Christmas money dilema??

pudding06

Thats what we used to do. Unfortunatly we got to the point where we were going under so fast we had no choice other than to take it. In the long run we will pay it back with interest. It hurt a hell of a lot at the time but my son has a home still and we had food on the table

.

Yep - it hurts but theres no point in the kids having money in the bank when you are desperate. I'm sure they'd rather have food and shelter than money in the bank.

Dont beat yourself up over it - you did the right thing. Necessities always come before anything else. To leave it in the bank and let the kids or you go hungry would be the immoral thing to do.

Use their christmas money if you need to. Keeping a rooff over your heads is more important than presents.

take care.

pudds

immoral_angeluk

OR why don't you use the money to treat the family to a nice day out somewhere fun?

lauren_1

Their presents so far are from the grandparents (our parents), neighbours, work friends, their cousins and uncles. Anyone with a GREAT in front of their title usually sends money, great aunts and so on, its a big family on both sides.

livinginhope

Hi Lauren,please don't feel bad about using their money.DH and I have cleaned the kids bank accounts totally,they had about £1600 in them,but the money WAS NEEDED,we had saved some of this money and £500 was from a relative who passed away,my family knew what we did and said what use is it in a bank if you have no roof over your head.
Another confession,a relative who refuses to acknowledge us has sent the children £20 for christmas,we took them to the cinema with it and it paid for us aswell,I didn't feel bad as they don't know the relative and it is only sent to save face.
LIH

r.mac_2

I don't think that you should specifically spend the money (or vouchers) on presents for the children.

However, are there things they need that you would normally have to buy anyway e.g PJ's, underwear, shoes, bunk beds etc etc. Its something for them to unwrap, but its not an item which will go unused.

If there isn't anything like that, then I would suggest using the money against the debt. If you still feel bad about it, put a % of it into an acocunt for them.

carolwat

ok im not having a go at anyone but im very shocked to read that everyone who has posted on here thinks its ok to spend money that has been given as presents to their kids. my son is 2 years old and has 2 accounts totalling about £2500 and i would never ever even dream of taking his money whether i was going to pay it back at a later date or not. it is not my money to spend, it is his money and every penny of it will be there until the day he turns 18. every penny he has ever been given for being born, birthdays, xmas, easter etc has gone straight into his account.

i am really really shocked that people actually use their kids money.
regards
carol

ps like i said imnot having a go at anyone just telling you all that i was shocked to read this.

livinginhope

carolwat wrote:

ok im not having a go at anyone but im very shocked to read that everyone who has posted on here thinks its ok to spend money that has been given as presents to their kids. my son is 2 years old and has 2 accounts totalling about £2500 and i would never ever even dream of taking his money whether i was going to pay it back at a later date or not. it is not my money to spend, it is his money and every penny of it will be there until the day he turns 18. every penny he has ever been given for being born, birthdays, xmas, easter etc has gone straight into his account.

i am really really shocked that people actually use their kids money.
regards
carol

ps like i said imnot having a go at anyone just telling you all that i was shocked to read this.

Hi carol,I understand that this shocks you,I felt the same before we hit this dire time,but when you are faced with having nothing and I mean nothing,if there is money sitting in an account that will help out then I don't see a problem,I always kept the kids' money in their accounts,but faced with losing the family home or using their money,which would it be? I think having the blessing of the people who gave the money helps,it was their suggestion to use it.
I know you're not having a pop at anyone,but remember when there really is no other option it would be foolish to make yourself homeless just to keep their money in the bank.

icklejulez

So it would be ok for a 2 year old to have this sort of money in a bank account but his parents have to put him in care because they cant afford to look after him?

Life is not as simple, I am sure every parent on here intends to give their child the cash back in some way or another in the future! A 2 year old does not 'need' the cash right now!

r.mac_2

i agree it is a difficult one to reconcile sometimes - but how many toys does a 6 month old really need? That's why i suggested spending the money 'on them' but in a more roundabout way.

At the end of the day - the OP isn't suggesting using the money to provide herself with a luxury lifestyle.

all_hours

I agree with r.mac.

Tell the grands that they've bought bunk beds between them for christmas.

How many kids do you have lauren?