What do you do with your child benefit?

Jagraf

thriftylass wrote: »

It gets used for what it's meant to be for, household expenses, groceries, nappies, kids clothes. If I could afford to save it I wouldn't need it.

Not entirely true. I'm saving my daughters (although that will soon stop) for a uni or college fund. Or it can be used for a multitude of things which helps in the upbringing of your children or family life. You can save then spend. It doesn't all have to be spent each month.

Or, if you are really good with your money, and your child already has the basics, you can use it on whatever you like.

good_advice

When I had child benefit, a few years ago now. I still remember walking the kids to school and then going to the local post office with my x2 books. Child benefit and then Paying the council tax with it. After that I was given about £10 that was left.

I should think it is all DD now?

Metranil_Vavin

I buy wine

Jagraf

Metranil_Vavin wrote: »

I buy wine

A true necessity when you have kids

Metranil_Vavin

Hell yes! Mummy's little helper

onlyroz

It goes towards the cost of the after school club.

I saw an article earlier today about how people struggled with the cost of school uniform. I thought this was exactly the sort of expense that the child benefit was meant to cover though, so I guess the people who struggle with these sorts of costs are not spending the child benefit in their children.

Skint_yet_Again

Maybe these people are spending it on heating and feeding their children and there is none left for expensive school uniforms.... Schools should be made to have generic clothing which can be bought cheaply and if necessary have a sew on school badge in my opinion.

chazsucks

Goes in to main account and is spent the same as the rest of our money - mainly bills and food. I wish I could put it into a savings account for the future but then they wouldn't be eating today lol

chazsucks

Skint_yet_Again wrote: »

Maybe these people are spending it on heating and feeding their children and there is none left for expensive school uniforms.... Schools should be made to have generic clothing which can be bought cheaply and if necessary have a sew on school badge in my opinion.

I completely agree. If my kids went to school I'm not sure how we would afford uniform?! Without child benefit the kids wouldn't be eating - we already have no heating but they need food!

wik

Well when you got CB weekly in cash it was used for every day expenses which included clothes and school stuff and food for my children, and since paid into bank account - has been the same, I am a single parent, my ex hubby has been 'too poorly' to work!! for the last ten years! so hasnt paid me a penny to help with them. I would have loved to have been able to save it,but just couldnt afford to.