The great foodbank giveaway

Ah yes, foodbanks one kind of bank Labour seem to love. Lazily throwing in questions at PMQ's about them to incite nothing more than class war. They don't want a proper debate on why people are using them and if in fact they need to use them.

Before you accuse me of speaking without any knowledge on this subject I should stop you. I do have first hand experience of this area but if I outline what that is my identity may be revealed and I don't want that. 

I blame perception. People seem to think that non-essential items are now a basic entitlement, something that we all must have. Well people need to get over it, fast. If I had my way anyone wanting to use a foodbank would have to have a meeting, in their home, with someone to advise on finances. Someone who could tell them where they can cut back to help afford food because all the time you give people something for free why would they try to afford it? Here are the things I would look at cutting back before giving anyone free food.

Alcohol & Tobacco

The most common substances that people get annoyed about with regards to anyone on benefits or getting a handout. Quite simply if you say you can't afford food but buy either of these things you are pathetic. And if you have kids doing this and saying you can't afford food then you are guilty of child neglect in my opinion.

Smart Phones

Another common accessory for the financially challenged. No matter how things get you have to have an iPhone with angry birds installed. Really? Two points here, you do not need a mobile phone, you think you do but you don't. It is still a nice to have item, not a necessity. If you don't have a land-line at home then one pay as you go, on a basic handset, will work fine. 

Internet

I can hear the anguished cries of you all from here. You do not need the internet to survive. You may be use to 24/7 online access but you will cope just fine without. Even if you don't get rid of it completely you could switch onto a cheaper service. For example if you have a high speed fibre optic line then change to basic broadband. Remember the library will have free internet for you, just avoid porn, they don't like that.......so I'm told.

Paid TV

All you need is freeview, anything more is a luxury. I don't care what you like to watch on what channel. Are Charlie's Angels reruns better than food?

Does he need a foodbank?

A couple of tips for you. Shop around, not in the "what supermarket does the best deal for my weekly shop", I mean look at certain items and go to several shops. The majority of my shop is in Tesco but we also use Iceland and Lidl for specific items. Doing this can save you quite a bit over time. And finally, eat cheaply. Lots of rice, pasta and such like. The one time in my life I was unemployed for a length of time me and my partner managed fine on her modest salary. Sure it was boring food, but we ate.

If someone made all these cutbacks and savings yet still struggled then I would say that they needed a foodbank. I would expect that kind of situation may be hard to find.

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