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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want to be one of those mums who lives off benefits?

77 replies

yummybutterbiscuit · 29/07/2011 16:58

struggling to find a job, have applied everywhere since graduating, even basic jobs which I'm very over qualified for but still not getting anywhere.

About a month ago I jokingly said to OH that I should just get pregnant and live off benefits money. But as time goes by my exhausted stressed brain is telling me that I NEED money, so just now is as good a time as any to have a baby. If I'm not working anyway I might as well have a baby.

Deep down I know I'm being unreasonable, but if no one else wants me I might as well. I know I want kids, and soonish, as in next couple of years, but just thought I wouldget a job first.

Basically I need someone to tell me to snap put of it and carry on looking for a job, but there's only so many CVs I can send out without wanting to give up.

OP posts:
Lifeissweet · 29/07/2011 17:00

Ouch. Hope you're flame-retardant

Original poster
yummybutterbiscuit · 29/07/2011 17:02

Just to clarify I don't mean everyone who gets benefits are this type, I mean the people that deliberately get pregnant to get the money and the house on a bad estate etc etc. We all know they exist...

OP posts:
AmberLeaf · 29/07/2011 17:02

Yawn.

SilveryMoon · 29/07/2011 17:02

Have you looked into what benefits you'd be eligible for?
I have friends on benefits and it isn't much.
I haven't worked since having dc's and I don't qualify for ANY benefit, barring child benefit (£134 a month).

Empusa · 29/07/2011 17:03

Of course, totally logical, you'll be rolling in cash and wont have to worry at all. It'll be so easy. Hmm

Seriously, snap out of it. It's stupid. You'd have to be an utter fuckwit to want to survive on benefits.

magnolia74 · 29/07/2011 17:03

1st mistake.....Crap and judgmental Thread Title Hmm

Have fun!

Quenelle · 29/07/2011 17:04

Snap out of it.

Don't look around for others to attack just because you're finding life tough.

2shoes · 29/07/2011 17:06

when I read you op I felt sad that you felt so low, then I read your second post and realised you were just benefit bashing, boring

GypsyMoth · 29/07/2011 17:15

Er, you have a partner? So what would you actually be ENTITLED to anyway??

LineRunner · 29/07/2011 17:15

Why wouldn't your OH be paying for your child's home and upbringing?

GypsyMoth · 29/07/2011 17:16

Bad estate? Full time working people are JUST as likely to be living there......where are you getting these odd( and wrong) ideas from op?

CatFlaps · 29/07/2011 17:18

Get your head out of your arse and fuck off!!

happy2bhomely · 29/07/2011 17:20

Sounds like a plan! I don't know why more people haven't thought of it. If you don't have any money the obvious thing to do is to have a baby. It's so worth it......Income support, maternity grant, child benefit, child tax credit, housing benefit, council tax benefit, free prescriptions, free dentist, free opticians, reduced travel on London buses, reduced library late fees, reduced gym membership......have I missed anything? You'll be rich!

Don't tell anyone.... No one would ever want to work again.

(The above post MAY contain some sarcasm)

Sorry, joking aside, are you living with OH and is he working?

sheepgomeep · 29/07/2011 17:22

Yabu.

Of course us mums are rolling in money living off the state and all Hmm

Actually I don't know anyone who delberately got pregnant to get a council house and tons of benefits and I live on a rough council estate myself

So keep looking for work love

happy2bhomely · 29/07/2011 17:27

Just read my post back and just wanted to make it clear to everyone that I WAS JOKING. I have lived on benefits and I am well aware that although written down it might look like a a lot, in reality I had very little. It was difficult and was definitely not an easy option. I just knew where this thread was going to go and thought fuck it, why not get it over with!

happy2bhomely · 29/07/2011 17:31

Just to answer your question....

YABU. Snap out of it and carry on looking for a job, (and then have a baby.)

LineRunner · 29/07/2011 17:31

Don't worry, Happy. It was pretty clear you where you were coming from.

Anyway, some of those benefits are much reduced and time-prescribed now, so even if someone did get them all it'd still be tough. Topping up housing benefit in particular is proving impossible for some.

The OP has a partner, so no doubt she wouldn't get means-tested benefits anyway.

HeatherSmall · 29/07/2011 17:32

the definition of stupidity is repeating the same mistake over and over again, if sending out CV's isnt working you need to do something different.

memeandmine · 29/07/2011 17:35

It's a difficult time yummy but having a baby on benefits is no joke - honestly, it might look rosy from a more privilaged position but it's a hard slog to make ends meet.
Those on benefits doing well either have generous relatives who can buy them things, give them holidays etc or are cheating the system in some way.

I have had to live on benefits while pregnant when my husband was made redundant, I am here to tell you it was no joke and I was relieved when DH managed to get a new job.

Keep trying, get someone who knows about these things to loo over your CV and get in some courses on interview skills.

It's frustrating but having a baby won't make it better unless you actively WANT a baby now in which case go ahead - it's rare anyone can genuinely afford them anyway.

dickiedavisthunderthighs · 29/07/2011 17:39

How tiresome.

GypsyMoth · 29/07/2011 17:39

This has got to be ANOTHER wind up!

usualsuspect · 29/07/2011 17:41

0/10

must try harder

dickiedavisthunderthighs · 29/07/2011 17:41

Oh and what heather said.
Sitting at home emailing CV's off willy-nilly and then complaining you can't get a job is quite frankly pathetic. Get off your arse, chase your applications up, get suited and booted and go and hand-deliver your CV to the company in question if needs be.
Nobody needs that kind of belligerent post.

StrandedBear · 29/07/2011 17:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Empusa · 29/07/2011 17:53

Tell you what OP, you can have my health problems and associated benefits. I'm sure you'll love all the nonexistent extras money.

I'd much rather be sending out CV's.

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