Trying to find work...

[miss.ditz]

This is more of a rant tbh lol so Look away now if you don't want to read!!! You've been warned...

I already have a part time job working at a large fashion outlet however, due to having time off for pregnancy sickness I've had to attend a 'return to work' meeting and I've been told my hours are being pushed down to 4 - 8 hours a week.
I'm completely pissed off with it all.
This company has always been on my case about something, at first it was my hair colour (when they hired me with blue hair) so I was pushed into the back to work delievery, then later told I would get the sac if I didn't dye my hair in accordance to their handbook which I gave in as I neede the money now it's this and I'm being made to feel as though I'm the one who owes them a bit of gratitude.

Not the best attitude to go about looking for a job but I do need another one at this rate to get myself out of huge debt before the baby arrives.

Just wondering though, what would I honestly be better off doing? Trying to find a new job or demanding more hours from this place I already work but loath.. I can't realy understand the maternity allowance system and the midwife seems to think the £150-190 maternity grant you can claim at 25weeks is a lot of money (when a pram can cost anywhere upwards of that I'm stressing out completely)

The FOB isn't in the picture, cant help out and honestly, I'd rather not ever contact him again for anything, help or otherwise.

 

[Sarahkka]

Go check out a thread in Pregnancy Club called baby on a tiny budget - lots of good ideas on there and lots of mums in your situation, money-wise.
You don't have to spend a fortune on baby stuff. Go secondhand, freecycle, sign up for freebies - there are lots of different ways to cut costs and still kit your baby out with cute stuff.
On the job front, I think you need better numbers. I know in your other thread that you said your dad is the big home finance guy. Could you sit down with him and ask him to help you figure some stuff out?
First, bring him a list of baby expenses and ideas for how much you think everything will cost. Make this your "one-time" expenses list - as in these are items you only have to pay out for once. The other list needs to be ongoing costs once baby is here and this will also require some homework. How much will diapers and food cost you each week? Breastfeeding is free, but if you have problems with it, you might want to price out a pump or formula, just in case. How much will childcare be once you return to school? What grants are you eligible for that might cover some of these costs?
Present these figures to your dad and ask him to help you figure out how much money you wil need to cover these expenses. Use that figure to help you figure out how much you need to work.
If it's a matter of just getting through to your due date, think of how important it is to support your baby, suck up the annoying attitudes at work and just get on with it. Job-hunting while pregnant is not fun.
Hope there are some ideas that might help?
Good luck with everything!

 

[miss.ditz]

Sadly Sarah, I did say my dad stresses about our finances in my other post but it doesnt correctly describe what I mean I guess.
We argue about money, not little rows, but big enough ones to send us all into a deep depression, so far it's lasted around 24 years. So to ask my dad for help would not help matters, if anything it'd land me on the street and ex communicated.

Skills to use from home? Well there is 'one' thing but I dont think Prostitution is really a road I should go down in my condition
Kidding aside I can't think of anything I could really use as saleable. I have cousin's who commision 'art' but I'm not a big enough idiot to think what I do could or should be charged for. I am a developing motorcycle technician there are problems with that too, once again, nothing I could really charge for...
Joy of joys, I'm also loosing the internet tonight and my family is on the verge or ..something. Nothing good

Sorry guys, I'm not always down. It's just very hard to see a light at the end of the tunnel.
Yes, I may be bringing a new life into the world but when the idea of affording the minimal things my baby will need, with food on top of that... I find it very hard to feel that 'happy' feeling pregnant women are supposed to get even when the little blighter continuely kicks me from the inside.

 

[Sarahkka]

Sweetie, I know it's so so hard right now, but let me tell you what my wise MIL has said to me a few times. She works in a bank, so I think it's particularly pertinent!
"If the only problems you have in this life are money problems, then you are a lucky person". Hard to think about when it seems like money will solve all your stress, but it is true. Money comes and goes. Family, health, friends - those are what counts.
Check out the thread I mentioned before in Pregnancy Club and see how many women are in your situation, trying to provide on a very small budget. It can be done.
Leave your dad out of the picture if it will only cause more problems, but I bet if you try to get some solid numbers for your situation, you will feel better. I always feel much better when I can define things more accurately. Just saying "I'm broke" is way scarier to me than knowing exactly how broke I am. Having a definite number somehow helps me to focus and come up with a plan.
Things will work themselves out, my dear. It just seems really bleak from this side.