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!

Thank you. I'm sorry you were in that position. It must have been awful. Sanctions made me feel sick when they started them. The ultimate cruelty.

I have tried to apply but it's just a nightmare I can't get through. I need someone to do everything for me, basically. But there isn't anyone.

I try and stay cheerful and keep myself busy though. You do get used to going without eventually, not that anyone should have to.

No this is not what this country has come to!

The OP spent £120 on a new bed when she could have got a second hand one at a fraction of the price.
My family all work and they still buy second hand at times because they can’t always afford new.
You buy what you can afford, you budget to make ends meet, you don’t just spend as you please and then steal because you’ve squandered all your money.

You're in a catch 22 and I'm not really sure what to suggest, other than PIP application (which you don't seem keen to do).
To be brutally honest though, you cannot conclude that benefits are not enough to live on, if you're not actively trying to obtain the benefits which apply to your actual situation.

With PIP you'd be much more comfortable longer term.

You can’t say that benefits are not enough to live on when you haven’t applied for all those that you could be entitled to. The CAB will help you apply for PIP so you don’t need to handle it alone.

Which comment exactly?
There are frank posts, but nothing disgusting. 🫣

Exactly this

Lack of budgeting more like.

Nobody told you that you choose to be poor though. 😮

Maybe so, if I was awarded it. But that doesn't change the fact that UC is not enough to live on.

I run a cheap car. Some months all I pay on it is £20 road tax and the same in petrol. It's hardly such a massive drain on my resources when it's running ok that it would make the difference between being able to buy food or not. An extra £40 a month, of which if I was healthy a lot would go towards public transport fares, would not make me suddenly rich. What would I save, if I added a travel card a month? £20? Whoopdy shit.

Jesus fucking Christ.

Some of you are absolutely VILE. OP is a struggling mum and too many of you are being so nasty to her.

@RoseBiscuitllI hope you can find some peace.

Do people who are justifying her stealing milk really believe the OP made a good financial decision by buying a brand new £120 cot upfront this month when her £45 phone contract ends next month? Be honest. Or would you have said to yourself "I'll wait a couple of months and SAVE UP now that I'm going to be £45 better off."?

Save up with what?

Do you think people on benefits have money to put into a savings account? Spare money? Are you joking?

UC is enough for the average person to live on though.
You have extra needs (for example access to a car, specific foods) which UC is never meant to cover, due to your particular situation.
PIP is for people who have extra needs related to illness/disability.
With that money you could use your car as much as needed and be able to buy the food which would help you.
Please, please consider approaching the CAB and asking for help to apply. You've spent a fair amount of time defending yourself here, please keep use that same energy to fight your corner for more support through PIP! Good luck.

Typical Mumsnet again, demonising people on benefits.

OP, hopefully you will have learned from the situation and won't steal again. I bet if you wear your hair a different way next time they won't even recognise you in that Boots, let alone other shops.

...the £45 she has been spending on her phone contract like I said.

I apparently choose to run a car because I can't walk far.

As if it's a lifestyle choice?!!

Who is 'demonising people on benefits' though?

You're reading too much into the word choose. We all choose how to spend our money, but one choice will affect another. I don't blame you for keeping it, but the reality is that UC isn't intended to fund car use.

If the OP has become so desperate for money that she's been stealing, that £45 will already be going into a waiting deficit.

Spare money!!

Is honesty vile now? 🫣

And what good is it to benefit claimants to have to sell or SORN (if they have access to off road parking) their cars? That'll really help them get back into work, won't it?

I'm also not the only person who doesn't have access to public transport.

Think on.

She stole because she spent £120 on a cot.

She stole because she's poor.

That’s insulting to poor people. Being poor doesn’t make someone a thief.