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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to hope this family have a lovely Christmas

124 replies

LaurieFairyonthetreeEatsCake · 22/12/2010 11:09

evil daily mail story here

Yes, I wouldn't take out a £1500 loan to pay for Christmas but providing she can pay it off (like she did the last one) then it's up to her.

Have a lovely Christmas if you're reading (and your children are very beautiful) Xmas Smile

OP posts:
lisad123isasnuttyasaboxoffrogs · 22/12/2010 14:04

thing is they include things like free school meals, milk vouchers, rent and council tax. That woman only see £11K a year the rest she never sees. Thats less than £1k a month for everything for 4 children, food, clothes, gas, eletric ect, its hardly living the life of riley is it??!
Im sick and tired of articles like this, they are written to make the middle class feel they are ok to look down on people and its hateful.
Also how many of us say, rasing kids is a fulltime job with little thanks and 24 hour days, so she is working, shes just not lining the pockets of the government.

TheBrandyButterflyEffect · 22/12/2010 14:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

tethersjinglebellend · 22/12/2010 14:10

Well, technically, the title of the piece is correct- assuming 'you' is referring to DM readers.

Because I'm fairly certain that this woman has been paid for the article.

lifeinCrimbo · 22/12/2010 15:24

Oh good point tether - I wonder if they paid her £1500 for the article, which unfortunately will come through just after christmas.

Loshad · 22/12/2010 15:33

lisad - that just doesn't make sense - if you are working and paying your own rent/mortgage and council you don't have it free to spend either.

fluffygal · 22/12/2010 15:45

1K a month left for bills after rent paid?! I'd be rich (well, not rich but would have loads left over to spend)!! And I have 5 kids and a mankid to pay for!

TheBlessedVirginReality · 22/12/2010 15:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

wahwahwah · 22/12/2010 15:51

What kind of irresponsible company would loan someone living on benefits £1.5k? I shudder to think how much the interest is on that.

If she can save £1.5k for Christmas presents from benefits, I am amazed.

But I think the kids are getting waaay too much for Christmas. What will they be after when they are teenagers?

HecTheHallsWithBoughsOfHolly · 22/12/2010 15:53

I think that it was very foolish of her to do this article. People around her will not treat her - and the children - well.

She may find that this causes problems for her and her children.

Re her being able to do it - there will always be people who will take full advantage of whatever system exists.

It's human nature to want to get the most you can, be in the best position you can. Those who will opt to be worse off than they could be because of moral objections you can choose to argue are morally superior human beings but they are sure as hell outnumbered by those who look after number one.

I see it all around me. It's how I understand people to be. It's a jungle out there. everyone's out fighting for themselves.

wahwahwah · 22/12/2010 15:56

I suppose so.

My grandfather refused to take his pension when he had to retire early (in his 50's with a serious heart condition) as he 'easn't entitled to it'. Mum wound't let them send any home helps, etc even though she was completely housebound and unable to walk (very far). God, things are different now!

HalfTermHero · 22/12/2010 16:00

She was no doubt irresponsible having so many children given her circumstances. That said, I don't blame her for not working now. How many people would bother when they could earn more staying at home?

The problem is more with the system. Don't hate the player baby, hate the game.

Mummy2Bookie · 22/12/2010 16:04

The player in this situation deserves all her benefits to be cut off, given a kick up the backside and forced to get a job. Her poor kids, they have no proper role models. They will probably be scroungers too, just like mummy and dead beat daddy.

Original poster
LaurieFairyonthetreeEatsCake · 22/12/2010 16:04

bet away......Mummytobookie Xmas Hmm

I'm not the person in the article and nice mouth you have there Xmas Hmm

I'm just an ordinary 'fat, lazy, bitch' not the one you refer to rather derogatorily in the article.

You should worry about your own Christmas and even though you've been a bit of a arse to me I wish you a Merry Christmas Xmas Smile

OP posts:
Mummy2Bookie · 22/12/2010 16:08

I don't actually like swearing but sometimes i get angry and it's necessary.

Merry christmas Laurie Xmas Smile

I do apologize if you're not that dead beat lady.

lisad123isasnuttyasaboxoffrogs · 22/12/2010 16:49

yes but its not 1K after rent is it, food must be about £400-£500 a month, gas and electric £200, car costs ect.
Yes we dont get free rent or morgage but I dont begrudge someone a good enough living standard, especially children!
So should all people on benifits be living in houses that are too small, with bare stuff, cheapo food and no xmas?
Why do we grudge children nice things? I grew up in a house with 4 children and dad working but very little money into the house, my parents tried but still knew we were on poor side of social ladder, even as a kid :(

fluffygal · 22/12/2010 17:37

Um, 500 a month on food? I spend about 250-300, if that, although my children are younger so eat less. Gas and electric 200 a month?!!!! That is extortionate, mine is £34 a month for both. Then my water is £20, no sky just freeview, £20 broadband, £10 for my mobile contract, £5 for OH's phone contract, petrol about £150-200. So that would leave me just over £400 left a month, lovely!!!

But thats besides the point, up to the woman what she chooses to get into debt for, but I'm pretty sure she won't pay it all back by next christmas. So what happens then? Another loan out for christmas 2011?

lisad123isasnuttyasaboxoffrogs · 22/12/2010 20:25

wow, how do you keep your gas and electric so low!! Mine is £160 a month for both!
My moneys on another loan next year, would likely to the doorstep lender Confused

fluffygal · 22/12/2010 20:30

Lisa- I use a comparison site to make sure I go with the cheapest company, everything is turned off at the mains, only light on in the room we are in, heating not on 24/7. My house has cavity wall insulation and isn't a mansion, don't know if that has anything to do with it? My neighbour pays £61 each for theirs, they're heating is always on though and she thinks keeping the tv on all day is cheaper then turning it on and off when you need it!

amberleaf · 22/12/2010 20:45

£34 a month for both gas and electricity??!!!!

Re living on benefits- highly likely she would have a card pre pay meter which costs more.

jester68 · 22/12/2010 20:53

To be honest I am past caring what others do with their children etc this time of the year.

We have spent only around £155 on our 2 children for christmas and they have plenty with that (that is together not each)

Though we could have spent more if we had wanted too there was no need. Our eldest is nearly 5 and only had 3 things she wanted on her list to santa. We got them and a few stocking fillers as well.

My youngest will be barely 7 months old so we just brought her a few little bits to open and also so our eldest does not think santa forgot the baby lol.

BaroqinAroundTheChristmasTree · 22/12/2010 21:04

"The player in this situation deserves all her benefits to be cut off, given a kick up the backside and forced to get a job. Her poor kids, they have no proper role models."

??? it says she's intending to work once her youngest starts full time education - that's extremely common among single parents on benefits.

porcamiseria · 22/12/2010 23:14

she is a fucking freeloading skiving TWAT, whilst i would never wish ill on strangers I cannot believe you think this is worth my sympathy

lisad123isasnuttyasaboxoffrogs · 22/12/2010 23:42

end of the day she has taken what the goverment has given her, she doesnt decide what she gets, they do. But hey lets blame her instead Hmm

BaroqinAroundTheChristmasTree · 22/12/2010 23:56

"What kind of irresponsible company would loan someone living on benefits £1.5k? I shudder to think how much the interest is on that."

Well - I have a Very (used to be littlewoods direct) account. Use it for odd bits and pieces - the interest rate is extortionate (39.9%) but you get a couple of months interest free on most purchases - which gives me a chance to be greedy occcasioally and "have it now" - and then pay it off - rather than save up for 3 months and wait for it Xmas Blush)

I got the account just over 2yrs ago (while on benefits). They opened my credit account with £1k. My credit limit on there now??........a staggering £3700!!! (thankfully I've got enough sense not to use it but it's sat there for me to spend if I wasn't so careful with my money.

Capital One credit cards also gave me a credit card (also around 40% apr) 2yrs ago too (it's my "emergency" card) - initially gave me £1k credit - this summer doubled it to £2k!

So between 2 companies I have at my disposal £5700 in credit Xmas Shock!!!!

And - believe it or not - these are more "reputable" companies..........there are other much dodgier ones that will loan more, and at even higher interest rates.

"she is a fucking freeloading skiving TWAT"

am I as well then seen as though I'm not working and almost certainly won't until DS3 starts school next September???

lisad123isasnuttyasaboxoffrogs · 22/12/2010 23:58

doorstep loans are as high as 2000% apr!