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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think people can afford holidays/nice things if they just save?

186 replies

user1488487346 · 19/03/2017 15:49

I have a friend who constantly complains that she wished she could go on holiday, buy this, have money for that etc.

She has a decent job, a nice house, doesn't need/want for anything, she probably eats takeaway 2 times a week (maybe 3) I see this as a waste of money

let's say that's 15 each go, 30/45 euros a week.... lately she's really been complaining and wishing for a holiday, surely if she just stopped having takeaways she'd be able to afford it.. a week in the sun isn't that expensive; book out of season, her and 1 young child possibly 500 total IF even for a week!..

I've said to her before, in a nice way, if you cut down on unnecessary costs you'll have extra in no time.

She's not unhealthy, she just loves pigging out!
Aibu to be annoyed by her constant giving out when I've told her?

OP posts:

SillySongsWithLarry · 19/03/2017 17:18

People often ask how I can afford the things I do. I holiday, do home improvements, have days out etc. I bought a small flat in an area of town that most people don't want to live. I did not a single thing to the flat for nearly 10 years because I couldn't afford to, and when my situation improved I stayed in the small flat rather than extend myself to upsize. Now I've got a small mortgage and a lot more disposable income. The people who wonder how I achieve my lifestyle live in large houses in the nice part of town (SE so house price difference in the hundreds of thousands).

Original poster

user1488487346 · 19/03/2017 17:18

Anne, you highlighted that you had no extra money, so obviously you couldn't save?.... that's why I'm NOT on about you, I'm on about MY friend, which several people have outlined with me in this whole thread.. yes the title says people, but the post is about one person.. it's not that hard to understand.

I never said you could save, you couldn't, that's your situation.

OP posts:

expatinscotland · 19/03/2017 17:19

'Then obviously you are not "skint" and definitely not "properly skint" because skint people can not afford holidays of any description even if it is "just" the train fare.

Properly skint is literally not having a fiver to top up the electricity or money for basic food like bread/milk - Your sanctimonious ignorance has pissed me off!'

Not to mention, they're 'holiday' is lodging themselves on family and friends. Bet you London to a brick they're the types who don't put their hands in their pockets all week as they are 'skint' or lift a finger in the house as they are on holiday. Prolly the subject of MN threads about mooch guests who take the piss.

ilovesooty · 19/03/2017 17:19

Anne she's either ignorant or unpleasant. Either way not worth your time.

BarbaraofSeville · 19/03/2017 17:19

Grand People also have wildly different ideas about how much things need to cost, and what is the minimum acceptable quality too, especially on here.

We've had many holidays in Spain that cost £1000-1500 for two adults for a week eating out most of the time and in mid range accomodation. We could certainly make it cheaper if we had to and would do so if it was the only way we could afford to go. You don't have to spend a lot in Spain because when the weather is nice you can just go to the beach, pool, play park etc and eating out and supermarket food is cheaper than the UK as long as you stick to Spanish brands/places rather than seek out UK brands at ridiculous cost.

But the minimum acceptable quality for a lot on here is a naice villa in the posh end of Mallorca, so will cost £5k+ all in.

If I was spending hundreds of pounds a month on little day to day treats that were non essential and preventing me from affording an annual holiday, I would certainly consider it wasting money.

A takeaway is a relatively expensive treat, especially one that costs 15 euro for 2 people, one of which is a child. Similar treaty low effort food from the supermarket would be less than half the cost.

Annesmyth123 · 19/03/2017 17:20

User you were really nasty to me.

Original poster

user1488487346 · 19/03/2017 17:21

Jeez, people really twist things here, again anne, no one said anything about millions, or even lots, of pounds getting handed to you, i'm just saying, if you're on benefits I'm sure you get just enough to do you.. with no extras, disposable, that's all I meant.

OP posts:

Annesmyth123 · 19/03/2017 17:21

And you're patronising. I'm not stupid. I read your thread title and the post and was pointing out that your thread title is wrong. So please. Stop patronising me and implying I'm stupid.

ilovesooty · 19/03/2017 17:23

You talked about people getting benefits handed to them. Really unpleasant.

PortiaCastis · 19/03/2017 17:24

Jeez some of us are single Mums trying to survive and we don't have enough money to save for holidays and we can't afford take away or to smoke and drink either

Original poster

user1488487346 · 19/03/2017 17:25

No no no, I said getting benefits IS getting money handed to you.....how is it not?

OP posts:

expatinscotland · 19/03/2017 17:26

You're a shit 'friend'. I really hope she sees this and bins you.

ilovesooty · 19/03/2017 17:26

Is that a serious question? Really?

Annesmyth123 · 19/03/2017 17:27

Are you for real?

And that's not in an "are you a troll" sense but in an are people,really so deluded sense.

Original poster

user1488487346 · 19/03/2017 17:28

So getting a sum of money each week without you earning it isn't getting money handed to you?

OP posts:

PortiaCastis · 19/03/2017 17:29

Yes really unpleasant

ImFuckingSpartacus · 19/03/2017 17:30

OP I'm guessing you're Irish and not aware that your phrasing sounds different to British minds.

PortiaCastis · 19/03/2017 17:30

What a shitty condescending thread

pointstaken · 19/03/2017 17:30

So getting a sum of money each week without you earning it isn't getting money handed to you?

you are going to get abused for that.

I do completely agree with you. Why do we consider acceptable to give money to people who chose not to work, I will never know.
We are happy however to refuse medical treatment to people who have worked and paid tax all their lives. Our priorities are astonishing.

HoldMeCloserTonyDanza · 19/03/2017 17:30

Yes, it's definitely different for single parents. Based on the Treasury figures above, probably about a third to half of single parents would really struggle to pay for a holiday (depending on costs of living where they are etc).

Original poster

user1488487346 · 19/03/2017 17:31

Yes I am from Ireland, as stated above, maybe people are getting mixed up with the way I'm saying, i said in my last comment what I really ment, getting a sum of money each week and not earning it yourself, is getting money handed to you

OP posts:

ilovesooty · 19/03/2017 17:31

Benefits are not in general paid weekly. I don't think you know anything about claiming or conditionality either.

expatinscotland · 19/03/2017 17:33

'Why do we consider acceptable to give money to people who chose not to work, I will never know.
We are happy however to refuse medical treatment to people who have worked and paid tax all their lives. '

Bullshit!

Original poster

user1488487346 · 19/03/2017 17:33

poinsttaken yeah exactly but now were going to get plenty of ''but i can't work'' etc etc and there's plenty of cases like that too which is fine, but not everyone of course

OP posts:

ilovesooty · 19/03/2017 17:33

give money to people who chose not to work

The GFs are multiplying.

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