ITV. Fri 9 Jan, 8-8.30. PART 2 NOW Living Without Money

nickmason

I once spent a night in a squat - was invited in after striking up a conversation with a beggar when I found myself locked out. Wasn't too sure I'd see the light of day, but in fact I don't think I've ever been so well treated - relatively speaking. Given the best mattress, etc, etc.

Just a vignette in my life, but one that taught me something.

(long before I had an political involvement - before the s**t gets flung)

PasturesNew

mvengemvenge wrote: »

You calling me a puff???

I remember when Matthew Parris did his original World In Action in about 1986. He survived on a week's benefit and said, basically, it was quite easily achievable. These kind of things are ok to do as a one-off, to prove a point, but to live with virtually nothing for week after week, month after month, is a different story.

I think when they do this, they don't put down the benefit, then take back what they need to set aside for the bills. It seemed to me that the Secret Millionaire had the full weekly benefits in their hand, no regard for electricity, water, etc etc

There was something I was looking at a few years back. It's about living on the benefits money for Lent and keeping a diary. People found they had to stop going out with their mates and stop accepting invites where their mates would pay because they couldn't reciprocate etc etc.

I have lived at this level for a few years now, so know what it's like to not leave the house due to not having the money to go anywhere to make friends. But it's interesting reading the diaries of those for whom this is a revelation.

bo_drinker

I think he piled on the pounds before the programme. And wifey didn't look too bothered he was going. No, why? she was thinking of the big fat cheque that would be coming his way even if he copped out.
And Bath of all places, should have been a bigger place.

PasturesNew

nickmason wrote: »

I once spent a night in a squat - was invited in after striking up a conversation with a beggar when I found myself locked out. Wasn't too sure I'd see the light of day, but in fact I don't think I've ever been so well treated - relatively speaking. Given the best mattress, etc, etc.

Just a vignette in my life, but one that taught me something.

(long before I had an political involvement - before the s**t gets flung)

I've spent the night in a squat. Popped round to see a mate who was living in one, it was a fun evening, didn't see the point of leaving. That was clean, if pretty empty.

Cleaver

PN - they're aren't enough 'thanks' buttons to press when someone saves you having to watch 30 minutes of ITV.

PasturesNew

bo_drinker wrote: »

I think he piled on the pounds before the programme. And wifey didn't look too bothered he was going. No, why? she was thinking of the big fat cheque that would be coming his way even if he copped out.
And Bath of all places, should have been a bigger place.

I thought he looked like a right fat b*****.

I've never been to Bath. Seen it on the telly, but that doesn't count does it.

PasturesNew

Cleaver wrote: »

PN - they're aren't enough 'thanks' buttons to press when someone saves you having to watch 30 minutes of ITV.

Do a search of my posts and go through thanking all those in the past you didn't thank. That'd be thousands

Cleaver

PasturesNew wrote: »

Do a search of my posts and go through thanking all those in the past you didn't thank. That'd be thousands

I'll get the wife to do it.

PasturesNew

Cleaver wrote: »

I'll get the wife to do it.

Fancying a bit of homelessness for yourself now are you??

nickmason

PasturesNew wrote: »

I've spent the night in a squat. Popped round to see a mate who was living in one, it was a fun evening, didn't see the point of leaving. That was clean, if pretty empty.

Come to think of it, I've done that more times than I can count!

It was the idea of not knowing anyone (and it was seriously skanky, trainspotting stuff) that was a bit more freaky.