Viewers slam ‘vile judgmental’ Secret Spenders

A couple who splashed out £700 for a hot tub but claimed to be struggling financially have been slammed as ‘rich idiots’ by viewers of Secret Spenders.

The programme, which aired last night, claims to help cash-strapped British families cut back on their spending, but was slammed for choosing couples who were spending hundreds a month on unnecessary luxuries. 

Dan and Cheri, from Chesterfield, appeared on the show as they described struggling to save a deposit for their home but overspending on luxury products, including a outdoor jacuzzi bought during Covid. 

At the end of the show, the couple were advised by experts on the show to start taking £10,000 in Universal Credit each year, in order to save for a home.  

However many of those watching criticised the show online, with one saying: ‘Instead of showing rich idiots how to save money, why not try to show people in poverty how to exist on #GovBenefits? 

Dan and Cheri, from Chesterfield, who splashed out £700 for a hot tub but claimed to be struggling financially have been slammed as ‘rich idiots’ by viewers of Secret Spenders 

‘But the programme would end after a few minutes when the experts discover that it barely possible to exist on benefits, let alone live.’ 

At the start of the show last night, Dan said he was a little bit concerned that his wife Cheri’s spending had gotten them into some debt.

He explained: ‘She is really the breadwinner and as the lion share of money is Cheri’s then there is more income in her hands for spending.’

Dan worked as a  jiu jitsu teacher and earned around £400 per month, as well as looking after the couple’s young daughter.

He said: ‘Cheri is very family focused so will find an excuse to spoil the girls. I know there are numerous Amazon deliveries throughout the month. Little things but those little things then do add up.

The couple described struggling to save a deposit for their home but overspending on luxury products, including a outdoor jacuzzi bought during Covid

The couple described struggling to save a deposit for their home but overspending on luxury products, including a outdoor jacuzzi bought during Covid 

‘We are at a tipping point financially,  we’re struggling to save for the deposit for a house and for me to expand business wise.

‘It leans toward Cheri, who leans towards buying items for the house. 

Ways Dan and Cheri could save £19,000 in just 12 months  

Debt consolidation – £2,316 

Cut back food shop to £400 per month – £1,980

Cut back on eating out, beauty, takeaways – £600

Stop charity shop spending – £600

Half Dan’s monthly book spend from £50 to £25 – £300 

Reduce payment to future finance to £45 a month – £1,200 

Sell Cheri’s car – £1,536

Universal Credit entitlement – £10,915 

 = £19,447

‘We’ve had hot tubs and gazebos bought. I do know there is considerable expense spent on hair care products.’

Cheri was then surprised by the Secret Spenders team, with the presenter explaining they had been secretly filming her to see how she spent her money.

Anna Whitehouse said she would be rummaging around in the house to see where they could save money, while Peter Komolafe revealed he would be analysing their budgeting and bank statements.

Anna was left stunned to discover the hot tub outside, saying: ‘This is where the money has gone. It’s almost a paradise of their own making, but can they afford it?’

Cheri explained how she had spent a large amount on credit at Christmas time, buying presents for her children as well as a gazebo and a jacuzzi for the family.

She confessed she had spent £1,400 on her credit card in total. 

Cheri said: ‘We’ve never argued about money which I find quite surprising but we never talk about money.’

After looking through their home, Anna and Peter confronted Cheri and Dan about their spending.

They began with Cheri’s £50 per month beauty spend, before the mother explained the outside set of chairs and jacuzzi had been ‘bargains.’

While she claimed the loungewear was ‘only about £100 each’, the jacuzzi was £700.

She said: ‘Being indoors, having Covid happen, having the baby happen, all at once, we just sort of felt we needed something here now.

‘Financially it has been the burden and caused the issues. 

Many of those watching were highly critical of the couple for their spending, with some saying they felt 'incandescent with rage'

Many of those watching were highly critical of the couple for their spending, with some saying they felt ‘incandescent with rage’ 

‘We have some money, we will find a way to spend it. We’re desperate to spend because we have it.

‘It is a  bit of a bad cycle we need to break.’ 

Meanwhile Peter wanted to discuss the couples £6,000 of debt and they said they were eligible for Universal Credit, taking home £10,000 a year.

The couple were told they could save £19,447 if they followed the different pieces of advice from the experts.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the couple had splashed out over £1,000 on a jacuzzi as well as several gazebos and outside lounge sets

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the couple had splashed out over £1,000 on a jacuzzi as well as several gazebos and outside lounge sets 

The couple were delighted after they were told by the experts they could be claiming £10,000 in Universal Credit

The couple were delighted after they were told by the experts they could be claiming £10,000 in Universal Credit 

Dan said: ‘I was not expecting anywhere near that amount.’

However many of those watching the programme felt the couple were undeserving of the help from the experts.

One commented: ‘So buy loads of stuff and a jacuzzi for your garden. Then get help with over £10k per allum Universal Credit paid for by taxpayers.

‘I’m tired and exhausted from hard work, but no jacuzzi.’ 

Another added: ‘There must be people watching this who haven’t got a pot to p*** in, absolutely incandescent with rage I shouldn’t wonder.’

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