Money Moral Dilemma: Is it wrong to buy cheap clearance food when we could afford to pay full price?

Mother_of_Many

I think with things the way they are money wise, if you don’t need to, you shouldn’t. 

A few weeks ago, a woman in a suit cleared out the reduced section that my children and I were patiently waiting to have a look at. She got a trolley load and we went home and had a piece of toast before bed. My 8 year said how mean she was to leave nothing.
If you’ve got the privilege to be able to afford normal prices, then why wouldn’t you. Some of us are having to choose between bills and dinner for us and our children! 

Those who say give something to a food bank clearly haven’t realised there is now an underclass, who aren’t entitled to food bank stuff or benefits but are actually financially much worse off. 

(As in the case of those who get a house with their job, forces, vicars etc). Those type people are often renting out their houses at cost and often end up being much worse off than those on benefits.) 
if I split our family and went back to our home, I would be entitled to 2,300 of benefits a month! No one remembers the working underclass! 

SStitanic

The people your worried about probably can’t even afford to get to the supermarket 

gothvixen

I've been very poor, the worst time being when my children were around 10-11 in 07/08. I had £20 per week to spend on food, travel, clothes - everything apart from household bills. Their father was dead and left no provision for them, and I couldn't claim any help as I was working full time teaching physics. I have sat outside Tesco and wept after seeing those with already full trolleys snapping up the best clearance bargains that would have made a huge difference to us. Donating to a food bank or charity doesn't help those stood waiting who truly NEED access to this food. Morally, you haven't a leg to stand on.

HotDog2020

I am thankful for the question asked and after reading the different view points, as someone who can afford full price and often only pays that way I will stick to this knowing there are people who really need the discounted goods. It is a sad world being like this. However I would say that the father of your children is actually legally compelled to contribute, so if he hasn't you should have legally made him give a contribution. That is all I will say on the matter.

shirleyamj

We can afford to pay full price,  but I always check the reduced sections. And only take what I will use.  However,  I do give a money donation to the local food bank every payday. This allows them to bulk buy 

jaym1980

Absolutely nothing wrong with what you're doing. Use Too good to Go as well. You're preventing food waste and if there's some long life items at a bargain price, you can put some into the food bank donations.

You'll save money for a rainy day and help people out when you can too.

My only gripe with the discount stuff is that supermarkets sell fresh items that are clearly expired like bagged salads, sealed fruit pots & meats which a clearly filled with carbon dioxide so are not safe to eat, even for a wild animal.

Just_An_Opinion

Do you have an issue buying clothes that or on sale, an item of furniture on sale, would you say this if it was a discount on a car or a house?
It's Discounted because the seller is trying to get rid of it quicker, not because they're trying to do a good deed for poor people. 
Buy what you want at the cheapest price you can get it. 

Give the extra money to charities not multi-billion pound supermarket chains

barrovian

Why feel guilty? It all about being frugal.

hannerrbabes

This is such a fake, overdone topic. Clearance food isn't only for those struggling. Neither are charity shops, used items on eBay or hand me downs!

Emmia

HotDog2020 said:

I am thankful for the question asked and after reading the different view points, as someone who can afford full price and often only pays that way I will stick to this knowing there are people who really need the discounted goods. It is a sad world being like this. However I would say that the father of your children is actually legally compelled to contribute, so if he hasn't you should have legally made him give a contribution. That is all I will say on the matter.

It's difficult to force a deceased person to contribute legally or otherwise...