To think this isn’t that common? Or do people keep it to themselves?

[Kevsap]

My friend has been gifted 100k in the last two years. Eight years prior to that she was given 15k. Every few months/ a year she has around 1k gifted. I consider her to be from a wealthy family and I don’t know anyone else who has this sort of money given to them? Are people just not saying it? I will literally never receive sums like this unless I won the lottery!! My friend seems to think this is pretty average.

There are far more poor people in the country than rich people so no, I don't think it's average. I think she is very fortunate.

I've never received money like this myself
A few people I know have been gifted money via equity release or have inherited wealth from family who are now deceased.
I don't think it's as uncommon as you might think op.

I don’t know anyone else apart from her but perhaps people don’t talk about it @the80sweregreat

Presumably the people gifting those sorts of sums are doing it for inheritance tax efficiency.

of course it’s not average for most people
is your friend totally disconnected from reality?

Bit of both I would say. As above there are more poor than rich, but those that do get gifted money are quiet about it - if they have any sense!

I don’t think it’s common to be gifted such large sums. My dcs have been gifted money but I doubt they tell anyone about it.

I've never been given money like that but it must happen sure. I imagine most people keep it private.

A friend of mine was gifted 50k from family.

She’s fantastically privileged. I’m from a poor background and there’s no legacy coming my way. I wish there was. I managed to get a roof over my head mortgage free, but there was no spare for a pension.

Of course it's not normal/common to be handed large sums of money, for no reason, on a regular basis. Your friend is very lucky. Or possibly lying.

We have been gifted/inherited similar sums. It is fairly normal amongst our friends. Many of our friends have been gifted considerably more.

I will never have money chucked my way by family either- just not that type of family to afford that. If I did, I wouldn’t tell anyone though as a) it’s no one’s else’s business and b) I’d be paranoid there would be a thread about me on mumsnet 🙃

I personally have never been gifted anything over £200 at once.

As far as I’m aware none of my family or friends have had large sums gifted. If they have, they have never said. But then I wouldn’t blame someone for keeping it to themselves.

Money is the root of all evil.

I get amounts of £1-2k regularly and had a £10k lump last year from my parents.
Not £100k though.

My family are helping us out and it is effectively early inheritance. I am
very grateful for it.

Maybe stupid house prices are feeding this sort of thing. Anyone downsizes, is left with an opportunity to reduce IHT liability.

No, I dont think it is massively common but equally, why would people talk about it? My parents gifted me money when they were alive and I didnt tell my friends because it was private and none of their business. I do know some friends who have wealthy parents and I presume they help them out but they just dont vocalise it

It’s common in our circles where friends’ parents have done well out of property, investments and pensions and are trying to give it to their children tax efficiently. Five and six figure sums handed out for holidays, school fees, extensions, house upgrades.

I’m sure many (most) people don’t admit it. I actually prefer if they don’t. This kind of thing can sour relationships, it’s hard not to be envious especially when it’s taken as ‘the norm’ but others around you don’t have access to this kind of ‘help’.

Friends of my kids have been given money like this. Often it's money from grandparents which is handed down. It seems unfair especially when average kids have huge student loans or can't afford university at all.

I know two families who have bought children flats or houses. It's about avoiding inheritance tax.

My siblings and I were gifted £10k each once. My Mum inherited a lot of money, and wanted to share a bit of it. It's the only time I've had more than £20 or £50 off them, since I was an adult - so definitely not the norm!
I'm very fortunate that they loaned me £5k to top up savings for a new car, a couple of years ago. I paid it all back, though.

I know of one friend who has been given the total of £250k over a few years! Her parents are wealthy, and she hasn't worked for about 12 years; gave up when she had her kids. I would be blown away with even 10% of that!

Over perhaps 20 years I've had a small inheritance (about £2k), £5k assistance in a house deposit, and a £10k gift from my parents for the whole family 'to enjoy before we die, while we can hear about it'. So, more than most, but nowhere near £100k.

@3WildOnes you must move in different circles to many people.

A recent survey showed that 46% of people had less than £1000 in savings and that the average saving pot was about £11k

I’ve never been given money personally. I have inherited twice though.

Most of my friends have had some family support with a house deposit or some big purchase, but not general money “just because”.

We gave our DC a good chunk of money towards their first cars and insurance, and will help them with a deposit in a few years time, but we wouldn’t give them money for the sake of it. They know they have to work and contribute and not expect a free ride. They also have no idea that we are intending to help them out with houses in the future so they’re all good at saving for themselves.

It's not the normality for most people. I don't know anyone who could afford to give away such large sums. Your friend is very fortunate.

And it may be 'early inheritance' but I know some people who carefully passed on profit from the sale of grandma's house and then lied so that the grandma's care home fees were paid by the local authority. That costs everybody, it's corruption.

I don't think it's common, but it probably does happen more than you realise.

My parents spend ridiculous amount of time worring about inheritance tax (I wish they'd just spend it!) and gave DSis and I £25k each for our birthdays last year. Neither of us would dream of telling anyone though.