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Original poster

we're just really really skint

29 replies

ssd · 04/04/2006 15:11

I'm so worried about money. Dh works and earns £13500 and I work p-t at weekends in a shop, 5.40 an hour. But if I work anymore we lose tax credits by one third. Not that I can get a job, I've tried and even evening jobs are scarce here.

I've 2 kids and no one to take them if I find a job in school/holiday time.

sorry to moan, just really poor and don't see a way out for years and years..

OP posts:
pussycatmomma · 04/04/2006 15:28

hi ssd. have you ever thought about selling any bits and bobs on ebay? youd be suprised at how it can mount up! you can organise it all at night when your children are in bed, so no childcare to worry about, and forgive me if im wrong but im sure you wouldnt have to announce it to inland revenue in terms of tax credits. just a thought, every little helps!

Original poster
ssd · 04/04/2006 17:49

good idea!

I used to work in Monsoon, I've got loads of their clothes, do you think I could sell them?

OP posts:
Hausfrau · 04/04/2006 17:50

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Hausfrau · 04/04/2006 17:53

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Hausfrau · 04/04/2006 17:54

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VeniVidiVickiQV · 04/04/2006 17:55

It sucks ssd. I totally sympathise with you.

Am desperately trying to find work atm - with pay that isnt totally wiped out by childcare costs.

In the meantime the DWP are being *rsewipes about paying me job seekers.

A job in a school doesnt appeal then? What about retraining - some courses give you a bursary while you learn?

Sparklemagic · 04/04/2006 18:16

ssd, just wanted to post as I know so well the worries over money. We are always in the same position. It's horrible and I do feel for you.

What age are your kids? Are they at school? There are always learning support assistant type jobs which are term time only - does that sort of thing appeal?

PutAPeachyInYourSimnelCake · 04/04/2006 18:52

The Monsoon stuff does sell wll- my sister's sil works there and I have been lnown to sell on some of her gifts when really broke Blush

Have you thought about doing a course- perhaps distance learning? Just mentioning that coz we are in a similar position to yourselves and the only way ic an get out of it is by qualifying to do something that pays enough to be worthwhile iyswim. Besides, at college EVERYONE is poor so i don't feel like a freak! Grin

Mercy · 04/04/2006 19:14

Have you tried for council tax benefit? If you work during school hols. you should qualify for help towards childcare costs on a low income. Have a look at the Daycare Trust website.

What about childminding?

colette · 04/04/2006 21:27

ssd I am in a similar situation and have just found out that there may be some courses that are free because we get working tax credit. If you fancy child minding you could do that whilst looking after your own. I don't fancy it and we are in a top floor flat.
Good Luck , I am watching this thread with interest

Mercy · 04/04/2006 21:39

ssd are you there?

AllieBongo · 04/04/2006 21:45

i sell lots of bits and bobs to get extra pennies.. as my kids grow out of things i'm trying to sell them straight away so I can use money to buy new... do car boots too, you can even pick up bits to sell on eby there at a profit.. Monsoon clothes will defo sell well. Sorry you feel down x

notasheep · 04/04/2006 22:29

ssd if you want to do a night class/course to retrain Learn Direct will pay fees of £200

Original poster
ssd · 05/04/2006 09:09

hi, I went out a walk last night to clear my mind!!

I will try selling some stuff on e-bay, I haven't got a digital camera to take the photo's but there is a shop near me who will sell stuff on e-bay for you. Mind you they take 25%, but as I haven't a clue how to do it myself I suppose it's better than nothing. All my kids stuff I always give to the charity shops round here and I sometimes pick up stuff there too.

I am a childminder but it hasn't worked out for me. I've got 2 kids aged 5 and 8 and a really small house. When I have minded kids in it's just so cramped, we're all bashing into each other. And my 2 are such a handful any extra on top is a nightmare! I'm trying to get term time care when my youngest starts school, but it's very scarce. I would love a job as a classroom assistant but I keep looking on the council website and there aren't any of these jobs advertised. I think there are lots of mums here who would love to work as that! I was thinking about a dinner lady job, I'll keep looking for those. I find as we get tax credits any money I earn I get 1/3rd less tax credits, so on a wage of £5.20 an hour it doesn't amount to much.

moan moan what am I likeSad

OP posts:
DumbledoresGirl · 05/04/2006 09:18

ssd, just thinking along the lines of childminding, has it ever occurred to you to offer your services as a babysitter? Does your dh get home at a reasonable time each night?

Some fo you with friends and family near by might not realise how difficult it is to get a babysitter when you don't know people well. I have 4 children and would not feel comfortable asking a teenager to take on so many at oe time. But a mature person with children of their own, that is a different matter. I know babysitting isn't mega bucks, but just think, you are getting paid to have the TV all to yourself for an evening!

You could try asking around at your child's school to start you off...

GDG · 05/04/2006 09:20

I don't know how much this pays but what about being a mystery shopper or doing some sort of market research? As a mystery shopper they tell you which place to go into and you go and buy something as if for yourself and you rate the store on different aspects of the service you receive. I don't do it so not sure of details but I'm sure it's been mentioned on MN before.

Or, do you have office skills at all? Can you type and do you have PC at home? Could you do secretarial work from home - either typing up letters for businesses or transcribing taped interviews - market research companies use transcribers and you just type out word for word what is there. Other businesses, and even students, use 'freelancers' to type up their work. You could do this in the evening at home so no childcare needed. Again, i don't know much detail but I know there are agencies that employ transcribers so you could look into that - do a search on Yell.com or something?

I work for a company that uses transcribers to type out taped market research interviews (it's very specialised field so you need medical knowledge but I know other companies that do consumer stuff do the same) - I think they pay around £70 per hour long tape (maybe more) - it may take you 4 hours to do a transcription of an hour tape but that's still around £17 an hour rather than £5.

Have a dig around and look into that if you think you could manage it.

HTH

Mercy · 05/04/2006 09:35

ssd, why don't you try to sell some things on here?

I don't have a digital camera either but still managed to sell a few bits. I'm sure Monsoon clothes would be popular.

Original poster
ssd · 05/04/2006 09:37

dumble, I do babysit as well, I really enjoy it. Usually about twice a month, should advertise to get more.

GDG, good ideas. Will look into it. I don't have office skills but I could do a learning course to get them.

OP posts:
Original poster
ssd · 05/04/2006 09:38

mercy, wouldn't I need a photo of the things?

OP posts:
Hausfrau · 05/04/2006 09:42

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Mercy · 05/04/2006 09:50

ssd, not necessarily. I couldn't provide any photos (and said so in the 'advert') but still managed to sell a few things. I tried to give fairly detailed decription though.

As Hausfrau suggests, could you borrow one from someone?

Original poster
ssd · 05/04/2006 10:01

yes I think I could. thanks!

OP posts:
Mercy · 05/04/2006 10:21

If you do put an advert on MN, I found that putting the brand name in capitals attracted attention straightway. Have a look at my one in the For Sale board - 'Pumpkin Patch'

Good luck!

Original poster
ssd · 05/04/2006 10:38

ta, I'll take a look!

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 05/04/2006 10:42

i'm poor, too.

BUT, i had a horrific time selling on ebay - still ongoing, over a £10 bag.

how about flogging in a car boot sale? our local one is huge and only £7 to pitch - i'm clubbing in w/a friend so it's only £3.50.

much better than ebay, IMO. no nasty buyers.