Im One Of The Great Unwashed

[nailit]

Im unemployed, living in council accommodation, nearly 50 (next year), ex convict, ex psych patient, paying extortionent bedroom tax (which in reality is my sons bedroom.
How much lower do I need to go?
Just asking.
I really dont know how much lower i need to go to be in David Camerons 'All in it together" mantra...Perhaps I'm missing something?
How much more can I give away b4 I become homeless and penniless?
I really want to follow my esteemed leaders in the house of Lords and those in the house of commons.
Thanks for any advice.

[naomi24]

Why are you unemployed?

[Elina]

I consider you one of the interesting intelligent posters on here nailit. I look forward to your posts.

[fiction-factory]

You have had a tough time, nailit and I'm sure there are many on here who say "there but for the grace of God...".
On the bedroom tax, yes that's a deduction from your benefit but if your daughter lives there I don't understand why the subsidy has been withdrawn- or do you mean she visits sometimes?
What changes would you like to see?

[nailit]

//Why are you unemployed?//
Because no one will employ me.

[ladyalex]

I'd be willing to bet that you're not unwashed, though.
:-))

[fiction-factory]

Have you applied to join an agency? When I was struggling to find work and thinking I'd never work again as no employers seemed interested in someone of my age, I tried some agencies and got a few days here and there and then employers kept wanting me back.

[tamborine]

Am surprised the Ex Offenders Association hasnt helped you find a job & own accommodation, tho I dont think youll make parliament for a kip ;)

https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/Pages/furtherhelp.aspx

[Tilly2]

Nailit, you need to sink a lot lower to become one of the Great Unwashed.

Sorry but that's the case. You have a home and an income, they may not be great but at least you have a roof over your head.

[fiction-factory]

Is it the criminal record that's making employers snub you?

[nailit]

ladyalex, ive had a bath....

[Psybbo]

Nailit, we care about you so chin up xxx

[Elina]

Struggling to know what to say without it coming across as patronising. Be thankful for your intelligence, be thankful for the positives in your life. I have a brother living 'in the moment' that can't remember something after 10 minutes, can't hold a conversation to tell me about his day, because he can't. I'm not saying you've not had it/ you're not having it rough nailit at all, you've heard it all before ... life can be very hard. Stay away from anything that brings you down & makes things negative x

[Svejk]

Count your blessings.

[Tilly2]

Nailit, I may seem a bit harsh but I am trying to tell you that you are not on Skid Row. Things are hard for you but it could be a lot, lot worse. You could be living in Cobridge! :-) xx

[ladyalex]

I knew it!

I think we are all agreed here that you are a trier, naillit.
Just try to keep plugging away.

[naomi24]

Nailit, I asked the question because I'm wondering if you could do something on your own - window cleaning, gardening, painting and decorating, odd jobs? Lots of people need help with things like that. Just a suggestion.

[Hypognosis]

Our survey said…

the great unwashed

Coined by Edward George Bulwer-Lytton, "the great unwashed" refers to the lower classes.

The common people.
The great unwashed enjoy reality TV and shopping at Wal-Mart.

That was the Victorian era though. Some people must have been too poor to afford a bathtub. They were still building houses without dedicated bathrooms in 1880s and beyond.

Toilet paper wasn't invented until about 1850.

"The past is another country. They do things differently there."

[Retrochic]

You do not work so the government pays for your home and gives you money to live on. You pay no tax, bedroom or otherwise because you don't earn any money. You give the government nothing so how can you 'give more'. Before Social Benefits were available, and still in some other countries, you would not be given a home or money to live on. Concentrate on what you have, not what you have not or what you think you should have, and plan to make you life better instead of moaning. I moan all the time about the amount of Tax -real money that is, not a cut in Benefit -that i have to pay, Income Tax, Council Tax (over £3,000 a year and they empty our bins that's all) so everyone has something to moan about. If you want to follow the esteemed members of the house of commons then the first stage is to get some skills -and its all free for you as you are on Benefits -If I want to do a course at the local college I have to fork out upwards of £600 for a 12 week night class. Think about it.

[EDDIE51]

Is your son still out of work? If so you should not be subject to the 'Bedroom' tax if he is registered as living in you house. You are allowed 1 bedroom for you and 1 for your son . There are no deductions of housing benefit for a second adult relative who is on benefit or a low income. If he works he is expected to contribute to the rent and deductions will be made.