AIBU?
To be ashamed of what poverty has reduced me to?
iAmSiri · 17/08/2015 17:24
Today I took a big wad of loo roll from a public toilet because I didn't have the money to buy some. 
I struggle every week to make ends meet and today, although I fortunately had money to feed dc, it just wouldn't stretch to include toilet paper.
iAmSiri · 17/08/2015 17:30
I'm a lone parent on JSA. Things are usually better when dc are at school as the free school dinners really help. I'm applying for a few jobs every week but struggling to even get an interview.
I will manage, I'd rather not go to the food bank as I think I'd rather leave it for people's who are in an even worse position than me.
TheHobbit · 17/08/2015 17:33
I know how you feel. I've just got through my poverty stage. I had to continously borrow money from work for petrol. Had to eat food which had expired as i got this free alot of it was off. Was given clothess as i couldn't afford to launder my own so go dirty and people started giving me their stuff. Constantly worried about bills and finances. It was awful we also got unlimited food bank food. I'm on pills for anxiety because of this. So i really hope something good comes your way like it did for me 
Welshmaenad · 17/08/2015 17:33
A year into dh's redundancy I was buying milk with saved boots advantage card points, we were so skint.
It's awful. I'm sorry things are tough for you. Agree that a food bank referral might take the pressure off momentarily, by stocking your cupboards a bit and freeing money for other essentials.
Are you struggling with debts etc? There are organisations that can help.
MiscellaneousAssortment · 17/08/2015 17:36
Gosh holidays have been hard haven't they? The lunches, snacks and the entertainment - it's great to be creative and yes there's free stuff on but it's hard to get excited by the same stuff, especially when it rains.
You are still YOU, you are dignified, and wonderful, and fabulous. Loo paper is loo paper, it's not you. X
Ragwort · 17/08/2015 17:38
Willow - plenty of Food Banks (inc. the one I volunteer in) have toilet rolls and cleaning products, sanitary protection etc to give out, which might help her food budget. Our Food Bank has excess stocks and money in the bank so no one should ever feel that they are 'taking it from someone who needs it more than them'.
iAmSiri · 17/08/2015 17:40
Luckily I don't have any debts. It's just the usual day to day expenses. I thought of getting rid of broadband but I need it to search and apply for jobs.
TheHobbit, that's really kind of you but I'll be ok. I think I just need a moan really and felt like I needed to confess to what I'd done! The shame of poverty is overwhelming. The constant worrying is mentally exhausting.
Starbrite00 · 17/08/2015 17:43
I work in a food bank as a volunteer suri. Please dont be ashamed or think other people need more than you.
Its there to help and we actually get more people who work needing to use it lately than people without jobs, as cost of living outweighs the minimum wage jobs they do.
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