Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this isn’t that common? Or do people keep it to themselves?

218 replies

Kevsap · 03/05/2024 11:50

My friend has been gifted 100k in the last two years. Eight years prior to that she was given 15k. Every few months/ a year she has around 1k gifted. I consider her to be from a wealthy family and I don’t know anyone else who has this sort of money given to them? Are people just not saying it? I will literally never receive sums like this unless I won the lottery!! My friend seems to think this is pretty average.

OP posts:
IthinkIamAnAlien · 03/05/2024 12:00

Friends of my kids have been given money like this. Often it's money from grandparents which is handed down. It seems unfair especially when average kids have huge student loans or can't afford university at all.

I know two families who have bought children flats or houses. It's about avoiding inheritance tax.

BananaPeanutToast · 03/05/2024 12:00

It’s common in our circles where friends’ parents have done well out of property, investments and pensions and are trying to give it to their children tax efficiently. Five and six figure sums handed out for holidays, school fees, extensions, house upgrades.

I’m sure many (most) people don’t admit it. I actually prefer if they don’t. This kind of thing can sour relationships, it’s hard not to be envious especially when it’s taken as ‘the norm’ but others around you don’t have access to this kind of ‘help’.

newyorkhotel · 03/05/2024 11:59

No, I dont think it is massively common but equally, why would people talk about it? My parents gifted me money when they were alive and I didnt tell my friends because it was private and none of their business. I do know some friends who have wealthy parents and I presume they help them out but they just dont vocalise it

theilltemperedclavecinist · 03/05/2024 11:57

Maybe stupid house prices are feeding this sort of thing. Anyone downsizes, is left with an opportunity to reduce IHT liability.

AlltheFs · 03/05/2024 11:57

I get amounts of £1-2k regularly and had a £10k lump last year from my parents.
Not £100k though.

My family are helping us out and it is effectively early inheritance. I am
very grateful for it.

FlissyPaps · 03/05/2024 11:57

I personally have never been gifted anything over £200 at once.

As far as I’m aware none of my family or friends have had large sums gifted. If they have, they have never said. But then I wouldn’t blame someone for keeping it to themselves.

Money is the root of all evil.

AlexaPlaySomeHappyHardcore · 03/05/2024 11:57

I will never have money chucked my way by family either- just not that type of family to afford that. If I did, I wouldn’t tell anyone though as a) it’s no one’s else’s business and b) I’d be paranoid there would be a thread about me on mumsnet 🙃

3WildOnes · 03/05/2024 11:56

We have been gifted/inherited similar sums. It is fairly normal amongst our friends. Many of our friends have been gifted considerably more.

KreedKafer · 03/05/2024 11:55

Of course it's not normal/common to be handed large sums of money, for no reason, on a regular basis. Your friend is very lucky. Or possibly lying.

RipleyGreen · 03/05/2024 11:55

She’s fantastically privileged. I’m from a poor background and there’s no legacy coming my way. I wish there was. I managed to get a roof over my head mortgage free, but there was no spare for a pension.

JamSandle · 03/05/2024 11:54

I've never been given money like that but it must happen sure. I imagine most people keep it private.

A friend of mine was gifted 50k from family.

ShanghaiDiva · 03/05/2024 11:53

I don’t think it’s common to be gifted such large sums. My dcs have been gifted money but I doubt they tell anyone about it.

Pootles34 · 03/05/2024 11:53

Bit of both I would say. As above there are more poor than rich, but those that do get gifted money are quiet about it - if they have any sense!

rubyslippers · 03/05/2024 11:53

of course it’s not average for most people
is your friend totally disconnected from reality?

CurlyhairedAssassin · 03/05/2024 11:53

Presumably the people gifting those sorts of sums are doing it for inheritance tax efficiency.

Original poster
Kevsap · 03/05/2024 11:52

I don’t know anyone else apart from her but perhaps people don’t talk about it @the80sweregreat

OP posts:
the80sweregreat · 03/05/2024 11:52

I've never received money like this myself
A few people I know have been gifted money via equity release or have inherited wealth from family who are now deceased.
I don't think it's as uncommon as you might think op.

IncompleteSenten · 03/05/2024 11:51

There are far more poor people in the country than rich people so no, I don't think it's average. I think she is very fortunate.