Whats the best thing about being unemployed to you?

gardenia101

I don't miss the huge feelings of guilt when I missed yet another school play/parents "evening" (ours run from 3.30-5.30 so hardly an evening & rubbish for many of those who work) as I had to be in work instead.

I can now attend them all & my kids are delighted.

Also taking a not very well child to school/nursery as you know your supervisor is going to make life hell for you if you take a day off to look after them (& you've already used up your leave to look after them when thet were really ill).

I feel my health (& my kids health) has improved since I'm not running around on a stupidly tight schedule, not getting proper breaks as we were usually understaffed, so not eating for the entire day sometimes (& with a supervisor that couldn't care less about our employee rights). My BP has dropped nicely...

Money is very tight, but I manage on a budget & have time to cook proper food (Loving the OS board) which has saved me a fortune. I no longer run a car, so more money saved, & no expensive work suits to dry clean....

Before I get slated for a lifestyle choice - I'm not working now due to a disability, & have been looking for work for some time now. If I hadn't suddenly become disabled, I'd still be in the rat race earning far more, but with little time to enjoy life.

Totally agree with not missing the office politics either. But there are days, usually when it is grey that I'd love to be back in work, when I get cabin fever & can't spend another day being bored....

Vincent_Buenisedes

marybelle01 wrote: »

On balance I was opposed to the governments changes in the benfits system until I read this. Now I am not so convinced. It seems like a demonstrably good argument for them. Unemployment benefits are not designed to provide financial security on top of your income. I see nothing to be proud of in admitting you are a scrounger and a benefits thief.

So you change your opinion on government policy regarding the social security system, which effects all walks of life up and down the country, mainly for the worse, SOLELY on an anonymous posting on an internet forum? Now I can see why the goverment and media's strategy of portraying anybody who dares to claim what they're entitled to as some kind of blood-sucking parasite has worked so well.:(

jfh7gwa

Autumn86 wrote: »

For example when i work 15hours per week + get housing, council tax, and jsa benefit, my total net monthly income may be £1,600.
But as ive only worked 60hours during the month, yet still banked £1,500, im earning £25 per hour!

Well, you're actually earning, what, 25% more on top? Because people with fulltime jobs have to pay tax as per the latest banding, don't they?

So if I want to walk out with £1500 in the month (net), I actually have to earn quite a few hundred pounds more than that, so that the government can take their cut (from the gross amount).

And hand it to people like you, who appear to be choosing to work on the side part-time whilst claiming benefits from what you're suggesting in your post.

I'm not so sure who's the idiot in this setup now.:(

marybelle01

Vincent_Buenisedes wrote: »

So you change your opinion on government policy regarding the social security system, which effects all walks of life up and down the country, mainly for the worse, SOLELY on an anonymous posting on an internet forum? Now I can see why the goverment and media's strategy of portraying anybody who dares to claim what they're entitled to as some kind of blood-sucking parasite has worked so well.:(

Where did I say I had changed my opinion? I clearly said that I was not entirely convinced that the arguments being put were entirely incorrect. I would point out that the poster here was not "daring to claim what they are entitled to" - they are defrauding the benefits system and boasting about it. If anyone is actually damaging the reputation of legitimate claimants it is people like this who defraud the system and then brag about it. Neither the government nor the media need a strategy when people are willing to do their job for them all on their own!

dseventy

Vincent_Buenisedes wrote: »

So you change your opinion on government policy regarding the social security system, which effects all walks of life up and down the country, mainly for the worse, SOLELY on an anonymous posting on an internet forum?

What makes you think its anonymous?

D70

SGina

marybelle01 wrote: »

On balance I was opposed to the governments changes in the benfits system until I read this. Now I am not so convinced. It seems like a demonstrably good argument for them. Unemployment benefits are not designed to provide financial security on top of your income. I see nothing to be proud of in admitting you are a scrounger and a benefits thief.

This is a genuine question, where has the benefit fraud been committed?
I thought that if a jobseeker works 15 hours or less they have their benefit reduced pound for pound but still keep the 1st £5 and their housing benefit and CTB. The poster did not say they were claimimg the full JSA. If the above is true they are legally only claiming what is due, surely?

Bangton

Autumn86 wrote: »

I found being totally unemployed very boring.

But for the last 1year ive worked part-time (2-3nights per week),
whilst claiming benefits alongside so that i can financially afford to live,
and i find working just 3nights per week the perfect work:life balance.


The best things about only working part-time is-

*Can spend 3-4days per week going gym/swimming/sauna/then jaquzzi, spending a couple of hours each day with no rush or pressure.

*Your true hourly income rate is extremely high compared to fulltime workers.
For example when i work 15hours per week + get housing, council tax, and jsa benefit, my total net monthly income may be £1,600.
But as ive only worked 60hours during the month, yet still banked £1,500, im earning £25 per hour!

*No bosses telling you what to do all day or watching over you.

*Sleeping in till lunchtime everday, plus being able to go bed at 3am.

*The financial security of your benefits money.

*Being able to spend half the week doing fun pleasurable things instead of being stuck in a boring job routine.

*Being able to go food shopping, get haircuts, and other stuff at whatever time suits you.

Gutted...60hrs a month?? I do that in a week.:mad:

loopy136

After being made redundant I enjoyed the first couple of weeks, relaxing and taking time to gather my thoughts and arrange my future plans. Once the reality hit it soon became frustrating and boring. I had lost my routine and slept in every morning. Then i started doing some training and getting into a new routine and soon found work, only part time mind.

I found i was losing my confidence at every interview, and you feel you are not able to do what you have done in the past. It doesn't make any sense to have lots of time if you have no money to do anything.

I don't know how some people stay on the dole for years, think i would have gone mad if i was claiming for a week more than i was.

Good luck to the job hunters, you will get there(if you have the intention).

morganedge

A few of my friends play the PC all day long in their dressing gown and love it!! lol. Some have been on the doll for years.

I can't join in the fun at the mo i'm afraid, as i'm working 5/6 days per week loading lorries etc. Life sucks.

Im glad the nonworkers are enjoying life and their free time though, lol.

The_Saver_2

The lovely things about being unemployed:
1) Being able to do all the household chores so that my OH and I can spend quality time together at the weekends.
2) Being able to run regularly (good for my weight, my general health and wellbeing - and it's FREE!)
3) Becoming highly organised (because I don't have to squeeze things in when I get home or at the weekends). We now regularly save money because of birthday/meal planning, travel etc.
4) Having time to catch up with friends (coffee mornings, regular e-mails).
5) Being able to volunteer and help others.