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.

AtheneNoctua - why on earth do you feel entitled to ask the OP to explain herself?

Why does it always come back to flippin' MP's expenses????????????????

erm... because she posted a thread for public debate. That's what one does in a debate.

Athene - I don't think the op is required to tell you her life story. You don't like what she posted - fine - you've said so - now why not draw a line under it and leave her alone?

I was responding to :

"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. "

So, fine, perhaps there is more information which would change my view. I'm just inviting her to enlighten me and I will gladly reconsider my view.

And I haven't asked for her life story.

"It doesn't matter if the OP was rude or not"

Um, sorry, I disagree. Have a shit day by all means but don't take it out on everyone else.

umm, the op said her DH works so one would assume he is also contributing to the pot.

What I find outrageous is all the talk of people 'supporting' other people as if all the 'workers' aren't getting anything back at all - what a ludicrous statement.

No one is suggesting that her DH get a job. We have asked if she has a job. And judging from the lack of response, I think the answer is probably "no". But, again, I'm happy to be told otherwise.

Well, her DH does work, Athene.

Maybe she's a student or in training.

We don't know.

Maybe she's got a disabled child or elderly relative she's caring for.

I despise a penny of my taxes going to pay for the Jag Gordon Brown rolls around in.

The thing that most of MN fail to grasp is when you are on a low income with young children it is almost impossible to get a job that will actually make ends easier to meet. You'll find you get less tax credits because your income has gone up and then you have to find your childcare costs out of the remainder leaving you with less than you started with.

I despise Gordon Brown full stop.

Horrible, nasty, ego centric little man.

If you think working , is so easy, Why don't YOU GET A JOB and see how fucking great it really is!!!

agree with notjustmom. isnt the point of mn meant to be for support, not saying dont disagree with what people post but this just seems to be getting nasty.

frofro you are a delightful little bag of venom aren't you?

"I despise a penny of my taxes going to pay for the Jag Gordon Brown rolls around in. "

Mee too, Expat!!

good point Connie - to which I would add that if things aren't very easy and you are stressed about making ends meet then I would imagine that it's near impossible to contemplate, never mind manage, the stress of applying and interviewing for a job and then matching up the job with childcare and working out that you can cover the costs. Especially if you need school holiday cover and after school cover to factor in to the equation as well.

It's all gone DM, hasn't it?

i totally agree connie have been watching this thread quietly as i am on benefits but not really out looking for a fight or to be told that i am worthless etc. i would love to work it would be like a break for me as i am also a single mum but i cant find a job that will pay childcare costs and give me and my kids what we need to live off.

i am going to uni this year as having a proper career would solve this problem but that is going to be even harder as i wont be entitled to income support anymore and will have to try and live off tax credits and student loans. if you want to come and look after my kids for me for free i would be more than happy to go to work athena?

people just seem to want to fight atm. picking holes in every post.

Exactly, mankymum, and waht a nasty OP it is!

If she had come on complaing that it was DH's birthday and she was so frustrated with being so skint she couldn't bake him a cake, I could smpathise with that.

But to come on here with "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. " is not the same thing.

RUDE

and 'hard working tax payers' surely is copywrited to the daily mail

I think people are being mean. Sometimes we all need a rant and by virtue of being a rant it way not have been perfectly worded. I had one about two years ago about the fact that dp had said we could not afford more children when all around we were people breeding without a second thought. I was torn apart my other mumsnetters and made to feel on a par with myra hindley. If you are near me [blackpool] i will happily pass on a bottle of wine and cake. If i were you put on your best knickers and treat him.