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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:
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5
duchyorganiclettuce · 28/04/2026 21:45

So work.

Coffeeandbooks88 · 28/04/2026 21:44

ainsleysanob · 28/04/2026 21:39

I’m mortgage free, I have one child that I can afford to do anything I like with really because I didn’t have too many kids that I couldn’t afford, I have a lovely life and a good job! I don’t need your ‘advice’! Thanks though, I’ll bear it mind for when I want to fleece the taxpayer so I can buy a microwave!

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Why are you jealous then? Count your blessings.

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.

ainsleysanob · 28/04/2026 21:43

youalright · 28/04/2026 21:40

So why can't you save i have a mortgage and i still manage to save money

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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’!

LadyKenya · 28/04/2026 21:42

ainsleysanob · 28/04/2026 21:39

I’m mortgage free, I have one child that I can afford to do anything I like with really because I didn’t have too many kids that I couldn’t afford, I have a lovely life and a good job! I don’t need your ‘advice’! Thanks though, I’ll bear it mind for when I want to fleece the taxpayer so I can buy a microwave!

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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!

LadyVioletBridgerton · 28/04/2026 21:41

Why should people on UC be saving taxpayers money (yes, I’m aware that a lot of people on UC work) Point being, many of the people who pay taxes to fund UC can’t afford to save so it would be a real slap in the face to them to find out that people are saving it. It’s for essentials, not Disneyworld.

crassida · 28/04/2026 21:41

ainsleysanob · 28/04/2026 21:39

I’m mortgage free, I have one child that I can afford to do anything I like with really because I didn’t have too many kids that I couldn’t afford, I have a lovely life and a good job! I don’t need your ‘advice’! Thanks though, I’ll bear it mind for when I want to fleece the taxpayer so I can buy a microwave!

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What a legend

XenoBitch · 28/04/2026 21:41

ainsleysanob · 28/04/2026 21:37

I’m not crap with money love! Nor do I have any broken appliances! But your post goes to show just how out of touch you are! It really does! Hilarious really!

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Sorry but @youalright does have a point.
There was a thread on here were OP was on £100k+ and said they were so "broke" due to CoL that they would have to cancel Netflix (which I have and is £6pm). People like that are the ones that are tone deaf and out of touch.
If you are on a high salary and have to cut back on Netflix then you are shit with money.

crassida · 28/04/2026 21:40

ainsleysanob · 28/04/2026 21:32

I don’t care whether she fees glee or not! Benefits should not enable a person to acquire savings ‘for emergencies’ when people who are not in receipt
of them stand no chance of being able to do the same.

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Completely agree.
The benefit system broke this country

Coconutter24 · 28/04/2026 21:40

youalright · 28/04/2026 21:32

Why this is the reality of the majority of people on uc their disabled, carers, minimum wage workers. Uc isn't just for out of work people as a stop gap the majority of people on it won't be coming off it. So this whole well you don't deserve a fridge until you get a job or until you get a better job doesn't work

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That’s the point, we all know there’s lots of families that work full time and receive UC but that poster is questioning whether people on UC work full time because they obviously think people on it don’t work (judging by their comments) and then your answer with work part time and are disabled is just ammunition for the poster because they’re obviously here to bash people with little knowledge about what their on about. Of course there’s lots of disabled on UC and minimum wage workers, that’s why it’s there to help them

cadburyegg · 28/04/2026 21:40

oviraptor21 · 28/04/2026 21:36

You can get a budgeting advance on UC for essentials.

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Not everyone on UC is eligible for a budgeting advance

youalright · 28/04/2026 21:40

ainsleysanob · 28/04/2026 21:39

I’m mortgage free, I have one child that I can afford to do anything I like with really because I didn’t have too many kids that I couldn’t afford, I have a lovely life and a good job! I don’t need your ‘advice’! Thanks though, I’ll bear it mind for when I want to fleece the taxpayer so I can buy a microwave!

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So why can't you save i have a mortgage and i still manage to save money

youalright · 28/04/2026 21:39

ainsleysanob · 28/04/2026 21:37

I’m not crap with money love! Nor do I have any broken appliances! But your post goes to show just how out of touch you are! It really does! Hilarious really!

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How am I out of touch i live in the same country as you i still have to pay out everything you have to pay out the only difference is i get less money then you and I am good with money so can save

ainsleysanob · 28/04/2026 21:39

youalright · 28/04/2026 21:37

Why don't you write down your income and outgoings and i will tell you where you can cut back to help you save.

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I’m mortgage free, I have one child that I can afford to do anything I like with really because I didn’t have too many kids that I couldn’t afford, I have a lovely life and a good job! I don’t need your ‘advice’! Thanks though, I’ll bear it mind for when I want to fleece the taxpayer so I can buy a microwave!

Original poster
FirmGreyMember · 28/04/2026 21:37

crassida · 28/04/2026 21:32

How about getting a proper job?

What a strange thing to say on a thread discussing the realities of saving on Universal Credit.

OP posts:
ainsleysanob · 28/04/2026 21:37

youalright · 28/04/2026 21:33

But why can't you wages are more then benefits. Its not people on benefits fault your crap with money

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I’m not crap with money love! Nor do I have any broken appliances! But your post goes to show just how out of touch you are! It really does! Hilarious really!

youalright · 28/04/2026 21:37

ainsleysanob · 28/04/2026 21:35

And the people not in receipt of benefits who cannot possibly save should so what?! None of you seem to be able to answer that!

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Why don't you write down your income and outgoings and i will tell you where you can cut back to help you save.

XenoBitch · 28/04/2026 21:36

youalright · 28/04/2026 21:29

I think the problem is uc has changed and people haven't realised they have put everyone in the same group now so uc isn't just a stop gap now its a forever benefit for a lot of people. Its interesting that nobody ever complained when it was called working tax credit now its called uc its a problem

Yep! UC has replaced the legacy benefits. WTC was for people in work, ESA was for people too sick to work, and JSA was for people looking for work. Now they are all called the same thing... UC.

oviraptor21 · 28/04/2026 21:36

exhaustedandoverit · 28/04/2026 20:47

What if something breaks, car, white goods, school trip etc? There’s nothing wrong with having a savings pot for emergencies. You’re allowed up to £6k with no sanction.

It is hard OP, have you done an I&E to see if there’s anything that could be cut back on to put some aside? If you’re paying out on any debt could this be looked at to see if you’re paying too much?

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You can get a budgeting advance on UC for essentials.

ainsleysanob · 28/04/2026 21:35

youalright · 28/04/2026 21:24

People on benefits still need to be able to save for stuff just like people not on benefits. Being on benefits doesn't mean your boiler doesn't break or your car doesn't break or you should never go on holiday ever again

And the people not in receipt of benefits who cannot possibly save should so what?! None of you seem to be able to answer that!

Original poster
FirmGreyMember · 28/04/2026 21:35

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.

I’m not saying people should be building large savings from benefits. I’m talking about having enough breathing room to put aside even very small amounts for emergencies - a broken kettle, replacing essentials, an unexpected bill - so every minor setback doesn’t become a financial crisis. That’s a very different point.

OP posts:
LadyKenya · 28/04/2026 21:34

ainsleysanob · 28/04/2026 21:32

I don’t care whether she fees glee or not! Benefits should not enable a person to acquire savings ‘for emergencies’ when people who are not in receipt
of them stand no chance of being able to do the same.

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It is just as well that we don't all think the same way then.

youalright · 28/04/2026 21:33

ainsleysanob · 28/04/2026 21:32

I don’t care whether she fees glee or not! Benefits should not enable a person to acquire savings ‘for emergencies’ when people who are not in receipt
of them stand no chance of being able to do the same.

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But why can't you wages are more then benefits. Its not people on benefits fault your crap with money

youalright · 28/04/2026 21:32

Coconutter24 · 28/04/2026 21:30

You’re not really helping the cause there lol

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Why this is the reality of the majority of people on uc their disabled, carers, minimum wage workers. Uc isn't just for out of work people as a stop gap the majority of people on it won't be coming off it. So this whole well you don't deserve a fridge until you get a job or until you get a better job doesn't work

ainsleysanob · 28/04/2026 21:32

LadyKenya · 28/04/2026 21:23

What has that got to do with the fact, that the poster was expressing absolute glee?

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I don’t care whether she fees glee or not! Benefits should not enable a person to acquire savings ‘for emergencies’ when people who are not in receipt
of them stand no chance of being able to do the same.