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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Can we start a poverty solidarity thread?

260 replies

Welcometotheterrorzone · 16/05/2023 05:27

It often feels like MN is a different world and I can't actually talk to anyone in real life as people either don't get it or assume I'm trying to gain sympathy or ask for money.

I cannot wait until payday. Things I am doing without right now

  • petrol
  • squash
  • milk
  • biscuits
  • shampoo
So worried that I'll need to drive somewhere and have to explain that I have no petrol. Currently walking everywhere. I know it's partly my fault as I went a bit far on the last payday and bought a shed, but obviously no one is going to offer me a 0% interest or repayment scheme due to my credit. Wish I could budget better. I think these dry spells make it worse though. You live with weeks with nothing and then my wages come in and I go a bit crazy. Another downside of being skint. Could ask father of children but I can't take the smugness. He took them out for pizza last night and they brought some home! Ravenously ate it in the kitchen whilst they weren't looking. It's mad that this is the reality. No one knows. I have a full time job, nice house, car in drive, dress well (charity shops), the kids look ok. How no one gets what it's like, waking up to nothing in the bank, dry cereal, panicking about if there's a non school uniform day. Please let me know what's going on for you so I don't feel so alone!
OP posts:
ConsuelaHammock · 17/05/2023 12:02

I’m sorry you’re struggling but you’re not in poverty. If you go onto the credit crunch board there are lots of people who could help you to budget.

Mopbucketmoo · 17/05/2023 12:11

You're not alone.
I am fed up of having no money.
Just got a new job cleaning but missed this month's pay day so working 6 weeks with no money, I've run out of toothpaste and deodorant today and just want to cry.
I never thought I would be in a position where I can't afford toothpaste.

ItWillWash · 17/05/2023 12:53

@Fourpeasinapodcast

Okay, but OP's post wasn't AIBU to buy a shed, it wasn't even AIBU to ask for budgeting advice. She was looking for support and understanding from others who have been in her situation.

And as I've said, OP is not the first person who has thought, "fuck it, I'm buying that thing I've been trying to save up for months and I'll deal with the consequences later," come payday and she certainly won't be the last.

I've done it. Others on this thread have done it.

Was it the right thing to do? Maybe not, but it's done now. She has the shed she may or may not have needed (whether it is safe and practical to store bikes in your kitchen surely depends upon the size of your kitchen). Dry cereal won't harm her kids in the long run. Nor will a lack of shampoo or biscuits.

LlamaFace19 · 17/05/2023 13:30

We currently have £50 to last until payday (9 days away). But, we have food and the bills are paid so I suppose we are luckier than many!

Grapewrath · 17/05/2023 14:14

defi · 17/05/2023 08:29

This is how the government gets away with all the crap it does. We are too busy bickering over the scraps they drop to look up at what is really going on and demand change.

I will repeat; someone working full-time should be able to afford a small and still manage basics for the month.

It was a £200 bike shed not a fucking mansion in her back garden.

^^ agreed this isn't about nitpicking over budgeting. The standards of living in this country are abysmal

This!!
the op works and should be able to afford the basics and a cheap shed.
I’m in a professional job snd these days I feel poorer than when I was in benefits.
The sanctimony and privilege on this thread is unbelievable

Fourpeasinapodcast · 17/05/2023 14:43

Grapewrath · 17/05/2023 14:14

This!!
the op works and should be able to afford the basics and a cheap shed.
I’m in a professional job snd these days I feel poorer than when I was in benefits.
The sanctimony and privilege on this thread is unbelievable

Show quote history

Yes, she should be able to. and it's pretty shit that she can't. The fact is she couldn't but did anyway and THAT is why she is in this position and very very different from the people who are literally in dire poverty because they simply DO NOT have money to feed themselves not that they don't have the money to feed themselves because they bought a bloody shed.

HUGE difference.

Stomacharmeleon · 17/05/2023 15:36

There are some real arseholes on here. Hope you are ok op x

JustDontEatCheeseSandwiches · 17/05/2023 18:31

With you.
I'm self employed and income is variable currently.
I'm having to have at least 25 no spend days in the month. Cheese is a flipping luxury item and that's the cheap as chips own brand stuff.
Dropped to one meal a day so there's enough food for my boys to eat.
Dropped to one shower a week - I work from home so it doesn't matter if I'm a mingbag.
It's bl**dy relentless and the six weeks hols are looming.

JustDontEatCheeseSandwiches · 17/05/2023 18:43

Good idea - I don't know why I haven't thought of this. 😊

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