It's December, which means money is tight, but spending is high, and many are constantly looking for bargains.
An Australian woman named Mai who shares a TikTok account @savingforboba with her partner, Mason showed off her hack for wrapping a Christmas tree on a budget.
Mai and Maison regularly post money hacks, but these are recent clampwhich has been viewed more than 250,000 times, has sparked controversy as they are said to be planning to return a used Christmas tree.
The video shows Mai grabbing a tree and happily racing to the checkout, with the on-screen caption reading: “Lifehack: Get my free Christmas tree thanks to the 30-day return policy.”
Maison filmed Mai picking up a tree and walking away, box in hand – and fans were outraged or dismayed by her deception, with one calling her 'a terrible person' – although others insisted it was 'a joke'.
Mai is pictured grabbing a Christmas tree while her partner Maison films the 'life hack' where they buy, use and return the item.
Mai is seen grabbing a tree and happily running to the cash register, walking out without a care in the world, knowing that she is going to trick the store by returning it used after December.
The couple planned to purchase the plastic tree and use it over the holidays before returning it to the store within 30 days, in accordance with their policy.
This meant that they could use a free Christmas tree for most of December, as the purchase price would be refunded.
One blamed her for inflation: “And you're one of the reasons why prices are so high,” and others were confused as to why she couldn't keep it up for years.
“Or maybe you buy it so you don't have to use it next year and you can use it for years to come.”
And others were skeptical about the success of her return: “Cannot refund tree without original packaging or tree in original condition + receipt needed.”
Another chimed in: “Most of the holiday stuff is final sale to begin with. I guess it depends on the store, but the ones I worked out there were non-returns'.
A more environmentally conscious report said: 'Most returned items are not resold – this is wasteful overconsumption'.
More scathing users also made sure to comment, with one saying: 'You are a horrible person, while another said: 'Now you know why those who work in retail have bad attitudes, because of pieces of s*** like you!'
TikTok accounts mainly condemned the pair for their deceptive tactics to make a quick buck
However, some came to Mai and Mason's defense – people saw potential in her thrifty method.
“Anyone who says you have to return it in its original condition, like she can't just put it back in the box?”
And others saw humor in the short five-second clip: “It's a joke… you know? A joke? A joke'.
Another even instructed people to…relax and smile'.