Tax credits, a route to all evil? Or a godsend?

Now if you are like me and part of a low income family, (for the record I work full time in a PAYE employer so all my income is recordable), you will have probably encountered the god send and devils advocate that is the tax credits.

 Tax credits is a government led scheme that gives low income families a 'boost' to their income. Essentially giving you a couple of hundred pounds back a month so you can afford to live if the government believe you are below the poverty level.

One thing among the things they don't tell you about tax credits, is although they have your income amounts from your workplace; they will ask you how much you've earnt. If you mess up slightly on the amount, they will send you a slightly threading looking letter detailing where you've gone wrong and demanding to know why.

Also If you over estimate, they won't tell you and will give you less money over the year.

So remember to check a couple of things before filling out your self assessment; 

- are you paid monthly or 13 times yearly? 

-have you done any overtime over the year you may not have written down?

-have you added up expenses money from work?

-bonuses at work?

Basicly anything your employer might have thrown onto your wages that you can account for. 

Will edit later and add more as I think :) 

Does size matter?

An Open Letter To All Women, Whether you Love yourselves, Or your not quite there yet,

Recently I went to the doctor to pick up some tablets and was told something quite shocking "you'd be healthier if you lost weight" I am as a reference 5ft7 and am size 14/16 and a 36c bust.I've always considered myself attractive, and a average size body, I've never actually thought of myself as a commodity in the ever changing media agreement that 'skinny' is better!

So after a quick google "am I fat at a size 16 and height 5ft7?" I reached the shocking fact size 16 is indeed fat. What a surprise? Should I curl into a ball? Cut out carbs? Go to the gym? Or should I truly say bugger the world. I'm healthy, I'm body confident and this is what the media don't want you to know. I do not feel ashamed of my weight. 

That's right. I do not care that we live in a shocking society where people's worth seems wholly dependant on how attractive they are and how much they weigh. If you say to anyone "I'm happy with my weight" they presume you in fact want to loose weight and give you helpful advice on 'how to loose your tummy' or 'how to work out' 

I presume i'm going to get a lot of flack for posting the below pictures. after all who other than a vain egotistical twat would post underwear pictures on the internet. These are unedited,  I have an arse, I have a tummy, i have a body. and most of all, im happy with the way i look. I do not aspire to be a supermodel, i do not aspire to be anything other than happy with my own body.

If theres anything id ever hope that anyone would ever do, is learn to love yourself for all your flaws, just the way you are. If you cant love yourself, then how do you expect to gain the respect of those around you. First learn to accept yourself, then accept, you are beautiful. Just the way you are.