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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

aibu to think it's cheeky when..

46 replies

Laura0608 · 31/03/2014 16:50

People living on benefits say that ' money is no object' when it comes to buying unnecessary things for their child or paying for holidays?

OP posts:
formerbabe · 31/03/2014 16:53

Do they say that?

Original poster
Laura0608 · 31/03/2014 16:54

Three people I know have!

OP posts:
Floggingmolly · 31/03/2014 16:55

How could money be no object when your disposable income is curtailed by the amount of benefits you get? Confused
Surely even people who qualify for a lot are hardly living a money no object lifestyle?

EverythingsDozy · 31/03/2014 16:55

Yeah it's funny that. I'm (unfortunately) living on benefits and I certainly don't say that. In fact, it's untrue - money is an object. We sure don't have any to spare to buy luxuries like holidays.

formerbabe · 31/03/2014 16:58

I'm a little skeptical that people living on benefits book holidays with the idea that money is no object.

Are they all off for 3 weeks to Barbados flying first class then?

If the holiday comes to more than they can afford, do they just rock up to the job centre to ask for an increase?

santaandthearmadillo · 31/03/2014 16:59

never heard anyone on benefits say that. YABU

Nomama · 31/03/2014 16:59

Oddly I too know one family who claim every benefit known to humankind, and they too have a money is no object attitude when it comes to 'stuff' that keeps them up with the Joneses.

I hate to think what their levels of debt are. But there is nothing I can do as they are living every day like it is a gift. For that is why it is called the present.

I hope that was a song or something, cos of she says it again I will definitely puke!

WilsonFrickett · 31/03/2014 17:00

I've never actually heard anyone say that to be honest. Money is an object, or else everyone would be flying first class and buying ipads for 2 month olds, wouldn't they?

Original poster
Laura0608 · 31/03/2014 17:11

I'd count a trip to London a holiday. IPad for kid I'd call a luxury. Even if it's saved for, surely saying ' money is no object's is downright cheeky? I don't mean all are like that, I was talking about people I know though.

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 31/03/2014 17:12

People I know.

Of course.

Hmm
slartybartfast · 31/03/2014 17:13

perhaps money is no object because they live hand to mouth and any spare cash gets spent like water.

slartybartfast · 31/03/2014 17:14

are you questioning whether they can afford thigns op and they are just annoyed with you?

Viviennemary · 31/03/2014 17:16

I've not heard anybody say that whether or not they are on benefits. I must move in the wrong circles.

fideline · 31/03/2014 17:18

Maybe it's bravado? Guilt about current circs? Determination that their children won't miss out (albeit possibly misdirected) because of the misfortune or mistales of the parents?

Maybe there is something about you and the attitude you project that is making these 'people' feel inferior/judged/defensive/defiant?

fideline · 31/03/2014 17:19

'Cheeky' is a strange word to use unless you (feel that you) are personally bankrolling them Hmm.

fideline · 31/03/2014 17:22

(you're not BTW)

DebbieOfMaddox · 31/03/2014 17:23

So they aren't allowed to say it, even though they don't actually mean it (after all, they aren't enrolling the child for Eton or flying off to spend a month on Necker Island, so money clearly is an object)?

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 31/03/2014 17:24

Maybe they meant that they didn't begrudge spending any spare/saved money on treating their child to something nice? I see nothing wrong with that.

feathermucker · 31/03/2014 17:26

Literally never heard anyone on benefits say that.

Maybe they're talking in terms of their child/ren being the most important.

What unnecessary items are we talking about?

HowContraryMary · 31/03/2014 17:26

I know people for whom living on welfare is harrowing with corners cut so tight and they still find it difficult to heat the house and eat properly.

But I do know people who also seem to be awash with cash.

I know that they are legally entitled to it - no fraudulent claims - but there is a moral issue in the same way that someone who is claiming what they are entitles to goes cold and hungry. It just highlights a flaw in the system

Original poster
Laura0608 · 31/03/2014 17:27

I think it's insulting to anyone who pays taxes and to people on benefits who would never dream of having that kind of attitude. Saying 'money is not object' is incredibly crass in my opinion.

OP posts:
fluffyraggies · 31/03/2014 17:28

OP said ''buying unnecessary things for their child or paying for holidays''.

Then: ''I'd count a trip to London a holiday. IPad for kid I'd call a luxury.''

So really this is more about what OP feels is 'necessary, or a luxury, isn't it?

No one i know says ''money is no object''. Even when it isn't!

fideline · 31/03/2014 17:28

But what was the context? What were you saying or asking?

fideline · 31/03/2014 17:29

Questioning their spending perhaps?

Martorana · 31/03/2014 17:29

You've been reading The Sun again, haven't you, OP?

Nobody on benefits could possibly say that and mean it.