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

@Babyroobs maybe but there will be so many people just over the threshold who may have to consider if they would be better off earning less as would gain more
I work with a few single parents who cannot work more days as they are sometimes worse off
Would like to also see more help with childcare for those working and helping people get back into work, wouldn't benefit me as mine are older but could be a real help for struggling families who maybe miss the threshold and for those who want to get back to work but childcare costs make it not quite worth it

@Imnothereforthegiggles yes, we all have similar stories, but I’m struggling to understand which post you took offence at? Throughout the whole thread I’ve defended people spending their own money on whatever they choose, regardless of the source. But you seem to have got upset because I bought a UV lamp? FWIW I don’t qualify for CoL payments - I’m a top (45%) tax rate payer (soon to be 50%). I pay plenty of tax, but you seem very upset that I bought a UV lamp.

@Imnothereforthegiggles but that poster didn't actually say what you are saying

I spent mine on a return ticket to Ibiza and a load of pills. No need for me to choose between heating or eating - I won't be doing either. 👌

@Imnothereforthegiggles also maybe tag the right person as i never mentioned covid or my life story so you have no idea what i did or didn't go through and wether it was worse than others

@Imnothereforthegiggles ironic for someone who can't even tag the right person to call others dimwits because they don't agree with you

What I have noticed is that on the helpline I work on, specifically for helping people in financial crisis, the queues have dropped, for the next couple of weeks we will be getting fewer calls from people unable to feed their families or themselves. For me that shows starkly how this col payment is needed and what it means.

This week I have spoken to people who have not eaten for a few days, people in tears, people who are not coping, literally starving. In a so called first world country that is a fucking disgrace and should not be happening I could not give a shiny shit about how many xboxs are being bought the outrage should be for the fact that charities and food banks are propping up a broken benefits system.

I guess the people who spent it on tattoos are going to be cold then 🤷🏻‍♀️ Can’t say as I envy them

@Imnothereforthegiggles I posted before your apology but lets agree to disagree well slightly as I have no issue on someone spending it on little treats who have saved elsewhere etc
As long as kids are fed etc

But surely you could easily say “I spent mine on the rent/ mortgage, food, energy bill, and then I spent some of my ordinary income on a ps5”. Just depends how you look at it.

Dreadful snobby judgy thread. Shame on you @muddlinthroughit You are a disgrace!

Mine has bought gone towards new iPad as my old one is long in the tooth

There seem to be an awful lot of judgemental threads on MN at the moment

Actually 1 person with nails and 2 tattoos and one with a ps5... but whatever
So two people didn't spend it in a manner you approve? 🙄

Do they know it's to 'help with Xmas'? Surely one could argue that the ps5 'helps with Xmas'?

I have put mine into a savings account as I know I will need it over the coming months. But not bothered how other people choose to use theirs. My friend used her payment to pay off a debt, it was lovely to hear how happy she was being debt free.

“We have put ours aside for food and power”- good, that’s what it was for.

Xmas is a luxury though, some people will be spending the money on gas and electricity and have nothing left for Xmas.

So count yourself lucky and keep your beak out of other people's business.

Have an unMerry Christmas OP.

You'll have zero problem posting screenshots then? (Obviously with names removed!)

Or, as I suspect, this thread is full of shit 🙄

I think ours will be used for general day to day stuff and bills. Very happy!

Why is nails any worse than spending it on Christmas??

I don't think I believe you actually 🤔

I think you're just benefits bashing.