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AIBU?

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Original poster

I do not know anyone who is having a 'party' living on benefits....post here if you do

444 replies

electra · 03/05/2010 13:01

On MN, I keep reading on many different threads that Labour has been giving away loads of money in benefits to people who don't really need it which has caused the financial crisis.

All the people I know who rely on their tax credits and have children seem to have to watch every penny. I do not see evidence of them having any sort of 'party' life.

I had thought the banks were mostly responsible for the financial crisis by lending money that didn't exist.

Can anyone correct me on this? I'm open to different opinions.

OP posts:
rocknstroll · 04/05/2010 14:26

bloody hell cheeky - that is awful. i cannot imagine surviving on such a small amoutn of money - well done for making it to now without a meltdown! you are right - when two of you work full time it is difficult to empathise with the levels of poverty others are dealing with. our household income is more than ten times that and i am moaning. i feel like an absolute tosser. sorry! really really sorry!

CheekyVimtoGal · 04/05/2010 14:26

By StrictlyKatty Tue 04-May-10 14:23:01
I thought you only gave up work a month ago?

Yes.....i did, well last week march.
My husband started the his new job within a week of me quitting work.

mistletoekisses · 04/05/2010 14:27

No, of course I didnt say that. was just trying to make sense of what you were saying is all.

MaisietheMorningsideCat · 04/05/2010 14:27

And that's another cue for me to get my soap box out, KM!

thesecondcoming · 04/05/2010 14:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CheekyVimtoGal · 04/05/2010 14:29

By BettyBlu Tue 04-May-10 14:25:00
your last post wasn't there when I typed my poor confused one...

I would be saving, if one month can make that much difference to your circs, ie prev month, no money for food/gas, next month huge telly.

Actually Bettyblu, i should have stated, this was back in October, not last month.

By rocknstroll Tue 04-May-10 14:26:31
bloody hell cheeky - that is awful. i cannot imagine surviving on such a small amoutn of money - well done for making it to now without a meltdown! you are right - when two of you work full time it is difficult to empathise with the levels of poverty others are dealing with. our household income is more than ten times that and i am moaning. i feel like an absolute tosser. sorry! really really sorry!

Its been bloody hard i tell you. Some days its been like 'what is the point in life anymore' But keep plodding along and one day everything will work out for you.

We have been like this for the past 3 years, scraping by each week. But now we have reached that light at the end of that tunnel and we feel proud of it.

Why shouldnt we treat outselves to a new TV, it was either repair the tubes on our old TV for just under a grand or purchase another for cheaper. You choose?

CheekyVimtoGal · 04/05/2010 14:30

Btw Rocknstroll - that last part of my post wasnt aimed at you.

CheekyVimtoGal · 04/05/2010 14:31

By thesecondcoming Tue 04-May-10 14:29:29
i love that you are pissed off your mum wont give you money for nappies but goes to the pub quiz.
sense of entitlement mucho...jesus.
46" telly...i am sure you and the kids are bonding over becoming square eyed together.

yes we are loving it Actually the TV is switched off, my youngest is asleep and my eldest is at nursery. They hardly watch TV as they are too busy been boys and playing in mud or playing with cars.

thesecondcoming · 04/05/2010 14:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CheekyVimtoGal · 04/05/2010 14:37

By thesecondcoming Tue 04-May-10 14:34:15
well worth getting the 46" then isn't it...
can you not see how that is offensive to many many people-me included-and i am as fucking bleeding heart and liberal as the best of them.

Why does it insult you because we have one parent working, saving on childcare by me been at home and paying for tv out of wages? Yes i can see why your pissed off, its not as if i have got a crisis loan for it is it?

xkaylax · 04/05/2010 14:38

I have nothing against single parents on benefits etc some of them must strugle

However i know someone who has 2 dcs theyve never worked a day claim disability for whatever reason and then work cash in hand and do scrap etc, and renting a house of parents its frustrating because theyre having house done up seem to never worry about money drive a newish car and go out every other wkend and also do drugs. Why do people like this deserve to have children in there care and live this way its completely wrong

xkaylax · 04/05/2010 14:38

I have nothing against single parents on benefits etc some of them must strugle

However i know someone who has 2 dcs theyve never worked a day claim disability for whatever reason and then work cash in hand and do scrap etc, and renting a house of parents its frustrating because theyre having house done up seem to never worry about money drive a newish car and go out every other wkend and also do drugs. Why do people like this deserve to have children in there care and live this way its completely wrong

BettyBlu · 04/05/2010 14:43

Cheekyvimto I think you are on a wind up.

By CheekyVimtoGal Tue 04-May-10 13:31:38
We rely on our tax credits, we get a weekly wage from DH job, but we rely on our tax credits.

We dont live below the poverty line, but we are just above it i would say. This year though we seem to be better off than we was last year which is a good sign for us.

I don't know anybody who lives just above the poverty line that thinks it is a saving to buy a 46" tv, rather than spend just under £1k to repair...

thesecondcoming · 04/05/2010 14:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BettyBlu · 04/05/2010 14:45

I suppose that reads badly -

I don't know anybody who lives above the poverty line who thinks that either buying a 46" tv/or spending 1k to repair is an option.

StrictlyKatty · 04/05/2010 14:53

I just don't understand how suddently within ONE month you can go from the breadline to a 46inch TV... that's one pay check

We would need to save up for months and months to buy a TV like that, with DH earning a good wage!

CheekyVimtoGal · 04/05/2010 14:53

Well thats your opinion of my situation.

Last year we didnt have 2 pennies to rub together. Our TC do help out towards alot of our bills in our home, But why shouldnt they? We are entitled to them so why not use them. Our Tv is paid for out of wages. I chose to quit work because of HEALTH problems if you read it properly, Not child care.

Like i said last year we didnt have two pennies to rub together, now my husband is in a very good job which has been a long time coming, after his doing warehousing positons for the last 10 years. I think i would rather spend £800 on a tv than spend £1k on tubes for an old tv.

Its not my problem you have with me - Its yours.

CheekyVimtoGal · 04/05/2010 14:54

Have you renewed your tax credits?

curryfreak · 04/05/2010 14:55

I know two people who are supposedly single parents,- but in reality their partners live with them. They are claiming free school meals for their children, and tax credits. Have to say this grates a bit.
It seems to me that if you are married you are penalised though the tax system!

AbsOfCroissant · 04/05/2010 14:56

There was someone I knew. From a VERY wealthy family, was working part time, cash in hand, and claiming benefits at the same time (single parent, 1 DC). She worked out that she brought in more money that way than working and declaring it. There's something wrong with that TBH.

AbsOfCroissant · 04/05/2010 14:57

And, someone else who didn't declare that she was living with her DC's father, as she'd lose out on benefits. I agree with curryfreak, that this is completely odd (as surely having a father around is one of the best things for a child, so you shouldn't have the system skewed to either have him living away, or have parents lie about it?)

CheekyVimtoGal · 04/05/2010 14:57

Renewel of tax credits is why we are so better off at the moment, We are getting a hell of alot more than we did last year and got some back from them.

Crazycatlady · 04/05/2010 14:57

But Cheeky the first reason you gave for quitting work was to spend more time with your children:

By CheekyVimtoGal Tue 04-May-10 14:03:19
I know how hard it is on benefits.

I became a SAHM in April 2007. I loved it but in 2009 i felt i needed to do something else, so me and my husband swapped roles and he became a SAHD. I enjoyed going out to work but then i felt the bond was leaving me and my boys, i felt that they were forgetting who i was as i was leaving the house before they got up on a morning and was going to bed when i came home from work.

I dropped my hours but it didnt help. Eventually i made the decision to quit and become a SAHM again 1 month ago. I am enjoying the time im spending at home with the boys.

You are now claiming Tax Credit which enhances your household income enough to be able to afford an £800 telly.

It's this that others are questioning.

thesecondcoming · 04/05/2010 14:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Crazycatlady · 04/05/2010 14:59

Add message | Report | Contact poster By CheekyVimtoGal Tue 04-May-10 14:57:46
Renewel of tax credits is why we are so better off at the moment, We are getting a hell of alot more than we did last year and got some back from them.

I thought it was your DH's new job that had significantly enhanced your income?