Tidying up
In the raft of abusive comments that have accompanied by article on 'the working poor' in the Telegraph - well there's everything, where do do we begin - there are also some people taking a more level headed approach. Thank you. What's most interesting is that my article is published in the WOMEN section, where it seems to be OK to receive a torrent of personal abuse by men. So when women have a voice, we seemingly present an arena that allows men to SET FIRE to them. What nice people we are.
To clarify a few points: because let's face it, if you wanted my life story I'd have to write another book, and I might get paid for it and then you'll hate me even more: 850 words – there are going to be gaps.
Working poor: What it's like when you have a job - but can't pay the bills -I can see how this title is misleading. Because I didn't write it. I pay my bills. It's a struggle, but I do and I always have. Are they talking about me, or other people? I'm not even sure. 'The number of people in-work who fall below the poverty line has risen by 70 per cent in London'.
I don't live in London. It's too expensive. I don't know how anyone can afford to live in London, I tried it and left.
I fully empathise with those that are going to experience further hardship because of the changes not only to their income but the cost of living. As an example, I talked about my own experiences.
There are people far far worse off than me, and I am very concerned about you too.
You have a car – I have worked since I was 14 years-old. I've paid tax since I turned 16 years-old. I've paid road tax since I was 17. Tax on petrol. At various *periods in my life my income has fluctuated. THIS IS TRUE OF MANY PEOPLE. Therefore, yes. I own a car. But it has been increasingly difficult to keep hold of my car and every month I contemplate selling it. As a parent, you try 'to keep things going' for your child when your finances take a nosedive. (I have one, not three!) However, as thankfully my working situation has now changed and I am back in full-time employment, I can try to hold on to it. To cut down on running my car, I cycle. I would have sold my car, but they depreciate so much, that I held onto it knowing it would be difficult to ever buy a car again.Yes it's about choice: do we need a £300 TV to watch The X Factor? No. Do I need lots of make-up and perfume and accessories etc? No. Do I need to travel for work, yes. Do I need to collect my son, do I need to connect with my family? yes.You have a fat face - that cycling isn't doing you any good! I've always had a fat cheeks. What can I say? When I'm rich I'll give into society's demands and get my cheeks chiselled. I saw on twitter that you once ate sushi - yes it was half price at around £2.50 for loads of it. Seemed like a good deal to me.You can eat chicken drumsticks for £2.50 - and it lasts one meal? I can get a bag of quinoa that is a complete protein and it lasts me weeks. I can cook up some lentils: I try not to shop at supermarkets too often because local veg shops are cheaper as is a food cash 'n' carry. And you don't buy extras.You do pilates - not any more I don't! But yes I have a back injury, two bulging discs at the bottom of my spine following a road accident, instead of taking medication, or using the NHS, I use exercise to help me. Because of this, I am able to work. There had been times when my mother had to pull me off my bed, but I'm OK now, thanks.I bet you you get housing benefit? You are assuming because I am a single mother, I'm on housing benefit. I think I've claimed housing benefit once in my life, for about 6 months, when my son was a baby. I can't be sure of that, it may be a little longer or shorter, I've always worked. I FULLY UNDERSTAND people go through periods of their life through disadvantage, sickness, bereavement that prevent them from being able to work.University - when I first went to university tuition fees were free; I paid for my MA. I'm paying for my MSc. I began to pay off all my university loan immediately, even when it pushed me to the edge of my finances, I don't have university debt. You son can go to university and get into debt - any family should think long and hard before encouraging their children to get into £35,000+ of debt, 18 may not be the right age for him to go to university. It's up to him.My son has a strong work ethic and will be a tax payer - Over our lifetime we may end up paying more tax than support we received.* As a woman I pay tax on my periods - men don't pay tax on shaving products but I have paid 17.5% tax on tampons, now 5%. See this Guardian article here.Ha, we can't abuse her on twitter - I don't have to stay on twitter. I have my actual job to do and don't want to get ping-ping-pinged every 3 minutes.
Anything else?
Why am I even doing this?
To clarify a few points: because let's face it, if you wanted my life story I'd have to write another book, and I might get paid for it and then you'll hate me even more: 850 words – there are going to be gaps.
Working poor: What it's like when you have a job - but can't pay the bills -I can see how this title is misleading. Because I didn't write it. I pay my bills. It's a struggle, but I do and I always have. Are they talking about me, or other people? I'm not even sure. 'The number of people in-work who fall below the poverty line has risen by 70 per cent in London'.
I don't live in London. It's too expensive. I don't know how anyone can afford to live in London, I tried it and left.
I fully empathise with those that are going to experience further hardship because of the changes not only to their income but the cost of living. As an example, I talked about my own experiences.
There are people far far worse off than me, and I am very concerned about you too.
You have a car – I have worked since I was 14 years-old. I've paid tax since I turned 16 years-old. I've paid road tax since I was 17. Tax on petrol. At various *periods in my life my income has fluctuated. THIS IS TRUE OF MANY PEOPLE. Therefore, yes. I own a car. But it has been increasingly difficult to keep hold of my car and every month I contemplate selling it. As a parent, you try 'to keep things going' for your child when your finances take a nosedive. (I have one, not three!) However, as thankfully my working situation has now changed and I am back in full-time employment, I can try to hold on to it. To cut down on running my car, I cycle. I would have sold my car, but they depreciate so much, that I held onto it knowing it would be difficult to ever buy a car again.Yes it's about choice: do we need a £300 TV to watch The X Factor? No. Do I need lots of make-up and perfume and accessories etc? No. Do I need to travel for work, yes. Do I need to collect my son, do I need to connect with my family? yes.You have a fat face - that cycling isn't doing you any good! I've always had a fat cheeks. What can I say? When I'm rich I'll give into society's demands and get my cheeks chiselled. I saw on twitter that you once ate sushi - yes it was half price at around £2.50 for loads of it. Seemed like a good deal to me.You can eat chicken drumsticks for £2.50 - and it lasts one meal? I can get a bag of quinoa that is a complete protein and it lasts me weeks. I can cook up some lentils: I try not to shop at supermarkets too often because local veg shops are cheaper as is a food cash 'n' carry. And you don't buy extras.You do pilates - not any more I don't! But yes I have a back injury, two bulging discs at the bottom of my spine following a road accident, instead of taking medication, or using the NHS, I use exercise to help me. Because of this, I am able to work. There had been times when my mother had to pull me off my bed, but I'm OK now, thanks.I bet you you get housing benefit? You are assuming because I am a single mother, I'm on housing benefit. I think I've claimed housing benefit once in my life, for about 6 months, when my son was a baby. I can't be sure of that, it may be a little longer or shorter, I've always worked. I FULLY UNDERSTAND people go through periods of their life through disadvantage, sickness, bereavement that prevent them from being able to work.University - when I first went to university tuition fees were free; I paid for my MA. I'm paying for my MSc. I began to pay off all my university loan immediately, even when it pushed me to the edge of my finances, I don't have university debt. You son can go to university and get into debt - any family should think long and hard before encouraging their children to get into £35,000+ of debt, 18 may not be the right age for him to go to university. It's up to him.My son has a strong work ethic and will be a tax payer - Over our lifetime we may end up paying more tax than support we received.* As a woman I pay tax on my periods - men don't pay tax on shaving products but I have paid 17.5% tax on tampons, now 5%. See this Guardian article here.Ha, we can't abuse her on twitter - I don't have to stay on twitter. I have my actual job to do and don't want to get ping-ping-pinged every 3 minutes.
Anything else?
Why am I even doing this?
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