Money Moral Dilemma: Should we sign our child up to a free book scheme when we can afford books?

MSE_Kelvin

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

A well-known children's book charity scheme now covers where we live and each month, any child enrolled in it receives a high-quality, age-appropriate book free of charge until age five. Our household income is three times the UK average and we can easily afford to provide books for our child. With that in mind, do you think it's acceptable for us to sign up to the scheme or should we avoid using its limited resources?

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Brie

No.

Maybe sign up only so you get recommendations and consider buying them yourselves.  

You might find that your child doesn't like books or doesn't like those books or needs something easier or more advanced.  

elsien

Another no here. 

Either buy the books or take your child to use the library where they can choose their own. 

My view is that where resources are limited they should be targeted at those who need them. You clearly don’t so leave them for those that do. Unless you’re a parent who doesn’t value books and wouldn’t bother with meeting need, in which case then I would say yes it is valid to enroll although it would also be a reflection on your parenting. And would also make me wonder if you’d bother to read them to your child anyway.

Although from the phrasing of your question you already know the answer so I’m not sure why you’ve asked it anyway. 

IvanOpinion

I will take a different approach by saying that I see nothing wrong with signing up to the charity on behalf of your child.

If you are concerned about the monetary aspect then maybe make a donation to the charity itself to cover the costs of the books, and a bit extra to help other children as well.

cooksey87

I think it’s fine to sign up. If the charity wanted to means test the free books in some way, it surely could do. More books for your child are a good thing, so use the resource if it’s available.

SStitanic

Of course it’s not acceptable to sign up for it, you’re not a charity case are you, and if you do sign up you really don’t have any morals obviously.

Millynaire

If you can afford to buy books for your child you should as charities would rarely means test so many who could buy are possibly abusing a system meant for families who struggle…however that’s also what libraries are for.

CapeTown

So ... we are rich ..... should we take money from a charity set up to provide disadvantaged children with books.... that is what you are saying. 

If you have spare money consider contributing to the charity and also encourage library use. This is seriously one of the most ridiculous dilemmas in the 4 years I have been following the website 

followeroftheway

If you could afford the books, why not sign up for the scheme, but also make a regular (monthly/annual?) donation that would cover the RRP – I suspect the charity will be purchasing the books to give away below RRP, so this way you are covering the cost of the books, and contributing to the charity so they can provide books for other families all at no additional cost compared to buying the books yourself...

Skier_G

By all means join, which will encourage your child to read books but, as suggested elsewhere,  make donations to cover the costs.  No brainer to me.

Katecooks

Clearly not a real post. Why would you ask this question? The fact that you feel it's a dilemma clearly means you know shouldn't apply - if it says it's for 'disadvantaged children' it's not meant for you. That said, there will be plenty of people who do sign up who could afford books for their children if they cut down a bit on alcohol/smoking/nail salons etc (yup I'm being judgmental bit it's true in many cases). Also some who join then don't give the books to their kids and re-sell them on ebay. I wouldn't apply as I can afford to buy my children books (of my choosing) but I also make use of the library (which is completely free regardless of income).