Ouch been there its depressing how unpredictable life can be. Infact pretty much same situation, council just cancelled my agency contract with minimal notice. First rule of thumb is don't borrow money from anyone who'll charge you, that gets very expensive fast. Second;y talk to your friends and family, if you need to borrow money. Then realistically you can pay it back in a year or so max. But mostly talk.
Major sympathy this stuff really sucks.
So sorry to hear that, Nat. I hope something else comes your way soon. It's appalling how temp workers basically have no employment rights - when I was temping I started a new placement and was shown my desk and given some sorting to do and then the girl I was replacing showed up because no one had bothered to tell her she'd been booted. When the job permanently damaged my wrist and I couldn't work quickly enough I was given exactly the same treatment.
I'm sure you could mention to the parents that now isn't a great time to visit as you guys are stressed about the job - I'm sure they'd understand. They would feel awful if they were to find out that they were causing you serious financial strain by staying with you when they didn't need to.
For what its worth there's a whole new slate of temporary workers rights thanks to the EU, could be worth looking into?
If you think you might get into a situation where you won't be able to pay bills, ask the CAB for help BEFORE it happens if poss. They tend to advise you NOT to go to the bank for advice first.
As far as friends and family are concerned - tell them straight (but in a nice way) and say they are welcome anytime, please bring own food and drink.
You don't have to explain if you don't want to, just say you are going through a tricky patch/tough financial period or however much you want them to know.
Quote: Harridan @ August 8 2012, 11:28 AM BSTI'm sure you could mention to the parents that now isn't a great time to visit as you guys are stressed about the job - I'm sure they'd understand. They would feel awful if they were to find out that they were causing you serious financial strain by staying with you when they didn't need to.
It's his birthday on Tuesday and he hasn't seen them in months- so they're definitely coming! We love having them here, anyway.
My parents are scary supportive so I'm sure my mother will buy my weekly shop or something once she spots me looking sad in Tesco. I've already told her about Dan's job as I'm currently paying her money every month for a previous debt. Money is not my strong point.
Also, thank you everyone for niceness and support.
Have pm'd you Nat. 
Sounds like you may be pretty good with money.
You're probably stuck in the same shitty situation most of us are. Pay frozen and expenses going up. I don't seem to know anyone at work who isn't struggling slightly.
nb is it gay to acknowledge Leonard Nemoy in Startrek is a very attractive man?
Quote: sootyj @ August 8 2012, 12:01 PM BSTnb is it gay to acknowledge Leonard Nemoy in Startrek is a very attractive man?
What isn't sexy about this?
Quote: sootyj @ August 8 2012, 12:01 PM BSTis it gay to acknowledge Leonard Nemoy in Startrek is a very attractive man?
Depends how you define acknowledge. Are you sending him pics of you in Spock costume?
Quote: sootyj @ August 8 2012, 12:01 PM BSTSounds like you may be pretty good with money.
I'm terrible- but I'm learning. We got into a lot of debt with pay day loans last year and my parents bailed us out good and proper. We were getting to a point of relative comfort and it's just gone a bit pearshaped for a while. Dan is quite good at getting jobs though and hopefully it will just mean a couple of weeks of penny pinching rather than anything more serious!
wellthat's a relief
I'm used to my field where crbs etc mean it takes a month even when you get the job.
So no need to fedex some tins of soup?
No, I've got plenty of emergency poverty food in the freezer actually now I think of it. Maybe the food situ next week won't be as bad as I'd thought.
That sucks Nat, hope all works out.
Quote: Nat Wicks @ August 8 2012, 10:43 AM BSTHaving a real terrible time of it. Dan's temp contract was cut short so he is now jobless and my account just ran out of cash. What were we thinking moving to Middlesbrough?? We've got his parents coming to stay with us for a few days on Sunday, and I'm not sure how I will afford to buy enough food for all of us. Guh.
Just asked my husband to re-pot my pants. 