Is anybody here living entirely on benefits?

[Ethel]

Is it as bad as this young couple claim? Are you going to bed hungry and eating rotting vegetables?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlan ds/7643652.stm

I am trying to understand how this can be so.

[gelda]

Just watched the video, grrr, there doesn't look like there's much wrong with them physicaly, why don't they get off their big fat a4ses and get a job!

[terambulan]

These r 2 idle people functioning on basic 'animalistic needs'. They have a TV....look at the latest Hovis advert to see how previous generations survived.

They say they can't afford 'expensive foods & restaurants'. Those are luxuries afforded to those who have earned.

[terambulan]

Ethel....I have same complaint, not hereditary as no siblings 'suffer' likewise. I avoid stiffening by working. Wear OTT warmer clothes than others & try stay out of bitter weather.

Have livestock to tend but wrap up well & they're trained to come to me - they're fed twice am & pm so ages between for my other activities.

[bigmamma]

I can't see if either of the parents work from the vid . I can see that they're both obviously overweight , and don't appear to do any housework . If they are both out of work Ethel then they won't be paying rent or council tax .

[catcuddler]

if they couldnt afford him they shouldnt have had the child

[theonlyone]

Just watched the video again ....and they
have to buy cheap veg ...then she says
the child has to eat chips !! And she's obese
because she can't afford to eat healthly ..
what a load of dross ..she needs to learn to
cook ..and clean the house ..and the father of
the child get a job ..but they have a mega tv ..
did they also have Sky ? Couch potatoes ..
lazy devils need a kick up the bottom ...makes
my blood boil as they whinge about not enough
money ...have they ever worked ..and paid in
to the system ?? That would be nice to know ??
And the answer is ??

[cazzz1975]

they may be depressed..long term unemployment can have devastating affects. its wrong to just insult them and assume they are scum...

[theonlyone]

Cazz they need to get out the rut ..
as the child will be raised in that
"Easier to go back to sleep than to
get up and look for a job "
I worked shifts for years and going to
work at 4.30am in the winter and then
working outside at night when it was -7c
was hard but I did it and what I have I worked
is mine ...think it's called Pride ..

[oldgrape]

i, live on �118 pounds a week with �60 a week going on bill me and baby grape have 3 meals a day and manage to go on outings and my son has everything he needs i manage just fine i might not have the latest lcd tv or buy my self loads of new clothes but you just spend what you have a save up for big things i.e xmas

i do a shop at iceland once a month and spend �30 and that lasts us

[sara3]

oldgrape, you're a shining example. good on you!

[naomi24]

Oldgrape, I think I've misunderstood your post. You surely can't mean you spend only �30 a month on food for you and the little one?

[oldgrape]

i sure do �30 is all i need, potatoes veg you can get a big bag of chicken portions for �3 which can be used for stews, soups, casseroles,. as a main chick and chips etc

sausage �1
chips �1
waffles �1
potatoes �1
mixed veg �1
fish fingers �1
mince �2 used as bolegnase and shephards pies
etc etc they do big bags of all different stuff and you can make multiple meals out of them

i didn't mention though that i do get milk vouchers of �3 a week so that pays for the milk and you can use them for fresh fruit and veg as well

[oldgrape]

also i do not buy ready meals and do not see the point in paying the extra prices for them

[naomi24]

Oldgrape, I take my hat off to you. Incredible!!

[cazzz1975]

I thought you were brave to list sausages, chips and waffles!!

considering the comments early in the thread regarding those foods

[oldgrape]

all foods are good to a degree as long as you don't over do it and you maintain a balance

[theonlyone]

oldgrape ..where is the VV ...as you
were his buddy ??

[mrs.chappie]

Blimey .... I thought I was good on budgeting, but there's no way I could feed us for �30 a month!

You are an incredible lady, oldgrape!

[blackcat77]

Oldgrape - do you not spend any money on bread, butter, tea etc?
I'm lucky in that my OH really enjoys cooking and seeing how far he can stretch the pounds, we have had gas and electricity pay-as-you-go meters put in which means that more lights are being switched off (or not switched on in the first place) and the heating has gone on very low for the first time tonight - we were also able to get a grant to have the house cavity wall filled and insulation in the loft which has made a great difference, just got to save up and have the draughty windows replaced when we can - there are newspapers round the window frames at present! I'm definitely going to try the tip about putting the duvet under the sheet and already have a blanket downstairs for watching the t.v. with - also three dogs to cuddle up to which does help to keep you warm. Thank you all for your tips - it has been a very interesting thread!