In despair

[Tengu]

Im in very dire financial straits indeedy

I am working, -a little, but guess where my moneys going? to run a car to do work with and in order to get a job.

I cant get work because of my disability...it doesnt affect me much but guess where? Im not good at interviews.

If I explain Im disabled that scares them off (I have a pretty scary disability to begin with)

I have a few generic disability advisors to so say help but they are worse than useless

I cant seem to access the specialist help (Im too old)

I need money but my family dont have it, and to be frank, think I should be working.

(I dont go to job interviews as a passtime)

Im seriously thinking of selling my only asset, my house.

This would make money to be invested for an income. (I have a very good IFA but even he cant work miracles without money to begin with)

But then where would I live? (I could then see the country as I have long aspired to do)

If I had nowhere to live, how could I continue many of my hobbies (books need shelves more than I do)

Im rather attached to my house, (been there 25 years now) this is not withstanding that if I sold it aside from waiting for a relative to die and leave me one (we all have our bricks and mortar but thats not to be depended upon, not with death duties) I stand virtualy ZERO chance of buying another, let alone one as nice as mine.

This is not withstanding the fact that house prices are rising rapidly here. I have seen some properties DOUBLE their value in five years....the longer I can hang onto my property the better.

But I need money for bills, I need money to pay debts, I have a poor credit rating so I cant get a loan (not that is a good idea)

My bank wont let me have an overdraft

Im currently sorting out stuff to sell on Ebay

But I need more than that

what do you suggest I do??

 

[BorderReiver]

Bit of problem there eh?

Can only suggest that you badger your local council,social services depts and even,or specially your MP.There are people whose job it is to help people with disabilities get into work.Make them get their finger out.If that fails,contact the BBC,they love of examples of the Government's rhetoric being proved as lies.

Take no prisoners.

 

[Cobweb]

I agree with Border, see if you can get the local council off their arses and do something for the underdogs for a change. If you have a disability that makes it almost impossible for you to find work them they have to help you out, have you tried for benefits, I know that they are not much but it will help... Good luck

 

[w00dsmoke]

Sorry to hear about your problems Tengu. We all go through lifes trials, some for short periods, some longer. I have a disability and for many years I struggled to come to terms with it and finally live with it if not embrace it. It's all a state of mind. Unfortunatley we all need to work, earn a crust etc and we need to work at how we get there. You are lucky, you may be struggling but you OWN a house, that's a lot of capital behind you.

I've lived rough for along time, I picked myself up and put myself through Uni twice with no finnancial help from anyone and went through hell to get where I am now. Everyone who wants to xcan do the same. There's always a way. I've lived in a flat where every service except water was cut off and I did it because I had too...

I hope i don't sound unkind, I'm not, I'm just concerned that it's that bad and you've still got a pc and internet access. There's always a way. PM me Tengu, I'm a community worker to trade among other things with an interest in MH, and I'll try n give you some sources of assistance.

Keep your chin up, it will get better.

WS

 

[Mirius]

If you don't have an income then selling up will only give you a temporary assistance because you will still need somewhere else to live and accommodation costs will soon eat into what you gained. And once that is gone, where will you be? I'm not saying that you shouldn't, but it could in the long run make your situation worse.

I'm not sure that I can give you any positive advice. My wife hasn't worked properly for all the time I've known her because she has a disability, and were it not for me providing an income she would be in the same situation as you but worse I would guess as she wouldn't have a house. Certainly any employer would run from any suggestion of mental disability or condition (I have no idea of what your problem is).

this forum used to be very good board, but I've not used it for several years so it might have changed. They have a getting out of debt board too which certainly used to have some very good people on it.

 

[jojo]

Sorry to hear of your difficulties Tengu. Before you even think of selling your house, there are many avenues to follow, as others have already said. Another avenue really worth trying:

http://www.shaw-trust.org.uk/

What is Shaw Trust?

Shaw Trust is a national charity that provides training and work opportunities for people who are disadvantaged in the labour market due to disability, ill health or other social circumstances. We are the largest voluntary sector provider of employment services for disabled people in the UK.

My wife works for a national charity (FWA) and has a good working relationship with the Shaw Trust people in our area. We both know of people who have been helped to find training and/or employement by the Shaw Trust. I worked for them about 3 years ago, providing training for people with disabilities and/or who were disadvantaged for various reasons.

If you want more inof, you can PM me and I'll talk to my wife and we'll try to give you whatever info we can. We both have worked in Mental Health for many years and my wife still does.

Don't let it get you down, There is help out there and there are people who can help.

 

[Eric_Methven]

Hi Tengu, on a practical note, I don't know if you are aware of Freecycle. People give away loads of good stuff. I know you do the car boot sales quite a bit looking for bargains. With Freecycle you can collect stuff people would otherwise throw away and sell it on ebay at no cost to you (other than the petrol to collect it). How's your craft skills? I notice you are a 'maker'. What sort of stuff can you make? Not only for here but to sell on ebay and the like.
Have you heard of LETS? Local Exchange Trading Scheme is ideal for someone in your situation because it lets you earn credits for jobs and services you can provide under the LETS scheme and spend those credits on stuff you need. I know of people on Incapacity Benefit who provide a baby sitting and dog walking service when they feel able, and earn LETS credits which gets them food from a shop that is also in the LETS scheme. The odds and sods jobs that they do doesn't affect their benefits as they are not 'earning' anything that needs declaring, and they get a good portion of their weekly food through the scheme.
Don't get too downhearted, there's always a way to get by. You just have to try and figure out the best method for you.

Eric

 

[Jodie]

Hi Tengu

Have you familiarised yourself with the Disability Discrimination Act of 2005 which extends
the rights of people with a disability, from the previous act of 1995?
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/RightsAndObligations/DisabilityRights/DG_4001068

Companies and organisations are supposed to make reasonable adjustments - I can't
pretend that they all do this of course, but it doesn't hurt to be aware of how things should
be (ie - simply so that you know your rights).

Following on from BorderReiver's post:
The MySociety people (http://www.mysociety.org) have made a number of civic-minded
helpful sites including "WriteToThem" which makes it easier for you to contact your MP,
and local councillors if you wanted to. Input your postcode, and type them a message.
http://www.writetothem.com/

Jo

 

[SOAR]

I would suggest that you go to the Citizens Advice Bureau asap who can give you practical advice in sorting out your debt problems. If you are behind with bills etc make sure you have informed the companies of your situation, don't bury your head in the sand because if these companies don't know then they won't be able to help.

Also as already suggested perhaps go to your local Social Security office because if you are disabled you may be entitled to some form of disabilty allowance and I don't know if the rules have changed but you may get some help with the mortgage if you have one.

If you have a mortgage and its on repayment perhaps consider going on interest only as this will reduce your payments considerably. But remember that as you are only paying the interest it may just be a short term solution as the house will never be yours.

I know that some mortgage companies offer an equity release scheme, but this may depend on how old you are. This allows you to release money from your home which you could use to pay off debts, you only pay the money back when you die or sell. This will allow you to remain in your home which is what you want to do. Perhaps your IFA could look into this for you.

I can see that you want to work so as suggested if you get in touch with some charities/trusts specifically to help disabled people they maybe able to offer you some help or support that perhaps you hadn't considered.

I don't know whether any of the above is of any help but maybe something for you to think about.

I really do hope your situation improves and I know its easier said than done but try and not worry, I am sure there will be light at the end of the tunnel.

Good Luck.

 

[Steve R]

Some places that might help.



http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/index.htm

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/index.htm

WILTSHIRE AND BATH INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTRE

Independent Living Centre
St George`s Road
Semington
Trowbridge
Wiltshire BA14 6JQ

01380 871 007
01380 871 747 Minicom
01380 871 113 Fax

info@ilc-semington.freeserve.co.uk
www.ilc.org.uk

Disability information and advice helpline operated by advisers who have personal experience of disability. Monday to Thursday 10.00am to 4.00pm (24 hour Answerphone). Member of DIAL UK.

 

[gorilla]

don't mean to sound heartless, but my partner is disabled, and i work my **** off just to pay the rent and council tax, and provide for my 4 kids. i have no owned house to fall back on.
my advice? suck it up and get on with it - that's life and we all have our problems

 

[joejoe]

don't mean to sound heartless, but my partner is disabled, and i work my **** off just to pay the rent and council tax, and provide for my 4 kids. i have no owned house to fall back on.
my advice? suck it up and get on with it - that's life and we all have our problems

sorry but i agree , i am classed as a carer, and one i have learned is who cares about thev carer

 

[British Red]

Well, if you own a house outright Tengu you have more financial assets than the vast majority of the UK. You say if you sell then you will never own one again. Why not? Why not take the money and invest it into a business. If no-one will employ you (whatever the reason), work for yourself! Many famous (and rich) people did just that - Branson, Gates, Roddick to name but a few.

You could buy a business that combines job and home - rural shop, sub post office etc. Or create a web based business. Or write for a living. Or invent new products and sell the patents. Look what wanderinstar achieved with underblankets and quilts. Or look at Johhny Kingdom - ahrdly a master of business administration but he has his TV show, book deals etc.

If you sit around and do nothing and watch your life run through your fingers you and only you, will be the loser. You have money so put it it, and yourself, to work. Don't fritter it on an extended holiday, use it to build your own employment and your own future.

Red

 

[Toddy]

On a practical note; the house is a huge asset and a great comfort I imagine. You neither want to lose it nor be unable to maintain it for your future. Do you have a spare room? Could you let it out, either on a term by term basis to a student (that way you only have someone in your space for a fixed time) or to the local social security office as emergency housing? I know ( I have a friend who does just this) that our local office uses temporary accomodation with her for mothers and children who have become homeless.
I wouldn't suggest long term lodgers but short term ones might suit your situation quite well.
If your disability is registered then assistance is available for interviews and the like with prospective employers, you just need to find the right levers

Two of the schoolaged teenagers in our street make a good amount, cutting grass, washing windows, valeting cars and walking dogs. One was painting a neighbour's fence last week. Each individual job doesn't bring in a tremendous amount but they fair add up.(£100 a week in summer) They put postcards in the local shop windows and then it grew by word of mouth.
I have a friend who took over her daughter's paper round one exam time, then her husband was made redundant, now they do seven runs between them, start at five thirty but finished and home by eight, and it pays their mortgage and household running costs.

Hope you find something suitable,
cheers,
Toddy

 

[bushwacker bob]

If you own the house. Sign on the dole or claim the benefits that you must be entitled to as a disabled person.Give up the car and get on your bike.Good for the health, environment and wallet. All the time you need to practice your hobbies and suppliment your diet with your ferreting and foraging.

 

[Martyn]

I cant get work because of my disability...it doesnt affect me much but guess where? Im not good at interviews.

I need money but my family dont have it, and to be frank, think I should be working.

what do you suggest I do??

Difficult to say without knowing how/if your disability incapacitates you, but judging from your comments, I'm guessing not too severe? If your family think you are working, then maybe you should be? Send more job applications, go to more interviews, broaden the scope of what you will accept and you WILL get work if you want it enough. You are obviously intelligent, you can drive and from the sounds of it, not physically disabled. Work doesnt come easy to anyone, disabled or otherwise and to be blunt, maybe you just need to try harder? I've seen people overcome some increadible difficulties. Willpower, motivation, tenacity and determination will win the day for you here.

 

[Mike Ameling]

Keeping up your personal attitude about life when under ... distress ... is the hardest part. The past 6 years have been a "trial of the spirit" for me. At one time I owed more than I could make at that "formal" job in 3 years! And there were no other assets such as a house to fall back upon. Hard decisions, an ultra frugal life, and a positive mental attitude got me through most of it. (OK, only some of it) The struggle still continues, and that "past" still dogs my heals. But things always could have been worse, so life goes on. And many others also have their own stories to tell.

And the personal jokes about my current situation helped me survive. When friends asked me if I was Depressed, I would always reply: No, I can't cheer up that much! When asked about affording food I would tell them that I now shopped at the Rent-To-Own Food Bank! Having Surf-n-Turf for supper was a hotdog and a can of tuna. And day-old bread was a luxury. And numerous other comments to bring a laugh.

So that positive attitude has kept me going. That, and a very frugal life style supplimented by some hunting, fishing, and foraging. My historical blacksmithing is slowly growing, but I've still lived on less than 6000 usd a year for the past several years. The humerous/ironic part is that I am in a much much better frame of mind being "gainfully unemployed" than when I worked in the normal world!

And the best part is that I haven't had to take a job where I would have to ask you if you "want fries with that?" (mcdonalds) or wear the Blue Vest (walmart)!

So, when things look darkest, try to think about all the positives you have and the options available. It does help. That, and also remembering that it could always be worse.

And, if the need is there, I usually have a spare 20 stashed away for emergencies that I could send to help a buddy out. It ain't much, but sometimes that's all that is needed to get through the next couple days. I know - I've been there! So let me know where/when, and I'll get it on its way to you. Paypal? Address? I'm more than happy to share what little I have.

Let me know. And cheer up. As my dear departed uncle always said: Any day you can wake up to is a good day!

Take care

Mikey - that grumpy ol' German blacksmith out in the Hinterlands

 

[Tengu]

Thanks for (most) of yous useful advice.

Im calculating stuff on my finances and am getting rid of a load of stuff. (books mostly)

Ive got a job interview tommorrow

 

[Toddy]

Best of luck tomorrow Tengu; if you want the job, I hope you are offered it.

atb,
toddy

 

[jojo]

[QUOTE

Ive got a job interview tommorrow[/QUOTE]

Al the best, Tengu. Good luck with the interview.