Posts

Random thoughts after another setback

avatar of @hetty-rowan
25
@hetty-rowan
·
0 views
·
4 min read

Energy prices are flying through the roof

What is that? Every time, just when I think things are starting to go well, there comes another setback that has to be dealt with. And unfortunately, that setback ALWAYS lies in the area where we have the least to add, so financially. And again this time.

Yesterday, my partner checked his email to see if he had already received a monthly energy bill. That wasn't the case yet, and that was a bit strange because this normally happens on the 1st day every month. He had almost transferred the amount without an invoice. But he decided to wait because it has happened very occasionally, that the invoice arrives in his email on the 2nd day of the month. After the invoice has been sent, you still have 7 days to pay.

Checking the news

When he then looked at one of the larger news sites where you can also read all economic news from the Netherlands, he suddenly said “Oh F***!”. I looked at him in surprise and when he saw my questioning look he said, “I understand why I haven't received an invoice from the energy yet, the supplier is bankrupt!”. SHIT! That is the fourth energy company in a few weeks to collapse due to energy costs that really skyrocket! And while I'm very sad to see that all happen, the other three didn't bother me personally. This time it does! What now?

We have to wait

We went looking, and what we see doesn't really reassure us. Reactions from people who have experienced this before with another supplier, who now suddenly have to pay 3 or sometimes even 4 times as much at the new supplier. And you cannot choose that supplier yourself. The trustees of the bankrupt energy company get 2 weeks to find a new supplier, and if that fails, the customers will be divided among several new suppliers. We will have to wait and see, but we fear the bill that will follow, and we are also stuck with that for at least 1 month ... And if we want to switch after that month, which supplier should we choose? That is also a mystery, because due to the enormous increase in energy prices here in Europe (I don't know if it is worldwide), at least here in the Netherlands, the smaller energy companies are falling over with bushes. But yes, what do you have to do, paying a large bill from a small income is also not possible!

My partner hates the company he works for

In addition, I felt a bit bad again today when my partner left for work this morning. With each day that he leaves in the morning, I see a greater reluctance in him. It's not that he hates working, absolutely not! But he does hate the company he works for. For various reasons. The biggest reason is because the corporate culture there is such that as an employee you simply have no rights. You only have obligations. Don't expect to be valued or respected. Instead, expect to get belittled every day. And often you can sit and stare in front of you all day. Because the company itself is not doing their duty, and simply has no work to do! And when I hear that again when he comes home after such a long day of doing nothing, I feel so deeply for him, and I wish I could take that burden off him. That I could say to him, "Quit that shit job, resign, we'll make it!". But there is no such possibility! At least, financially, I haven't been able to find a solution for that until now.

Another job is not that easy to get

Then you may think, “That he is not looking for another job”. That is not as easy as it seems. For various reasons, but the main reason is that the company he now works for has a 'name' with other employers. And people who have that company on their resume unfortunately do not find another job quickly. I speak from my own experience because that was also the biggest reason for me that I was unable to find a new job after the termination of my contract in December 2014. I worked for the same company :-(

The economy, wait, the whole world is changing

Yes, the economy has changed. I know… Everyone sees it. You often hear that companies are desperate for people, but even that fact has so far not changed our situation. And no matter how hard I try to stay positive, it's not easy!

We will have to wait and see what happens with the energy supplier… we will have to wait and see what time will bring. But the fact is that, in my humble opinion, things are not going well in the Netherlands. Inflation has never been so high, and I have never heard so many people who no longer get their 'groceries' from the supermarket, but have become dependent on the food bank for this. In all the years that we are now fighting to keep our heads above water, we have not come into contact with that, and I would like to keep it that way. *

I know… Positive thoughts will have positive consequences! So I'll keep doing my best for that…

In the meantime, I do have ideas, but because of all the 'noise' in my mind it's not concrete yet. And as long as I don't have a clear plan, I have no idea where to start. It's time for some help… I think it's time I learn to talk to the Universe.

We have to assume that we'll be fine in the end

A blog full of thoughts and perhaps not so cheerful. We have to assume that everything will be fine! So I hug the dogs one more time. And I breathe a sigh of relief that my partner took a few days off. Weekend has started here. And now he can release his tension with something he likes to do. Something which he can always move forward with. Wood turning, woodworking! *