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 saving on Universal Credit is extremely difficult?

663 replies

FirmGreyMember · 28/04/2026 20:42

It feels like Universal Credit doesn’t really leave much room for saving once basic living costs are covered. I know in theory people say to put even small amounts aside but in practice it seems very difficult when most of the money goes on essentials.

AIBU to think there’s very little opportunity to build savings on UC?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
Moonlightfrog · 28/04/2026 21:55

UC is there to help you survive and not save.

Any thread about UC on MN always gets a bashing and being in UC for me makes me feel like a failure and an embarrassment (due to how people judge me).

I don’t like being on it, I don’t save money (my outgoings are still more than what I get from UC), I feel trapped in the system, I feel violated that I can’t do anything without telling them, I am on edge constantly incase they over pay me and I get a letter saying I owe them.

Despite what people think, I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, I don’t have sky TV or go on fancy holidays. The only way people on UC can have these things is by borrowing and getting into more debt. It’s pretty impossible to save money on UC and I wouldn’t expect too.

One day I hope I don’t have to rely on UC but that will likely be when my disabled daughter leaves home (into supported living) or she dies before I do. I would love to be able to have a career and to have my own home, living in UC is awful.

duchyorganiclettuce · 28/04/2026 21:54

DreamyJade · 28/04/2026 21:52

Should people slaughter their children if their husband’s leave?

Show quote history

Why are you posting vile stuff like this on MN

duchyorganiclettuce · 28/04/2026 21:54

youalright · 28/04/2026 21:52

No having a child with a disability, becoming disabled, your partner dying people don't expect these things but they happen every day to people

Show quote history

My partner died and I never used UC I just got on with it.

youalright · 28/04/2026 21:53

XenoBitch · 28/04/2026 21:51

Sorry. Maybe a few sheets of kitchen roll then?

Show quote history

I can't believe you're even allowed to sleep inside.

LadyKenya · 28/04/2026 21:53

ainsleysanob · 28/04/2026 21:46

I would yes, when there a plenty of families, unable to save, because every penny of their earnings is spent paying bills who are not entitled to government help. That’s sad too.

Show quote history

Yes it is, unfortunately we live in a very unequal society. One that is becoming horribly divisive. There really is enough for people, it is just not being distributed fairly, in my humble opinion. And it is not the people in receipt of benefits who are to blame for that.

youalright · 28/04/2026 21:52

duchyorganiclettuce · 28/04/2026 21:51

Circumstances like what? Having a baby when you aren't married, don't have a job or house then being left in the shit when your not-husband leaves? That's not a change in circumstances those are just poor life choices and financial planning.

Pretty sick of my tax money funding people who use children as financial benefit pawns and make poor life decisions and expect to be bailed out and then come here to complain that the lifestyle I provide them through my charity via taxation isn't enough.

Edited
Show quote history

No having a child with a disability, becoming disabled, your partner dying people don't expect these things but they happen every day to people

DreamyJade · 28/04/2026 21:52

duchyorganiclettuce · 28/04/2026 21:48

This is a stunningly simple concept that MNers will never seem to understand. Having kids is not a human right.

Edited
Show quote history

Should people slaughter their children if their husband’s leave?

duchyorganiclettuce · 28/04/2026 21:51

youalright · 28/04/2026 21:49

No what some mumsnetters don't understand is circumstances change

Show quote history

Circumstances like what? Having a baby when you aren't married, don't have a job or house then being left in the shit when your not-husband leaves? That's not a change in circumstances those are just poor life choices and financial planning.

Pretty sick of my tax money funding people who use children as financial benefit pawns and make poor life decisions and expect to be bailed out and then come here to complain that the lifestyle I provide them through my charity via taxation isn't enough.

XenoBitch · 28/04/2026 21:51

ForWittyTealOP · 28/04/2026 21:48

Yoga mat? Luxury! ;)

Show quote history

Sorry. Maybe a few sheets of kitchen roll then?

duchyorganiclettuce · 28/04/2026 21:50

ForWittyTealOP · 28/04/2026 21:49

It's not.

Show quote history

If it weren't enough to live on why would so many people be happy to take UC than work? Oh right.

youalright · 28/04/2026 21:49

duchyorganiclettuce · 28/04/2026 21:48

This is a stunningly simple concept that MNers will never seem to understand. Having kids is not a human right.

Edited
Show quote history

No what some mumsnetters don't understand is circumstances change

XenoBitch · 28/04/2026 21:49

duchyorganiclettuce · 28/04/2026 21:46

Most people can't save up money even without relying on the charity of taxpayers.

Show quote history

Maybe budgeting should be taught in schools.
The people I know on UC who save are fucking amazing at budgeting.

Original poster
FirmGreyMember · 28/04/2026 21:49

Astrabees · 28/04/2026 21:44

Have you got a bank account with a “save the change” facility? Each time you pay for something with your debit card the amount to round it up to the £ above is saved. If you just want to put aside a small amount for minor repairs etc. this is really useful because you don’t notice you are saving it.

That’s a genuinely helpful suggestion for anyone with even a little room to save. My point was more that for many people on Universal Credit, finding even that little bit of room can be the challenge.

OP posts:
ForWittyTealOP · 28/04/2026 21:49

ParmaVioletTea · 28/04/2026 21:30

Why would you expect to save from money given to you from the public purse?

It should be just enough to live on.

It's not.

youalright · 28/04/2026 21:49

crassida · 28/04/2026 21:48

Don’t have children if you can’t afford it

Show quote history

Should i just put them into care then that will really save the government money 🙄

duchyorganiclettuce · 28/04/2026 21:48

crassida · 28/04/2026 21:48

Don’t have children if you can’t afford it

Show quote history

This is a stunningly simple concept that MNers will never seem to understand. Having kids is not a human right.

crassida · 28/04/2026 21:48

DreamyJade · 28/04/2026 21:47

Maybe to buy your child a new pair of shoes or a winter coat or a birthday present. Maybe to replace a knackered old sofa, or mattress. So many reasons.

Show quote history

Don’t have children if you can’t afford it

ForWittyTealOP · 28/04/2026 21:48

XenoBitch · 28/04/2026 21:25

I am on UC and am saving up to replace my 20 year old bed and mattress. Is that allowed? I guess a cheap yoga mat on the floor is enough.

Show quote history

Yoga mat? Luxury! ;)

ainsleysanob · 28/04/2026 21:47

Coffeeandbooks88 · 28/04/2026 21:44

Why are you jealous then? Count your blessings.

Show quote history

Jealous?! Of what?

DreamyJade · 28/04/2026 21:47

ParmaVioletTea · 28/04/2026 21:30

Why would you expect to save from money given to you from the public purse?

It should be just enough to live on.

Maybe to buy your child a new pair of shoes or a winter coat or a birthday present. Maybe to replace a knackered old sofa, or mattress. So many reasons.

duchyorganiclettuce · 28/04/2026 21:46

XenoBitch · 28/04/2026 21:45

38% of people on UC have a job.

Show quote history

Most people can't save up money even without relying on the charity of taxpayers.

youalright · 28/04/2026 21:46

ainsleysanob · 28/04/2026 21:43

If you manage to read my posts, you’ll understand that at no point have I said that I, personally, can’t afford anything! Savings is not a problem I have. You seem to have very poor comprehension for someone who is so ‘forthright’!

Show quote history

So who are you actually talking about then because most people can save some money unless they either have significant amounts of debt or are just crap with money. Or are you just believing everything that you read that people on 100k a year jobs can't afford to live

ainsleysanob · 28/04/2026 21:46

LadyKenya · 28/04/2026 21:42

Yet you would begrudge someone on UC being able to save a pittance, to try to build a little buffer, for when things go wrong, as they will, and do. Sad!

Show quote history

I would yes, when there a plenty of families, unable to save, because every penny of their earnings is spent paying bills who are not entitled to government help. That’s sad too.

XenoBitch · 28/04/2026 21:45

duchyorganiclettuce · 28/04/2026 21:45

So work.

Edited

38% of people on UC have a job.

oviraptor21 · 28/04/2026 21:45

cadburyegg · 28/04/2026 21:40

Not everyone on UC is eligible for a budgeting advance

Show quote history

If you've not paid off a previous advance then no.