Money Moral Dilemma: Should I charge my mum for using my gift card to buy present for my kids?

MSE_Kelvin · 10 December 2019 at 4:59PM

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

I went Christmas shopping with my mum who was buying presents for my children. I gave her a gift card I earned at work for a shop she was buying in and I paid for everything else on my card. When she asked what she owed me I told her the full amount, including the gift card. Is that fair?

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GreenQueen · 10 December 2019 at 5:59PM

Yes, if the gift card isn't taken into account you are buying the gifts (or contributing the value of the gift card to them). If she is buying the gifts she needs to cover the cost (including the gift card).

Just think of the gift card as money that you could use to buy something for yourself.

LesleyJP · 10 December 2019 at 9:10PM

Of course you should. It's your money and not hers.

Alevra · 10 December 2019 at 9:51PM

How many times does your Mum buy you things without charging you for them? How often does she look after the kids for you without you having to pay? As a Grandma myself I know there are many things I buy that I don't charge for and I am not made of money, but I would appreciate the gift card being used as a contribution to the children's Christmas presents.
If I were to put in childminding fees for the school runs, the after school time and school holidays then I would be able to pay for the gift card.

balabooberlies · 10 December 2019 at 9:58PM

Blimey

I can see both sides,..........

k-k-k-katy · 10 December 2019 at 10:22PM

Speaking as another grandmother I have a different opinion. I should certainly expect to pay the full amount for my purchases, whoever they were for, and despite any help I am able to give my family. I do what I can to help, and yes, it does cost money to help sometimes, but that's my choice to make and I am happy to do it. I do not expect my family to pay for favours, and using their gift card would be taking a payment.

elsien · 10 December 2019 at 10:23PM

Perfectly fair. I'm failing to see the dilemma here.

Loulouli74 · 10 December 2019 at 11:13PM

I agree, i think if it wasn't too much money, you should let your mum off with the gift card, my mum doesn't so much for me and the rest of her family, if yours is the same, I'd say live and let live, shes family, xx

Rich2808 · 11 December 2019 at 12:01AM

Is it ok for your Mum to recover all of her money she spent on clothing, feeding and housing you when you were a child.

Don’t be a tightwad - you only have one mum!

Pollycat · 11 December 2019 at 12:10AM

Of course it's fair.
No dilemma here.

Zero_Sum · 11 December 2019 at 12:29AM

If she doesnt pay for the cost of the gift card then the kids presents are from the parents & not the grandparents as intended. If it was say a nectar/clubcard double up thing & voucher was worth say £10 to get £20 of goods then Id only expect the original value of £10 reimbursed

Money Moral Dilemma: Should I charge my mum for using my gift card to buy present for my kids?

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