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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be feeling so angry on her behalf

41 replies

highho1 · 01/01/2014 16:31

My sister who is single and on jsa had just had her handbag stolen by some lowlife. She only had £20 in there but that is over 25% of the money she receives per week.
Also been shafted by govt as in the old days she sould be retired by now.
Feeling so sad for her.

OP posts:
Juno77 · 01/01/2014 16:35

Does she not have insurance?

Original poster
highho1 · 01/01/2014 16:36

Only basic household. Don't think she could afford personal belongings cover and even if she did it would be below excess of £50.

OP posts:
Juno77 · 01/01/2014 16:40

My home contents includes items out of the home - like handbags and such like.

Presumably the £50 excess is still less than it will cost to replace a handbag, not to mention all the contents; purse, keys, phone, £20, whatever else she was carrying.

fifi669 · 01/01/2014 16:40

I wouldn't say she's been shafted by the government because the pension age had increased. That was inevitable with life expectancy increasing.

YANBU to expect that people won't thieves from others. Though they will obviously.

Juno77 · 01/01/2014 16:41

Oh, also should add that YANBU. Thieves are scum, and it's horrible to have your bag stolen, whatever your personal circumstances.

Lilacroses · 01/01/2014 16:43

Poor thing. It's horrible having your bag/purse pr card stolen. It happens so frequently you don't expect to be so upset about it but it feels personal. Hope she has some good luck soon.

Lilacroses · 01/01/2014 16:44

Poor thing. It's horrible having your bag/purse pr card stolen. It happens so frequently you don't expect to be so upset about it but it feels personal. Hope she has some good luck soon.

Lilacroses · 01/01/2014 16:44

Poor thing. It's horrible having your bag/purse pr card stolen. It happens so frequently you don't expect to be so upset about it but it feels personal. Hope she has some good luck soon.

Original poster
highho1 · 01/01/2014 16:53

Not sure exactly. Bag and purse probably cost £10 each but probably more to replace. Doesn't own a phone. Not surewhat else was I bag.

OP posts:
Original poster
highho1 · 01/01/2014 16:57

Think the problem with retirement age is that those reaching 60 now appear tlo be treated far less fairly than those as recently as 2 years ago. Ie a person 2 years older would retire at at 62 but those retiring now it is 65.

OP posts:
Juno77 · 01/01/2014 17:15

The retirement age is irrelevant tbh. Especially as she is on benefits!

Sorry to be a massive arse but if your purse and handbag cost £10 each, it's just not the end of the world. Sorry. I know that's hard to hear but it's true. Seriously, she should think herself lucky that her belongings that were stolen were so cheap.

Thieves are horrendous, it's disgusting behaviour. But if she's had less than £50 sum total stolen, she really has got off quite lightly.

YourHandInMyHand · 01/01/2014 17:20

Her purse and handbag were so cheap because she's surviving on the bones of her arse on JSA. Value is relative. Hmm

Your poor sister OP. Can you help her out by replacing the cash? Am guessing it may well be for her groceries?

Juno77 · 01/01/2014 17:28

I appreciate value is relative, and it's still utterly shit that this happened, but I guess I'm just trying to help find a positive. I'm always of the 'it could be worse' school of thought rather than the 'woe is me', so I apologise if that came across as crass. It wasn't intended.

I assumed she had worked up until recently given that the OP mentioned retirement.

Nanny0gg · 01/01/2014 17:42

Sorry to be a massive arse but if your purse and handbag cost £10 each, it's just not the end of the world. Sorry. I know that's hard to hear but it's true. Seriously, she should think herself lucky that her belongings that were stolen were so cheap.

What a cold and thoughtless comment.

If you have no spare cash it bloody well is the end of the world if you can't afford to replace 'even' a £10 bag.
And the OP pointed out that her sister has now also lost 25% of this weeks' income. So the chances of her replacing anything is even further away.

When you don't have that much, to lose it/have it stolen can be devastating.

And you're right. You are a massive arse.

Juno77 · 01/01/2014 17:50

I already apologised for coming across crassly.

Having things stolen is horrible, regardless of your personal situation. I guess my point was that she can replace a £10 bag. If it were a more expensive handbag, she wouldn't have any hope of replacing it, and without insurance it's just gone. That would be worse.

I'm sorry, was just trying to help find the bright side.

I hope your sister is okay OP. Could you help her out? I don't know your personal situation, but if you aren't also on benefits, could you buy her a new bag to replace her stolen one?

Original poster
highho1 · 01/01/2014 17:53

Well thank you for most of the replies. The bag and purse are cheap at £10 each but when you are surviving on £71 per week replacement isn't an option. "Juno" she has lost money and belongings amounting to 2/3 of her weekly income and she has virtually no savings. So she is going to have a fab 60th birthday. I will of course replace them and money as part of her birthday present but it is a truly crap start to new year. And retirement issue is importantas if she was 5 years older her income would be increasing greatly.

OP posts:
Original poster
highho1 · 01/01/2014 17:55

As someone whk has only ever worked min wage jobs she would have never has money to waste on expensive handbags and if she had she would have had to sell them by now.

OP posts:
Juno77 · 01/01/2014 18:06

How was her bag stolen?

Original poster
highho1 · 01/01/2014 18:14

Snatched at supermarket. Or on way to supermarket I think.

OP posts:
gobbynorthernbird · 01/01/2014 18:18

Juno, it'd be easier for me to replace a £100 handbag than this poor woman to replace a £10 one. I wouldn't have to cut the budget for food or bills to buy one.

PrincessFlirtyPants · 01/01/2014 18:27

Highho, I'm so sorry to hear about this. What a shitty welcome to the new year for your friend.

You are a very good friend to help replace the items for her birthday.

londonrach · 01/01/2014 18:34

Your poor sister. Last jan 10 pounds was worth to me 100 pounds. To some 10 pounds is nothing but to others its food for a week to say nothing for the purse and bag. I only own one handbag so dont have a spare for your sister. Which area does your sister live. Primark sometimes sells them cheap. Charity shops can be expensive. Local fb page and ask if someone giving handbag or purse away. X

amazinsammie · 01/01/2014 18:39

I'm sorry to hear this. I have just sorted out a load of hand bags I'm happy to give your sister one. I don't know how to private message but mbbe you could pm me and we can sort something. I'm sure I have a few purses as well xxx

MrsKoala · 01/01/2014 18:50

I have gazillions of handbags i would be happy to send one to her. If you PM me i'll happily pay postage.

Poor her - The cost is totally irrelevant - if you have no money £10 may as well be £1000.

Madambossyboots · 01/01/2014 18:55

This is a horrible thing to happen. Probably rather frightening too. Good thing she has you.

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