zing

If I may speak as, and for the "ordinary people", a few things of note.

Since day one, I have avoided Debt at all costs. When I got a credit card a few years back the bank were stunned when I declined a card which allowed me to take out overdrafts and I got the impression the bank were more eager for me to take such a card.

I was out of work for a few years and was pushed into a job in 2001. The result was a disaster. Within a month of starting that job, the council tax bill dropped on the mat. My landlord suddenly began appearing weekly. The dole had informed me that for my first month in work the social would still pay my rent... no they didn't. I had to travel to work which was a major expense... and I was using unreliable public transport. To rub it all in, I was to see no money at all until I'd served a month. I couldn't claim dole or help, so I was literally living on my last Giro ekeing it out as far as humanly possible along with a small loan from my Mum, just to survive that first month of work.

Eventually, I got paid. Once the rent, electric and gas bills were paid, I had next to nothing left to pay for the council tax... nor food. I found myself to be much worse off in work than I was out of work. Then the council began bullying me for payments. Then the yearly water bill came through.

I sat down and did a thorough audit of my finances and the figures made shocking reading. I was now seriously in debt... and all because I did the honest thing and got a job.

I then got screwed by a direct debit cock up which decimated my bank account in one fell swoop. Though not my mistake, I was fined for that. Extra expense I couldn't afford. And come on, be honest, how many of us have been screwed by direct debit going wrong?

After three months, I found myself knee deep in severe debt and assessing my pay rate, there was absolutely no way that debt could be paid within 3 years at that pay rate. It was impossible to save a single penny and I was totally broke and began bumming food off friends in order to get by. I got deeply angry and resentful because I could see no way out of this mess and in the end, I quit the job, got a sick note, went onto Incapacity Benefit.

Suddenly, the council tax bill was waived, I had no more transport costs and no more rent to pay. I soon found myself back in the black. Unfortunately the whole nightmare of being in debt had had a serious effect upon my health and I was rewarded with a complete mental and physical breakdown.

Fortunately, I'm single. I live alone. Imagine what would had happened had I had a wife and kids to help feed.

The whole system is rigged in such a manner that "ordinary" people going to work are instantly plunged into debt which just keeps getting bigger and bigger. Whilst I know there are a lot who ring up more debt by borrowing or buying stuff they can't afford, the fact is for too long, pay rates have been total crap. They exploit you to the full with working hours and red tape and you have zero rights... the employers have every right to screw you left right and centre.

So, I do sympathise with a great many people who have actually TRIED to be sensible and not get into debt only to find that crap pay ensures they can never rise above the line and be able to save money. It is now almost impossible for working class people to break out of this rut because jobs simply don't pay enough.

I was lucky... I managed to survive and get out that mess, but I resented the fact I ended up in that mess by simply going to work.

Various people and surveys have spelled it out - you are actually worse off working. Now, this system has been in place for far too long and look at the mess it's resulted in.

I just wanted to redress the balance and depict my own case as an example of how easy it is for innocent people with honest and good intentions ending up in the shit. No wonder there is so much apathy and dismay amongst British people today and why so many have ended up turning to drugs or alcohol to try and numb the misery.

Hi Jk,
What is Tylers, I live in Cranleigh, Surrey and was just curious that this village paid a part in your life.

Hi Robbie - had you lived in Cranleigh a few years ago, Tylers was the equivalent of Tesco!
Groceries of every kind and a wines and beer department next door.
On the green, all the way along (where now there are several shops).

When David Mann is on your right, the next block all the way.