What can't you afford?

[Marleymerm]

Last week at work my colleague told me her recent eye test showed she needed glasses, but she couldn't afford them, she's known she's needed them for a couple of years but said she doesn't have the money. We both work full time in office jobs and neither of us have expensive hobbies or social lives, we're both pretty boring.
I realised this morning I haven't bought new shoes for months despite the ones I have coming apart, because I can't afford them. I've picked up pairs but put them back down when I've thought of what else I need instead.
When I asked this question to my friend about what she couldn't afford she told me her monthly prescription! She hasn't got it for 3 months.
It's a weird time we're living in so everyone's doing without something. But do you have any necessary things you need but can't afford?

I really feel for you. I can relate to a lot of your issues.

With the tear duct though please see your Gp and get a referral to an optometrist at the hospital. They can assess you. I am under one for lupus and sjorgens related issues. If you need an operation it won’t cost you anything, although the wait may be very long if it’s not urgent. You don’t have to go through an optician - even if you did if it’s an emergency appointment for eye health they shouldn’t charge you (I’ve had emergency appointments for potential retinal issues and they put it down as an nhs emergency).

I’m autistic. I wear special tinted glasses because I struggle with bright lights. I NEED glasses to function. Recently my child stood on my glasses case… and my glasses were inside. The optician has quoted £700 for replacements. I cried. So everyone is giving me money for my birthday next week and for Christmas, and I can’t have a single present because I have to put it all towards my glasses. It fucking sucks.

Dentist and heating!

No it isn’t, I’m -12 with astigmatism, cataracts and retinal issues but because my vision can be corrected (with very expensive glasses!) I’m not considered legally blind. I get a voucher for around £14 towards the cost of glasses…

Fillings. There are no NHS dentists where I live. I’ve spent hours on the phone trying to find one. I need 4 fillings. It’ll be over £200. I currently have -£0.99

Although even with glasses my vision still isn’t good enough to drive.

If anyone is in desperate need of size 5 shoes/boots or size 8 jumpers please pm me and I may be able to help

I can’t help but feel so angry that so many are in this position. Like others have said, there is seemingly no end in sight, no light at the end of tunnel and those working full-time, therefore ineligible for any financial support, are really feeling it. I can forgo holidays, meals out, ‘newer’ cars and other such luxuries (and have done for quite some time), but the constant doom and gloom is taking its toll. What exactly is the point? Is this it, is this what life living in the UK will be like for the foreseeable? I feel cheated, and that’s coming from optimistic, happy, positive me, Lord knows how so many others feel 😔

Cheated is an excellent way of putting it. I do not know what part of this obscene social experiment we are being used for but heaven help us all.

This is my first post where I will state that I hope the Daily Mail picks up this thread and publishes it. It’s an absolute disgrace in 2022 that people are living, correction, existing like this. I grew up believing that the world evolved, over time, for the better. How wrong I was.

this thread is heartbreaking and this country is a disgrace. FGS this is 2022
cant afford
heating
dentist
house maintenance
car repairs
holidays
the list goes on and on I am 53 years old never did I think things would come to this
I feel the government simply just dont care

Agree hope this thread is picked up by the newspapers

If you can't understand how a full time teacher with a second wage coming into three household is skint, I wonder if you live in a cheaper part of the country?

I was a teacher. I've owned two houses, very similar sizes and types, and both in the cheapest parts of town. The one in the North is now worth £80k. The one in the South-East is £400k. And we need to live here because I have caring responsibilities for elderly family members.

We'd be wealthy if we lived back up north. Now we're barely managing.

Thanks.
I have tried to get an appointment for various issues with my GP, to no avail. Mine is one where you have to call from 8am to get an appointment, otherwise it is a NO.
The last time I saw a GP was because the police got involved. They don't seem to care otherwise.

Is there any hospital transport either ambulance or volunteer driver. Please do speak to the hospital.

sorry some may already know but for help with prescriptions on UC please remember it’s worked out from the UC Take Home amount and not on the amount you actually take home

Dentist for me. I cannot find an NHS dentist and I am on not on wonderful wages, but I do get to work from home. The electricity to run the works laptop is less than the diesel I would need for a commute. Bus is not an option, where I am.
I did go to a gym, at one point, but now workout at home, with the Bodycoach workouts because they are free.
For the dentist, I am looking at Denplan, but my ‘perks at work’ window opens in January so will see how much it is via work, as they subsidise.
Its all a bit rubbish for most people right now. Just trying to hang on in there.

I cant afford to live with my husband. We would be financially so much better off apart 🙄 shocking but I fantasise about it sometimes. He has a good wage and I'm part time with 4 dc. We have enough food and heat but everything is so miserable and depressing with nothing to look forward to.

In light of this heartbreaking thread, but not a TAAT, I’ve just started a thread in chat for requesting/ donating items for free.
if you need any item of clothing/ shoes or anything else request it on there. Or if you have anything to donate for free you can post that.

This is the first year since I became a mummy that I haven't been able to buy one toy in any of the October sales. Not one thing got and 4 to get for. Not even a £10 half price toy i know one of mine would love 😒

I thought exactly the same.
Utterly heartbreaking and shocking. We are one of the richest countries in the world yet this is not reflected in our society at least not in the society that I live in.
If the Daily Mail wants to steal a thread for a story then steal this one. 😥

I think back to my childhood in the UK and our family is so much poorer than my parents or relatives. And yet we work crazy hours, constant stress trying to juggle work Vs being home/ parent etc.

There's no room to breathe.
No time, no luxuries.

Certainly not like I remember as a child, a local village NHS dentist and dad retired from an unskilled job at 55 with a decent pension.

I did all the right stuff, had kids later, saved, don't have TV subscription, just a basic phone, cut own hair, repair clothes etcand what's the fucking point?

My DC are going to have it far far worse if this country continues as it is.

People talk all the time about 5 or 6th richest country in the world. The fact is, in average desirable income, we're way down and below most of our neighbours. Or as the Financial Times put it, we're a poor country with a few super rich. I don't know why we put up with it and don't absolutely demand better.

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disposable_household_and_per_capita_income

Not read all of thread, so apologies if has been said already. I get a pre payment certificate, The 12-month PPC costs £108.10 and will save you money if you need more than 11 prescribed items in a year. You can pay monthly by direct debit, which is what I do

If you are near a dental hospital, you could try there. Guys Hospital in London does it. Have a google and see if there is one close to you.