I’m a single mum – trolls say I’m ‘bragging’ about my Universal Credit money
A mum has hit back at internet trolls who think she is bragging about using her Universal Credit money to shop at Aldi.
Singleton Rhianon Elizabeth took to TikTok to hit out at haters who claimed she bragged about spending over £60 at the discount supermarket.
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According to the young mother, who has two children, she received the nasty comment after posting about a grocery purchase from Aldi which had cost her just over £60.
Among the items she picked up at the store were fresh fruit, some frozen items such as French fries, delicious halloumi-style fries, satay chicken skewers, ice cream, orange juice, vegetable oil and toilet paper.
The total bill was £62.70, Rhianon said, and she used her Universal Credit benefit to cover the cost.
However, one TikTok user had this to say about the mini ‘top-up’ haul: ‘If you can afford to spend that money on Universal Credit, bragging rights.’
Rhianon reacted to the troll in surprise, wondering if he really thought it was ‘bragging’.
”Look, I’m sorry if you can’t afford to spend £62 at Aldi. But I wasn’t bragging.
“I hope one day you can afford to shop at Aldi,” the single said back in the clip.
“How can you be angry at someone who spends their universal credit on food?”
Other social media users responded en masse to the comments, with one of them reacting hysterically: “Being angry at you for feeding your children is intense.”
Another was equally stunned, writing: “My god what is wrong with some people, I thought it was a lot for £60.”
“This was the least boastful post I have ever seen…,” someone else couldn’t believe the rude comment.
“What would it be spent on if not on FOOD FOR YOUR CHILDREN?????” A fourth was speechless.
The handsome bachelor, who posts under the username @rhianonelizabethregularly shares relatable content about parenting on her page, which is currently on its way to 10,000 followers.
In her latest videos, she shows how she scavenges toys from a thrift store, how she declutters and rearranges the family living room, and how she makes money selling stuff on Vinted.
Am I entitled to universal credit?
According to the GOV website, If you have a low income or need help with your living expenses, you may be eligible for Universal Credit.
To be eligible for this scheme you must be resident in the UK, be aged 18 or over (with some exceptions if you are aged between 15 and 17), be under state pension age and have a maximum of £16,000 in cash, savings and investments.
Other circumstances include if you are unemployed or unable to work, for example due to a health condition.
Recently a single mother known as Mummy Budgets, went to her TikTok page to post some of the ways she kept costs down over the summer holidays.
This included making sure her “stock” was full at the beginning of the month, as the mother of four noted: “Little trips to the store add up and help prevent impulse buys.”
The frugal mum also takes ‘daily walks’ with the children – who are aged 14, 13, six and one – adding: ‘This helps me when I feel overstimulated’ and ‘it also helps the children burn off energy’.
With school still closed, the parent tries to avoid eating out as much as possible, opting instead for a healthy picnic in the park and packing some food before they head out.
However, she does treat her brood to dinner on Fridays, when they go to IKEA.
“Meatballs and mashed potatoes are just £2.45 and a children’s menu with pasta is just 45p,” she explained.
“This is actually cheaper than cooking at home and it gives me a break.
“The children’s meal is fine and also includes a drink and a piece of fruit.”
