#BlogLife783 - It's money, not love, that makes the world go around..

Umm well today is the day the money is supposed to go into my account so I can pay my rent.

I was dreading checking it, thinking it's going to be delayed. The last payment I made was a fortnight ago and the arrears are climbing, whether they add interest or not, I have no idea.

I don't know how the landlord does it, but it always seems to be a higher amount than usual.

I checked my balance and thank heavens there was a payment there. I was so relieved and quickly called up to settle my bill.

Only to be told it's more than expected. I explained the situation about the switchover and I'm already just over £300 in debt.

I was given for the month, £666.81 and the rent is supposed to be £615.52 for the month but she said it was more than that.

They just seem to have poetic licence to charge whatever the hell they want.

I should have made a note, but I'm pretty sure she said it was above £615 hmm.

Anyway what she advised is to wait for my next payment, possibly on the 31st November, I have no idea, if there will even be a housing payment or maybe they will cut me off.

Plus there is the fine, hanging over. I have no answers..

She said they will assess it then and most likely I will contribute to the rent, to clear it.

I thought I am so used to doing that already, that it's pretty standard!

I was really tempted to just pay it off but I just feel like being cautious at the moment so I'm going to wait for now..

If the housing benefit stops, I'm going to need every penny to survive.

I wanted to use up the Just Eat stampcard balance but I'm too petrified of any non essential spending.

£16 is going to be wasted because I think they want me to spend a fiver or tenner minimum and I'm not sure I can spare it.

Ugh it sucks and this period is lasting 2 weeks, with no sign of stopping.

I'm fed up frankly of not knowing what outcome awaits me. It could have been worse, they could have delayed the payment further.

At least I was able to pay some of my rent, that's a good thing as I was really upset about that.

Next Tuesday I'll have my first official Universal Credit appointment so maybe they'll advise me of the payments then.

I wonder how often I'll be required to see them? Weekly? Fortnightly or Monthly?

#BlogLife383 - Listen.. For a price?!

Song of the day - Rome/Destra - Lie Lie Lie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZmCTmCVpbM&list=PLC743C3F57E46E499&index=44

Truthfully I haven't volunteered for ages now. I've been busy and stressed and it's better to support when I'm more relaxed.

But I recently got some emails to say things are changing. You have to reapply because we're changing applications and upgrading.

I thought to myself.....Hmm I'm not sure I can be bothered. I feel less motivated at the moment with all the spam and perverted chats that I get.

However on reading further I noticed something very surprising. It's changing into a paid service so that will weed away the idiots and possibly the perverts for sure.

It's a shame about the genuine less fortunate who will no longer be able to afford it but there are other places around.

It also stated that volunteers are going to receive some sort of incentive also, which turns things around significantly.

That would definitely come in handy for Christmas, although I have been saving gift vouchers and various credits to prepare for this.

I'm sorry to sound greedy but it would be so amazing to actually be compensated for it.

Like I've said before some are emotionally scarring and others are just taxing and if they can afford it, it would benefit people that are passionate about the role.

I don't know if I'm passionate but I do throw my all into it and I am very good at it, most of the time.

I haven't decided what to do yet, there's not much information shared so I have until the end of the month to decide.

Volunteers don't pay fees. I'm not sure if we are still entitled to free chats under this new regime either.. Hmm..

Well I have just sent a note to say I am interested and when they send me the training I will either pass or fail and that will be that.

I don't see it as being owed money but if you think listening to heartbreaking stories is easy, day after day, time after time, ignorantly assuming you can walk away and not be affected pffft, think again.

It will trouble your mind. Plus all the unsavoury chats just make you feel unclean, it's a lot to deal with and there are times with no support so for regular, non counsellors, I mean it's tough to swallow at times.