To think the cost of living payment should have been paid differently?

[muddlinthroughit]

Would like to think 99% of people have used it as it's meant, to help with food, fuel etc

However, on my socials today I have seen 1 person spend it on nails and 2 tattoos, and another on a PS5....

Not sure that's what it's meant for?

We have put ours aside for food and power and to help with Xmas

Well I hope everyone that does receive it goes and treats themselves to something out of it. It’s been a shit year for a lot of people.

Absolutely.

I am going to take my mum out for a meal. She has been there for me so much lately, and I want to say thanks.

Anyone begrudging me that can fuck off, quite frankly.

Because maybe they have cut back and gone without other things to make ends meet? I don't need the £66 this month to keep the lights on because I put an increased amount on the meters over the summer and built the credit up and I went without then and go without having the heating on etc now to make it last. So why shouldn't I take some or all of that money and use it to have something nice for once? I've already gone without to free up extra money for the price increases.
I'm on an increased wage now, so the first COL payment was essentially a bonus (I don't qualify for the second one quite rightly) that I have saved against possible future expenses like the freezer breaking or needing a new TV because all my stuff is old and crap - because I had to buy the cheapest of everything because I didn't have a choice, well that or do without (I lived for two years without an oven until care workers got a bonus for working through covid - it paid for my luxury £150 oven!) So I've bloody well done without aplenty in the past because I was on a low income, I've learned to budget within an inch of my life to survive.

There's also the point that some people will always manage their priorities differently, there's no guarantee that the people getting their nails done and buying PlayStations have done so because they're living quite well already, they may well be up to their eyeballs in debt, including for utilities, rent etc and because of this being a one off payment (or two) of an amount they'll likely never be able to raise themselves by saving, they've chosen to spend it on something to make them happy and improve their life a little bit, make them feel good, before they go back to debt and no money and nothing nice ever. I can see the temptation totally, if you're going to be cold and in debt anyway because £300 won't touch the sides then you may as well make yourself a bit happier in the process.

The nail technician and tattooist are probably not avoiding as much tax as the 1% are either.

Well I plan on spending mine on some bread and gruel which we will enjoy sat around the radiator, thanking our generous benefactors with every mouthful, tugging our forelocks and apologising profusely for being so dastardly poor and wholly undeserving.

That alright for you OP?

Would you like to know what I spend my PIP on or my WTC? ( A massive super duper shiny Kataba and I might get a Dozuki as well... dunno yet. And some banana milkshake.)

But that’s the point, some people obviously don’t need top ups if they’re spending the money on a play station.

Oh look, it's that magic word 'need' making an appearance again. It's getting nearly as ubiquitous and irritating as 'should.' Amazing how total strangers have such an insight into the needs of people they've never met, isn't it?

Does your gas bill not go up if you get your nails done then 🤔

I've spent mine on a mahoooosive food shop... I've had nothing decent in for the last 2 weeks. I can't wait until the children get home from school and I can offer them a choice of meals... and a trip to the hairdressers for us all.
Cheers, Rishi 😄

Oohhhh buuuuut I only want nice things if someone else can't. They are good enough if everyone can have them!! All these unworthy people having stuff that makes them happy makes me sad!!!!!

🙄

But I don’t have nice things. Too right I don’t want to pay for other people’s! And making out its ‘bitterness’ and ‘jealousy’ is hilarious - are people struggling on benefits just ‘bitter’ and ‘jealous’ of people who aren’t?

Who needs a PS5?

Ok but don’t be on threads complaining when you can’t afford your energy bill in December 🤷🏼‍♀️

It may well be that those people on FB are taking the piss and you are swallowing it up.
Its to help with the cost of living. Some parents may use it to go and replace their shoes or get a winter coat because they scraped everything they have to cover the bills and feed their kids but had to shiver in a cardigan to do it.
Other people will replace broken but essential household items.
And some will use it for Christmas presents and/tattoos and acrylic nails.

But as someone who will also get that payment I would rather not have it given out in “disabled scrounger” vouchers as no doubt much of the press would view me just because a tiny number of recipients are spending theirs frivolously.

We qualified. And for the disability one too. The disability went on an asda card for food shopping when we need it. The first lot of 324 went right on the fuel account to build a bit of a cushion and the second will do the same as I require a lot of electricity to help keep my health stable.
But if others qualify and don't need to do that, who are we to judge?

The taxpayers forking out the money?!

I got mine yesterday and transferred it to a different bank account I will be using it for gas. I have a prepayment metre and can only put on £49 a time and have a maximum of £250 on the meter. So will get some every week hoping that it's under £50 a week so should last at least 6 weeks.

Sal

Same, although I'm £500+ in credit on my pre-pay for gas as well as the credit built up on my electric so don't really need it for either so I will spend it on something else....no fucks given.

OK so what's the solution?

Food vouchers for only basic fruit, veg, bread and milk etc?
Means testing on an individual basis whereby you have to provide 6 months of bank statements?

Letting people starve and freeze?

Genuinely curious

Incidentally, if we got the COL in Sept and the DLA one in Oct, is that it? I thought there was one more but not received it?

Well as my mum used to say when we were kids when it's gone it's gone...can't get worked up about what other people do with it. They may live to regret their choices or not but it doesn't affect me.

So much frothing about public money. You do realise that recipients of this payment are the public?

You're on tax credits if it was September? Your second payment is end if November according to gov. UK

I am off to spend £20 of my payment on a nice warm jumper. It’s incredibly frivolous of me I know and I accept that people on here will be horrified. But I am going to be a devil. 🤣

It’s a designer label too. George at Asda. 😆

I also don’t understand why people hate on those in receipt of benefits when all the politicians are lining their own pockets with ridiculously high wages and pay rises.
UC has quite a high threshold as well, two adults working full time low income jobs can get UC, they are also paying taxes.
It’s not hard to check your entitlement online if you are struggling.