We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

Debate House Prices


In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non MoneySaving matters are no longer permitted. This includes wider debates about general house prices, the economy and politics. As a result, we have taken the decision to keep this board permanently closed, but it remains viewable for users who may find some useful information in it. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Some Benefits should be given in forms of vouchers instead of cash

145791017

Comments

  • looby75
    looby75 Posts: 23,387 Forumite
    Snooze wrote: »
    Umm, I think you need to get down off your high horse and read what I actually wrote :rolleyes:. Nowhere in my post did I say I had any issue with you claiming benefits. As for my apparent 'tone', tough !!!!!! if you didn't like it. Your whining about your 'rights' whilst living off the state deserved it.

    Rob
    Snooze wrote: »
    If that means you can't go to your farmers market :rolleyes: then tough !!!!!!. Stop living off the state and get yourself a job then you can spend your money however you choose. Until then, quit your whining and be thankful you're getting anything at all. :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

    Rob

    wow if thats not you having an issue with the fact I'm currently on benefits then I would hate to read your posts when you do have a problem

    And for the record I wasn't whining I was simply pointing out the flaws in a plan to pay benefits via a voucher system. I am incredibly grateful for the benefits I receive, I have worked in the past, paid tax and I will do again in the future all being well, (I am currently job hunting but without success so far :( ) so I am as entitled as anyone else to voice my opinion.
  • weegie.geek
    weegie.geek Posts: 3,432 Forumite
    Leighthal wrote: »
    Good points.Why not apply the card to these also.We do live in the 21st century.

    Ever been on a bus? They don't take debit cards. :)

    Back on topic, people are already issued vouchers by the dole: http://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/

    As has been mentioned, you don't have to buy the full value of the vouchers on fruit and veg, the supermarkets don't care and there appears to be nothing to stop you buying one apple and using a healthy start voucher. Much the same as using money off vouchers for things you're not even buying at Tesco.

    If vouchers were issued instead of cash for benefits, and they managed to fix a way to block people from buying [contraband] with the vouchers, people who were so inclined would sell their vouchers, or sell the stuff they bought with the vouchers for money to buy [contraband]. This will put them in contact with some unsavoury characters. We've all heard of stories where old people got loans from sharks who kept their pension books.

    No matter what limitations you create, people will find a way round them, and all it will mean is that it costs the state even more, and the people in receipt of benefits will receive even less of their benefit. The company who wins the contract to administer the scheme will be grateful, but that's about it.

    If they actually do manage to create an infallible way to stop people on benefits buying [contraband], they'll find a way to get [contraband]. Some will use it as a reason to quit - using cigs as an example here - but others will go down paths that will be harmful to them and society in general. It's an addiction. Less scrupulous people will just shoplift them. People selling "fake" cigs will find a way to exploit the situation as well, funding god knows what and endangering the health of the smoker and those around them.
    They say it's genetic, they say he can't help it, they say you can catch it - but sometimes you're born with it
  • lostinrates
    lostinrates Posts: 55,283 Forumite
    I've been Money Tipped!
    aliasojo wrote: »
    I pay for everything (food, fuel, council tax....everything I can) with either my Tesco clubcard (to amass points) or my Egg credit card which gives cashback.

    I do this solely as it is more 'profitable' than using cash. Our cash sits in the bank acruing interest (admittedly very small amounts at the moment :rolleyes:) until the statements come in and I then use the cash to clear the balance.

    So being given vouchers in lieu of child benefit or tax credit will certainly not help me in any way, and will in fact make me worse off. I work hard at making our money work hard. I didn't wake up one morning and become good at this, I learned over a period of time. As can most other people. If they choose not to, that's fine...just dont let their decisions affect me.

    Thank you I understand now. :) It does raise other questions for me but I'm going to bite my tongue because I'm aware repeated questions might make someone feel henpecked!

    My argument about other people's choosing not to not affecting you: well thats what its all about really isn't it? It is affecting all of us!
  • lostinrates
    lostinrates Posts: 55,283 Forumite
    I've been Money Tipped!
    Ever been on a bus? They don't take debit cards. :)
    oyster cards?
  • Eyesparky
    Eyesparky Posts: 689 Forumite
    A voucher system that is accepted widely enough to be of any use is tantamount to setting up a parallel currency (as a complex means of exchange) ... seeing as we already have a currency (admittedly massively devalued due to the fantastic management skills of our incumbent Government) why would anyone with an ounce of sanity want to spend an abject fortune creating another one. Did anyone notice the size of this year's borrowing requirement (going to market for £260 Billion at least)? Do people seriously think another Government initiative involving complex co-ordination and IT systems has any validity?
    "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand." — Confucius
  • Leighthal
    Leighthal Posts: 326 Forumite
    looby75 wrote: »
    because the cost of the admin involved in such cards would cost more than the benefit themselves!

    Another good point.But I'm not convinced in the longer term.People who had blown there benefits on cigs and booze in the past maybe more healthy in the future and more inclined to find work.Less strain on the NHS.But then again once in employment,they could revert back to their old ways but this would be their right as earners.I myself work and recieve WT credits and CT credits.I also drink... and smoke when I drink:o.I know its crud and I think it would help me stop if I recieved my credits in card form.
    In an Acapulco hotel:
    The manager has personally passed all the water served here.:rotfl:
  • looby75
    looby75 Posts: 23,387 Forumite
    Thank you I understand now. :) It does raise other questions for me but I'm going to bite my tongue because I'm aware repeated questions might make someone feel henpecked!
    Ask away :) I'm pretty thick skinned, :D I have to be I've been on the dole for 5 years after ex traded me in for a younger model and because of health problems (my own, and my sons) and childcare issues (lack of!)

    I've had just about ever insult thrown at me over that time so sensible questions about benefits etc would be a welcome change ;)
  • Can I have a voucher we work but I'd like any voucher going pretty pleaseeeeeeeeee
  • Snooze
    Snooze Posts: 2,041 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    looby75 wrote: »
    wow if thats not you having an issue with the fact I'm currently on benefits then I would hate to read your posts when you do have a problem

    You need to learn to stop reading things that aren't there then :rolleyes:. Claim as many benefits are you like, it doesn't bother me in the slightest.
    And for the record I wasn't whining I was simply pointing out the flaws in a plan to pay benefits via a voucher system. I am incredibly grateful for the benefits I receive, I have worked in the past, paid tax and I will do again in the future all being well, (I am currently job hunting but without success so far :( ) so I am as entitled as anyone else to voice my opinion.

    You also need to get over justifying your case 300 times. I don't care. The fact still remains that no-one will give two hoots about you not being able to spend your dole vouchers at your farmer's market :rolleyes: if it stops thousands of scrubbers buying drugs (for example).

    Rob
  • aliasojo
    aliasojo Posts: 23,053 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Thank you I understand now. :) It does raise other questions for me but I'm going to bite my tongue because I'm aware repeated questions might make someone feel henpecked!

    Lol...go for it. :D Although if the q's are aimed at me...I'm on my way out right now. (In case you think I'm ignoring you. :D)
    Herman - MP for all! :)
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 352.1K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.6K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 454.2K Spending & Discounts
  • 245.2K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 600.8K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 177.5K Life & Family
  • 259K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.