Millionaire Sponge

Dr.Sanchez · 13-12-2014 1:58am #1

A good friend of mine received a gift of a substantial amount of money from a family member who had won the lotto a couple of years ago - lets just say the jackpot rolled over a couple of times!

I am genuinely happy for the family, as they are decent folk - however, while chatting to the friend lately, it came to light that my friend is still receiving back to education allowance despite having quite a lot of money in the bank.

Of course I was taken aback by hearing this, and to be honest it's kind of made me "go off" this friend. I'd like to hear peoples thoughts on this as I'd like to think any reasonable person would immediately cut themselves off any sort of government benefit. Or, are the majority of people just fuelled by greed...?

Kevin McCloud · 13-12-2014 2:12am

Sounds like your jealous op.

Dr.Sanchez · 13-12-2014 2:15am

Kevin McCloud wrote: »

Sounds like your jealous op.

Not at all - Like I said, I'm happy for the family.

DEFTLEFTHAND · 13-12-2014 2:19am

The system is so fcked. If he had any honour he'd inform the relevant authorities about his change in circumstances and have the aid stopped. He should do it for his country.

ziedth · 13-12-2014 2:20am

It depends on the amount really. Let's say he has 3 years left in college that would be what? €20k? If he got a gift of around that it'd be hard to expect him to give it up. of course if he got €250k I'd agree with you.

Dr.Sanchez · 13-12-2014 2:24am

ziedth wrote: »

It depends on the amount really. Let's say he has 3 years left in college that would be what? €20k? If he got a gift of around that it'd be hard to expect him to give it up. of course if he got €250k I'd agree with you.

Times that 250k by 4 or 5 - it was a big jackpot! But yeah, I always thought the government would be clued up of things like that. Such as who's won the state lotto and needs their benefits cut off!

roadsmart · 13-12-2014 2:33am

To be honest, if he was as good a friend of yours as you describe you wouldn't be on here bitchin about him, you'd say it to his face.

DoYouEvenLift · 13-12-2014 2:42am

Blame the system, not your friend. Is it morally questionable? Of course. But, like a lot of people, he saw an opportunity and took it. If he actually is a potential millionaire himself I'm not sure why he'd even go to the effort for what would be considered pocket change to him though. Similar to stories we heard before about parents making >€100k/year claiming children's allowance.

Minderbinder · 13-12-2014 2:43am

there is a benefit culture in ireland among some sections of society. some people will take absolutely everything they can get regardless of their bank balance. when there are constant stories in the news about our leaders getting all sorts of expenses it's hardly surprising to see others follow. joyce was right, irish people have a similar mentality to jewish people regarding money.

AboutaWeekAgo · 13-12-2014 2:55am

Even lotto threads are dole threads. It's getting hard to escape them :pac:

lolosaur · 14-12-2014 2:26am

You are a terrible friend

Tail Docker · 14-12-2014 2:31am

Cheap ba5tard. Him, not you OP. Leave him off.

Venus In Furs · 14-12-2014 2:32am

It's just the way the system is. I don't think you're jealous of it (pretty easily thrown out accusation), I think you're just wondering how he's able to avail of this, but he is, so he's not doing anything officially wrong - even though he hardly needs it.
Dunno if it's an Irish thing.

BunkMoreland · 14-12-2014 2:44am

He probably had a good chunk of the money he got taken away from him with gift tax, so he's happy to be getting some back.

And why not, it's not as if we get value for money for our taxes.

freelancerTax · 14-12-2014 3:43am

BunkMoreland wrote: »

And why not, it's not as if we get value for money for our taxes.

You do know that this sort or cheating the "system" is exactly why we dont get value for our taxes?

braddun · 14-12-2014 4:04am

10,000 euro the bank reports deposit to goverment

Dr.Sanchez · 14-12-2014 11:34am

Venus In Furs wrote: »

It's just the way the system is. I don't think you're jealous of it (pretty easily thrown out accusation), I think you're just wondering how he's able to avail of this

Exactly this, I have nothing to be jealous of. I live abroad so it's not like my taxes are going into his pocket. I just think it's messed up as I know plenty of people at home struggling on a daily basis when there's people raping the system - I was just a bit disappointed to know someone doing it is all, and wondering how it's possible!

gandalf · 14-12-2014 11:57am

If you're a good friend say it to him.

Dr.Sanchez · 14-12-2014 11:59am

gandalf wrote: »

If you're a good friend say it to him.

I have - the subject was changed pretty quickly!

UCDVet · 14-12-2014 12:21pm

I don't understand why people have these ethical dilemmas.

Look, we pay all these fancy politicians a LOT of money to run this country. If you have a problem with how the system works, blame them....not the individuals that are part of the system they've created.

If your friend legitimately qualifies for some social benefit, he or she *should* take it. That's the system we've setup and they are entitled to it.

If your friend doesn't qualify and is committing fraud to obtain benefits illegally you have two options - pick one or both.
* Blame you friend for being a filthy liar. Report him or her to the appropriate authorities.
* Blame the politicians for setting up a system that people can defraud.

Banjo String · 14-12-2014 12:21pm

Dr.Sanchez wrote: »

Not at all - Like I said, I'm happy for the family.

So happy you came on here to spread the good news.

gandalf · 14-12-2014 12:27pm

Dr.Sanchez wrote: »

I have - the subject was changed pretty quickly!

Hmmm I'd throw in a phrase randomly "Would you shop someone getting benefit they didn't deserve?" and see how that goes down then. But then again I tend to stir the ****e alot just for the fun of it

Frynge · 14-12-2014 12:27pm

BunkMoreland wrote: »

He probably had a good chunk of the money he got taken away from him with gift tax, so he's happy to be getting some back.

And why not, it's not as if we get value for money for our taxes.

Gift tax! You sir need a better accountant.

BBJBIG · 14-12-2014 3:01pm

What's the problem ?
Shuren - don't we pay Dinny O'Brien squillions just to rip us off - so that he can get even more squillions out of us.

Biffo n Bertie - at least 150,000 Shamrocks a year goldplated pensions after foooookin up the country - and scratching their balls all day long.
Biffo is only around 54 - what if the kunt lives to be foooookin 90 !!! Jayzus ... FFSakes ...
And the current shower will walk away smiling too - with more goldplated pensions - curtosy of the Taxpayer.
And that will probably be at the next election. Soon.

It starts at the top.

"Adding the half pence to the pence and prayer to shivering prayer until you've dried the marrow from the bone" (Yeats).

Meanwhile, people die on the streets ; or are abused by Thicks in state nursing homes.
And that's just last weeks News.

The bondholders, bankers and developers won't go hungry either .... or unable to afford rising Rents.

Much wants more. You couldn't make this stuff up ...

Off with their testicles.
Bring back the rope.

So ... leave your friend alone.
He would make a fine politician or gombeen businessman someday.

afatbollix · 14-12-2014 3:05pm

The system helping the rich get richer.

What a great system.

DEFTLEFTHAND · 14-12-2014 3:29pm

afatbollix wrote: »

The system helping the rich get richer.

What a great system.

Engage son, there's money out there to be made

Millionaire Sponge

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