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£500 to spend.

(150 Posts)
annsixty Mon 06-Jul-20 12:56:28

It is my day for starting threads so be kind to me.
I saw in a few newspaper reports over the last 2days, suggestions that the Chancellor should give every adult in the country £500 to spend to kick start the economy.
If this were to happen, how would you spend yours?
I have absolutely no idea.

Callistemon Tue 07-Jul-20 10:03:41

gillybob

That’s assuming you can use the vouchers (if they appear) in the supermarket or school uniform shop .

People on the breadline can’t afford to pay the inflated prices at “convenience stores” .

If they were given £500 that they wouldn't have had otherwise they could buy quite a lot of food even at the higher prices in a convenience store.

However, perhaps supermarkets would be included if British owned?

If it happens.

Jennyluck Tue 07-Jul-20 10:04:46

This is a great idea, which has happened in other countries. This is to help get the economy going. It doesn’t matter what your circumstances are .
Not sure what I’d spend it on though.

Sys2ad2 Tue 07-Jul-20 10:05:04

it will only be given to unemployed, furloughed and non workers so i will not be eligible. Crazy idea they will go to the beach and pubs stopping locals going out again

Callistemon Tue 07-Jul-20 10:07:00

gillybob

Don’t give up merlot .

Can you imagine the cost of buying a big family shop at a convenience store instead of a cut price supermarket such as Aldi etc.

The convenience stores around where I live were all open and very busy during the lockdown . I don’t think they need some poor families to prop them up .

I can imagine, if each adult and child were to be given the vouchers, they could buy quite a lot of food for eg £1,000 (2 adults, 2 children) even at the higher prices.

krazykat Tue 07-Jul-20 10:11:54

A one off gardner, I have been ill the last 3 years and my garden resembles a jungle. It would be good for small businesses too.
Cant actually see it happening though, where would the money come from?

Singlegrannie Tue 07-Jul-20 10:12:25

I would give it to my daughter who is struggling financially in lockdown .

annsixty Tue 07-Jul-20 10:14:59

krazykat from the same source as the billions already paid out to people on furlough and self employed in certain circumstances.

helgawills Tue 07-Jul-20 10:15:06

It says they are supposed to be spent on High Street, face to face, or hospitaliy. What about music festivals? A lot of the small, independent ones are struggling and setting up crowdfunders. There's a small festival in Hampshire we'd love to go to again. Surely the music industry needs all the help they can get, too.

Callistemon Tue 07-Jul-20 10:17:43

The High Street
Many of our shops have gone.
I do need new specs though.

annsixty Tue 07-Jul-20 10:18:32

helga, this, so far mythical, money is reported to be available for the arts.
That would include your festival along with theatres which have suffered a real downturn which will last for years.

NoddingGanGan Tue 07-Jul-20 10:18:39

IF I was allowed I'd buy a new freezer as mine is on its last legs. But I'd get it from our local, independant, electrical shop or John Lewis rather than Curry's etc. even if it would, undoubtedly, cost more.
If not, I'd spend it on local eateries, though not as a sit in customer yet until I 'm certain that the risk is negligable. Most of them are still doing takeaways.

Jane10 Tue 07-Jul-20 10:20:55

I'd spend it on hospitality but mainly on the small independent cafes and restaurants which source their ingredients locally so the financial support could spread more widely.
Also on local small tradesmen for small jobs needing to be done around the house.

Graygirl Tue 07-Jul-20 10:21:54

Take MAY out classic motorhome to her favourite sites, as long as they have there disabled bathrooms open. If it was £500 per adult making our budget for the summer to £2,200 would look at seasonal
Pitch because that would give us all summer in one place putting into local economy.

gillyknits Tue 07-Jul-20 10:23:39

I would give mine to my daughter and husband who haven’t had a penny in any benefits since the lockdown began, despite both being in work right up until April. ?

Jaye53 Tue 07-Jul-20 10:31:04

spend on an afternoon tea somewhere nice.cafe get my garden shrubs trimmed.and some new plants.sunshine

polnan Tue 07-Jul-20 10:35:21

Reading some of these comments
I just wish there were independent shops of any kind in or near to me
I wouldn’t need a voucher to induce me to use them
Last night I was thinking that we have been consumed
Eaten alive be cut price supermarkets
And buy ,buy,buy
Cheap cheap

Suziemarie Tue 07-Jul-20 10:36:38

Well if it's in vouchers it would be little use to people shielding.
I'd not risk my husband's life to go to a restaurant or to the high street.

Whitewavemark2 Tue 07-Jul-20 10:38:17

Seem to have changed their minds they are now talking about home insulation grants.

Perhaps they will do both?

Esmerelda Tue 07-Jul-20 10:39:17

Looks like it's going to be on insulating your house, so I trust nobody got their hopes up! smile

Pippet Tue 07-Jul-20 10:39:26

Springing to mind. Buy nice little items for presents for friends and fam from independent companies. Or donate brought items to food bank Locally. Loving everyone’s idea too.

Callistemon Tue 07-Jul-20 10:47:22

I was looking forward to some snazzy new spectacles.

What about insulating ourselves - could we buy new winter ciarsm hats, mufflers?

Callistemon Tue 07-Jul-20 10:48:32

I have no idea where ciarsm came from

Coats

NannyG123 Tue 07-Jul-20 10:51:30

I'd treat my family to a day out.

Bijou Tue 07-Jul-20 10:56:10

Being unable to do it myself, I would use it to pay someone to give my bungalow a good spring clean and tidy up my overgrown garden.

EllanVannin Tue 07-Jul-20 11:02:00

There'll be a catch somewhere.