To wonder why everyone else on benefits appears to be living the high life...

[dizietsma]

and we're literally emptying the penny tin to pay for groceries on a weekly basis.

It's not even like we're on full benefits, either. DH works, but we still qualify for some housing/council tax benefit + tax credits because his income is so low. Every month it's a struggle. We budget harshly, but it's never enough. Today is DH's birthday and I don't even have all the ingredients to make him a bloody cake, never mind buy him a present!

I see all these stories on MN by jealous neighbours about people on benefits with shiny new cars, expensive TV's, holidays 3x a year... what the hell? WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?

The answer is simple, isn't it? These people are fictional, made up by nasty, bitter people with nothing better to do than fantasise about what a good time everyone else is having at their expense.

So I'm going to let this out, it's been brewing for a long time-

IF YOU THINK THAT PEOPLE ON BENEFITS HAVE IT SO EASY THEN WHY DON'T YOU QUIT WHINING, QUIT YOUR JOB OR LEAVE YOUR RICH HUSBAND, SIGN ON AND SEE HOW FUCKING GREAT IT REALLY IS.

I hope you really enjoy toasting your husbands birthday with an empty larder, empty bank account and no presents. That's the best bit.

Appallingly worded request for support IMO.

I agree with Southeastastra:

'there is just such a big divide between the have and have nots in this country at the moment.'

That is the key. Prices of everyday necessities like food and fuel (not to mention tax ) have gone up so much recently that many people are struggling, while we see evidence of silly wealth all the time in terms of massive house prices and daft prices for designer handbags and so forth.

Of corse i have shit days, who doesn't.

bet she's gone off to give DH a bit of er.. attention...! instead of a birthday cake!!!

Having to cope with too little money all the time wears you down

I think support was the wrong word - just releasing all the rargh and wanting some understanding really, rather than to be told to get a grip.

You are deluded. If you don't think there are some benefit cheats out there , then you are in denial.

Sarcasm is the lowest form of humour.

"IF YOU THINK THAT PEOPLE ON BENEFITS HAVE IT SO EASY THEN WHY DON'T YOU QUIT WHINING, QUIT YOUR JOB OR LEAVE YOUR RICH HUSBAND, SIGN ON AND SEE HOW FUCKING GREAT IT REALLY IS. "

Likewise, Dizi, if you think going to work and paying tax and childcare and all the bils is such a cushy deal, why don't you get a job and leve the benefits for people who are unable to work? (I am of course assuming you are physically able to work in the absense of any statements on this thread to the contrary. If this is no so, feel free to enlighten me).

And what a nasty thread.
Horrible OP. What a bitter person you are.

Well, yes, there are some benefits cheats out there but far, far more people living on and under the breadline.

Funny how people get so steamed up about benefit cheats but we don't get many threads about rich people cheating the taxman [hmmn]

I think most of us know/ can appreciate that living off benefits is very hard. I don't know where you get the impression that we think otherwise. And yes I have seen/posted ont ehother threads recently. But I think you are mistaken that we all think living on benefits is the life of riley.

I think that as the economy turns there will be more threads like this. As the belts tighten in the comming recession those paying taxes will become more resentful of those who can but don't. And those on the receiving end will become more resentful for being resented.

I think the OP was very rude. REally pisses me off when people can't even appreciate the things they are given by the hard working tax payers.

blimey it's getting victorian, thanks for the money guv'nor

'REally pisses me off when people can't even appreciate the things they are given by the hard working tax payers. '

Oh, yes, they should be flogged in the streets, the ingrates.

BTW, you're giving MP's wives taxi rides with your taxpayer monies, too. And they're not exactly licking your boots.

No, shit, Athene.

Those fecking pensioners. Drawing off the backs of us hard-working folks! They should be running on hamster wheels, providing an alternative source of energy for us hard-working folks who have to pay for fuel.

Bring back the workhouses!

But AtheneNoctua for all we know the OP has been a hard working taxpayer for the last 25 years and is only now on benefits. In which case she'd be making use of a security net she'd contributed to for years.

Very few people are on benefits for life, you know.

I'm not saying there aren't people we can and should help. But an op of the tone below is hardly going to drum up any sympathy from me.

Expat, you know I love you and that was not at all directed at you. I think you work hard and I don't begrudge my taxes going your way at all.

"BTW, you're giving MP's wives taxi rides with your taxpayer monies, too. And they're not exactly licking your boots. "

ROFL @ that!

i begrudge my taxes being used to pay for the olympics, wars, the bbc.

to help the unemployed no i don't begrudge it.

i have a friend who comes from a country that has no state benefits. i asked her how they cope with unemployment etc, they kill themselves, she said.

Think of it like this.

For the moment you are living in a 3 bed house. You don't plan to be there forever, but at the moment it is where you need to be.

But the rest of the world thinks that living in a 3 bed house makes you the scum of the earth. They bitch about 3 bed housers any chance they get.

You hate living in the house, but can't change it right now. Instead of just being to get on with it, you see and hear from all angles people confirming how worthless you must be to live in a 3 bed house.

Sometimes the feeling of crapness just builds up and occasionally you might want to yell at the 2 & 4 bed people to shut up for a bit.

It doesn't matter if the OP was rude or not, she is just having a crappy day not being able to do anything proper for the one she loves.

And of course I am all for MPs expenses being publicised and I hope everyone will consider them before they cast their votes.

I fully support any efforts to reduce government waste. Let's start with ID cards, then the NHS computer system fiasco, oh and dare I mention Northern Rock. Outrageous!

But, the OP is taking with one hand and lashing out with the other. How did she expect the people who are supporting her to react.

Come on, OP. Enlighten me. Do you work? Or is there a reason you can't? A bit of effort is what I am looking for. Have I misjudged you????? Or do you get paid to stay home because you CHOOSE to?

There is nothing Victorian about me!