so you save kid's child benefit money?

basmic

bathgatebuyer wrote: »

I thought child benefit was for the benefit of the child? Not for the parent to spend on treating themselves on mobile phones like the OP. Have I missed something here as to what this benefit is for. Is it not to help parents raise the child? Not support Nokia or 3G.

I used to work with someone who used to put her CB aside every month to pay for their summer holiday each year (her and hubby had a fairly hefty combined income) and the attitude appeared to be that it was 'free' money to pay for their summer holiday (the kid being left with granny and grandpa while they went on their jollies each year!)

I don't know.............in my day it was all drudge, misery and taking my bike up a large hill delivering Hovis

I'm glad I'm not the only one whose vision is inappropriately changed by means of rose tinted lens.

plzhelpmesave! wrote: »

I know of so many people who have done this, either putting the money away for their children in their savings accounts or even saving the money to pay off mortgages etc.

So because others abuse their benefits, it means it's okay for you to do so also?

plzhelpmesave! wrote:

I have 3 little ones and get £175 a month which is £2100 a year, tax free. WOW, first time i have every added that up!

I see the £££ signs in your eyes.

plzhelpmesave! wrote:

This currently pays for my petrol, mobile phone and car insurance each month - bless my babies! I have been meaning to open up kids accounts (they are 6, 4, and 2) and split the money, £58 each, into their accounts but cannot afford to do this. I am applying for jobs at the moment, and will hopefully try to do this, or save even a small amount for each of them every month as soon as i get a job

Translation: I'm loving what all this money can buy me, I think I need more kids! I felt guilty for all of 10 seconds, because I felt it should be going to the kids and not me - but now I've tied myself up financially, I can't afford to go back until the contracts end.

plzhelpmesave! wrote:

So come on, 'fess up, How Do You Spend Yours???!

mirrorimage0

both me and my husband work full time so the child benefit goes into a seperate account and generally gets saved up for the children for school trips and larger items for birthdays and xmas, i e this year they are after a larger trampoline to pracitce thier gymnastics and trampoling lessons on so it will come out of this, next year my eldest ds will be going on a school trip costing a couple of hundred pounds so it will come out of this, i feel it is thier money as me and my husband can afford the every day to day living and bills etc then the money that is for the them will be solely spent on them, buti can understand that those on a low income who have to spend it on necessary bills and clothing etc as these are for the children too and ims ure they benefit by having central heating and food etc.

pukkamum

The child benefit i get is always eaten up with bills etc but as this goes towards making it possible for me to be a sahm therefore meaning my kids get me at home all day (at least til the youngest starts school) then i don't see a problem with it.
I don't specifically spend it on them but it all goes into the pot and obviously they get clothes, treats etc.
I think some people have been quick to judge the op on how she spends it, i'm sure her children do still get treats, clothes, food roof over their head it just all comes out of the same pot!!!

liney

Basmic, who do you think pays for the children's food, clothes, water, electricity, gas, toys, outings, clubs etc? Just because the actual £18 transferred into a parents bank account isn't spent directly on the child doesn't mean the child isn't being taken care of, and they all cost more than £18 a week i can assure you.

The fact that the goverment pay the money to the parent, and refuse to pay it directly into a childs bank account indicates the money is supposed to be used for day to day expenses which increase upon having a child.

Get a grip, and stop being so spiteful.

basmic

liney wrote: »

Basmic, who do you think pays for the children's food, clothes, water, electricity, gas, toys, outings, clubs etc? Just because the actual £18 transferred into a parents bank account isn't spent directly on the child doesn't mean the child isn't being taken care of, and they all cost more than £18 a week i can assure you.

The fact that the goverment pay the money to the parent, and refuse to pay it directly into a childs bank account indicates the money is supposed to be used for day to day expenses which increase upon having a child.

Get a grip, and stop being so spiteful.

Perhaps the name of the benefit, 'Child Benefit' suggests the money is to benefit the child?

Lunar_Eclipse

basmic wrote: »

Perhaps the name of the benefit, 'Child Benefit' suggests the money is to benefit the child?

Yes exactly. And clothes, food and shelter are of huge benefit to children, as those on/below the poverty line will confirm. Ultimately child benefit gets spent on every child no matter how it is 'managed', apart perhaps from the uber rich who don't even notice it, and may not even claim it.

sooz

liney wrote: »

The fact that the goverment pay the money to the parent, and refuse to pay it directly into a childs bank account ...

They do pay it directly into childrens' bank accounts, it doesn't have to go into a parent's account. Infact, there are some special childrens child benefit accounts around, that pay more interest.

bathgatebuyer

mirrorimage0 wrote: »

both me and my husband work full time so the child benefit goes into a seperate account and generally gets saved up for the children for school trips and larger items for birthdays and xmas, i e this year they are after a larger trampoline to pracitce thier gymnastics and trampoling lessons on so it will come out of this, next year my eldest ds will be going on a school trip costing a couple of hundred pounds so it will come out of this, i feel it is thier money as me and my husband can afford the every day to day living and bills etc then the money that is for the them will be solely spent on them, buti can understand that those on a low income who have to spend it on necessary bills and clothing etc as these are for the children too and ims ure they benefit by having central heating and food etc.

Quite agree. Some people desperately need CB to allow their child to be fed, clothed and watered. As every child is entitled regardless of parents' income, it isn't a great leveller as it merely maintains that the 'haves' have even more as their children get ponies, cars, big birthday and Xmas presents as a result of CB while those who do desperately need it to survive do not (as it is being spent on the basic essentials for life such as food and clothes). IMO it maintains this wealth gap and possibly exacerbates it.

And that's not a criticism of those who take advantage of it to use it for treats for their kid as they are just taking advantage of what the system provides for them and I don't suppose I'd be any different.

tiamai_d

When DS1 came along, it was used to buy nappies, milk, clothes etc for him. Actually, when he was a baby I remember the day it went into the bank I would go get 4 boxes of formula (I was unable to breast feed) from the milk clinic, a box of nappies and any left over went on whatever clothes I oculd find for that money. WHen he was a bit older, it was more clothes for him.

When DS2 came along, it went into the pot.

Last year we cleared all our debt and since then the CB (and DLA for DS2 and CA) went into the savings account that paid for our FAMILY holiday this year. And some went toward buying a family business (they will be sent to scrub pots soon as they can reach the sink).

After Christmas it will go back into the savings account for a holiday next year and some will be transfered to savings accounts for when they get older as we will be able to afford it then.

I don't remember ever being told that CB was for the child exclusively.....

bathgatebuyer

Perhaps the name should be 'family supplementary income' as opposed to be child benefit?