Please help guys-need to arrange my life!!

[SarahRicoh]

Right.. Not very interesting but someone please help lol...After xmas I am looking to change jobs as although I do like my job im getting bored of it and in reality I cant afford to carry on working there.

Basically I earn min wage (£5 hour) working at a kennels. Work between 3-5 days a week 9 til 5. Atm I seem to be working 5 dayswhich gives me £192 a week(get paid weekly) but its fairly seasonal so after xmas will get quieter.

I have one pony on loan atm but I am looking to buy him after 7 months so I need to get saving. He is on DIY livery but it costs £163 a month, plus food,shoes,insurance and anything extra.

I own my own car but pay my mum back £50 a month insurance and petrol and then have the extras like tax/mots... On top of this I pay my phone bill and money for going out and I currently also pay my grandparents money each week as I am in debt to them
Soooooo I need a new job but I just dont know what to do.

I am leaning more and more towards my own business as thats what id ideally want and if I get an evening job I can still have money whilst setting it up (pet sitting/dog walking etc) but then I need to find a job that gives me enough money to still afford horse & save but doesnt inovlve many qualifications ( I have gcses and alevels).

If I dont go this route then I dont really have any idea what to do. I definitely dont want to do uni and couldnt because couldnt support horse.
So any ideas guys on jobs? I dont THINK i want to work with horses because I dont want to be poorly paid and stuck with no time for my horse and I dont want to live in either. But then again the thought of working in an office isnt appealing either.

However I need a job that will enable me to afford all the above plus move out and rent a flat.
I am only really good at animals as far as I can see.
I did consider farriery but too long an apprenticeship and v hard work and grooms etc is poorly paid/live in.
I just have no clue what to do!
Do I get an office type job to afford horses or an animal job and be slightly poorer or try make own business work?

Please someone help lol

*cookies and hot choc with cream for anyone who reads my mess of a post lol *

 

[J&C]

While it's great that you are trying to think of what you ideally want to do for a living, I think the job situation is so bad at the moment that you're not really in a position to pick and choose.
What I would suggest would be keep planning what you want to do but in the mean time apply to ANY job that you like the sound of and see what comes along. A lot of the time you won't even get a response or interview for jobs you apply to just because of the amount of applicants at the moment.

If you think you would enjoy working with animals/horses I don't think you should write it off completely. All the horsey jobs I've had have paid really well and had lots of perks! Just look around and you will be surprised!
Previously I ended up in a horrible officey job which I hated, it paid barely enough for me to get by but this year I was lucky enough to get a fantastic job working with animals which pays so much more that in 3 months I had paid off all my debts and managed to save a big chunk too!

Anyway good luck with your job search, if you need any info on working with animals let me know

 

[juliette]

We pay £8 per walk for our dog to be walked when we are on holiday. The lady that does it has dogs she walks 5 days per week every week. She collects several dogs and walks them together.
I have to say she does have a magic touch with dogs, so I think this is only a good idea if you have too. But she seems very happy, as do the dogs.
She gave us a photo today of our dog being walked with 10 others, all off the lead, all completely under control. How the hell she does it I have no idea!!!

 

[nuttynugget]

You need to have a long hard think... Its not easy out there at the moment at all!! and you do seem to be asking quite a lot (I'm in my early 20s and couldn't afford to pay rent, my horses bills, run a car, pay back debts with my full time job!)

Also, I took an office job. And I HATE it!!!! I am also looking for an escape route right now but the job market is so tough. I work 9-5 so in the winter I never see my horse in day light and its sooo depressing.

I'm sorry I can advise you more as if I had the answer to what your asking I would be doing it as well am looking forward to what other people offer!

 

[SarahRicoh]

Thanks guys... I know i want a lot but adults do it so why cant i? I am really keen on.the pet sitting idea but what evening job could i do that doesnt need exp nd doesnt finish early morning..

J&c- any info u can give me on working with animals would ne great!!

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Whatever you decide, don't give up your current job until you know you have something else ready to start. In the current climate jobs are difficult to come by, people are cutting down on non-essential expenditure, like paying to have their dogs exercised and you would be ineligible for any benefits if you have made yourself voluntarily unemployed.

I used to know a police officer who kept his horse at the same livery yard as me, then he and his wife bought their own place and another horse. He joined the mounted branch, stayed in it for a couple of years and then said that he got no pleasure at all from either work or his own horses because he was doing the same things in both places. He went back to traffic.

Do be careful that you don't end up in a similar situation.

 

[SarahRicoh]

I wont quit my job dont worry. Aah im so confused :/

 

[CrazyMare]

To put another twist on it, I work within the care industry - our bottom pay rate would give you more than you currently get per week, plus overtime as and when. Plus if you pick the right sector of the industry, good training, promotion prospects and a rewarding job.

For example, our company's bottom pay band is £13,200 pa to £18,200pa. We would employ with just GCSE's but prefer A Levels/life experiance and would start you at the bottom.

Just a thought to throw out there...

 

[Dubsie]

I think you have a lot of regular costs + you're paying your mum back, and really you have nothing over for phone, fuel etc.

So whatever you do you need to earn more money.

I would suggest just keep applying for anything that you think 'I can do that' and see what turns up. Always remember to tailor your response to the job advert, to be positive and really WANT that job so you get it.

Finally don't dismiss a career: when you get trained and gain a useful skill or qualification just because the training is 'long and hard work', you will always have that to fall back on even if you don't persue it as a career, but, in the longer term as so many of the youth of today cannot be bothered to do a long training, the end result is thee is a skill shortage in some areas eg plumbing, electricians, mecahnics meaning those that ARE qualified having come out the far side of the long training and hard work bit are able to charge or be paid at a higher market rate - this would then give you the spare money for your horse and all the other things you want.

Either way it isn't going to be handed to you on a plate, you have to work hard for it. At times I've had 3 or 4 jobs on the go, and worked from 6am (cleaning in pub) then day job, then evening behind bar in pub, and at weekedns instead of the day job I slotted in an extra late shift behind bar at night club, home by 2.45 (but could and did start the pub clean a bit later!) When I got my first job in sales, as it was largely comission based I HAD to earn the commission in order to eat something other than lentils or over ripe bananas from the market as it closed! Being counted upon to be a top results driven sales person lead to other and greater things. Likewise my OH left school at 16 as an apprentice in the bus garage, he worked his way through it and could command £30 an hour or more if he was self employed, if he fell on hard times he can always use his electrical skills as an electrician (just 1 qualification to pass for domestic, he's qualified for higer voltage stuff), or go and fix peoples cars.

 

[SarahRicoh]

Its not that i wouldnt complete the farrier training. Its more i couldnt afford to live as an apprentice.

I have been applying for as many jobs as possible but most want qualifications i dont have or work exp(only worked at kennels)..

Crazymare- i looked into care work but decided in end it was something i couldnt really deal with and it seems like your not always guaranteed shifts.

So is the general thought to get whatever job i can.to earn a bit more money and not really think.bout a career/what i want to do?

 

[LaurenM]

Pay off your debts & overheads, save money & then look at going self employed. The job market is tough so it will be a case of applying for anything & everything. If it were me, I'd be focused on repaying my grandparents as an immediate priority.

I've managed to finance my horses throughout uni. I'm also currently working full time, studying for a part time masters & have one horse on DIY. Needs must.

 

[smudge99]

Why don't you look at getting a part time job now to help with paying off your debts, you can pay them off quicker. My friend has started a dog walking business and in six months only had two clients and it wasn't for her not trying she spent a fortune on advertising etc.

 

[Herts05]

Agree that you should pay your debts off first and take a serious look at your day to day expenditure to see if there is any way that with a few changes you could save money. Yes it will mean that you will have to go without things (don't dismiss things like reducing spending on your mobile phone etc).
Then you need a life plan but you also need to a self assessment to understand what you actually want and are capable of doing.
Sit down and write down a list of what you think your strengths are (e.g. interpersonal skills, organisation, PC skills, numeracy etc etc). Really take your time and think hard about them, this is not the time to be shy.

Then write down a list of what any job MUST have for you to be happy (e.g. if you value being out in the open air then an office job will most likely make you miserable).

Next, here's the tough bit, speak to your employer, your trusted friends, parents and any other professional contacts you have. Ask them what THEY think your strengths are and then compare them to the list that you made.

If you are feeling very brave you should ask them what they think your weaknesses are (in business speak these are your Development Needs).You will find that they see things about you that you don't and this will help you to begin to identify what you could do.

Now for a fun bit. Get a fresh piece of paper and imagine that 5 years have gone past. Write down what you will have achieved and where you hope you are in your life and your work. Once you have done this its time to ask yourself - if these are your goals for the next 5 years, what do you have to do to achieve this. You may have to sacrifice your dream of buying a horse at this stage, but it will make you think more long term and they do say we all appreciate things that we have to wait a little longer for.
Good Luck
BTW - save the 5 years time list and look at it from time to time to make sure that you are sticking to the plan

 

[SarahRicoh]

Thanks everyone youve all been really helpful.

Paying back my grandparents is my priority. I had a 2nd job but the company stopped running it
after xmas i should be clear of gparents debts as using all xmas money to pay back and my bdays 23rd dec so hopefully thatl be sorted.

Herts05- im going to do all that thankyiu very much! Im also going to total up my outgoings and see how much i need to earn to live comfortably. Easiest way of saving money would be to move to a cheaper yard as mines fairly exp but i love it there and i have a lot of help so its not worth it.
I use as little petrol as poss and cany make phone cheaper as contract so stuck on saving money!

 

[Miss L Toe]

Can you get a job at night in a pub or restaurant or supermarket, in fact anywhere you can get more skills which you will need in any career.
Dog walking is not going to be profitable,. and believe me, it is easier to work for someone than to be self - employed, the public have no conception of business costs, they are looking for cheap labour and in dog walking you are competing with the Jobseekers Allowance people.
I tried an "any animal" care, but gave up as there was "no demand"

 

[soulfull]

Agree that you should pay your debts off first and take a serious look at your day to day expenditure to see if there is any way that with a few changes you could save money. Yes it will mean that you will have to go without things (don't dismiss things like reducing spending on your mobile phone etc).
Then you need a life plan but you also need to a self assessment to understand what you actually want and are capable of doing.
Sit down and write down a list of what you think your strengths are (e.g. interpersonal skills, organisation, PC skills, numeracy etc etc). Really take your time and think hard about them, this is not the time to be shy.

Then write down a list of what any job MUST have for you to be happy (e.g. if you value being out in the open air then an office job will most likely make you miserable).

Next, here's the tough bit, speak to your employer, your trusted friends, parents and any other professional contacts you have. Ask them what THEY think your strengths are and then compare them to the list that you made.

If you are feeling very brave you should ask them what they think your weaknesses are (in business speak these are your Development Needs).You will find that they see things about you that you don't and this will help you to begin to identify what you could do.

Now for a fun bit. Get a fresh piece of paper and imagine that 5 years have gone past. Write down what you will have achieved and where you hope you are in your life and your work. Once you have done this its time to ask yourself - if these are your goals for the next 5 years, what do you have to do to achieve this. You may have to sacrifice your dream of buying a horse at this stage, but it will make you think more long term and they do say we all appreciate things that we have to wait a little longer for.
Good Luck
BTW - save the 5 years time list and look at it from time to time to make sure that you are sticking to the plan

Very good advice!

also you say you would have paid back GP after Christmas so that's good!!

like others have said whatever you do now will be hard work possibly extremely hard work.
Do re consider buying this pony right now, your future is more important. Its no good buying the pony now and finding you have to sell him in the near future because you can't afford him.

you have some qualifications so not as though you have nothing to go forward with. Think hard and find something that you can train to do. That will no doubt mean training and working at the same time for a while BUT it really would be worth it long term

good luck

 

[indi4]

Have you thought about doing an evening course at college to help gain some qualifactions that may me helpful in getting the type of job you want. You could do something like a dog grooming course that would fit in well with the dog walking side of the buisness if you decide to go down that route.

 

[babymare]

i think advice from hert was superb and well said - you sound a sensible person and trust me in 5 years time you will look back and think wow look how far I have gone - get help with your CV as the skills you have with animals can be turned to show your skills in other areas - working in a kennels do you interact with the owners if you do that shows you have people skills - be patieint hun and keep chipping away to what you want to do - self employed as dog walker animal sitter etc maybe way to go - i Was heading that way got made redundent and said sod it and set up equine and animal care business - started to build a customer base up then my back went and 8 weeks on morphine lol - believe in your self and dont think "i cant do that" think " hey I CAN DO THAT" go girl and wish you all the best for 2012 and keep us posted in the highs and the lows( and hun there will be but always look at positives ) - from some one 3 years ago was at rock bottom in the darkest place who is now smiling laughing and loving life xxxxx

 

[SarahRicoh]

Thanks everyone really helpful advice

 

[PerlinoPlank]

I think a lot of people are in very similar situations to you, so don't panic!

I'm 24 and earn £15k a year which I can just live on (rent, horse, livery, car, car insurance, horse insurance, phone and I have a 2nd "project" car).
I scrimp and save on as much as I can, buy cheap food, rarely go out, haven't been on holiday for years etc and can honestly say I hardly ever buy things I don't need (can't remember the last time I bought a pair of shoes or jeans...). I'd love to save for a mortgage, but it's simply not possible at the moment.

Firstly, I'd say to you get a full time job. I'm not one for pussyfooting around people, so I don't care if you don't like it, go for any secure full time job, doing anything.
The way I look at it is if the 40 hours a week I spend in the office pays for me to have a horse and 2nd car (my luxuries) then it's worth it. If you don't feel it is, give up the job and the pony.
I'm not saying you have to stay in a job you hate, just make sure you have another full time job to go into before you leave.

If, after your f/t job wage comes in you still find yourself skint, get an evening job in a bar or as a waitress. A shift or two a week would get you about an extra £200 a month.

If not (or if you've got endless engery and can do this as well as 2nd job), spend an evening or two a week doing a college course or work experience to progress towards a better paid job or to get a qualification (make sure it's specialist and relevant - so many graduates out of work at the moment) that would get you on track to the career you want.

Hope this helps, and sorry if I seem harsh - tis just the way I am *halo*

 

[jeeve]

Its not that i wouldnt complete the farrier training. Its more i couldnt afford to live as an apprentice.

I have been applying for as many jobs as possible but most want qualifications i dont have or work exp(only worked at kennels)..

Crazymare- i looked into care work but decided in end it was something i couldnt really deal with and it seems like your not always guaranteed shifts.

So is the general thought to get whatever job i can.to earn a bit more money and not really think.bout a career/what i want to do?

I think being a farrier is too tough for a female. I had an 18 year old farrier (barefoot) doing my horses feet. She was excellent - realy skilled in corrective trimming, and a good horse handler, but she has had to quit due to a tendon injury in her arm.

My son has started an apprentice ship as farrier - he does have a problem with dislocating shoulder though, so unless he can sort this may be an issue.

 

[SarahRicoh]

Sareeskinner-dont worry i dont think your being harsh. My job is ft normally but it does vary. Good advice though so thankyou

Thing is i have no office skills so can i get an office job?

 

[pottamus]

sareeskinner - good advice that is.
I work full time on a reasonable wage and live with my husband who is on a good wage...and I still work some evenings to earn a bit more to pay for my horse.
I do Clerk to School governor work for local schools which are all evening meetings during term time. It is damn hard after a full days work, hours commute, horse to do and then straight back out to work until perhaps 10pm at night...but the money I earn from it pays for my horsey and is very useful to our overall household income.