Would AIBU to use these scratchcards or should I save them...

[ToScratchOrNotToScratch]

I am very organised but also very poor and I have a dilemma...

We have had a completely shit six months employment/finances wise (like lots of us I know) topped off by last week - a succession of horrifically timed events like self isolation, a broken washing machine and a bank fuck up. Etc. It goes on and on.

Because I am poor yet organised I have been (thank god) getting a little amount of stuff organised each week for Christmas. We've already gone through the money I've put away. I am eyeing up my stocking drawer (which is just teeny things really, like a shower gel each for the DC, extra long charger cables, that sort of stuff). BUT I have two scratchcards in there, one for DH's and one for DS's (over 18) stockings.

WIBU to do the scratchcards in case they are winning ones? Even £10 would help at the moment, to be honest!

PS I have already gone through the time honoured MN recommendations of checking loyalty cards, eBaying everything not nailed down, I am looking for work, DH has a job 4.45 - 7am and another 8am - 4.30pm. I can't take in ironing. There is nothing down the back of the sofa. We have cut all our bills down as low as possible. We have literally done everything we can already, so I don't need suggestions just scratchcard advice

PPS this is NOT a fucking begging thread - it's meant to be a bit lighthearted in that laugh or you'll cry way, so please don't anyone be a dick I don't have twins and there is money on my electric meter

Oh and if anyone says why are you gambling when you have no money, I swear I will say I'm going to do the scratchcards and will update you...

Then never come back

Just saying

You could do it altruistically - no one wants a losing scratch card on Christmas morning and imagine the disappointment if one's a winner and one is not. You are doing it to SAVE CHRISTMAS.

I would if money is that tight then anything helps. You have already paid for them so they will cost you nothing and they won't be missed in the stockings I'm sure. Hope things improve for you soon.

Ooh so tempting. The trouble is that while they remain unscratched they provide day dreaming value which is the best bit of a scratch card.
Only scratch them if you can bare the disappointment of them being worthless.
Sorry life is crap for you at the moment.

Gosh. I would definitely be scratching. I vote do it! Besides, if you win big, mega xmas gifts all round 🤞

And good luck btw. What a year it's been.

Do it do it.

I'm being altruistic! You see, this is why I like MN

I was thinking I just do one, which is DH's as that's my money anyway but could anyone manage to just do one and leave the other? I don't think I could...

Use the scratch cards. It’s not like they’re a special, personal gift you won’t be able to replace. If you don’t the likelihood is you’ll be wondering until Christmas morning and you’ll have had two months of ‘what if?’

Just do them. Chances are they’re not winning ones but worth a try. Just don’t then replace them- or keep buying more.

Well you see the buying more is what worries me slightly. I am very much that type of person which is why I limit myself to only buying them for stockings at Christmas...

Just do it. They are not gifts until they are actually gifted

Oh and YY to the daydreaming, I just imagined one of them winning £100,000 and putting the photo up and making it into Classics as a heartwarming Christmas thread...

I imagined the whole scenario, it was really quite detailed, Justine rang me and everything

Do it! I can't handle the waiting now I know they're there.

Do them!

I dont have twins

Can I just also leave this here

Also just reminded me i have a scratch card...

Do it!

You have to do them now you've told us about them.

Do it only if you do a live update - 'scratching the first rowv updates - you' ll have so much positivity behind you that you'll have to win something

Do it
I have done exactly this in the past.. won a much needed fiver good luck

This is why I hate scratchcards, they offer so much promise and turn out to be bastards every time. I say scratch them and never buy any more. A chocolate orange instead woud be same price, more Christmassy and not a let down. Hope things improve soon xx

Do it.

I'm having a similar (albeit much less important) dilemma of whether to crack open DS (14 months) advent calendar. We're on day 1 of self-isolating due to a case at his nursery.

Are you sure you can't take in ironing?