DM does a good deed.

[doodab]

He could get organised and be careful.

You would be amazed how incapable some people are. This is one of the fundamental problems with the world IMO.

[NotAllThere]

He could get organised and be careful.

Yes. And my aunty could grow bollocks and become my uncle.

If you're living on a shoestring, it's quite hard to keep on the right side of the line. You should try it some time. Some people are even thicker than DM fans.

[greenlake]

Yes. And my aunty could grow bollocks and become my uncle.

Soon NAT, soon....

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[SueEllen]

If you're living on a shoestring, it's quite hard to keep on the right side of the line. You should try it some time. Some people are even thicker than DM fans.

To be fair many MPs including current and ex-members of the cabinet don't understand:
1. Not everyone is fully competent to look after their own money but it really matters if you are poor, and
2. How the benefits system screws people up even if they are good with money due to poor rules and maladministration.
So it's hardly surprising a member of this site doesn't understand those things.

[VectraMan]

Yes. And my aunty could grow bollocks and become my uncle.

That seems a bit unlikely, whereas being able to be responsible for their financial affairs is something that can be reasonably expected of every adult.

[SueEllen]

That seems a bit unlikely, whereas being able to be responsible for their financial affairs is something that can be reasonably expected of every adult.

That's where you and this government fall down.

There are people with every level of intelligence who are lacking impulse control over financial affairs. Some are lucky and have a spouse or other relations who can control them so there is not a nasty fall out while others aren't.

Plus even if you do have the necessary control the fact that benefits like JSA are paid on a two week cycle not a calendar month causes problems.

[doodab]

That's where you and this government fall down.

There are people with every level of intelligence who are lacking impulse control over financial affairs. Some are lucky and have a spouse or other relations who can control them so there is not a nasty fall out while others aren't.

Plus even if you do have the necessary control the fact that benefits like JSA are paid on a two week cycle not a calendar month causes problems.

Some people just lack the skills and discipline for budgeting as well. They just never learnt them. There are a lot of basic life skills such as these which are learnt primarily from parental example and the lack of them is perpetuated from generation to generation.

Or course it goes without saying that the more meagre your means the harder it is to live within them, especially when faced with unexpected expenses.

[mudskipper]

There was a programme a few weeks back where various z-list celebs stayed with people who were struggling to make ends meet.

One woman in particular had it sorted - she had a spreadsheet and noted down everything she spent - she knew where she was to the penny. Her celeb (Heather from Eastenders) wondered what she was doing there - the woman had enough to eat and didn't need any help.

Then the benefits office screwed up a payment - her bank account went overdrawn which resulted in charges and more charges, and she went from making ends meet (just) and being in control, to feeling hopeless, helpless, in despair and unable to afford to eat.

Most of us on here are pretty lucky. The vast majority of people have no more than a month or two's reserve, and many have much less than that. No matter how careful and in control you are, it takes one unexpected bill or mini-disaster and you're over the edge.

[NotAllThere]

...being able to be responsible for their financial affairs is something that can be reasonably expected of every adult.

Now who's living in a fantasy land? Do you really believe that to be true? I assume you occasionally meet real people from time to time.

Anyway, even people who are fiscally responsible can end up in difficulty. If you're reasonably well off and make a wrong decision, or something unfortunate happens, you can cover it. If you're on the tightrope, you can't afford to make a single mistake. As soon as you do, you're ****ed. You have to do the right thing all the time. There is no margin for error.

[xoggoth]

Anyway, even people who are fiscally responsible can end up in difficulty

Agree with last 4 comments. Not everyone has the same ability to run their financial affairs or even their lives effectively. However, society has a right to expect that everyone should do what they reasonably can for themselves before calling on help from others. From each according to their ability, as good old KM said.