[Horatio-]

Many people have come up with good ideas.

I may repeat a few but this is what I would suggest.


She definitely should seek advice and perhaps see if she can get more assistance. Obviously this isn't ideal and shouldn't be taken advantage of or used for long term.

In the mean time she can look for ways to bring in money herself. What type of house is she living in?

If she has many rooms she could rent them out. Only problem is this might require some start up costs like buying locks or CCTV if she wants that etc. Otherwise she could leave the house and rent it out and perhaps stay with family or even you? This will still require some start up costs.

In the future perhaps she can move into a flat. When you get older and no longer have children there really isn't much need to have a big empty house unless you can definitely afford to keep it.

She should try and get qualifications. Do something that she enjoys. I wouldn't recommend a full on degree which would lead to lifetime career unless it's something she really wants to do. 3 years is a long time and also many employers will not be interested in hiring someone without work experience in their mid 50s to do a skilled job they've only just become qualified for. Perhaps start up her own business? Not to be stereotypical but perhaps baking/catering, child minding and babysitting or even take in foster children if she would enjoy a house full of children. She could even look into doing reception work for a local school however finding these jobs can prove to be a little difficult.

As for now though selling some things seems like the more appropriate solution as she needs money as of now.

[Fynch101]

(Original post by Cll_ws)
Looking after kids would take up a lot of time I guess, you could also say that it's a skill in itself. My Mum didn't work when me and my sister were younger.

In that case, what about a childminder? that kind of work?

[Origami Bullets]

Hmm, it's just struck me that as she will be working less than 16 hours a week, then she will still be eligible for JSA, so long as she continues to look for work and turn up at the Job Centre.

[Steevee]

The amount of people saying 'claim benefits'

If she's 50, has no life skills and was stupid enough to waste the money she got, she deserves to be a little chilly for a bit. Benefits are there for the unavoidable situations, not the ones caused by your own stupidity.

[Fynch101]

(Original post by danny111)
Dude, this is an offensive question. Of course she has learned skills, but on her CV there is just a blank and what do you think employers think of people who haven't worked. You think they care about housewives?

Work isn't the be all and end all. If you've just sat in front of the TV for 6 hours each day while the kids are at school for that much time, you're asking for problems, and a dull personality to match. The amount of things you can do whilst at home is growing all the time.

[secret_smile]

(Original post by Fynch101)
How can anyone just be a housewife and not develop any useful skills over 30 years?

I think that is a little unfair. Don't underestimate how much work is required to run a household and be a mother, especially doing it on your own if the partner works full time. Even more so if the family can't afford to pay for help with housework and childcare.

I have seen this happen to a lot of my mums friends and it isn't always as straight forward as it seems.


OP- has your mum considered applying for house helper jobs? My mum did this and just landed herself a nice local job for £23k a year helping a working mother fulltime with the cooking, cleaning and looking after the children.

[danny111]

(Original post by Fynch101)
Work isn't the be all and end all. If you've just sat in front of the TV for 6 hours each day while the kids are at school for that much time, you're asking for problems, and a dull personality to match. The amount of things you can do whilst at home is growing all the time.

You know nothing about her and assume she spends 6 hours in front of the TV?

[Dalek1099]

Sell the house and then rent a house,she should get housing benefit and that would reduce her rent to roughly £20 a week.

[Fynch101]

(Original post by danny111)
You know nothing about her and assume she spends 6 hours in front of the TV?

Well if she hasn't got any transferrable skills, yes!

Chances are she is completely underestimating herself, and is very much qualified for many, albeit perhaps basic jobs. If you can manage a home I really don't see why its such a big leap to be a receptionist or personal assistant in an office role. All it takes is a bit of common sense, good telephone manner and a positive, friendly attitude.

[SnoochToTheBooch]

(Original post by Aack)
Is she hot?

Spoiler:

Show

If so, she doesn't need a boiler. What did you think I meant?

5 negs people? come on, that's funny,

[secret_smile]

(Original post by Fynch101)
Well if she hasn't got any transferrable skills, yes!

Chances are she is completely underestimating herself, and is very much qualified for many, albeit perhaps basic jobs. If you can manage a home I really don't see why its such a big leap to be a receptionist or personal assistant in an office role. All it takes is a bit of common sense, good telephone manner and a positive, friendly attitude.

And they'll be in direct competition with people who have 20years of experience and relavent qualifications that receptionists now require such as SAGE etc.
Unfortunately being friendly and positive doesn't quite cut it these days in most circumstances.

[OU Student]

(Original post by Dalek1099)
Sell the house and then rent a house,she should get housing benefit and that would reduce her rent to roughly £20 a week.

She may not get housing benefit if she's just sold her house.

[Fynch101]

(Original post by secret_smile)
And they'll be in direct competition with people who have 20years of experience and relavent qualifications that receptionists now require such as SAGE etc.
Unfortunately being friendly and positive doesn't quite cut it these days in most circumstances.

/Conjecture.

[Fynch101]

In fact OP, why did your mum buy a house in the first place?

It would cost what, £5k a year to rent a 'small house'

So you've got £95k left to put into investments which would give you a return of at least 3k a year while you get a minimum wage job and gradually build experience, meaning that within a few years you should be able to be on a decent salary, plus the investment income. After 3-4 years, you would probably have a pretty decent lifestyle - income tax would be very low, and you'd have no capital gains for the first 3 - 5 years.

[Ham22]

£400 in bills seems a bit steep tbh. Something strange is going on there.

[Astronomical]

What's wrong with her being a cleaner and spending less each month? There are plenty of cleaners who manage to pay their bills.

As for the people just saying "claim benefits man innit" shame on you. On the one hand you complain about people avoiding paying 50% tax and on the other you are advocating benefit-grabbing because somebody is living unsustainably and has wasted 30 years of their life not gaining any skills. It's nobodies fault but her own, and certainly not the fault of the tax payer. Why should anyone pay 50% tax to pay for somebody else's bills because they're living beyond their means? Ludicrous to say the least. Such selfish acts are ruining our economy.

It's not an attack at you OP; I imagine it is very stressful for both of you. But nevertheless, I am not one to hide my opinions for the sake of a green bar thing.

[gm15]

(Original post by OU Student)
She may not get housing benefit if she's just sold her house.

Yeah but she wouldn't need it if she had the house money.

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my U20i

[OU Student]

(Original post by BillyBongos)
you're not allowed to have more than £6,000 in savings!

It's £16k, actually.

[KickingKat88]

I don't think 400 is too steep. If you think about house insurance (a must) bills, about 40 each for gas and electric, water bills, council tax, internet and a landline. Plus food around 150 a month. You would be surprised.

[ByronicHero]

Get a job and help her.