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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what you do with child benefit

217 replies

Gemma273 · 30/06/2022 22:37

Basically this.. so I've always since my DC has been born split it in half, half into savings account for DC, half into our account to cover clothes, shoes, activities etc for DC. This discussion recently came up at a toddler group I go to and everyone said they put it into savings and now I feel guilty that I split it.

So what do you do?

OP posts:
HoneyFlowers · 30/06/2022 23:42

It's all spent on my child... He chooses games, books, activities, clothes... Things he needs and items and activities to help his brain grow.

Newmumatlast · 30/06/2022 23:44

Kite22 · 30/06/2022 23:03

When we received it, it was part of the household budget.
Things like heating, food, clothes and school shoes etc.

If that many people are saving it, the system needs a major overhaul. I am not sure why people think "the public purse" should be giving savings to so many children, when there are so many families having to use food banks and being unable to put the heating on. Confused

I agree. As a start, the means testing should be changed so rather than it being if any individual in the house earns the threshold it should be based on the total household income as you will have lots of households where they collectively earn just under so can claim it yet another single earner household is over and so get it clawed back. In theory neither household needs it.

SugarNspices · 30/06/2022 23:45

Use it for my kids clothes, shoes and activities if any left. What it's for surely.

Runnerbeansflower · 30/06/2022 23:45

Part of the household income. I can't afford to put it aside.

RightOnTheEdge · 30/06/2022 23:50

It just goes in my account and gets spent along with the rest of my money.

Oddbobbyboo · 30/06/2022 23:50

I paid the council tax bill with last months payment 😞 just trying to keep on top of food, fuel and household bills….. and avoid getting into debt…. We have no savings now 😕

MuchTooTired · 30/06/2022 23:52

I save most of it for my DTs future in an account in my name. If shit hits the fan I’ll spend it. The rest of it gets spent on general household stuff. Alternatively, I could say it all gets spent on family stuff, and we save out of our income for them, but I budgeted to save it when I was pregnant with them so view it as I save it for them 🤷🏻‍♀️

CandyLeBonBon · 30/06/2022 23:54

Joyfultoes · 30/06/2022 22:51

Cocaine

😂

CandyLeBonBon · 30/06/2022 23:56

Household income. It gets spent on food, heating, clothing and petrol.

People can afford to save it? Confused

alanabennett · 30/06/2022 23:57

Kite22 · 30/06/2022 23:03

When we received it, it was part of the household budget.
Things like heating, food, clothes and school shoes etc.

If that many people are saving it, the system needs a major overhaul. I am not sure why people think "the public purse" should be giving savings to so many children, when there are so many families having to use food banks and being unable to put the heating on. Confused

I completely agree. If you're saving it you shouldn't be getting it.

BorisJohnsonsvomitbucket · 30/06/2022 23:59

My husband has it paid in his account and buys food for all of us with it.

PresidentByeThen · 01/07/2022 00:00

Hookers and coke, the rest I waste on bills.

dustandroses · 01/07/2022 00:20

PresidentByeThen · 01/07/2022 00:00

Hookers and coke, the rest I waste on bills.

You’ve either got a lot of kids or cheap hookers and your coke is pepsi ☺️

Danikm151 · 01/07/2022 00:30

£5 per week into a savings account to build up towards xmas and birthdays. Then the rest is the weekly grocery top up. Or it was £16 doesn’t stretch as far now.

AlwaysLatte · 01/07/2022 00:36

We used to put it all into our two's savings accounts until it was stopped (not arguing about it!)

Isaidno22 · 01/07/2022 00:39

I used to save it but now it goes on the bills. DD1 has the savings but we’ve yet to equalise that with DD2.

sweetlebeetle1 · 01/07/2022 09:30

I don't know how I feel about people saving their child benefit. Whilst I know it's in their best intention to save money for their kids, there are many people who earn a fraction over the threshold so get none - like me! I cannot afford to save for my children so I think it's a little unfair that 'my' portion of tax is funding other peoples childrens savings. I know it is harsh but in my opinion if it's being saved it's not needed. I'm sorry if this offends or upsets people though.

dementedpixie · 01/07/2022 09:32

When we used to get it it just went into our bank account and got used up on the usual bills. We never saved it specifically for the children

dementedpixie · 01/07/2022 09:34

sweetlebeetle1 · 01/07/2022 09:30

I don't know how I feel about people saving their child benefit. Whilst I know it's in their best intention to save money for their kids, there are many people who earn a fraction over the threshold so get none - like me! I cannot afford to save for my children so I think it's a little unfair that 'my' portion of tax is funding other peoples childrens savings. I know it is harsh but in my opinion if it's being saved it's not needed. I'm sorry if this offends or upsets people though.

What do you earn? You get to keep some child benefit if earning between £50 and £60k and only have to pay it all back once you reach £60k. Increasing pension contributions can take you under the threshold if you are just over it.

VestaTilley · 01/07/2022 09:37

It’s to help you and the child with whatever you need as a family. If that’s coats and school shoes, great, if it’s savings or treats that’s also fine. It’s up to the individual family; don’t feel guilty - and do go without in the here and now in order to accumulate savings for DC that they may not need or you can’t afford.

sacklunch · 01/07/2022 09:38

Ours is for our weekly bus pass that myself and husband use for work and activities.

sweetlebeetle1 · 01/07/2022 09:38

@dementedpixie my husband earns 80k and I only work part time. We're not eligible

fudfootedfannybangle · 01/07/2022 09:40

Blow the whole fucking lot in Tesco. Then realise I should’ve put it aside to put half a tank of petrol in.

Fuckitydoodah · 01/07/2022 09:40

It goes into the joint account and goes towards monthly household expenses. I'd love to be able to put it savings for my DC but just not possible.

icelollycraving · 01/07/2022 09:41

Goes into my bank and gets used for normal stuff. Pull-ups/ childcare/ shoes/ clothes/ school trips.
I got it as pocket money when I was a teenager but I had to pay lunches and stuff.

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