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Original poster

Anyone not using their child benefit yet?

232 replies

arabicabean · 02/07/2008 15:17

Hi,

I'am a first time mum and have recently started receiving child benefit. I was interested in whether others were using theirs? Mine is paid into a new account I opened and its kind of exciting getting the monthly statements. Are you using yours yet or just watching it accumulate?

OP posts:
Teuch · 02/07/2008 16:17

I suppose the 'right' way to look at it is that if, when you apply your Child Benefit to your living costs, you then have a little extra disposable income of your own, then it is nobodies business how you spend/save it.

It is just tactless and tasteless to state it as the OP has...

Teuch · 02/07/2008 16:17
Original poster
arabicabean · 02/07/2008 16:33

Sleepcat ? I had no desire to offend. I do spend money on my baby (much in excess of the £18 whatever, as it happens). I was just interested in what a wider group of mums did with theirs as my friends don?t use it on their children.

Thebecster ? the benefit is only ~ £18 a week. You certainly don?t have to be rich to not use it. I think I calculated that it may cover 1 bag of nappies and 1 tin of milk for the week.

I apologise that some consider it tasteless of me to ask about the benefit, but it is only ~£18 a week ? it costs so much more to raise a child. It is my first benefit and I had no idea that it was an essential item in some households.

OP posts:
Mutt · 02/07/2008 16:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RubySlippers · 02/07/2008 16:37

"only £18 per week"

and LOLOL at "you certainly don't have to be rich not to use it"

i think you are very naive if you hadn't thought that it is essential in some households

claricebeansmum · 02/07/2008 16:38

The problem with means testing it Expat is that would cost more to do that than giving it out to all those caring for a child.

I agree it is wrong. We are certainly not in a position where we need it.

RubySlippers · 02/07/2008 16:39

go back and read thebecster's post again Arabica and count your blessings

you don't know how lucky you obviously are

claricebeansmum · 02/07/2008 16:40

Just re-read arabica last post - am astonished that you do not realise that for some people £18 child benefit is pretty much all they do have to feed and clothe their child. This is why it is so morally wrong that it is given to everyone.

Pollyanna · 02/07/2008 16:43

I agree, it is strange that it is not means tested. I do use ours, but not for necessities (for a holiday actually) but I know alot of people who are just saving it up to give to their children in the future - that can't be right.

SpacePuppy · 02/07/2008 16:47

Just for the record, the money is for the parent of the child not for the child as some thinks and you're entitled to wipe your arse with it if you want to.

From the Directgov website.

"Child Benefit is a tax-free regular payment made to anyone bringing up a child or young person. It's paid for each child that qualifies and isn't affected by income or savings, so most people bringing up a child can get it."

hatrick · 02/07/2008 16:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

OverMyDeadBody · 02/07/2008 16:54

"Only £18 per week" Only? ONLY???

Since when is £18 only??

You must be living a very sheltered life. £18 is the difference between heating your house or not heating it in winter. The difference between buying fruit and veg and just living off beans and toast. The difference between having a warm coat and shoes that fit your kids and not.

Maybe you didn't mean it, maybe you live on cloud cuckoo land, but that's no excuse for your insensitivity.

Mutt · 02/07/2008 16:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OverMyDeadBody · 02/07/2008 16:56

This is the point where, if I was rude, I would tell you to fuck off. But I'm not rude. So I'm not going to.

stripeymama · 02/07/2008 16:58

Only £18 ??!!

Hahahahaaaa....

It only makes up a fifth of our entire weekly income.

themildmannneredjanitor · 02/07/2008 16:59

18 pound a week is a weeks worth of school dinners!

it's a school uniform .

it's a couple of days worth of food.

it's half a pair of clarks shoes.

since when has 18 pound been an only???

we use ours for day to day living.

stripeymama · 02/07/2008 16:59

Only £18 ??!!

Hahahahaaaa....

It only makes up a sixth of our entire weekly income.

themildmannneredjanitor · 02/07/2008 16:59

18 pound a week is a weeks worth of school dinners!

it's a school uniform .

it's a couple of days worth of food.

it's half a pair of clarks shoes.

since when has 18 pound been an only???

we use ours for day to day living.

expatinscotland · 02/07/2008 17:04

Well, if it's no biggie to you, this £18/week, then how about giving it away?

hatrick · 02/07/2008 17:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

claricebeansmum · 02/07/2008 17:08
themildmannneredjanitor · 02/07/2008 17:12

i know! and what is spookier is that sripey double posted too

SpacePuppy · 02/07/2008 17:13

So maybe you should all complain to the labour government for dumping you into trouble money wise, not everybody has to save the £18.

We never ever live outside our means, we don't have any debts and still we pay more than a £1000 into the government coffers every month(which we don't benefit from as we're not British)in the form of tax. Where does it leave us? If I feel I can save or spend the £18 then what is it to anyone else, you choose to get involved in these kinds of threads, if you're too sensitive then leave them alone and go post somewhere else and allow other people to have an opinion or is this one of the Clique clubs on here? The gang that constantly complain about other people's better life???

The poor original poster.

themildmannneredjanitor · 02/07/2008 17:13

and sandwiched me!! freaky or what!!!!

expatinscotland · 02/07/2008 17:15

I'm really sorry, SpacePuppy, but could you please explain the point of your post?

It's lost on me. Preggo brain.