Anyone feeling blue should read this. Money saving guru asked his followers on Twitter for some tales of kindness and thoughtfulness - and they replied with some amazing stories.
The money saving expert founder said that the best ones would be read out on his BBC podcast. Martin himself was moved by the stories which included helping the elderly, families and homeless and he said afterwards: “Feeling a bit low today? Read the responses to this question, it’ll cheer you up (while perhaps making your eyes water a tad too)”.
Stories included incredible kindness in car parks, giving food to the needy, helping students who have hit rock bottom and even when children were unable to buy ice creams.
Here are some of the stories - guaranteed to cheer you up!
Chance meeting of homeless person
Jay said: “I used to work in a homeless shelter & one day I bumped into a young man that i had previously worked with. He was still homeless & had deteriorated in health. I bought him some food, drink and tobacco. I gave him money so he could stay in a hostel. I could never do that when I worked with him so it was nice to do it a few years later when I saw him. I don’t know if he recognised me, I remembered his full name and when I said it out loud his eyes sparkled and he gave me the biggest smile.”
Greggs kindness
SoniaFayyaz said: “I once paid for someone who was short at @GreggsOfficial and when i went to pay for my order the lady at the counter said they had a policy - if you pay for someone else, Greggs don’t charge you for your order! I was absolutely overwhelmed - kindness paid forward in practice.” Lee added: “I did the same for a young lad at Nero whilst buying my coffee. The guy that served me said he’d seen what I did so gave us both drinks for free. I’ll never forget it.”
Family buying a home
Amphritite said: “The family who had inherited our now home accepted a significantly lower offer from us (the very most we could afford) on the basis that we wanted it as a family home as opposed to a development opportunity. They rejected the higher offers. We intend to pass this on if we move.”
McDonald’s food
Mike explained: “A couple of years ago me & family were shopping called with for a McDs. We were just about done & a young guy wandered up & said “I’m sorry to bother you but could I take what you’ve left? I’m homeless”. I got him a meal, gave him a tenner & heard his story in tears.”
Student money woes
Lucy said: “When I was a student I had hit the bottom of my overdraft & didn’t have enough money for my food shop ( I didn’t realise how little money I had until I went to pay and it didn’t go through) the woman behind me paid for my shop & I still think about it all the time how kind it was.”
Nice taxi driver
Hellie Roo said: “My purse (with money and driving licence) fell out of my bag in a taxi. The driver called my friend (who booked the taxi) to tell her would drop if off to me before his next shift. He wouldn’t take a penny from me in thanks or to cover his costs, just said ‘it’s nice to be nice’”.
Hospital car park
Lisa said: “It’s often the ‘small’ things that really lift your day. I was once stuck at a hospital which was cash car park only, I had no money, only debit cards and I was on my own. A complete stranger gave me 5 x £1 from his bag of ‘hospital coins’ I was so grateful. Incredible kindness.”
Ice cream
Claire said: “A lady once paid for my kids ice creams, when the ice cream van was cash only and I only had my card, making my day - and that of my children. I’ve paid it forward since for other families at the same ice cream van in the same position I once was.”
Aldi rescue
Julie said: “Yes, last year gave £20 to bloke in front of me in the queue at Aldi, his daughter was with him and he was going to put back a few items she wanted. I did it because my Mother in Law had recently died, I didn’t give her back the £20 she lent me, so I gave it to him.”
Fruit joy
Lynn said: “I gave £10 to a young mum in a supermarket queue. She couldn’t afford to pay for her shopping and include the fresh fruit. She refused initially but then accepted. Her son’s joy at having apples and some other fruit, and her tearful thanks was reward enough.”
Reminded me of nan
Groovy said: “At the Tesco check out I was behind an old lady in the queue. Her bill came to £56.83, she only had just under £10. She reminded me of my Nan when she was alive. She didn’t want me to help her but I insisted, and in no time at all we had all her shopping back on the shelves.”
Cash for sweets
Nicky said: “Little lad at the til trying to pay for some bits & bobs, milk etc. he counted his money & put a choc bar in too. He didn’t have enough - was about 30p short so I tapped him on the shoulder and gave him a pound coin. His face lit up, disappeared with his stuff. And my change!!”
