being unemployed

[berniecuddles]

Hi all
i have been unemployed for a month, i have worked all my life (34) years and i am now getting a couple of benefits ie: job allowance and my wife working tax credit there are no jobs going at the moment and to be honest we are managing quite alright at the moment so why do i feel guilty about it?
sitting here everyday doing nothing but looking for jobs all the time but really i have no need to work as benefits that are coming in are enough am i being selfish?

[steg]

keep looking bernie, hope something comes up. always best to earn your money than live on hand outs

[MWB]

Bernie. There is no need to feel bad about being on a benefit. That's exactly why they are there; for people like you who find themselves without work after working for years.

All those 34 years you paid tax. So, looked at that way, it's not a handout at all.

Selfish is when you expect the benefit as your right.

No, you are not selfish.

[steg]

sorry handouts was a bad choice of words

[MWB]

You're lucky, bernie, that you don't have to stress about getting another job pronto as the benefit you're receiving is ample.

:)

[cymruambyth1]

My partner lost his job in February, and I am supporting him for the second time. I dont earn that much money and we are only just keeping our head above water.

The benefits are there for people who really cant get a job, and they are really trying. There was a couple of weeks where my partner didnt make much effort to get a job and I soon got him back into looking.

My partner is desparately trying to get a job, and your just taking the benefits because they are there. I would say you are selfish.

[berniecuddles]

mwb i totally agree with you i expected nothing but i went to job center and must have asked the right questions believe it or not they were quite helpful

[pastafreak]

I think part of the problem for you bernie is that in the meantime you need to feel useful,and at the moment you are not. Why not do some volunteer work 1 or 2 days a week while your are job hunting...it will go a long way to making you feel better about yourself.

[whifffey]

You are not being in the least selfish. Having paid in for so many years you are now being rightfully caught by society's safety net.

You may want to find another job for your satisfaction and to boost your income, but in the meantime enjoy the summer.

[mandiz]

Bernie6969,
At least you have worked & paid taxes, unlike these people who have not worked since leaving school. I wouldn't feel guilty, I am also out of work like you & have worked since leaving school & I am 38, I have been out of work since January this year.
Just keep looking, something will come up.

[Schutzengel]

Hi Bernie. I wish you all the best with finding a new job. I'm guessing but if you left school at 16 you will be about 50. It can be more difficult now, depending on what type of work you used to do, and would like to have now. I'm pleased you are managing financially at the moment, but it's a long time until you are eligible for your government pension. With prices for everything rising all the time, it would be good to have another job, even if it's only to be able to have a few luxuries, holidays etc. The other aspect is with it only being a month since you became unemployed, the first few weeks can seem like a welcome change from routine, but it's so easy to become bored. When a man finishes work, wives soon discover that they have twice the husband, and half the income. :-). I do wish you everything of the best, and hope you soon find something that suits. Best wishes. Schutz.

[berniecuddles]

thx schultz does get a bit boring only so much housework you can do lol

[zzxxee]

keep looking you maybe ok money wise but after a while your self esteem will be dented big time good luck with the job hunting

[Bobbisox]

The very best of luck bernie, I agree with the others, I have no gripe whatsoever for someone like you receiving benefits love, you have put into the system and you seem to be a genuine guy, more than can be said for the low-lifes who sit on their backsides either drinking or smoking or both,,, they are the ones who should feel guilty but alas they don't have a brain cell to do so
Good luck x

[afcjan]

good luck Bernie, wish you well. dont feel guilty. u have worked a lot of years and deserve all u can get.

take care xxx

[BeatySwalls]

bernie glad you are coping well with unemployment. just make sure 6 months down the line you are not in a councill house with a 60 inch flat screen tv playing an xbbox with 6 screeming babies.
gods speed to you

[curvybird]

Hi Bernie, nothing constructive to say, sorry, but is that your date of birth, 6.9.69 ? If so, I know somebody born on the same day as you. If u r half as nice as he is, you're not doing bad

[berniecuddles]

big thx to all i feel a bit better about it all thank you very much

[Sachs]

Hiya bernie,
it must be a very depressing situation. I hope something turns up for you x

[madmaggot]

Try to see it as an opportunity to take up the hobby that you always fancied, or as an earlier post suggested, do some voluntary work. At least they allowed you to have jobseekers allowance.
When my hubbie retired and moved 200 miles away and I decided to give notice and go with him rather than get weekday digs and travel down at the weekend, I was denied any benefit as I sought work as they said I should have commuted!
I also had never drawn any benefits in 36 years.

[DSnewsKE]

It's seven years since I've worked, can't find anything I fancy. Have cut down a lot, only manage out about three times a week and the car is over two years old. Booked a cheap two week break in Spain, so things could be worse. Hope you find something soon bernie.