Wonder why my so-called poor SIL has new clothes, shoes, etc?

Question

My sister in law's husband has been sacked from the force for nearly four years now.
They have four childen and receive social services benefits(in Australia) They would get about $1000 a fortnight but her husband is also now working (receiving cash in hand - amd also social security benefits.
they are always crying poor, but whenever I see them, they have the latest new clothes, new hairstyles - spend $100's on hair colours, styles, cuts, etc.
Children have plenty of toys and new clothes and they recently bought a $500 dog to breed with their other $500 dog.

They cry poor a lot and say it's hard raising four children with little money.

Could there be more to it then this?

Answer 1

You see this from one side only. You really never know how people view their situations. i have had friends that would cry broke just because they couldnt fly to hawaii this summer. Please, I am happy when all my bills are paid and I have $20 left over some times. It all depends on the situation. They also may not pay as high end as you think for some stuff. Alot of peopel are very savvy about how they buy their clothes etc...

Answer 2

In answer to your question, there is probably much, much more to this than meets the eye.

BUT on the other hand, what do you want out of this? Do you want to report your SIL and family to the authorities? Do you want to cause all kinds of friction among the family? Do you want to know how they manage to "beat the system" so you can copy their moves, as in lose your job, go on welfare and still come out with a bag of goodies?

Are you looking for outside approval to act on your desires?

If that's the case, then screw up enough courage to report her and her family to the authorities. Of course there will be unpleasant consequences which you will have to deal with - disrupting the family (making you the bad guy) etc. etc. etc. Not to mention the 2 $500 dogs etc. But if you're willing to accept the consequences, then by all means call the authorities.

Or are you just here to vent? If THAT's the case, then vent somewhere else - like to your SIL calling her on the carpet for crying poverty - but managing to have the bag of goodies at the same time. Of course, that would be unpleasant - but you would be venting to the "right" person.

And of course, there will be unpleasant consequences to deal with at that level too.

OR - and I recommend this path - mind your own business. Live the life YOU choose - explaining to your children that you have issues with how their cousins live their lives and think that it's not a good life - despite the toys and the spending. It simply isn't the life you want your family to emulate.

Eventually she will get caught with her hand in the cookie-jar and have to face those consequences. I believe what she's doing is fraudulent - but you can't stop her.

Your best bet is to keep your mouth closed and let nature take its course.