₦airaland Forum

Lexusgs430:
So assuming the building is billed £10000, assuming building got 10 flats, each flat receives a bill of £1000........

So that flat with single occupancy is paying same, as other flats with multiple occupancy...... Not a fair way of sharing bills....

If you own the property, ask for a water meter, if you are renting...... You have other options to explore.......

Are you aware if any of your neighbours has water meter installed......

I am renting. I hope to speak to a neighbour i am familiar with. I'll give the house a feedback.

giselle237:
They can not say that.
Pls call again and speak to a Manager. If you bill the building how did they come about that amount?
You are not liable for an estimated bill but for what you use. No water meter. No charge to you but charging building, please push back and the amount will come down. Always push back politely but firmly.

Alright. I'll give them a call again on monday to see if i can get the manager to speak with. I'll give an update on here

Taal17:
Could be how you use washing machine or dishwasher.

Do you wait till it's full before you wash or wash whenever there's a dish.

You have a toddler too so, they tend to just open taps for fun 😊

I don't even have a water meter. My toddler is under 2 and have no access to taps. We wash adult clothes once a week and hand wash easy baby clothes. Called them and they said its the building they use to calculate how much I'm being billed.

080bjaked:
When I moved into my current appartment, I was paying 56 per month, after almost a year, they got a bill and they jacked it up to 91 or so, I intentionally cleared all my schedule that day to call cymru water (for wales), I was on call for over an hour (wait times, record review setc, I no gree o). I insisted that we are not heavy users. We did leak tests (shut off all taps, take reading, wait for one or 2hours and take another reading) and it was confirmed that there were no leakages.
When it became apparent that I won't stop calling them (think I called like 4-6times that day). The lady said she has to review all the house's previous water bills even before I moved in. It was then she said they didn't take a reading when I moved in so that bill which was calculated based on average usage was skewed.
Na so she changed my monthly bill to 53per month. I felt better cos I actually just wanted to keep the old rate but now I was getting a few extra. (who'd say no?)

An hour later, she called back, said she spoke with her supervisor and he worked out the calculations further and moved me to 39 per month.
I was really happy and I've been paying that since then my account was even in credit when I got the last bill. how that mix up happened I honestly don't understand cos I believed I should have a new account when I move into a house right?
How come I was paying 56 initially and my account was in debit and now I'm paying 39 and I'm in credit? Since that day, I no too trust that water billing system.

I called them yesterday and they said its the building that was billed and not the usage. They advised i get a water meter and i have a trial period of 2yrs to see if it works for me or not. The thing just weak me. I asked they review the amount charged to the building, they said they can't. That its what comes with it. 😭

Lexusgs430:
If you're friendly with your neighbours, try comparing water bills.........

Thanks, thought of doing that.

Lexusgs430:
Do you have a water meter installed........

What are your water usage habits, do you love long showers(nothing wrong with having long showers)....😁

When you wash plates in the kitchen, do you keep the tap running constantly or you turn on & off intermittently......😂

What you need to do, review your usage or check for leaks........💰

I do not have a water meter installed. Averagely, I could say we spend less than 8-10mins in the shower (though madam spends a little bit above that as per women). And we're very moderate in water usage in the kitchen. We never leave the tap running.

There are no leaks whatsoever. This bill is just way too high.

Hi, this evening while reviewing my finances and bills, i happen to go over my water bill again. Last year 2023/2024, my annual water bill was 657.71, this year 2024/2025 my bill went up to 830.63. We're a family of 3. Myself, My wife and a 1yr child. How we pay this much still baffles me. I live in a 2bedroom. Isn't this too much of a bill for water ?

Lexusgs430:
If e-visa is not available for Nigerian passport holders, I don't think you have enough time, for your visa application.......

Still try ......👍

Thanks boss. The things being a Nigerian citizen go through. God help us o

Lexusgs430:
If you apply for an e-visa, you should get it within days...... But if you want sticker visas, it takes weeks.......

Best to apply ASAP (for e-visa)........

Okay boss. Will start the process asap

Lexusgs430:
You need to apply for a visa online (assuming you are a Nigerian passport holder).........

Oh... please, how long does the visa take to come out ?

Good day beautiful people. I've got a 2wks leave in September and i look to visit Antalya, Turkey with my family, do i need a visa to visit turkey or is it visa on arrival ? Thanks

othermen:
The commercial banks will be dissatisfied with this arrangement.

But it’s a policy in the interest of the country.

With CBN, the proceeds from the fund accrue to Nigeria, and no longer does it go to the coffers of the billionaire owners of the commercial banks.

look yourself in the mirror and slap yourself across the face. When you're done doing this, i will explain to you why i asked you to do it.

Zahra29:
You could try spraying diluted bleach onto areas in your garden where it likes to go and do its business. Cats are territorial and their smell will keep attracting them. Bleach should disrupt the pheromones, but make sure it's not concentrated - you don't want to kill it.

Okay, I'll try this out. Thank you

My neighbour's cat won't stop coming to poop in my compound, I've sprayed CAT-Go, Coffee Seeds....but no effect. Anyone knows how i can stop this menace cos I'm close to cooking otapiapia for this cat

kumbhuru:
Can I take moringa seeds with me on flight?

It's funny how you would conveniently insult people on this thread, then still run to them to ask them questions and ask them to offer you solutions to your needs. O wrong nau!

Zahra29:
It's open to eligible working parents.
The same eligibility rules as before apply, which include immigration status and household earnings.

The 15hrs from 3 years old is universal and does not require an eligibility code.

This i have been made aware of.

hayesconcept:
It’s not open to everyone. If you have no recourse to public fund you are not qualified. Don’t apply for any code again and wait till your child clock three to enjoy the free 15hrs.

Sure will.

Viruses:
There are two 15hrs.
The first one is universal for 3yrs old and does not require you to apply. Just take the child to the nursery, the nursery will claim from the govt.
The other 15hrs (to make it 30hrs) has criteria such as immigration status and salary threshold to be qualified.

Oh...thanks for clarifying this.

Joy83:
I think the household income must not be more than 26500 for you to be eligible if you have no recourse to public fund.

Can you please shed more light to this ?

Good morning everyone. I got a message from my friend that the 15hours free childcare is now opened and that we can apply. I tried to get the code while applying, but it says i am not eligible as i have no recourse to public fund. I thought this was supposed to be free to all working parents. Or is there a way to go about it.

Good afternoon to everyone..i want to appreciate you all for your input, advice and motivations. I so much needed it. I'm more of an introvert and i needed a platform to pour out my heart and seek for advice, and I must say, a lot of it has encouraged me to fight harder. I can't start to mention you all one after the other, but i would say you all are amazing and keep up the good work. I am relieved. This Uk will favor us all.

Lexusgs430:
In the interim, whilst looking for longer lasting alternative source(s) of income........ Do you have a driving licence.......

If you do, look into Amazon logistics, Uber eats, deliveroo, just eat etc etc ..... This are very flexible and you can fit in free time, to raise extra funds.....

I mentioned a few month's ago, that we men, are not supermen..... Women should financially support more...... Don't be afraid to ask for a 50:50 bill split or 60:40(to your wife), if your wife earns more......

I have heard of over 5 Nigerian men that simply slumped and died (in the last 3 months) ..... In the past year, over 8 Nigerian men .......

Don't make yourself a statistic .........

Good afternoon. I don't have a license yet, but presently studying for my theory test as i got to know that having a license and driving a car is an advantage in the job sector here in the uk. And thank you for the encouragement, i won't make myself a statistic. God bless you sir

Luada:
Hmmm read your story, it painful but i can help a little, as you said investment is the only way out of your current situation.

Maybe you can consider trading, i know traders who stay at home and earn good money trading.

I can help you as am into crypto. You can also try investment in google, or tessla i can help you with that.

Thanks

Thank you bro. Is crypto trading still a thing ? I have my reservations in that area..stock trading maybe.

lavida001:
I think i might just dust my cyber security courses and start all over again. who is currently on this journey lets learn together biko

I neeed motivation

I don't mind.

bigtt76:
ooh dear ....so sorry to read this but we are here to help you get started. One way for you to begin is to let go off the past and look ahead into the future.

Search here https://www.coursera.org for IT courses (Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Project Management etc) you can embark to upskill. You can apply for financial aid in most of them. Start here and God will see you through.

Oh great. I know of coursera. Amen. Thank you

donplus1:
I just want to drop my 1 cent so you feel motivated.
You are doing very well, I understand your frustration as a result of the cost of living crisis. Don't beat yourself too much about it.

I earn 1600 after tax, wife currently not working due to childcare( son is six months) and we haven't bn able to get a remote job for my wife to compliment my salary and the least save something at the end of the month. Yet here I am, enduring and hoping things will get better.

Where someone own end, another go start. "

Perseverance and determination is the key!
Shalom brother.

I appreciate your words of encouragement. And like you said perseverance and determination is key. I'll hold on to that.

bigtt76:
Thanks for the clarification and I get a better understanding of your situation now. You can still wriggle your way back into IT by ups killing to become a data analyst, project manager or cybersecurity analyst while you shuffle between your current job and taking care of your baby all at your own pace.

You can also look into customer service advisor roles which allow work from home. Construction work may be lucrative but it will take you away from your baby and or leave you tired at the end of the day.

Choice is yours though but rest assured, I wish you the very best ahead 🙏🏾

Thank you so much. Thanks for the words. I'll find my strength to look into this. Its going to be challenging, but nothing a human with determination can't achieve. I'll look into all the suggestions on here and see what would work better for me. Sorry i had to bother u all, just had to find a platform where i can pour out my mind and hopefully hear from those in the same country as me. Thanks

lavida001:
you earning 1600 monthly is a fair wage to me. Just go 50/50 with your wife after all equality is what the world preaches this days.

It use to be. When the family was a small circle.

bigtt76:
Ha 20 years ago? 😳 You be idan for computer be that naa. Though I don't know what may have happened to you I wouldn't want to being up bad memories you don't want to recall but I would just say dust your pants off and get moving. The world of IT has evolved greatly but not more than what you can't catch up with if you give it a little bit of your time. You can basically be doing stuff online while watching over your baby. Don't give up.

Yea...my story was that someone ( a senior staff) defrauded my then IT company. They found out he was the one and then because he was close to the company owner, they covered it all and made us took the fall for it. We asked the Nigerian Police to investigate and we pleaded our innocence, but they wouldn't have it. They moved us to SARS where we were locked up for a lengthy period of time. It wasn't a pleasant experience. While in there, my dad was running around to see i was freed, they refused to charge the case to court, they didn't and my dad fell ill and passed away. I didn't see my dad when he passed and was buried. I slipped into depression and it impacted me greatly. Eventually we were released after 2yrs and i wasn't myself. Had to move to my village for awhile to get over the trauma and it took me time. I left the IT industry cos it reminded me of so much. That's my story. Starting a new life here in the Uk, i consider going back into IT, but where do i start ? How do i focus without triggering my past trauma.

That's why I'm kind of struggling. Yea, that's my story. But I'm trying to see how best i can find a way back in if I'll fight to. And thanks to all for the contribution.

bigtt76:
Well said! As a dependent, picking shifts shouldn't have been your main priority but rather a full time role depending on your qualifications and skills, this would've helped you gain more grounds in whatever industry you find yourself. Your wife should also look at work from home customer service job opportunities.

Noticed you also have credit card debts - while it is good to have a credit card to help build your credit history, you shouldn't spend what you don't have on your debit card account (that's how I live my life though) at this stage when you don't have a good income.

My observation of late has been that most Nigerians (MA or dependents) on arrival in the UK, warehouse, support and care jobs appears to be their main target and this shouldn't be so at least for the dependents who can work full time. Try and evaluate your skills and qualifications, there are several opportunities out there that can help you upskill if you want for free.

Hi, thanks for the response. My wife got sponsored by the NHS reason why she is stuck working as a support worker for them. I on the other hand need flexibility so as to enable us take turns in looking after our baby. This is my top priority. I thought i can cope with that with the little i earn, but cost of living isn't joking and i have to find a way to balance.

And like i said, my current job allows me flexibility to pick days when i want to work even though I'm working 40hrs full time with them and that can be adjusted on the rota. I don't know if other companies can be this generous to allow me do this (my fears) as this will greatly impact on child care (my priority). I would say for now, i don't have any special skills cos i left the IT industry due to some bad issues that happened back in Nigeria. If i have to start again, I'm afraid i might not be able to catch up. Reason why I'm seeking for advice on what other flexible roles i can look at. And as someone suggested, I'll look into Construction, but don't know if they will allow flexibility. God bless you

Efftyy:
As a dependent that you are. I don’t expect you to work in a social settings that will pay you cheap. If you like being a Support worker, Register as a bank staff in NHS and earn 20 to 22pounds an hour weekly payment. or better still start preparation for CS card or look toward being a Construction worker. z
The earning is temporary,your later or future plan is the most important.
Look into getting more knowledge that can earn you more .
N:B Please look away from your wife earning and contribution for your own peace.

Shalom

I do appreciate your input on this. It gladens my mind to read this. As you said, i shouldn't settle for less as a dependent as I can get a job that pays higher. My wife works in the NHS sector where she got her sponsorship and i honestly do not depend on her income as i see myself as someone that needs to take up his responsibility as a father and a husband. She being a good wife does not believe in that and does her best to support me and i do appreciate that. I have considered getting other roles, but i haven't been successful in them. Back in Nigeria I was a computer engineer but i left that industry when life and nigeria happened to me. I don't want to go into details cos it brings back sad memories. This was over 20yrs ago, so I'm a bit rusty and not up to date with current tech tools.

Now, i can only do little as we have to mind our child cos we don't look at taking him to a child minder. We can't afford that and we don't believe they can cater for him the way we can. We had to make sacrifices taking turns off work to do that. I'll consider looking at construction jobs as u said and if the pay is good and gives me some flexibility as i am getting now. Then its worth trying.

God bless you. May life not happen to us

Hi guys, please i need your input in this. First of all, i apologize for my lengthy post. I moved into the uk last year april as a student dependent, i started working in may and have been earning a minimum a minimum wage with over time and the littlest i earned is 1900 including over time which enabled me clear my wife's fees and pay some bills added with the little she earned working 20hrs. In the long run she got pregnant and went on maternity leave a month before we welcome our baby in December.

She was on maternity leave, earning maternity pay which supports me while i go full blast working overtime with same earnings not more than 1900. She went back to work in August and now on 37.5hrs full time as she has finished doing her masters.

Now with the responsibility of catering for our child who is now 10months, we had to adjust with our work patterns (Thank God for giving me an understanding manager and hers too) by picking shifts when we like to help us on who stays home with the baby while the other go to work. I had to let go working overtime as i work on days when she's not working and she works on days when I'm not working.

This has really impacted on my earnings and pay as i now earn the basic pay of 1800, and with tax, ni and pension deducted i am left with about 1600 sometimes lower if i don't work night shifts as we earn enhancement working night shifts. My wife is very supportive as we split montly bills, spendings and all ( I know that this should even make it easier as she earns more now) , but the issue is lately the cost of living has gone up, our rent was increased, energy bill has gone up as we had to sometime put on the heater cos of the baby, his feeding, clothing and all his needs.

The bills are choking and i can even hardly save. My wife on the other hand contributes her quota on a 60/40 basis as i contribte the most as the olori ebi even though we earn same salary monthly. I have racked in credit card debts and all. I have had to cut down alot of spendings to adjust ( and that includes me not buying orijin bitters or going out with friends, going to the barber, i cut my hair anyhow i sabi, and some needs....lol). What can i do in this context as i am considering getting a new job that can pay more on same hours, but I don't know if the manager will be as understanding as the current manager i work with.

I need to earn more. I am considering investments, but don't know which or how i can get into one. Its eating me and i had to pour out my heart. I'm sorry for the lengthy write up. By the way, i work as a support worker and my wife as well as she got sponsorship and I'm a dependent. But we just can't do more hours cos of our baby.

I am considering remote works, but concentration is much needed in this and our baby is always seeking attention. How do one cope in this. Is 1600 earning considered good in such situations?