• I had to walk everywhere. I couldn't even afford bus fares or subway tickets.
• I had an awful diet. My meals consisted of either dodgy microwavable burgers or pasta drenched in tomato ketchup.
• I couldn't afford my TV license or broadband. To access the internet I had to hang around Costa everyday, nurse a tiny coffee for like 4 hours, and get a lowsy connection there.
• I had to sell my clothes online to get money for cigarettes.
• I was ridiculously frugal. I'd use the tiniest dot of toothpaste - and then cut up the tube to get the remnants.
• I had to visit my (thankfully very kind and sympathetic) neighbour to make cups of tea and fill hot water bottles.
• After 8pm, I didn't turn on any lights. I walked around my house with a torch instead.
• I was afraid to turn on my heaters. I went to bed freezing cold wearing gloves, my dressing gown and 2 pairs of socks.
• My mental illnesses flared up. I was depressed, stressed, and couldn't afford the travel costs to see my therapist.
• I couldn't afford to buy my life-long friend a birthday gift. She said she understood, but I felt pathetic.
• I had to steal make-up samples from Superdrug and Boots.

Thankfully I'm in a better situation now. But don't believe the well-repeated lie that living on government benefits is easy: it isn't.