I can’t afford to buy my two kids the Christmas presents they deserve – I had to walk out of Aldi because I couldn’t pay

A SINGLE mum is devastated she can't afford the Christmas her kids deserve - despite working full time on more than minimum wage.

Abbie Palmer works hard to support her family of three, but revealed she was forced to walk out of Aldi after coming up short on festive funds.

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The customer services manager, 30, earns £23,500 a year and explained after bills are paid she's left with £600 a month to play with.

But, the mum-of-two has sparked debate after revealing she would usually spend £300 on both her kids' Christmas prezzies - while this year they will only see £100 between them.

Abbie said in a TikTok video: "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."

She slated the government and argued it was a "disgrace" that MPs and doctors have expenses paid for them, while blasting energy suppliers for taking advantage amid a cost of living crisis.

"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 added.

Abbie is so financially strapped she won't go to the GP for her suspected anemia diagnosis as prescription medication would be too expensive.

"I can't even afford to keep myself healthy," she explained.

Despite earning more than minimum wage, the heartbroken mum-of-two admits she has next to nothing after paying bills, completing food shop and refuelling her car.

However, her thoughts have sparked some backlash with listeners claiming £600 per month is more than enough to survive on.

"£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," wrote one.

"If you’re left with £600 per month after bills and still struggling I’d suggest getting help with money managing," agreed another.

But many rushed to Abbie's defence and said people were "missing the point".

"It’s not a competition people just don’t have enough to live on," said one supporter.

Someone else added: "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."

This comes as many parents across the nation are struggling to provide the Christmas they want for their kids.

A mum-of-two was scared that she wouldn't be able to deliver this festive season after her £100 present budget stretched to just three gifts.

Poppy had set aside £100 for each of her children, but had no idea that the generous amount would only pay for three gifts for her daughter.

Elsewhere in the country, a heartbroken mum-of-four told how she couldn't afford Christmas amid soaring costs.

Victoria Walker rarely ever turns on heating in her family's home in Bath, Somerset, in a desperate bid to save money.

Meanwhile, one devastated mum confessed she feels "ashamed" as she faces telling her kids Santa isn't real to explain why she can't buy them Christmas presents.

Rachel, 30, says she is stuck playing "bill roulette" as her family struggles amid the cost-of-living crisis.

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