To use the kids Christmas money to get me through January?

[darkmorning]

In a way I don’t know why I’m asking as I don’t have a choice really, but if the overall consensus is absolutely not I suppose I can use a credit card or something.

PIL gave both children £50 for their savings accounts. I’d have to put the cash in my bank account and transfer to their savings accounts: plan is to do this after I’ve been paid in January. Should I? Or is this just horrible?

Use the credit card what if the kids want to spend their money?

Kindly, OP, you need to talk to someone about money.
Maybe start with the CAB or look at some advice online or apps. Money Saving expert etc.

Being blunt, you have a bad credit rating and credit card debt. So this is a long term issue. You admit that you would 'go mad' using CC spending hundreds, which is why you stick with cash.

So you're either an impulse buyer , spending on things you want rather than really need, or you can't 'do the maths' and budget.

You are prioritising savings for your 3 years olds, leaving yourself short each month, which is madness.

Your children have years ahead when they can study and earn their own money.

No mortgage? Are you renting? Is a mortgage out of reach because of no deposit? These are the priorities - not kids' savings.

I always take the kids’ cash. It’s useful to pay the piano teacher etc. I always tell the kids though and they never forget to remind me to transfer over. Tell the kids then you’ll feel better about it.

RTFT They are under 5 years old. Not likely to go to the shops.

I’ve done this before and always paid it back, I wouldn’t have considered it if paying back was going to be a problem the next month but it was obviously top of the list in terms of “bills” to be settled. January can be more complicated as I always get paid early, it’s a costly month and I’ll have above 5 weeks until next pay day. The “If you do this you know the kids will never see it” comments are not my experience at all.

This. It's fine. Don't stress over it.

January is a tough month. The kids aren’t aware. Borrow it if it makes life easier and you can pay it back.

The trip you mention we ‘can’t afford’ - yes, we need fuel, but then the children also will be fed and entertained for a day so it balances out

Another example of you not understanding money.... feeding and entertaining two toddlers won't cost £70 for a day, so it won't "balance out".
I do get that seeing family, esp grandparents, is important. But do really you need to be the ones to travel? Can they come see you?

I don't understand the cost of your fuel.
£70 in my 2 ltr car would last me 250-ish miles at least.

You say your trip to work is 9 miles. if that's each way that's 18 mls x 5 days = 90 miles- plus 40 miles to the in laws.

That is not £70 of fuel.

She's probably skint because she gave the kids a nice Christmas! Come on people, the woman isn't lounging at a spa paying a gigolo! She's trying to fuel her vehicle to get to a family NYE!

Stop guilting her for a perfectly normal cash flow issue. The pre-school children aren't going to miss the cash.

If you can possibly do it, keep up the regular savings for the DCs. We saved £100 per month for each and when DC1 reached 18, their CTF was worth £37K.

Agree!!!! You said you're paid well, so obviously haven't managed budgets. And worried about spending on the credit card. Then don't go.

ive borrowed cash off my kids when they were younger to get by, whether that be food petrol or a bill. I’ve never felt guilty for it and always paid it back. I don’t understand the big issue.

Stop guilting her for a perfectly normal cash flow issue.

Maybe in your world but not in most.
Having £30 left for food is not a normal cash flow issue after Christmas on a 'good income' as she states.

Do what you need to do. I would have done this when the children were small. They've been paid back.

If it’s essential for your survival, I’d do it. Pay it back when you can. x

There is more than 1 week in a month.

Great to build this for them long term but in short term more financially astute to clear debts first.

I agree. I bet the OP wishes she hadn't asked, given how many posters have jumped in to shame her.

There's clearly bigger issues here than whether the OP should borrow £100 from her children short term. She doesn't want to discuss more so people can't help her which is a real shame.

There is no way I would be doing an 80 mile round trip when money is this tight op. They either come to you for tea and a home made cake or you see them next month when you have more money. Do they know how much you are struggling? Maybe they will offer to help with the petrol costs?

Just do it.
Much better than risking getting new credit card.
You have a plan and with the money stashed away in ISA, it can't spiral out of proportions.

This

I wouldn’t get a credit card and take the risk. Most dc would offer to help their parents if they were old enough. Use the money for essentials not visiting, replace it as soon as you can.