MNHQ here - do you want free life advice?

[AnnaCMumsnet]

Mumsnet recently teamed up with Maternity Action to offer a FREE advice clinic. You might have seen the thread here.

We wanted to try out a way of making good free advice available to all. The thread helped lots of users with issues including grievance procedures, sick pay while pregnant and rights in the work place.

Now we'd like to do it again - or, at least, something similar.

What issues would you like help with? Housing? Money? Relationships? Are there any organisations you would like us to feature?

Let us know and we'll see about organising more free advice clinics.

Thanks

MNHQ

Debt advice would be a good topic. Help people make a fresh start in 2019.

Money? Budgeting/reducing monthly outgoings?

I think a lot of people would benefit from information on finding a rental property for themselves & their family. I've had to dip my toe into this minefield recently after a 20+ year break & I can't believe how expensive it all is. Why are lettings agents able to get away with legally mugging tenants constantly?

Why is it so difficult to find somewhere to rent with pets? Why are short term lets of around 3 months no longer a thing? What about those of us who don't want/cant spend out on a 6 month let when we know we'll only be there for 3 or 4 months?

Worst thing of all is how on earth is anyone reliant upon benefits ever supposed to move house when their landlord suddenly decides to withdraw the house from rental? How are they expected to save up for a deposit out of the pittance they have to live on? They seem to have almost zero options in this situation. Plus they will most likely need to get rid of the much loved family pet because many buildings do not allow animals. What a horrible time this is for people to be living in. Our government should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves!

Careers for graduates who became sahm and need to return to work.

Finding part time work that will lead to above minimum wage work. How to get into work if your aim is to go beyond miniimum wage. ... how to find the jobs, where to start which entry level jibs yo u can progress from. All advice to those who havent got old boys club/ general knowledge from family /friends who work.

Maybe something about wills and also how to go through the probate process?

how about mental health.

I could juggle all the listed stuff myself before becoming a mother shattered my self esteem...

8 years down the line I still need advice on how to plan my life because I flip flop between being the competent smart organised person I was pre-maternity and the hopeless useless waste of oxygen I became post-maternity and I find it difficult to balance the two people I am now.

I hear you M3. I had a professional competent self belief prekids. Ive loved them and being with them but its thrown me something chronic.

Debt advice particularly in the run-up to the holiday season or when people have to pay for it. StepChange and similar organisations would be helpful.

Coercive control in relationships. Woman's Aid and similar.

I’d like advice on how to retrain in a decent job after having been a SAHM for 18 years. I follow all the “how to make £1000 in a month/week/hour” threads but I’d really like to know if there’s anyone out there who’s training and employing mums with family friendly contracts without needing to do a degree in said subject or invest thousands in courses/qualifications.

With you there Raging!

Although my problem is not being able to do full time hours. I dont want to jump into something to find its 2 years Ive spent in something dead end when I dont have years to spare!

JustKeepSwimming and RagingWhoreBag - you've raised something that has been bothering me since I met these women:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3424868-Women-Returner-Programmes-Experiences-Please

Someone from HMRC doing a tax return clinic in time for the self-assessment deadline would be brilliant.

Career planning

I will be in dire need of a "fighting with staves" and "how to make tasty meals from dandelion leaves" advice should matters go away after Q1 next year...Bear Grylls?

Sahp help looking for childcare and work!

arran its depressing really :(

Id be up for homemaking type stuff my mum did in school too. I know I ought to be able to budget the foodshop better and reuse food etc. Older people seem to have grown up with that naturally.

I really liked some of the threads about earning lots of money - I think Xenia started them.

I think it's quite easy after a big life changing event and career break like having a family to loose confidence, feel a bit frumpy and unfocused.

It's easy to be cynical about earning and think I can't - im not like them/ able to achieve because.., but those threads made me try. Turns out I can. Not quite the levels of some posters, but a bit of cheek, a lot of persistance and hard work and I'm no longer a SAHM/ carer I'm feeling like a person in my own right again and providing a life changing financial contribution to our family through my own business.

It's not easy doing things on your own and balancing a complex family life but I'd love to have someone with a you can do it too motivational attitude, life coaching, maybe on a thread nudging those interested to make a move take a first, second or third step in business - whether in employment, setting up or moving up.

Planning advice for making the most of the time between when kids are adult and may or may not have left home and when you can retire.

Things like partners retiring at different ages, beginning to wind down by dropping to part time work, planning holidays, new hobbies etc

Would love employment advice re grievances... To do one, or not to do one, that is the question....

Career change advice for those in late 40s?

Also.. relationship counselling.

And.. like ripple effects... feeling mid life and frumpy.. but still have energy to want to launch your own biz... the know how.. mentoring...all would be so brilliant if easily accessible!

Savings, pensions
Mental health

Universal Credit would be a good topic. I think many of us could use some guidance as it rolls out.

How to pick up and carry on after death of DP

Given the uptick in divorce proceedings after the holiday season...divorce and separation arrangements.

Advice around renting would be great, but there is only so much that can be given before you’d have to just tell people that it’s thoroughly shit and with little protection.

I’d like career advice, particularly around salary negotiation and the performance management process.