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Original poster

What do you spend child benefit on?

249 replies

Nonymousnurse · 18/02/2023 19:36

I’m a nurse, two DC, married and husband is a middle income earner. We qualify for child benefit but do not receive any other public funds.

I’ve been saving the child benefit, never spent a single pence of it, with the idea of passing it to my DC when they are older. I told MIL this and she looked at me like I’m mad, said she always used it for courses, partie, etc. But I reckon I can get by on our wages so have put the CB in a savings pot. I realise I’m fortunate to be able to do this.

Just wondering if others save or spend their CB.

OP posts:
Okunevo · 20/02/2023 08:44

I think many people are just feeling increasingly desperate right now, or are seeing others who are that would explain an increase in such posts.

BashirWithTheGoodBeard · 20/02/2023 08:45

Well, that's one explanation....

Okunevo · 20/02/2023 08:48

BashirWithTheGoodBeard · 20/02/2023 08:45

Well, that's one explanation....

Skyrocketing cost of living is the most obvious thing that has changed. People who were previously getting by now struggling to make ends meet.

BashirWithTheGoodBeard · 20/02/2023 08:50

As I said, it's one explanation. Of multiple. It's interesting how many threads on the topic of CB seem to be getting started recently, though.

Okunevo · 20/02/2023 09:00

BashirWithTheGoodBeard · 20/02/2023 08:50

As I said, it's one explanation. Of multiple. It's interesting how many threads on the topic of CB seem to be getting started recently, though.

What are the others? Maybe they are started by the government to prepare people to accept further means testing? 🤔

ZeroFucksGivenToday · 20/02/2023 09:01

It's posts like this and criticism of CB that make me think fuck the greater good. I'll vote Tory, because on paper they're better for me. I should give a shit about others (and as I said previously grew up firmly entrenched in the benefits system), but the sheer hypocrisy about I should care about others when the general view is I shouldn't claim something I'm entitled to is astounding.

I always said CB and how it was switched to means tested was a way to divide and conquer and it's proven my point. If everyone hates those who earn around £50k-£60k claiming it and makes snidey comments, don't be surprised when those that were on the receiving end of that give zero shits about your choice to have three kids and now can't feed them. And votes accordingly to what works best for them.

No, I don't donate to foodbanks, I have a specific charity/community group that I support with time and money and resonates a lot with how I grew up.

QuinnofHearts · 20/02/2023 09:02

Gets spent on new clothes and activities.

BashirWithTheGoodBeard · 20/02/2023 09:06

Okunevo · 20/02/2023 09:00

What are the others? Maybe they are started by the government to prepare people to accept further means testing? 🤔

Show quote history

I don't think it would be the first time either political parties or journos have started threads on here to try and moot ideas, so yep, that's one option. It has also been pretty obvious since the income threshold was introduced, as the pp pointed out, that it was done with the longer term intention of divide and conquer. That's what's happening now.

Another explanation, judging by some of the sillier responses, is stupidity. Let's introduce a system that the state will have to administer so that people who I think shouldn't get CB will still be able to save it anyway, there'll just be more hoops to jump through.

Runnerduck34 · 20/02/2023 09:42

When we got it it was absorbed into household spending, we weren't in a position to save it but kids did do clubs/ activities etc so maybe I could say it contributed to that.
Tbh I think your thread is a bit goady.
We lost ours when I was a sahm and DH salary was just over the threshold, it was a huge blow to loose it, sounds like you have 2 good incomes that combined are over the the single income threshold( the rule that they only look a one income to decide if you can get child benefit is batshit )
I know a few people that have just saved it for their DCs but I think more people use it as part of household budget to get by, either is fine.
I wasn't in a position to save ours then we struggled when we lost it and got pissed off when friends with higher joint family incomes told me they were just saving it for their kids and didn't need it.
It's very divisive how the government have decided who is entitled and who isn't as it has nothing to do with total incomes , the system is unfair.

Alexandernevermind · 20/02/2023 09:55

I've already said I have saved mine for first cars or first year of uni accommodation, whichever comes first, but to those saying if you can afford to save it then you shouldn't get it, it really is no one else's business how people manage their finances. The idea of Child Benefit is that its an every child policy, regardless of the wealth of the parents. It was set up to acknowledge the additional costs of raising the important next generation.

BashirWithTheGoodBeard · 20/02/2023 09:59

I always said CB and how it was switched to means tested was a way to divide and conquer and it's proven my point. If everyone hates those who earn around £50k-£60k claiming it and makes snidey comments, don't be surprised when those that were on the receiving end of that give zero shits about your choice to have three kids and now can't feed them. And votes accordingly to what works best for them.

This is a distinct possibility and it worries me.

I won't be voting Tory, partially because I'm on the left and also because they're genuinely unfit to govern at present. And they're obviously going to lose the next GE. But it doesn't even necessarily need to be them doing it.

It's not a good idea to enlarge the number of people who feel they're paying in but not getting anything for their troubles. If public services were functioning adequately, it might not be such a problem, but they're not. Meanwhile the number of people financially disqualified from CB is growing, and as inflation has also increased, so will the number of people in this cohort who'd genuinely miss the money.

Obviously people paying a lot of tax but feeling they don't get much for it isn't a new phenomenon, and we're by definition only talking about those households with minor DC. But growing the size of that cohort, it kicking in lower in the income spectrum and public services being quasi functional or frequently absent, we've not done that before. One doesn't have to sympathise with them to understand that there could be negative repercussions here.

Gwen82 · 20/02/2023 10:08

iloveyankeecandle · 20/02/2023 08:07

@Greenfairydust I was thinking the same! It's meant to be there to financially help kids. Not put into a savings account. Blimey.

Says who? Not the government!

You get Child Benefit if you’re responsible for bringing up a child who is:

under 16
under 20 if they stay in approved education or training
Only one person can get Child Benefit for a child.

There’s no limit to how many children you can claim for.

By claiming Child Benefit, you can get:

an allowance paid to you for each child - you’ll usually get it every 4 weeks
National Insurance credits which count towards your State Pension
a National Insurance number for your child without them having to apply for one
- they’ll usually get the number before they turn 16 years old

No where. No where. Does it save what CB should be used for

Islandofhell · 20/02/2023 10:10

Booze and fags

Tisfortired · 20/02/2023 10:11

It gets paid into my account, and swallowed up with my wages etc but I am the one who buys the majority of stuff for DC, if they need new clothes or a coat, or money for a school trip etc I pay for it.

EvilGoldfish · 20/02/2023 12:07

Gwen82 · 20/02/2023 07:26

@EvilGoldfish

i see from a recent thread you got a puppy.

So presumably you spend money on your puppy? Which could well, gasp, drumroll, be from your CB! 😂

(although you discovered your puppy was a banned breed, but that’s a another story)

Ha! I definitely struck a nerve there didn’t I.

I don’t mind the bizarre personal attacks, though how far back did you have to search back for that painful episode of my past? For those interested in puppy, she was adopted by her wonderful foster family where she can be kept away from visitors and children, and we still keep in touch for updates.

I personally do believe it is morally reprehensible to take money that could be used for children who actually need it to survive, let alone level the playing field, and hoard it in a bank account gaining interest. While some other poor dc needs that money just to keep a roof over their head and buy food.

Also particularly dislike the implication that it’s only because you are ‘frugal’ that you can save the money. Many families could be as frugal as they like, bread and water only, and would still need to use that money to keep their heads above water. But do keep telling yourself it’s only because those parents drink/smoke/buy scratch cards that they can’t also save it.

Doubt the Tory party would ever actually give it to those children in need mind.

If you can afford to not use it at all and stick it in all in a savings account, then you shouldn’t have it. It would be better doubling up the amount for those in actual need.

It’s obviously legal to claim it, I just didn’t in the same situation as we didn’t need to. I did grow up in poverty though.

If there actually was a vote to double disability/cab for those on the poverty line and to take it away from those who can afford it, I would agree with it.

mummyava · 20/02/2023 12:10

No where. No where. Does it save what CB should be used for

Of course it doesn't. You'll have to delve deeper than that. Look into the history, the govt (political party) who introduced it and why, what the intention was behind it.

Gwen82 · 20/02/2023 12:11

2 minute search @EvilGoldfish

and it’s more that those of us who don’t set it aside and specifically spend CB on their children that touched a nerve with you! “Morally reprehensible” suggests a nerve has most definitely be aggravated! 😂

I have just booked a long weekend. With my sister. My children not joining. I’m going to think to myself… I’m spending on this because I’m “morally reprehensible” (and proud of it!)

Gwen82 · 20/02/2023 12:13

mummyava · 20/02/2023 12:10

No where. No where. Does it save what CB should be used for

Of course it doesn't. You'll have to delve deeper than that. Look into the history, the govt (political party) who introduced it and why, what the intention was behind it.

Can’t be arsed.

it pops into my account.

out of which I pay for everything for my children from shoes to extra curricular activities

and oh yes… a shed load on me too!

Gwen82 · 20/02/2023 12:14

Can’t be arsed. to Look into the history, the govt (political party) who introduced it and why, what the intention was behind @mummyava

and it would appear… neither can you! 😆

EvilGoldfish · 20/02/2023 12:16

Gwen82 · 20/02/2023 12:11

2 minute search @EvilGoldfish

and it’s more that those of us who don’t set it aside and specifically spend CB on their children that touched a nerve with you! “Morally reprehensible” suggests a nerve has most definitely be aggravated! 😂

I have just booked a long weekend. With my sister. My children not joining. I’m going to think to myself… I’m spending on this because I’m “morally reprehensible” (and proud of it!)

Bizarre.

Please do point to where I said that people not specifically allocated all of that money to be spent on their dc only were a problem?

I believe I outlined what I found ‘reprehensible’ above, hoarding that specific benefit into a bank account, because you don’t need it, and gaining interest.

Have a lovely weekend. I do enjoy the odd child free one, very relaxing!

Gwen82 · 20/02/2023 12:17

I personally do believe it is morally reprehensible to take money that could be used for children who actually need it to survive, let alone level the playing field, and hoard it in a bank account gaining interest.

but it’s ok to spend it on your puppy?

Gwen82 · 20/02/2023 12:18

So saving the money for your child’s future is “morally reprehensible”

but conversely spending it on a puppy is…. Just fine and dandy

Gwen82 · 20/02/2023 12:19

EvilGoldfish · 20/02/2023 12:16

Bizarre.

Please do point to where I said that people not specifically allocated all of that money to be spent on their dc only were a problem?

I believe I outlined what I found ‘reprehensible’ above, hoarding that specific benefit into a bank account, because you don’t need it, and gaining interest.

Have a lovely weekend. I do enjoy the odd child free one, very relaxing!

Show quote history

Well during the 2 minute search I went down a rabbit warren and it would indicate you definitely don’t seem to enjoy much in life

Gwen82 · 20/02/2023 12:19

And to be fair, justifiably so 💐

EvilGoldfish · 20/02/2023 12:21

Gwen82 · 20/02/2023 12:17

I personally do believe it is morally reprehensible to take money that could be used for children who actually need it to survive, let alone level the playing field, and hoard it in a bank account gaining interest.

but it’s ok to spend it on your puppy?

Seeing as it only takes you two minutes to search my posts from over a year ago, it shouldn’t take you too long to discover that I do not have a puppy.

If you are going to attempt to trawl up a posters history in some kind of very odd and irrelevant ‘gotcha’ argument, merely because they have a different opinion to you, might I suggest…actually reading those posts before using them?

And, once again as it appears you missed it, I do not claim c.b.