Quote:
Originally Posted by maccawozzagod
Sorry to take this back to the original post but my tuppence worth is that benefits are very hard to get off, particularly if you have any kind of debt beforehand.
After a few years of flitting in and out of work as a teenager I worked for 15 years solid, paid my dues and tried to live a life. I got a mortgage, took equity out to improve my home etc etc. Then through no fault of my own I was made redundant. For over two and a half years I struggled to get a job. I was applying for up to 40 jobs a week, above my means, within my means and well below my means. I couldn't get in anywhere and did only 4/5 months worth of temporary work in that 2 1/2 year period.
Unemployment means that you don't have money to spare, holidays are gone, repairs to the house fall behind until it seems like everything is broken, food shopping is frugal and uninspiring. BUT, you kind of learn to live within your means and all your debts revert to a minimum £1 a month token payment and nobody can touch you for it. Mortgage assistance can be sought (depending) and the bills just about get paid. IF you have the opportunity to get a job the pay is often so low that it really isn't worth getting out of bed for - its a despairing thought but its true. Potential overtime or bonuses seem to be the only incentive. After a while you really do almost give up on the idea of work and settle your arse down to a life of stable poverty. There are those who have no intention of working at all, but most unemployed do at least dream of getting that job where they can afford to splash out a little.
Eventually I managed to grab an opportunity to set up my own business window cleaning using a government backed loan scheme. It's a big gamble to add to my already bulging debt but it was the only way I could see myself breaking out of the drudgery and trying to make a go of my life. I don't make much at all at the moment but I do make more than I did sitting on benefits and I'm out and about with my self respect back. Hopefully one day I'll acquire enough customers where I can be one of those that goes on holiday or can afford to fill the tank on the car - but until that day I'm happy to just be working  |
I enjoyed reading your post they're the kind of posts I wanted to see more of before silly season,Thanks.
It's a shame the jobs just aren't out there anymore.
You get 100+ others all applying.Nowadays Job security is if you can get a job if your unfortunate enough to find yourself unemployed.
Thanks again for sharing.