A 21-year-old mother of four who receives Universal Credit has sparked a significant online debate after revealing she managed to save £2,000 in just the first week of 2026.
The 'Bare Minimum' Savings Strategy
Millie, the young mum at the centre of the story, explained her financial achievement in a TikTok video. She stated that her savings came from a combination of her regular Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits, which include Universal Credit and other entitlements, alongside side hustles.
"We’re only a week into 2026 and I’ve already saved £2,000," Millie said. "I’m a mum-of-four on Universal Credit and do claim all the benefits as well, but I’ve managed to save this amount purely by doing the bare minimum."
Boosting Income Beyond Benefits
Her approach involved supplementing her state support with additional streams of income. She earns money from the TikTok Creator Fund and by selling unwanted household items and clothes on the popular resale platform Vinted.
Detailing her process, Millie explained: "Just before Christmas I got paid, I didn’t need to buy anything, so I literally kept I think it was £150 for ‘just in case’ and the rest I put aside." She added that a recent house move and post-Christmas clear-out allowed her to make nearly £200 from sales on Vinted alone.
Online Backlash and Debate
The revelation prompted a fierce mixed reaction from her followers and the wider public. While some praised her savvy, commenting "Awesome!" and "Smashed it," others were critical of someone on maternity leave accumulating such savings from the benefits system.
One angry viewer questioned: "So you don’t need benefits then if you have £2k," highlighting a common tension in public discourse around welfare. Another remarked on the sheer scale of the saving, stating: "£2k in a week, I couldn’t do that in a month."
Millie defended her position, indicating that careful budgeting and using leftover money from her Universal Credit payment contributed to the savings pot. She also noted another payment was due, which would solidify her £2,000 milestone by Friday, January 16, 2026.
