Money Moral Dilemma: Should I contribute to my mum's broadband?

pollypenny

If you use the sports package and your mum does not, yes you should pay.

Otherwise, she can probably find a cheaper package.

Pollycat

I'm not sure if these 'dilemmas' are intended to generate discussion or to actually get advice.

If i really is to get advice, can I ask MSE whoever to include more details.
Such as the financial situation of the person - is he paying board?
If he is - how much?
What percentage of his wages is the amount of board he pays?
How comfortable financially is his Mum?

Jagraf

Is it keeping you awake at night?

Augustus_the_Strong

Yes, why not? Be generous & keep a happy relationship. Sponging is not nice.

happyinflorida

Do you live with your mum? Are you contributing ie keep? If not, why not? Does your mum need the money? Why aren't you discussing this with your mum?

CKgeordieinlondon

When my mother was alive she had SKY TV.
It was accessible via the TV in the living room which she rarely went in. She lived alone

She had the full package Disney for the grandchildren when they visited once a week.
Sport for my brother who went to see her everyday
Movies for me who lived 300 miles away and visited about 4 times a year.

As a committed MSEr I was constantly on at her to get rid of it as it was costing her money and she wasn't using it.

She wasn't having it , it was there for us to use and that's how she liked it.

rinabean

It doesn't sound like she's short of money if she's not concerned about getting a cheaper service. I couldn't offer any of my parents or grandparents money for something like this without embarrassing them (and me).

Tot up what she's saving you and then every few times you eg go out to a cafe take her somewhere fancier, or add it to her xmas/birthday budget. If it's a lot of money (to either of you) or she's concerned at all then tell her what the money is. Or tell her if you think that she would be pleased to know, or if you think it would help illustrate why she should switch!

But if you're at all unsure (and you must be to risk getting advice here) don't pay her - she's not your flatmate, she's your mum. But don't just take this without any attempt at returning the favour either, unless you really cannot afford to (in which case you could probably make an effort to ring her more often or something anyway)

Cimscate

Well of course you should - how can you even ask!

fairy_lights

Well, if you're living with your mum and using her internet because your 8 years old, then no you shouldn't have to contribute.
If you're 42 then yes, you should.

silvercar

Alikay wrote: »

The BT Sport is free with the BB package - we don't watch it ourselves, but would be happy for my children to use it and wouldn't dream of charging them for it. We also get Sky Go included as part of our Sky package: I have no use for it as I don't watch TV unless I'm at home, but again, I'm happy for my sons to use it on their ipads. Both my boys are early 20's, one in RAF single accom, one in a shared flat in London but DD is married with her own home, so she pays her own TV/BB package.

Obviously if the OP's mum (or subject of this MMD) needs the cash, that's a different matter, but don't most families share what they have without dividing up costs?

Totally agree. I keep my paying-for-the-benefits account going partly because it keeps the kids mobiles insured. One of the kids uses their grandmother's sky go, but then I sorted her transfer to a water meter that saved her money.

Maybe OPs answer is to make sure his parent is on the cheapest utility package.