The worst/naughtiest thing you've done to survive whilst at rock bottom

Googlewhacker

LittleMonkey16 wrote: »

Respectability is lovely when your tummy's full, isn't it? I hope no-one is too 'respectable' to bend the rules to ensure their kids are fed. What strikes me is how many of you guys made amends once things were better- that shows something more than just expecting something for nothing. The level of guilt is also plain to see.

We live in a strange society. No-one should be reduced to some of the things I've read here. I suppose it's about being able to commit to being 'paid for'. Itstrikes me that there's little or no help for those having a tough few months, but with prospects that things may get better. Those who've decided that they're staying put in the doldrums tend to get a slightly easier ride. That's not to say a life on social is necessarily easy, and I'm not judging or trying to get political. It's just something I've observed in some places.....

I do understand under these circumstances why people steal from the employers but I am waiting for someone to post saying they replaced all the toilet rolls they stole....

Wobblydeb

This is certainly a thought provoking ... and humbling .... thread.

I feel so lucky to be able to say that my poorest times were as a student, and like others always knew I had mum and dad to fall back on. Living on noodles and walking everywhere doesn't actually feel too much of a hardship at that stage of life.

I did fall back on Mum and Dad occasionally - the most embarrasing was arriving home for Christmas in my 2nd year, and having to ask for money to buy my family Christmas presents that year. £200 cash appeared on my bedside table the following day, and a note to tell me to spend no more than £50 on presents.

Those were also the days before bank systems were sophisticated enough to keep real time track of your spending, so I would often buy my food shopping and then run around to the ATM to draw out the same small remaining amount of cash. The ATM gave you fivers then too

Ooooo and I remember doing the interview rounds. I bought a nice M&S suit, kept the tags on (and well hidden) then returned it for a refund after my interviews had finished and I had secured a job. I really regretted it 6 months later when I started work and had to go suit shopping again.

CountingPennies

wouldbeqaulitymoneysaver wrote: »

*Watching* may come in with my own Confession/s as well!:money::beer:

I'm the same... been *watching* for ages now... Still torn on if i should post.

jpwhittle

nattypants wrote: »

What an amazing thread - I was thinking earlier on that there was too much month left to eek out money, however reading these posts have really kicked me into "gratitude" touch.

I lived in a flat that was so cold I dragged the matress through to the living room, and myself and the kids (toddlers at the time) would go to bed early to keep cosy. We had one calor gas heater and I will always remember the feeling of dread when I could hear the ptt ptt ptt sound which signalled the gas was almost finished :-( I guess the naughtiest thing I did whilst at (fairly) rock bottom was to spend a tenner which was meant for the children on a bottle of gas.

Of course it wasn't cold ALL the time - sometimes it just felt like it;)

i once felt guilty at spending money that had been given to the kids on food and nappies and clothes for them, especially as id wanted to save for them and i still havent managed it. But my dad said one day, when people give you money for the children, it doesnt matter weather that goes on treats or basics, as long as its for the children. People would rather know you used it for something they needed than saved it and they went hungry.
I still havent to this day saved a penny in my kids bank accounts, i do intend on doing soon i hope. But we are now very comfortable after turning our lives down and the kids want for nothing, i guess i make up for spending their money by buying them things now.
Dont feel guilty for getting gas wich kept them warm, your friends and relatives would rather it go to that than another new toy or something xx

wouldbeqaulitymoneysaver

CountingPennies wrote: »

I'm the same... been *watching* for ages now... Still torn on if i should post.

:beer::beer::money:to everyone on this thread.
It is such a nice thread.
I don't think I have been such a deviant in my life. I have been brought up very strait-laced BUT should push come to shove then there are plenty of good ideas here for my more naughty-but-got-to-survive self.
It is also heartbreaking to see the incredible depths of poverty expressed here and the seemingly absolute need to hoard supplies against a rainy day; something I do. I cannot and will not live in an hand to mouth style and despite being on benefits try to live best life possible on a low fixed and despised!!!! income!!!!!
*wordless*
Needs Must/Must Needs. Once again*wordless* Love and best wishes to all and the stories of peoples kindnesses are again outstanding.
More please!
NB Will this thread be deleted? If I be honest this thread looks historical in MSE terms. There is such a lovely store of threads on MSE.
????:A:A:A:T:T:beer::beer:

regret70

This thread has really made me think about things.

I saw a lady picking blackberries off a bush on the main road, I used to think everyone did that? Now I wondered if it was a meal to her. Also, this morning I saw a pregnancy test that had been disguarded at the till in the pound shop, and I wondered if that person couldnt afford to buy it, which is sad if that is the case.

I also saw 20p on the floor and thought about an earlier thread where Someone said leave money on the floor if you don't need it someone else might need it more than you.

Is it just me that can't stop thinking about it?!

Paulgonnabedebtfree

I was so hungry once I had to lick road clean with tongue.

Seriously though, I did pinch a few items from a shop when I was sleeping rough in my mad teens. Hunger drove me to it. As for loo rolls, well I did once have a part time cleaning job and the place had at least a dozen cubicles. I had to do the cleaning out of hours so the odd one walked.
I worked in a bakery when I was 17. I also lived in a squat - the house was due for demolition. Many weeks I survived a few days on sliced bread, a large tube of cheese spread, water from garage taps, and my wits.
They were bad years. I did a few illegal things that were a bit unpleasant but I don't wish to recount them here.

Driver8

When i were 16/17 living in a poxy little bedsit, i had to resort to digging allotments up at 2am in the morning just to eat. I was genuinely starving at the time. I didn't class that as stealing but at the time needs must. I didn't resort to shoplifting and never would.

Deep_In_Debt

During days before pay day when I was completely skint, I used to "dodge" my train fare to get to work. This was in the days before manned stations and ticket barriers obviously.

My destination station used to have ticket guards and I regularly got stopped and fined...however, the fine was less than the actual ticket price so I would pay the fine and be on my way. Got a bit embarrassing with the same guards though but they did agree that the ticket prices were mad! This was 15 years ago.

I still take the train to work but have a season ticket so don't dodge the fares now and my local station is heavily manned any way. Wouldn't dream of it now.

binnie

I think I might have to borrow some more toilet roll soon as I'm skinter than skint now. Got paid today and already it's been swallowed up and haven't bought any food yet, oh dear....