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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have little sympathy for the two people on GMTV this morning ..............................

94 replies

mosschops30 · 07/01/2009 10:28

One was about the heating, guy maybe in his 60's saying he couldnt afford to put his heating on and that he went to bed in the afternoon to keep warm.
All this whilst his enormous plasma tv was on in the background and he gave his interview in front of his PC again with flat screen monitor (something I dont have )

Then woman on with Martin Lewis moaning about not being able to re-mortgage because she had too much credit card debt. Then goes on to say how when she sees something she wants she just goes and buys at and thinks its acceptable to have no less than 6 holidays a year!!!! WTF

Im sorry but its a joke, I'd love 6 holidays a year, but the truth is that mastercard would have to pay for them and I wouldnt be able to pay them back. Thats why I have one!

In stark contrast they showed single parent freezing her ass off in a flat with no central heating sleeping in bed with her 2 kids to keep warm!

OP posts:
MrsSnape · 07/01/2009 10:37

I agree. The kids keep asking "when can we get Sky TV?" and I say "when we can afford the heat the house!"

And 6 holidays a year is ridiculous.

My friend was moaning the other day that she's so fed up not being able to go on holiday. It should be everyone's "right" to go abroad and she hates this rip off country.

However she's just bought a brand new car (on credit), a huge HD flat screen TV (credit) and camcorder (credit) and a leather suite (£1000 - credit)

flaminhell · 07/01/2009 10:37

Didnt see it, but if thats the case then no YANBU, years ago I worked as a debt collector, and the amount of houses I went to where they had a great big tv, no carpets and kids with no decent clothes, was amazing, they had ps2 that the dh played, trainers and coats that easily cost, £100 quid a pop, but had none of what I would think of as the basics for children.

So I agree with you no sympathy for them, but plenty for kids if they are involved , its about time people took responsibility for themselves, its the only way, too many people think that the world owes them.

FAQtothefuture · 07/01/2009 10:39

I have a flat screen monitor......it was given to me for free (tis very nice )

Simplysally · 07/01/2009 10:55

Maybe the first man had been given his tv/pc by someone else?

It does seem silly but my parents have recently got a flat screen HD/TV (now with Wii attached- admittedly my sister bought that for them) whilst work needs doing in the rest of the house.

I think some people (including my family)have odd priorities but if they are in the house all day, maybe tv is more important to them?

tiredemma · 07/01/2009 10:56

I have little sympathy for anyone that appears with those morons on GMTV.

(Ben sheppard excluded)

rubyslippers · 07/01/2009 10:56

credit ... that is how most people afford things

don't be deceived by appearences

sarah293 · 07/01/2009 10:59

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flaminhell · 07/01/2009 11:00

its credit, I agree, but that credit then eats into the outgoings which then stops the heat, shoes, clothes, all for a tv, its madness.

AuraofDora · 07/01/2009 11:00

lol tiredemma well said.. me too!

Simplysally · 07/01/2009 11:01

A bungalow is a bit different from a house though. Maybe it's a question of downsizing?

MsSparkle · 07/01/2009 11:08

I don't think there are many people who know what it's like to be truly poor nowadays. Symperthys for those who really do struggle and who are genuinly poor. To me, being really poor is not being able to put the heating on or struggling to put food on the table and not owning technology such as computers/big tvs/computer consols/mobile phones etc.

kiddiz · 07/01/2009 11:09

I was at work last night when a woman came to my counter with her young son ...about 6 yr old. She bought 100 cigarettes and at the same time her son asked for sweets to which she said no. Fair enough but then her son said he was hungry and could he have some tea when he got home to which mum replied we haven't got any food in for tea. I so wanted to yell "well just buy 10 fags and go spend the other £20 on some food for your kid"..A need to keep my job stopped me but really I can't imagine a situation where I would make my kids go without a meal so I could buy cigarettes. And I am an ex smoker and know all about giving up smoking for my kids...I did it when I decided to have children.

Simplysally · 07/01/2009 11:15

.

That is awful Kiddiz.

sarah293 · 07/01/2009 11:17

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Simplysally · 07/01/2009 11:20

Actually my electricity company want my meter readings. £250 would probably see me out to the end of winter and beyond.

Is the £250 restricted to over 60s or can people with disabilities apply?

ComeWhineWithMe · 07/01/2009 11:21

Yes I saw the interview with the man who cannot afford to heat his home ,my 11 year old ds said but he has got a reallly nice computer .

He also had the plasma screen and could run a lovely hot bath of he got cold .

It did get me a little angry especially as despite having put 30.00 on the gas this week I now have 25p ,plus emergency which I don't want to use I have been searching under the sofas all morning to try and scrape together 3.00 to try and get us a bit of money together to get some gas and dp to work tomorrow and still been able to get bread and milk on thursday ..thank goodness its payday on friday but suppose I will be in a similar situation next week.

flaminhell · 07/01/2009 11:21

kiddz that abuse, stupid woman, not stunned by it though. some people think only of themselves, even the kids come last. Poor boy,

conniedescending · 07/01/2009 11:23

well, we have a lovely flat screen TV and a leaking roof but all is not as it seems

ComeWhineWithMe · 07/01/2009 11:27

Kiddz my dp'smum used to do that him and his sisters would have toast all weekend and they would be puffing away on their fags .

I know he is not exagarating as they were family friends when we were little and my mum would take pity on them and do a massive sunday dinner and feed them all .

She was and still is a selfish woman though.

blueshoes · 07/01/2009 11:31

kiddiz, at your story. Comewhine, your mother is lovely.

sarah293 · 07/01/2009 11:34

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Simplysally · 07/01/2009 11:37

Shame she can't pass it on to someone who needs it more than Riven - my Mum would give her gc the clothes off her back if she thought they were cold .

sarah293 · 07/01/2009 11:39

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poshwellies · 07/01/2009 11:39

Do families on low incomes (benefits etc) get the fuel allowance?

Gateau · 07/01/2009 11:40

I can't stand GMTV. It's full of sentimental crap and abysmal interviewers. Fiona Phillips used to make me cringe so much because she asked such obvious questions and then answered them herself. I can't bear to watch it now.
AGree with tiredemma