‘It’s still not enough’: Mum’s heartbreaking Aldi admission

A single mum-of-two has sparked debate online after claiming she won’t be able to afford the Christmas she wants on her $44k salary.

A hardworking single mum has sparked debate online after claiming she won’t be able to afford the Christmas she wants on a salary of £23,500 ($44,925).

Abbie Palmer works full-time as a customer services manager – but said she had to walk out of Aldi because she couldn’t afford a festive food shop.

The 30-year-old is left with £600-a-month ($1147) after all bills are paid – which is not enough to get by, she said.

Ms Palmer, from Wolverhamptom in England’s West Midlands, is well aware she does better than others.

The mum-of-two said she usually spends £300 ($573) on each of her children – aged 12 and six – at Christmas, but this year is reduced to spending £100 ($191) between them.

“I was in Aldi thinking how normally this time of year my mum would fill the cupboards with Christmas treats,” Ms Palmer said.

“Then I suddenly realised I wouldn’t be able to do that this year. I don’t have Sky or anything like that. Unless I can pay I don’t have it. I live completely within my means – but it’s still not enough.”

Abbie Palmer sparked debate online after claiming she won’t be able to afford the Christmas she wants on her $44k salary. Picture: SWNS

Ms Palmer said it is a “disgrace” that MPs earn as much as they do and receive so many benefits, and energy companies continue to make “so many billions” while so many people are “suffering”.

“My message to the government is [to] let go of these expenses that the British public are paying for,” she said.

“I’m not seeing doctors having expenses paid for, lunches paid for, having second homes.

“[MPs] don’t need £40-a-day ($76) for lunch, they should get a sandwich and bag of crisps like the rest of us.”

Ms Palmer is currently off work due to sickness.

She thinks she has anaemia – a condition that develops when your blood produces a lower-than-normal amount of healthy red blood cells – but is scared to go to the doctors as she believes she won’t be able to afford any prescriptions.

“I can’t even afford to keep myself healthy,” she said.

“I could end up with antibiotics and vitamin tablets that could cost £30 ($57). I simply can’t afford that at the moment.”

The single mum-of-two is currently off work due to sickness. Picture: SWNS

She said she had to leave Aldi because she couldn’t afford her groceries. Picture: Evan Morgan

Ms Palmer said that compared to lots of people, she is in a position of privilege – but added that just shows how bad things have become for people across the country.

“I’m not even on minimum wage, but once I’ve done my food shop and put fuel in my car that’s basically it,” she said.

“I can literally only go to the pub I used to work at on the off chance I can get a free drink or someone buys one for me.”

Ms Palmer said she doesn’t know a single person who isn’t struggling.

Her rent, in social housing, is £450 ($860) per month, while her gas and electricity come to £150 ($286) and food £400 ($764) per month.

She also has to pay £130-a-week ($248) for breakfast and after-school clubs so she can continue to work.

“Then within that you still want to allow [your kids] to do activities like football and cheerleading,” Ms Palmer added.

“It’s completely unsustainable.”

‘Once I’ve done my food shop and put fuel in my car, that’s basically it.’ Picture: SWNS

Ms Palmer said the current cost of living situation is ‘completely unsustainable’. Picture: SWNS

The mum is going viral on TikTok for her thoughts on the nation’s current situation.

Her video has been viewed more than four million times and has sparked thousands of comments.

Some have hit back – saying £600-a-month ($1147) after bills should be enough to live on.

“£600-a-month after bills would be a god send so I don’t understand how you’re struggling … I’m left with maybe £50 ($95) a month,” one person said.

Another added: “If you’re left with £600 per month AFTER bills and still struggling I’d suggest getting help with money managing.”

But others said they sympathised with Ms Palmer.

“People are missing the point … it’s not a competition … people just don’t have enough to live on!” someone wrote.

“I’m so sorry you’re struggling, and that people are still saying, ‘I would be well happy with £600’ like it’s a competition,” another said.