Rhiannon Ingle
Many families across the UK will definitely be feeling the pinch this Christmas what with increased heating bills, festive outgoings and endless present purchasing.
And that's definitely the case for one single mum who is left with just £600 a month, and says she can't afford to give her kids a nice Christmas.
Abbie Palmer, 30, works full-time as a customer services manager and has sparked a heated debate online after claiming she won't be able to afford the Christmas she wants on a salary of £23,500.
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The mum-of-two revealed she had to walk out of Aldi because she couldn't afford a festive food shop.
While she's aware she does better than others, Abbie, who hails from Wolverhampton, is left with £600-a-month after all bills are paid, which she says is not enough to get by.
She usually spends £300 on each of her two children during the festive season but, this year, that number has been reduced to £100 between them.
Abbie, mum to a 12-year-old and a six-year-old, said: "I was in Aldi thinking how normally this time of year my mum would fill the cupboards with Christmas treats.
"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."
The single mum said it is a 'disgrace' that MPs earn as much as they do and get so many benefits, and energy companies continue to make 'so many billions' while so many people are 'suffering'.
"My message to the government is let go of these expenses that the British public are paying for," Abbie said. "I’m not seeing doctors having expenses paid for, lunches paid for, having second homes.
"[MPs] don’t need £40-a-day for lunch, they should get a sandwich and bag of crisps like rest of us."
Abbie is currently off work due to sickness and thinks she has anemia, but is scared to go to the doctors as she believes she won't be able to afford any prescriptions.
She explained: "I can't even afford to keep myself healthy.
"I could end up with antibiotics and vitamin tablets that could cost £30. I simply can't afford that at the moment."
Abbie says that, compared to lots of people she is in a position of privilege, but says 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 continued.
"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."
Abbie, whose social housing rent is £450 per month, says she doesn't know a single person who isn't struggling.
Her gas and electric comes to £150 and food £400 per month in addition to paying £130-a-week for breakfast and after school clubs so she can continue to work.
The mum went on: "Then within that you still want to allow them to do activities like football and cheerleading.
"It's completely unsustainable."
Abbie is now going viral on TikTok for her thoughts on the nation's current situation with one of her videos racking up an impressive four million views alongside thousands of comments.
Some have hit back - saying £600-a-month after bills should be enough to live on.
One TikTok user said: "£600 a month after bills would be a god send so I don't understand how your struggling.... I'm left with maybe £50 a month."
A second added: "If you’re left with £600 per month AFTER bills and still struggling I’d suggest getting help with money managing."
Others, however, say they sympathise with Abbie with one pointing out: "People are missing the point.. it’s not a competition..people just don’t have enough to live on!"
A final TikTok user echoed: "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."