In need of some advice

Old Jan 16th 2014, 9:00 pm
  #1  
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Default In need of some advice

I'm a female (50) and I think I want to move back to the UK - but am struggling with some issues:

1. I now have a disability (repetitive strain) thanks to working for a Canadian employer on a contract with no redress - have spent thousands trying to get things better since 2004-ish and I can use a computer for periods of time providing I take breaks but it's put the kibosh on my previous career - librarianship - where I was using a computer all the time. I got a Canadian degree in social work last year but I don't know how useful that's going to be for getting work in the UK given my disability (and I'm not registered disabled .. just in that horrible grey area where dr's here can't help/aren't helpful and I can't fix the injury myself completely). I currently weight train and exercise - trying to strengthen my upper body to see whether I can manage to use the computer for longer without pain (I get pain within around 20 mins/to 1 hr of continual use at the moment).

2. I'm now separated from my husband - have some separation money and some spousal support for the next 2 years and then it's likely to stop - anyone know who I pay tax to on spousal support if I move back? (UK govt? Cdn govt?) (I don't have any kids though).

3. I have no family support and feel very overwhelmed at the prospect of sorting everything out.

The few friends I have in the UK have all said the economy is awful don't move back ... but I moved to Ontario in 2002 for my ex's job and have never settled here - I miss the UK so much. I am still exploring moving to Alberta in an effort to get work there but to be honest my heart isn't in it and after the freezing temps in Ontario recently I'm just not sure I could manage the cold winters.

Is it better to die in exile or in poverty? I kind of feel if I move back to the UK I probably face the latter but on the other hand, the prospect of staying here is so hard to contemplate .. I don't have anyone back in the UK that I could stay with for a month or so to get myself sorted out. And I've few friends here ... it's been really hard.

Anyone faced this situation and got through it? Any thoughts? Am thinking about taking a trip to Edmonton to do some job networking and see what it's like and then go back to the UK for a couple of weeks and see how I feel there ... but then I think that's such a lot of money ... maybe I should just try and take steps to go back to the UK?
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Old Jan 16th 2014, 10:11 pm
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Default Re: In need of some advice

I want to advise you strongly to go back, but I am biased because I've just spent eight years in Edmonton, and am desperate to get back home to Britain. Try out Edmo by all means, but the weather here is ghastly, it is a very isolated place, and if you don't like Ontario, I find it difficult to imagine that you'll take to Alberta.

It seems to me that you need to take a long cool look at your career options in both countries. Social workers also need to use computers to write reports, so maybe you need an employer who will take account of your disability.

But career isn't the only factor. If you think you'll be happier in the UK -- go there.

If you are resident in the UK, then you'll pay tax in the UK. Can you trust your ex to go on paying if you go back to the UK?
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Old Jan 16th 2014, 10:28 pm
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Default Re: In need of some advice

It sounds to me like you really want to go back- that's where your calling seems to be, then do it. Don't worry so much about what others say and do what you feel you need to do.
Is there any family at all in the UK? You said there is no family support but sometimes it's surprising how if you get back in touch with family they will be supportive and a good resource.
Have you looked into your Canadian social work degree transferring into the UK system? That might be one step in making your decision but honestly, it sounds to me like if you've never really settled there and would rather be back in the UK then that's your answer.
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Old Jan 16th 2014, 10:50 pm
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Default Re: In need of some advice

If I were you I would go back.. If I didn't have family ties here in the US I would be back on a plane tomorrow! I know without family to help out it makes it more difficult. Maybe you could save some money and stay in a bed and breakfast. Whofan63 who moved back from the US last year with a small sum of money, settled right back in. She found a job rather quickly, not her ideal job and is still looking for something better but she did secure employment. Maybe look thru her posts. Of course there are others who have gone back and regretted it but from reading your post I think its in your heart to go back.
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Old Jan 16th 2014, 11:31 pm
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Default Re: In need of some advice

I moved back to the UK in 2010, and had a rough few months, but by living cheaply in a bedsitter for three months I was able to look around and find a better place to live. It takes a while to resettle and get all your documentation in place - you need to have money saved to bring with you, as everything comes at a price. Many people on BE have returned with little cash, and have made it a success in the end. It was horrid having no support network over here, but I found that by having access to a computer (the public library was my access for a few months) I was able to connect with the BE community and they talked me through many hard times. People I didn't know other than at the end of an internet connection were more help to me than anyone else. You will find kindness and assistance on this site.
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Old Jan 16th 2014, 11:53 pm
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Default Re: In need of some advice

Sometimes you have to listen to your heart and take a leap of faith. The economy isn't great most places but things seem to be moving slowly in a more positive direction in the UK. Im giving up a very high paying job in the US to go back home to no job and no money, but I know that the UK is where I want to be with my family. If you really want something then you will find a way to make it happen. yes it is an ordeal with everything that you will need to do to make the move but hopefully the long term gains will be worth it. maybe taking a trip back might help you see if its where you really want to be. Don't know the answer to the tax question but Im sure someone will be along that does. Best of luck!!
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Old Jan 17th 2014, 12:29 am
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Default Re: In need of some advice

Englishmaple, one of things you learn being an immigrant over time is to separate the BS from reality, to get down to brass tax, to make it happen, to know how to deal with difficult issues that come along.

The UK is familiar, warm & friendly - folks are nice. Here in Canada you quickly become leary of folks, never trusting, always looking over your shoulder - this has been my experience 46 years living away from the UK.

Being an immigrant makes you a wiser astute person, it makes you adaptable to roll with the punches.

You have a degree which is worth a lot moving back to the UK, added to that you have outside experience which many in the field that you're in in the UK wont have.

Having lived & worked in several countries after leaving the UK & meeting folks from all walks of life with skills in different fields - IMO, you are employable.

On your personal issues - well maybe the physical health issues are worsened due to the ex situation - stress can take its toll on your body.

A new lease on life is what you likely need - not the 'die in exile or in poverty' which you mentioned. Winters are long in Canada even in Ontario, life is a rush, no time for anything.

The UK countryside, climate & people will make you feel a million times better. You can walk outside free & fresh almost 52 weeks a year without slip sliding. Jaunts across the channel are cheap getaways.

On the financial side - well, best speak to a lawyer before you leave, don't IMO let on to the ex or anyone close to him know that you're doing the midnight flit back to the UK.

I suggest through the lawyer arrangements be made the support payments go through the lawyers office. Should you be back in the UK & the payments stop - make plans ahead of time how you are going to deal with this.

I think that covers it

As others have posted - the BE family are here to listen, to help where possible & suggest [from their own experiences things] what you may not have thought of .

Trust this as well as the above posts help some

Good luck
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Old Jan 17th 2014, 9:07 am
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Default Re: In need of some advice

Originally Posted by not2old
Englishmaple, one of things you learn being an immigrant over time is to separate the BS from reality, to get down to brass tax, to make it happen, to know how to deal with difficult issues that come along.

The UK is familiar, warm & friendly - folks are nice. Here in Canada you quickly become leary of folks, never trusting, always looking over your shoulder - this has been my experience 46 years living away from the UK.

Being an immigrant makes you a wiser astute person, it makes you adaptable to roll with the punches.

You have a degree which is worth a lot moving back to the UK, added to that you have outside experience which many in the field that you're in in the UK wont have.

Having lived & worked in several countries after leaving the UK & meeting folks from all walks of life with skills in different fields - IMO, you are employable.

On your personal issues - well maybe the physical health issues are worsened due to the ex situation - stress can take its toll on your body.

A new lease on life is what you likely need - not the 'die in exile or in poverty' which you mentioned. Winters are long in Canada even in Ontario, life is a rush, no time for anything.

The UK countryside, climate & people will make you feel a million times better. You can walk outside free & fresh almost 52 weeks a year without slip sliding. Jaunts across the channel are cheap getaways.

On the financial side - well, best speak to a lawyer before you leave, don't IMO let on to the ex or anyone close to him know that you're doing the midnight flit back to the UK.

I suggest through the lawyer arrangements be made the support payments go through the lawyers office. Should you be back in the UK & the payments stop - make plans ahead of time how you are going to deal with this.

I think that covers it

As others have posted - the BE family are here to listen, to help where possible & suggest [from their own experiences things] what you may not have thought of .

Trust this as well as the above posts help some

Good luck
What he said.
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Old Jan 17th 2014, 9:31 am
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Default Re: In need of some advice

I'm not sure where you friends are getting the idea that the ecconomy is aweful, unemployment is falling, inflation is falling, at least according to government statistics. What is happening in many cases is that companies that have failed to embrace the technological revolution and get a good, on-line presence are faining, or at least losing money, take Morrisons, have, at long last, admitted they need to provide an on-line ordering/delivery system, years after all the rest of the major supermarkets did it. High street shops are closing, BUT, many of the bigger retailers are moving back into the hight street, Tesco and Sainsbury are opening no more superstores, but concentrating on the smaller shops. Many of the high street shops that are closing just would not have been viable in any case, a lot are/were just vanity shops opened, 'because I want to run a shop'.
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Old Jan 17th 2014, 12:05 pm
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Default Re: In need of some advice

I have recently started using the Dragon speech recognition software. The program isn't perfect, but it has saved me many hours of repetitive keyboarding.
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Old Jan 17th 2014, 12:15 pm
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Default Re: In need of some advice

Originally Posted by DebzinUS
I have recently started using the Dragon speech recognition software. The program isn't perfect, but it has saved me many hours of repetitive keyboarding.
Interesting ... I have been thinking of getting some speech recognition software (my typing skills are prehistoric and I'm too old to be trained).

I spend many hours of the day at a computer and I'd say several hours a day typing.

I spend probably an additional 50% of my time making corrections and proofreading (bad typing, plus I am looking at the keyboard so don't catch errors as I type). I also get a sore right wrist because it does all the work (no smutty jokes from anyone, please!) so it has to move fast and is often in an unnatural position.

Don't want to go too OT and steal the thread but:

If I wanted to use it on two computers (work and home), would I have to buy two licenses?

What sorts of uses is it NOT good for? I'm thinking of:

Typing Word documents (presume it is best for this).
Typing responses on forums like this and Facebook
Typing into online conversations on Skype, MSN Messenger, other similar tele-conversations.
Typing numbers into spreadsheet cells.

I'm assuming it won't work with specialist software like data analysis packages?
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Old Jan 17th 2014, 1:26 pm
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Default Re: In need of some advice

Originally Posted by dunroving
If I wanted to use it on two computers (work and home), would I have to buy two licenses?
You'll need to double-check the software license. I *think* that most times if you have two computers that you own then you can install software on both under the single license. For instance I do a lot of design work and all my design and photography software can be legally installed on both my desktop and my laptop at the same time, with no issues or conflicts. BUT seeing as you're talking about a work computer (presumably owned by your employer) and a home computer then you'll probably need two licenses.
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Old Jan 17th 2014, 1:29 pm
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Default Re: In need of some advice

Originally Posted by MrMuffin
You'll need to double-check the software license. I *think* that most times if you have two computers that you own then you can install software on both under the single license. For instance I do a lot of design work and all my design and photography software can be legally installed on both my desktop and my laptop at the same time, with no issues or conflicts. BUT seeing as you're talking about a work computer (presumably owned by your employer) and a home computer then you'll probably need two licenses.
Actually, both computers belong to my employer (almost 50% of my work is done from home), but if I want this software, I have to pay for it.
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Old Jan 17th 2014, 1:44 pm
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Default Re: In need of some advice

Originally Posted by dunroving


I'm assuming it won't work with specialist software like data analysis packages?
I use Dragon 12, Home Premium edition. It works really well in Word, Excel and PowerPoint with near 100% accuracy. The software doesn't seem to want to work in SPSS which is the only data analysis software I use.
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Old Jan 17th 2014, 1:55 pm
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Default Re: In need of some advice

Originally Posted by DebzinUS
I use Dragon 12, Home Premium edition. It works really well in Word, Excel and PowerPoint with near 100% accuracy. The software doesn't seem to want to work in SPSS which is the only data analysis software I use.
Thanks, it's SPSS I was thinking of in particular, but I'm less concerned about it. Wasn't expecting it to work with PowerPoint so that's a definite bonus.

Does it work well for emails and posting stuff like responses in BE? Most of my work typing involves responding to emails (and chatting on BE - no, not really).
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