again. All DD's assignments are now optional and her exams are cancelled. Luckily, so are the fees for her digs for next term, which she can't live in anyway.

DD2 is missing school and her friends, but over the moon that those GCSE's that she would have been sitting later this year will be awarded based on mocks and teacher assessment as she did very well in them.

I'm longing for the time that this is all over and things go back to a new normal.

Have no job for the time being as my place of work was shut for at least 12wks due to boss's SI but will be more than that. My wee boy isnt at nursery and he is really struggling not being in the routine hes always been in. We have lost our dream trip to florida we were meant to be going in a month but its been cancelled for obvious reasons. Im sad of course but can rebook a holiday but cant do the same with life

I am WFH now - I work for an IT company and we were extremely busy when this all first happened , it had knock on effects for the admin functions like me. However this has slowed last week and looks to slow going forward. A little worried as I am not exactly essential in the business, more of a luxury.

Partner still going to work (oil and gas) also was really busy. They have put a ban on saturday overtime which he did every week (double time) this will be a loss but we don't rely on this money just usually save it.

Hopefully we can both ride this out. Was nice having DP home yesterday he helped do a big clean of the house with me which I usually do while he works

I am wfh and still earning my full salary. I’ve had the most crazy time in my career ever but I I expect it to quieten down.

My husband is furloughed as his workplace was ordered to close. Redundancy would have been Ok for us but furlough is better although a drop in income of course.

My eldest is in high school but not an exam stage and working miles ahead in most subjects so he’s fine, my youngest was already behind and supposed to be finishing primary and other than anxiety while he’s OK day to day I worry for his future and school as he’s autistic

Spending a bomb on food with all of us at home

I’m in the Australian version of the civil service and still going into the office everyday as my job is not that easy to do from home and our computer systems are struggling with those that already working from home. In some ways I like still going into work as if keeps my routine and I get to see other people (I live alone apart from my dog). Working in a mostly deserted city centre can be scary though. With all the office workers gone it’s mostly the homeless and desperate that remain. They scare me more than Corona Virus does!

Even though I have a job and no drop in wage my life and finances have still changed. On the personal front I don’t know when I’ll see my parents even though they only live 10 minutes away. Financially I was planning to sell my house just before this kicked off and I worry I will have lost all the equity I had built up. Luckily I shouldn’t be in negative equity.

Emotionally I’m surprised how well I’ve coped considering I’m on anti depressants and nearly had a breakdown earlier in the year. I had a 2 week trip abroad back in February which allowed me build my resilience back up and escape my worries for a while.

DH is wfh on full salary, doing his full time hours (probably more, as he took more breaks when in the office and had a short commute). His work is busy, but not really affected by the current situation. Financially we're very secure.

I'm a sahm to a toddler so childcare is no different. But now there is nowhere to take him - we used to spend most of our time at toddler classes and other child specific activities. I've tried doing online toddler classes with him but he tends to wander off or play with his other toys. He's enjoying going on daily walks to local parks and gardens, which is of course cheaper than all the other activities we did.

I'm doing more exercise at home, which I've found I really need for my stress levels. We only have a small flat so DH is wfh in the open plan living room/kitchen where DS2 plays, so we get a bit of cabin fever. No outside space either. We'd planned to move house for more space but that's not going to happen for a long time now.

DS1 is autistic and has already left school. His life is completely unchanged - he's enjoying staying home and playing video games. He gets disability benefits, which will increase a little from next month.

FAQs

2 kids with no school, 1 ASD so learning from home, going fine so far.

DH is now wfh, normal pay.

I haven't been working much due to ill health last year or so but did bit of self-employment which has gone as now teaching ASD child as he needs 1 to 1 but not eligible for UC or self-employed scheme as only self-employed 18 months and employed before so not 50% in 18-19.

Likely to lose a lot of money on holidays (up to £4kish). Health wise we are fine, well I'm as ill as usual and have had cough / temp but won't be covid, it's just ME / allergies. Got kicked out of hospital testing early but don't want to be round hospitals now. Pets are very happy. Italy school trip off, lost £285 on that. Thatched roof, chimney repair, animals vaccines are all cancelled now, just hope roof doesn't leak.

I’m on maternity leave and have a 2 year old. We are very lucky to not be impacted financially (if anything, were better off as we have no nursery fees, train ticket for dh etc) and we’ve been fine health wise. However, I do feel robbed of my maternity leave. I’m due back at work in September (I’m a teacher) and I had so many fun things planned for the spring and summer when I’m off. None of those are possible on lockdown and I’m feeling quite down about it. It’s all totally out of my control but I’m sad for my 5 month old and 2 year old little boy who is desperate to go on the swings in the park or to the farm. We can’t go and he doesn’t understand.

DH working flat out from home. Me trying to teach DD10 at home. My temp. contract not renewed, as it expired on 30th March, although it was meant to be being renewed til the end of June, so we're now about £900 a month down.

No change for me..took early retirement from teaching so have pension and lump sum and have 3 lodgers who still receive money from family or jobs but I have given them all two months free here..aunt left me a nice amount so can afford to help out others.

I've been laid off, but the government here in Ireland is paying me €350 per week. I'm confident I will have a job to go back to, but I really miss it. I'd go back tomorrow if I could. DH is still working, he is a manager in a company that manufactures essential equipment. I am concerned that he is going out to work even though I know he's taking every precaution he can. DS is a student & doesn't mind being at home. We are lucky to have a large house and garden so can get outside. I leave the house once a week for essential shopping only. I can't see family, that is really hard. Health wise I had a virus last month that may or may not have been C-19. I hope it was as it was mild. I'm trying to keep busy doing work on the house and garden, but motivating myself and keeping to a routine isn't always easy. I am eating and drinking far too much. Our dog is confused, she loves that we are all home but misses her long walks in the hills, which we can't do as we can only go 2km from home.

DH wfh FT, unaffected pay.

So far I am able to wfh my usual hours (4 days, term time only) but suspect I may be furloughed. In some ways I would prefer that as I have a three year old and I would rather just focus on him rather than trying to work at the same time. My DH has an expensive rail season ticket which will be refunded so this will help if I lose any pay.

We are lucky to have a garden and live in the countryside so can go for walks easily. My son is devastated not to be seeing his grandma and cousins but we use Facetime regularly. This seems to help.

Before lockdown when it looked to be heading that way we purchased some paint and DIY materials so hope to update the house. I have been decluttering which feels good.

Money wise I'm OK so far. Keyworker so still going in but am off a lot as they have split teams into alternating weeks, still getting paid for weeks off though. Actually have saved a bit with no travelling, lunches out etc. Dp is having to hold the fort on my working week with the dc and wfh at the same time which will be a nightmare this week since the boredom is starting to kick in with them.

Rest of my degree course this year has been cancelled and marks given based on what we have so far which is not a bad thing for me as my marks have been good.

Biggest thing for us is we have offer agreed on a house and can no longer make any progress until lockdown is lifted. Spending our time on Pinterest instead for decorating ideas.

I’ve been furloughed and will probably lose my job at the end of all this. I’m home schooling an 11yo.

I find myself a “sahm” for the first time. I am single so no other income. I will spring clean and garden, grow veg and cycle with my ds and enjoy the “silver lining” for as long as I can.

The autumn is probably going to be quite tough.

I was already unemployed (just doing the odd temp job) and now I am better off as the benefit has increased (permanently) here - not the UK. I wasn't going out much beforehand, so still doing my daily walk, and other than being able to go out for a coffee now and again and having a bit of a look around town my life hasn't changed much. I live alone and am happy with my own company, so I really am very lucky that I haven't been impacted much. My health is fine, thank goodness, and in my country anyone with symptoms of CV can be tested.

I'm in the final stages of pregnancy and I was working from home but now I've been furloughed and will expect statutory maternity pay. We Ely on every penny coming in so this is not good news for us.

Am working full time from home. Work busier than usual. 2 kids to look after. Ex DH has lost his business and doesn’t qualify for any government benefits so child benefit to me has stopped. At least is he coming to help with the kids.

I’ve been furloughed. Money is usually quite tight but being furloughed I’m actually better off as I’ve no transport costs and with the schools closed saving £45 a week in dinner money / college transport etc. I’m really quite enjoying staying at home, I go out 2 times a week for food shopping which is much better than even before the virus as it’s more orderly and less stressful in our local supermarket. Can’t get the shopping delivered as I used to as there’s never any slots and as I don’t drive shopping for the four of us is quite a work out in its self. I also do the shopping for my 90 y/o grandmother and do doorstep drop offs, talk to her from across the garden (5 meters +) but it just isn’t the same. My other grandmother and elderly uncle live 6 miles away and are not good with technology. Ringing them on the landline is hit and miss as if the do hear the phone ring they can’t hear what your saying.

I'm a uni lecturer - nursing. Now working from home busy trying to change all courses and get their assessments marked to get these poor frightened students out into practice.

Im also quickly applying so that I can get out in practice and help so in effect with have two jobs but the NHS bit will be voluntary.

DH a teacher. He is on leave but after this week will go into work as he teaches vulnerable kids.

So no financial concerns but I have other concerns. BIL had to call an ambulance 2 nights ago. Suspected CV.

We've both had the virus ( according to my gp) so despite feeling ill I suppose that takes some anxiety away.

DH is self employed from his own small workshop nearby so is unaffected by it (cannot wfh due to specialist equipment. Very rarely sees clients, mostly phone and internet payments anyway.
I am in the care sector, have had all leave cancelled and am needing to cover others' self isolation and shielding, so actually earning usual wage plus half as much again. Our dc are late teen so they are keeping the home fires burning.
I remember making a resolution for this year that I would work less and have at least a week off every two months. Ha de ha. Needs must.

Our life has changed minimally. Main changes are healthcare and the socialisation side.....not seeing family and friends, and the children not going to school.

DH already worked from home alot anyway, so is set up for it. He is saving money not travelling (used to go into London 1-2 days a week). His pay is unaffected and he works for a global company who have guaranteed full pay for everyone for at least 6 months.

I'm a SAHM with 2 children, one in primary school, and one due to start school this year. My youngest has a lot of health problems, and all her hospital appointments have been cancelled for the foreseeable future, which is really concerning.

I think we are in a privileged position compared to many though, and grateful that we don't have financial worries on top of everything else, as the other things can be dealt with.

I’m now working from home full time on normal pay. DH is freelance and work is thin on the ground for him.

Uni DD is home now but still has to pay her rent on her accommodation for next term. Her Easter pub job is no more. Her uni module for next term has been cancelled. Working DD is also home - she was working abroad - and has probably lost her job. Other DD meant to be doing A levels and is still at home.

We have a two bed house, so it’s tight having five adults here. We have a garden, though.

Health is difficult, because I am having treatment for cancer, which is cancelled. I live in the worst virus hotspot and the hospital is inundated. I’m very, very worried.

We are extremely fortunate as both DH remain on full pay working from home. It is a challenge balancing it around DS (4). However I work in a school and it is now the Easter Holidays so don't have to juggle for two weeks :)

I am finding it hard not to be able to go places but very fortunate to be a keen grow your own Gardener and have a garden and an allotment which is just round the corner.