What would you do with 22k

[Sundaysaturday]

In this situation what would you do with 22k person is on low income. Not in work due to child with special needs. Has been though alot mental health domestic violence. Is soon to be moving into a different council home.

I would save it for the house ,my dh inherited £15,000 last year whilst it was very appreciated it doesn't last as long as you think it will particularly if ,she's going. to need all new furniture

@GettingThemFromHereToThere I think you're very rude.
To quote George Bailey in Its a wonderful Life-

"Well, is it too much to have them work and pay and live and die in a couple of decent rooms and a bath? Anyway, my father didn't think so. People were human beings to him"

If this person wants to be comfortable in their home why shouldn't they? Or should that only be for rich people?

@Sundaysaturday my last holiday was 16 years ago yeah it's "nice" but it isn't a necessity

I agree I think its alot of money. But not at the same time. By the time she's furnished and decorated her new home. That's a big chunk. If she decides to get a car which she's wanted for a long time. With insurance that's another big chunk.

I’d keep my beak out. It’s really not worth giving it headspace. She’ll do want she wants

I have told her not to tell anyone. Because there's always people who will be happy to spend it for her. I suggested if she's happy and excited she can always show what she's proud of after . Agree with your whole post really.

Of course it's not. But after everything she has been through it would be nice if she can. I will encourage her to do the more important things first though.

Priority 1 would be decorating and furnishing her home to a decent standard so it's going to last a few years. Ikea, supermarkets etc all perfectly satisfactory quality if she can't find what she needs second hand, although it's always worth a look.

I would also look at paying for driving lessons and getting a car if she's going to be able to afford to run and maintain one going forwards. Would she be entitled to a mobility car for DC with special needs?

I'd also aim to save a few thousand so she has an emergency fund going forwards and aim to keep a level of savings where it doesn't affect her UC but she can cope with ups and downs in costs - eg car repairs when needed or so she can have holidays and do other activities with DC.

Plus maybe a small holiday, sounds like she's been through a lot.

Perhaps go through a list of priorities with her to help her map out how to use the money over the next year. All the things I've suggested are normal costs and responsible choices that will enhance her life so easy defendable should she be accused of squandering the money, which clearly it isn't. It's obviously better than using it to just enhance lifestyle spending - living on takeaways, lots of clothes etc where she won't have anything to show for it.

I think this is great advice. Some away in savings, the rest for essential purchases to replace any broken furniture and pay off debts.

I would avoid holidays etc as she needs a cushion of cash for the future.

Exactly she's already been having lessons . But she's failed her test twice. So shes feeling a bit dishearten. But she's already paid out for x amount of lessons. It would be a waste if she did not keep trying. And it would be a big thing for her. And for her sin to he does not cope well on public transport.

Being comfortable doesn't equate to needing to buy new.

You may find me rude, and I'm sorry if that's how it's come across, but something I've learned over years of my experience and that of my friends and family, is the people who have done best, in terms of financial stability and freedom, is that it always pays to save. It never pays to live in the moment.

I'm sorry if that's not what you want to hear, but it's true. Yes, it feels great to live in a modern home with a holiday and new bits and bobs, but that will feel great for a year or two max.

Knowing your child has a nest egg for when they gain independence, and being able to pay your essentials without falling into debt with high interest, is priceless and will feel great for life. Money makes money. Debt makes debt.

Why not pay off debts??! Absolutely pay off any debts you have first.

I'd spend it on a 3 month trip to Australia via some other places

Id buy some new furniture eg new mattress and ikea cheap sofas.
You can get some stuff on freecyle, can he drive?

I second the suggestion for a small cheap holiday and whole heartedly say invest some, and put some into premium bonds.
Invest at least 4 grand into a low cost index fund.
Don't let it fritter away.

6k savings
16 k driving lessons and car and small holiday and do up new house.
also pay off any debt
this will leave her with car and home paid for, no debt and an important life skill a brilliant new start

Where is everyone getting "debt" from I can't see the op mention it.
As I said before I own my property, very little of the furniture is new, I've paid to change floors , bathrooms, kitchen etc I need to pay for the roof to be checked. I've paid for two mobility scooters , I'll be paying for a wheelchair suitable car. I've not had a holiday in 16 years. I'm not sure why a holiday is a priority? Surely a priority is a need not a want?
Would the ops daughter be "allowed" a nest egg? I don't claim to know anything about benefits .

Op I agree with the poster re furniture.

If I could show you what I've got for free from freecyle which is now usually on Facebook you would be amazed.
I've rarely brought brand new unless argos ikea etc the attractive furniture I had is completely free.
That includes child buggy, child beds wardrobe, drawers, dining table side tables magazine racks, out door furniture sets, toys picture frames!

What is a holiday? To many people on here it's a 5 grand all inclusive to Turkey
To many others it's a self booked, air b n b, easy jet flight to somewhere local? Costs a grand maximum.

Once you have some money behind you, you can save for everything and then you don't get into debt.
So if she wants a car it would be prudent to start putting away 50 quid a month or more for further car expenses: insurance, tax, mot. And get into that habit of saving for different things with 500 I would start a speficic car fund. Soley for what I've mentioned.
With 500 and a rolling 50 going in she would always have enough to cover expenses.
Even if she had to top up it would be a lot less than trying to find 600 at once.

Again for a holiday fund, she could start it with 500 and add to each month until she can afford a short break. With money going in each month she can accumulate for the next year.

Same with saving, get several thousand into a high interest saving account and add to it each month. Have some in pb and invest into the stock market.

Another thing she should do unless she's in line to inherit early is a sipp. Self invested personal pension. If she put. Grand in the gov adds to that but even if she didn't, it would grow quite a bit by the time she retires simply by growing in the stock market.

Doing all this would allow her the luxury of some small new stuff, and a small reasonable holiday perhaps 2 nights in a luxury bed and breakfast?

Set herself up for now and the future by spreading her money around her like a comfort blanket and a safety net.
It would mean she wouldn't have to worry about future bills or if she in two years wanted a break she can afford one.

I’d use it to try and get myself on my feet & into employment asap. Further education or training perhaps. I wouldn’t be blowing it on furniture etc. She needs to think long term & secure her & her child’s future.

Renovate the house I was moving into. Nice carpets, nice wall coverings nice curtains, good quality furniture.

Her child has special needs . She (needs) furniture, flooring , wallpaper, beds, sofas, clothes storage. She can't live in a shell. She's not able to work.

Definitely a freezer. Buying slightly larger packs usually works out cheaper whatever kind of diet you have. And a washing machine. How important would a tumble drier be? I'm guessing even if she only has average amounts of washing, being able to dry it quickly would improve their lives.

I don't know what the quality is of second-hand white goods, but I expect there's a charity somewhere that organises that sort of thing. British Heart Foundation shops have a big thing about second-hand furniture (and they're very picky, they wouldn't take our old vintage wooden stuff).

Would her son be able to appreciate National Trust properties? That's something that's a not-trivial upfront cost but then can be free for the whole year. Any other local attractions/activities that offer annual tickets.