The irony of a Great Ormand Street charity worker coming to my door....

[MulledWineAndMingePies]

... asking for money when I'm a full time nurse with paediatric background that just today was accepted for an RCN hardship fund because we are so painfully broke.

I can't give 30p to a charity.

We don't have debt, we don't have habits like smoking or drinking, we don't even have a massive mortgage.

We are just utterly and painfully broke.

These strikes can't come quick enough.

I think the issue is you thought you'd mention that you are a nurse and everyone would bow regardless of your made up figures. No debts, 500 quid mortgage and a partner that works just doesn't make sense. I don't think you're being honest about your outgoings

Erm yes you did say it was 36k outgoing, are you unable to read cos I can? No you didn't say his income was 10k, just less than 15k so I've estimated that. You won't actually say what he earns for some reason.

But the point is how can you be 2k lower in income to outgoing when your outgoings are 2k above your sole income, and your husband works?? Why isn't he working more and bringing more money in so you don't need to take from a charity? And yes I can afford Christmas, because I cut my cloth accordingly. And I always have even when my total household income was much lower than just your wages

No one will argue that working conditions for nurses are awful but £34k plus your partners wage is NOT anything like living on minimum wage or needing food banks to survive. Childcare costs are what is crippling you but this is the same for many many people amd it won't last forever. If your partner earns, say 10k, then me and my DH only earn marginally more than you. Our mortgage is almost double yours. We are not rich but I would say we are comfortable. Do you live in London?

But I support the strike and think nurses DO deserve a decent payrise so good luck.