I’m a 36-year old married mum of one but my parents still give me £1200 a month & a £1k Christmas bonus
WHEN Lucy Johnstone’s daughter said she would love a brand new bike for Christmas, Lucy knew it wouldn’t be Santa putting it beneath the tree - but the ‘bank of gran’ instead.
Generous Alexandra Conroy Harris, 58, has agreed to give her 36-year-old daughter £1,000 to cover her Christmas costs in addition to the £1,200 allowance she already hands over each month.
And she’ll be buying Lucy, her son-in-law, Matthew, 38, and two-year-old Heather pre-requested Christmas presents as well.
With a combined wage of £53k, Lucy had been worried about how the family would meet the spiralling costs of Christmas, until her mum stepped in.
Alexandra doesn’t expect a penny back from her only child Lucy either - this is a Christmas 'bonus'.
“When you’re living pay check to pay check and something like Christmas comes along, there’s no wriggle room to buy everything extra that’s needed,” says Lucy.
READ MORE FABULOUS FEATURES
“Buying presents for Heather is our main financial priority, but there’s also money needed for Christmas food and Christmas parties and Christmas outfits.
“Even if you don’t drink at your work’s Christmas do and you buy a new dress from Vinted, it all adds up.”
'I just burst into tears'
Alexandra already provides the family-of-three with a monthly allowance which covers the cost of three days a week at nursery for Heather and goes towards electricity and gas bills.
But the take home wage from Lucy’s job as a full-time copywriter and Matthew’s job as a videographer still leaves them with very little.
Most read in Fabulous
Especially after the mortgage payment on their house in Otley, West Yorks., monthly food bills and other everyday expenses.
Lucy explains: “When I told my mum Heather had asked for a bike but I knew we wouldn’t be able to afford it, I just burst into tears.
“We don’t spoil Heather but we want to be able to buy her a couple of things and there’s simply no money to do that unless we put it on a credit card.”
Families forced into debt by festivities
Alexandra and Lucy’s stepdad, Michael, 59, who are both lawyers, insisted on helping to cover their costs so they could avoid spiralling into debt – something many people do over the Christmas period.
A recent survey completed by credit management company, Lowell, found that 74 per cent of families will rely on credit to cover their Christmas expenses this year.
We’ve bought Heather a bike using mum’s contribution and a couple of other things. Matthew and I have bought each other presents and we’ve got gifts for our extended family too.
Lucy Johnstone
On average, it will take 3.8 months – stretching into mid-April – to pay it off.
The average family is set to allocate over half (53.6 percent) of their monthly salary – approximately £1,546 based on the national average monthly wage of £2,886 – to cover the season’s costs.
A staggering 15 percent of families anticipate it will take six months or more to pay off their festive debts.
An extra grand to splurge
Now Lucy has an extra £1,000 to spend, she’s been able to pay for things that would have had to go on a credit card in the lead up to the festive period.
She says: “I can do the Christmas big shop without fear of everything I put in the trolley being more than we can afford.
“We’ve bought Heather a bike using mum’s contribution and a couple of other things.
"Matthew and I have bought each other presents and we’ve got gifts for our extended family too.
“I have bought presents for my mum and Michael which feels a bit silly because they’ve effectively paid for them but I wanted to do something to show them how grateful we are.
“I even bought an £11 second-hand skirt for my work’s Christmas party which was a nice treat.”
'I asked for a new roof for Christmas'
Alexandra’s help for her daughter won’t end with Christmas preparation either.
Bank of Gran has covered the cost of an Airbnb for the family when they travel down to London to celebrate Christmas with Lucy’s aunts and uncles.
She has also agreed to pay for gymnastics classes at £8.50 a week for Heather, starting in the New Year.
Lucy has also asked for a gym membership for her Christmas present from her mum which she’ll use to enjoy taking Heather swimming.
Alexandra’s gift to Lucy last year was a little unusual.
“I asked for a new roof for Christmas because ours was leaking,” she says.
“This year I was a bit concerned I’d have to ask for a new boiler but the problem with our current one seems to have been fixed.
“It’s been nice to ask for something that I can’t afford but it will also be practical and helpful.”
'January is always difficult'
Alexandra has also agreed to give her daughter an extra £500 in Lucy’s January allowance to cover rising nursery costs and for when money is especially tight between December and January pay days.
Lucy explains: “January is always difficult because it seems to last for so long and we can never make our money stretch far enough.
“Heather’s nursery fees have also gone up from £749 a month to £856 which starts in the New Year so our outgoings will increase yet again.”
How to save money on Christmas shopping
Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how you can save money on your Christmas shopping.
Limit the amount of presents - buying presents for all your family and friends can cost a bomb.
Instead, why not organise a Secret Santa between your inner circles so you're not having to buy multiple presents.
Plan ahead - if you've got the stamina and budget, it's worth buying your Christmas presents for the following year in the January sales.
Make sure you shop around for the best deals by using price comparison sites so you're not forking out more than you should though.
Buy in Boxing Day sales - some retailers start their main Christmas sales early so you can actually snap up a bargain before December 25.
Delivery may cost you a bit more, but it can be worth it if the savings are decent.
Shop via outlet stores - you can save loads of money shopping via outlet stores like Amazon Warehouse or Office Offcuts.
They work by selling returned or slightly damaged products at a discounted rate, but usually any wear and tear is minor.
'I'm happy to help my daughter out'
Alexandra believes that if parents are in a fortunate financial position, it is their duty to help out their children.
She says: “Having a generation of people get into debt simply so they can live is terrible for society.
“With today’s rising costs, I’m happy to help my daughter out to ensure that one day she will be able to stand on her own two feet.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
“I don’t want to watch her struggle and get into a financial situation she’ll never be able to get out of.
“And I want my granddaughter to have a lovely Christmas.”
