Page 3 | To think saving on Universal Credit is extremely difficult?

FirmGreyMember · 2026-04-28T19:42:46+00:00

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?

PyongyangKipperbang · 29/04/2026 23:02

CousinBette · 29/04/2026 22:42

You’re still paying for the existence of her children. She’ll be claiming child benefit, they’ll go to an NHS hospital when they need to be seen at A&E, NHS staff will treat her children’s injuries, etc etc.

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Dont forget the free prescriptions, free eye tests, free school meals for KS1 if they are in state school......

Allergictoironing · 29/04/2026 23:00

duchyorganiclettuce · 29/04/2026 22:45

In 20 years one should have considerable savings, enough to purchase a modest flat outright at least.

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Bit hard when you earn just about enough to pay your bills and maybe go on holiday once a year.

Let me think - typical "modest" flat in the SE will cost you about £150k if you aren't too fussy about area, so over 20 years that means she would have to be able to save £7.5k every single year after tax. And presumably her former husband too, so he can buy his "modest flat". On top of tax, NI and all the living costs.

Dunno how a couple on e.g. £60k pa gross combined is supposed to save £15k a year "spare" money.

Same with those talking about insurance - I know people who have had to opt out of their employer's pension as it's unaffordable for them, insurance wouldn't be a high priority over things such as feeding them all, clothing especially children who need new clothes regularly, getting too and from work....

CousinBette · 29/04/2026 22:55

duchyorganiclettuce · 29/04/2026 22:50

Working hard.

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😂😂😂

Working hard at what? Carer? Midwife? Teacher? Administrator? Warehouse manager? Shop worker? Postal worker? Beautician?

youalright · 29/04/2026 22:50

CousinBette · 29/04/2026 22:42

You’re still paying for the existence of her children. She’ll be claiming child benefit, they’ll go to an NHS hospital when they need to be seen at A&E, NHS staff will treat her children’s injuries, etc etc.

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I know. I can't believe anyone with kids can honestly stand there and moan about paying for other people.

duchyorganiclettuce · 29/04/2026 22:50

CousinBette · 29/04/2026 22:46

Where did you get your Tudor house with exposed beams from then?

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Working hard.

ForWittyTealOP · 29/04/2026 22:49

XenoBitch · 29/04/2026 22:47

According to what outdated social script?

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Jane Austen by the sound of it!

ilovesooty · 29/04/2026 22:48

duchyorganiclettuce · 29/04/2026 22:45

In 20 years one should have considerable savings, enough to purchase a modest flat outright at least.

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Not everyone's in a position to do that. I underwent a protracted and expensive divorce too and didn't have enough in savings just to trot off and buy another property. As I said I've been lucky enough to be able to rebuild my life but not everyone can.

XenoBitch · 29/04/2026 22:47

duchyorganiclettuce · 29/04/2026 22:45

In 20 years one should have considerable savings, enough to purchase a modest flat outright at least.

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According to what outdated social script?

argybargymargy · 29/04/2026 22:47

duchyorganiclettuce · 29/04/2026 22:45

In 20 years one should have considerable savings, enough to purchase a modest flat outright at least.

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Not if you're subject to post separation abuse as it sounds was the case for this poster - her husband dragged out the process deliberately to drain her of her financial assets.

ForWittyTealOP · 29/04/2026 22:47

XenoBitch · 29/04/2026 22:38

Ah well... many years later I would still be living it up on my insurance pay out of £3.50pw. Actually, it would be less as you don't get your full previous wage anyway.

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£2 per week and all the papers you can read (well what else are you going to be doing?).

CousinBette · 29/04/2026 22:46

duchyorganiclettuce · 29/04/2026 22:45

In 20 years one should have considerable savings, enough to purchase a modest flat outright at least.

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Where did you get your Tudor house with exposed beams from then?

duchyorganiclettuce · 29/04/2026 22:45

ilovesooty · 29/04/2026 22:43

She had savings. You even quoted her post where she said so.

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In 20 years one should have considerable savings, enough to purchase a modest flat outright at least.

ilovesooty · 29/04/2026 22:43

duchyorganiclettuce · 29/04/2026 22:39

In 20 years you bought no house, accrued no savings? You had 2 decades to get some security sorted for your kids knowing 50% of marriages end. I'm sorry, but you made some poor choices and you are exactly the sort of case I was referring to.

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She had savings. You even quoted her post where she said so.

CousinBette · 29/04/2026 22:42

youalright · 29/04/2026 22:37

Did you pay privately when you gave birth to your children are they going to a private school or am I paying for them

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You’re still paying for the existence of her children. She’ll be claiming child benefit, they’ll go to an NHS hospital when they need to be seen at A&E, NHS staff will treat her children’s injuries, etc etc.

youalright · 29/04/2026 22:42

happybug1234 · 29/04/2026 22:12

Why do people think universal credit is a lifestyle choice? Of course you shouldn’t be able to save money whilst on it…

Being disabled isn't a lifestyle choice either so i can't save up for if my boiler or car breaks because I'm disabled

ilovesooty · 29/04/2026 22:42

Radio silence from @GoldebWeasel i see. Not surprised.

youalright · 29/04/2026 22:39

Fluffordirt · 29/04/2026 22:12

It’s only an issue if they haven’t insured themselves against long term disability. Who wouldn’t have done that? You’d have to be pretty financially irresponsible! I’ve done it since my very first job.

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Because some people's conditions are congenital. Check your privelage

duchyorganiclettuce · 29/04/2026 22:39

YoureOnTheRightTrack · 29/04/2026 22:05

This is such a horrific oversimplification. Or maybe just goady asstwattery.
I’ll rise anyway.
I WAS married, for over 20 years, to someone who was decent, until we got divorced…when he had a personality transplant and left me with 2 children who he only sporadically saw or cared for and paid maintainence when he felt like it.
I then had to get a job that would fit around them and their school hours, which pretty much left me with minimum wage options. Even working 40/50 hour weeks left me unable to pay rent, bills and all their needs. UC was the only option.
I hate taking it. I’ve worked all my life, paid taxes all my life and due to a change in circumstances I now need it.
There were very few assets from the divorce, enough to pay the HUGE divorce fees with the solicitor, (despite wanting the divorce he protracted the process for years so he could run my savings down) deposit on a house rental, buy new furniture and get a second hand car.
I then got seriously ill and couldnt work during treatment.
I make it through every month. Just. But if my car goes, or my cooker, or any other major appliances then I’m stuffed.
But yeah, all UC recipients are just feckless scroungers that want a free ride and should stop whinging about wanting a buffer. I clearly don’t meet your criteria for a human being who would like just a bit of security if things go wrong.

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In 20 years you bought no house, accrued no savings? You had 2 decades to get some security sorted for your kids knowing 50% of marriages end. I'm sorry, but you made some poor choices and you are exactly the sort of case I was referring to.

CousinBette · 29/04/2026 22:38

GoldebWeasel · 29/04/2026 22:28

Ha ha, I rest my case.

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Do less than 50 hours a week then. You’ll pay less in tax and NI (or ‘charity’ as you called it earlier). Then you will be contributing less to the welfare state and to all those claimants. Win-win.

XenoBitch · 29/04/2026 22:38

ForWittyTealOP · 29/04/2026 22:35

It would have been terribly shameful to have to claim that £3.50 a week in benefits!

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Ah well... many years later I would still be living it up on my insurance pay out of £3.50pw. Actually, it would be less as you don't get your full previous wage anyway.

youalright · 29/04/2026 22:37

GoldebWeasel · 29/04/2026 22:10

The free nursery places I wasn’t allowed access to added up to about £4K a month alone, yet I subsidise them for you. If you think for one minute this is sustainable or you have any moral superiority by taking so much off others, then it’s you who needs to give you’re head a wobble.

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Did you pay privately when you gave birth to your children are they going to a private school or am I paying for them

argybargymargy · 29/04/2026 22:37

GoldebWeasel · 29/04/2026 22:20

It’s a shame you can’t recognise the selfishness in this attitude or recognise the anger at the moment from the people keeping the system going. It will soon become hard to ignore. I can assure you that us net tax payers do exist, you just don’t meet us often as we’re working 50 hours a week to keep a roof over your head.

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I'm not on UC but I know loads of net tax payers - they have comfortable if not lavish lifestyles and are very well rewarded for their hard work. It's only right that the people who can pay on account of their good fortune and health support those who can't due in most cases to disability, caring responsibilities or temporary unemployment. There is nothing selfish about living on welfare or having it subsidise you if you are unable to work or to work enough hours to cover your needs. The average person in the UK goes on 4 holidays a year with many in the above average category going on 5, 6 7 or even 8 holidays a year. We are not a poor country that cannot afford to support those who haven't been so lucky. The average UK citizen has wealth of over £250,000.

XenoBitch · 29/04/2026 22:37

ilovesooty · 29/04/2026 22:34

So @GoldebWeasel do you think those unable to work should be on the street then?

She would probably be the first to complain when she trips over them when leaving Waitrose. Would probably sue them if she hurt herself.

Locutus2000 · 29/04/2026 22:36

Fuck's sake people, stop falling for obvious trolls/bots/whatfuckingever.

ForWittyTealOP · 29/04/2026 22:35

XenoBitch · 29/04/2026 22:31

I earnt £3.50 a week, plus 75p for knowing all the rounds and being available to cover them.
But yeah, I should have been getting some sort of insurance in case I was ill.

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It would have been terribly shameful to have to claim that £3.50 a week in benefits!