I got caught shoplifting

[RoseBiscuitll]

I really didn't know what topic to choose for this

I'm mortified, I got caught shoplifting in boots today, I was stealing baby milk and a facial moisturiser. I'm so ashamed of myself. It was in the city center aswell. They didn't call police but they took my details, took a picture and told me I can't return to the store again

Will this picture and my details go around to the other shops near by or will it just go to the other boots shops.

I can't believe I was stupid enough to do this! I'm so embarrassed and also feel really guiltily!

Repeat offender 🤣 me leaving a £2 nail varnish on my push chair is about as immoral as you fantasizing about your husbands friend. Which I bet you have before. Don't throw stones hun 🤣

Quite. And she's only embarrassed that she might be monitored in the town centre while shopping. Or stealing. If she has money for baby clothes and a cot she has money for milk. She's a thief, no two ways about it.

You said a few bits so it probably isn't just £2.

Excuse me? I’ve never had a husband. But thanks.

Why does this matter, OP? You seem a tad
more focused on this and the embarrassment of it all than the financial situation that you’re in to be honest.

And the moisturiser?

People have given me advice about my financial situation. I've take it in. What else can I do

And obviously I'm going tk be worried the next time I eventually go into city center.

OP would you be open to donated breast milk?

What odd comments,

But you've got to transport the cot then, if OP doesn't have a car (or anyone who can fetch it for her) then that rules lots out, or makes it more expensive due to fuel/delivery.

it never ceases to amaze me the nastiness of strangers behind a keyboard when people are asking for guidance and probably understanding.

Honestly 🙄 of course OP is embarrassed about going around town.

Also do you not realise baby clothes are as essential as food, babies grow quickly so replacement clothes are necessary.

Yes, OP has poor money management if she knowingly overspent on a cot meaning there wasn't enough for food. However that may be because she wasn't taught money management, or miscounted, or just made an error - hardly worth hanging her for it.

You're acting like she stole bottles of vodka or legs of lamb. She stole baby food and a basic moisturiser. Whilst it's not OK to do, it's hardly the worst crime in the world.

You sound like someone who'd chop off a person's hand for stealing a loaf of bread 🙄🙄

Not necessarily! Baby milk sells well so it's stolen frequently

@RoseBiscuitll this makes me so sad for you, I’m sorry you are going through a rough time. I don’t know which area you are in but I’d happily help you. Sending you hugs xx

@RoseBiscuitll

I admire your courage, I really do. For posting on here for what you have done takes guts

Im so sorry that you are in the position that has forced you into this

I was kind of in the same boat back in the 80's, no child to support, but trying to feed and clean myself on £9 a week, I was stealing loo roll from public toilets an using it as sanitary wear, living on cheap carbs and having to walk everywhere as bus fare was out of the equation

Luckily I was a single woman and I soon found a few part time jobs, the lass in the bed sit next to me sold herself. We do what we have to do so I never cast judgement

Im really glad that some have come forward to point you in the direction of help and I hope that help is available to you and I wish you every luck going forward

For those giving off that a face moisturiser wasnt a need. There was a fantastic programme a few years back, Cathy Burke, and poverty. She went to a food bank on one programme and the discussion went along the lines of CB " but theres those that moan that someone comes to the food bank to get the food and then go and get their nails done"? FB organiser " poverty is about more then being able to feed yourself and children. If we allow a mother to save herself the £20 it costs to get her nails done, then we have done our job. Her nails just make her feel like a woman, she looks at those nails and feels good. For whilst those nails last, she is feeling she is worth it"

Not the exact words, but the jist

Seriously, living in poverty is crippling. Ive been there, Im still officially ( according to statistics ) in poverty. Sure I have to cost everything, scrimp, make do and mend, do without, but I can now at least afford to feed and clothe us and heat the house and owe not a penny to anyone. Sure my birthday money was speant on new tires but at least now I dont walk everywhere

But you literally are a thief. A repeat offender. It’s just who you are, it‘s part of your character and you need to accept that people will judge you for being that way and laughing about it. Unfortunately our society does have dishonest people in it, who do it purely because they’re a thief by nature rather than being in exceptional circumstances. For that, and for laughing at it… well, people who know are going to judge you.

no. no.

i posted on here a while ago saying i had been forced to steal milk bottle teats. i had £0. social services removed my baby's father. my rent is £800, UC £1040. PTSD after being hospitalised. my baby had bitten through the teats and i was terrified of a night with my Originally 2lb preemie being unable to feed. so no. i will never accept being labelled.

Most people who have the insight to post here will be the people who will pay it forward in the future. for any poster here admitting things there will be 100s doing it and not giving a monkeys

Somehow I think the nastiness is a speciality of MN

I also use Moneysavingexperts - everyone would be offering advice and support

My own local FB - no matter how low a post is, there is always support

No need to kick someone when they are down but it does seem to be the norm here

And what is really galling, its mostly female to female

Sisterhood? My arse

She was responding to a poster who steals nail varnish by hiding it in her child's buggy and laughs about it. That is who that poster is.

Are you proud of yourself that you steal? Are you not ashamed?
I know a £2 nail varnish is nothing, but what if we all did it? What if everyone pocketed a small item when we went shopping. Is that ok?
And you are raising children, which is even more worrying, because they’ll grow up thinking that’s normal and ok.

Some people are just petty thieves.

Don't be silly. I do it when they're not looking. Jeeez what do you take me for? An amateur

Honestly I suspect you think you’re funny or cool or something and you’re coming across like a bit of a twat.

I could never imagine not putting moisturiser on my face or skin. It would get uncomfortably dry and develop sores. It doesn’t belong in the same category as make up or perfume as far as I am concerned - it’s probably more with toothpaste, deodorant and sanitary pads.

If I owned that Boots store, I would have still taken yr photo and told you not to return, BUT given you the tin of milk! Whilst taking back the moisturiser.

Hi OP!
first of all, I'm not here to judge...
I'm just worried that your child is about to start weaning and you might find your resources stretched even further.
Not sure if it's previously been mentioned. I'm wondering if you know about any healthy start schemes? I know Scotland has this but not sure about England. But this may entitle you to some veggies, fruit and cows milk.

https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk

doubt it's much but hopefully something to help you out a little bit.