Is this normal ? Friend told me something and I’m wondering how common this is ?

[namechangedForthus]

Was chatting to a friend today and she mentioned something about it being ‘one of those days’ when I said I was just going to get a few bits from the shop.
After chatting a bit more it turns out that ‘one of those days’ is what she has 3-4 days each WEEK where they have ZERO in their account ?

She shrugged this off as ‘normal’ and ‘real life’ but I was quite shocked.
What if an emergency arises or an unexpected bill? She said they have no savings but that the rent and bills are paid and she always has food staples in and a freezer full so it’s just how it is. She laughed that I was shocked! I said I was more than happy to pick up any bits she needed

Is this really reality for people I would be so worried each week if it was me because of unexpected costs but she seemed resigned to this being how it will always be

I don’t and never have had m wheelie bin cleaned

@Marmitemarinaded

I don’t and never have had m wheelie bin cleaned

Ok? Well I've never had a facial in my life .. what's your point??

Nothing

My original point was that it’s a modern day phenomenon to declare oneself essentially on bones of arse

And the example is that you couldn’t pay your wheelie bin cleaner!

@Marmitemarinaded

Nothing

My original point was that it’s a modern day phenomenon to declare oneself essentially on bones of arse

And the example is that you couldn’t pay your wheelie bin cleaner!

It was more that I didn't have the money for something (anything!) that was £3.. in empathy with the lady who hid from the window cleaner.

And then feeling I needed to justify the extravagance just because I earn a low wage

It’s normal for me but I’m a lone parent who receives no maintenance or support.

The wheelie bin cleaning is only once every few months though is it?

@3luckystars

The wheelie bin cleaning is only once every few months though is it?

It's every other week..

[quote Graphista]@Gwenhwyfar can you really not wrap your head around all this?

It's embarrassing/stigmatising to say you can't afford to eg go for a coffee out. You don't want people thinking you're angling for a hand out, you also don't want them thinking you don't want to spend time with them. It's really tricky

You must lead a sheltered and somewhat charmed life if you begrudge someone their bin cleaned!

[/quote]
A charmed life because I've never had a wheely bin or someone to clean it? I don't think so. I have bin bags and if I did have a bin that needed to be cleaned, I'd do it myself.
My friends have no trouble telling me when they don't have money. It shouldn't be embarrassing between friends.

You must lead a sheltered and somewhat charmed life if you begrudge someone their bin cleaned!

How is thinking someone should just clean their own bin - because it’s what they would do - living a ‘charmed life’?!

We clean our wheelie bin, and we’re nowhere near the bread line. If you’re dodging the wheelie bin cleaner because you literally don’t have the money to pay them, there’s a pretty obvious solution.

"How is thinking someone should just clean their own bin - because it’s what they would do - living a ‘charmed life’?!"

I didn't really say she should clean her own bin - I don't get why the bin needs to be cleaned at all if it's an outside bin. Or at least not every other week.

Isn't it all relative, if things are that tight should you have taken on a bin cleaner? That's 72pounds a year. So perhaps there are other wee unnecessary expenses here and there that might add up to ease things a little. Watch the pennies and all that.

If a more well off person said they struggled to pay a 100quid cleaning bill each month or dodged the cleaner, even though their wage might suggest they should be able to afford themselves this service, surely people would say they should do your their cleaning if they can't afford to pay?