To wonder how they afford to stay at home?

They buy, take photos/try on with me and then return. They're strategic about where they take their pics. Family wealth. Shop sales for their kids and know what looks expensive. My neighbour once said to me kids are always look good looking in expensive clothes- which aside from being shite because she was talking about a pic of my kids dressed head to toe in Primark. Was probably because of the style of clothes they were wearing. Sell clothes instead of donating, sell freebies, sell old toys etc. Also they might be working part time on the qt. An influencer I follow is a nurse but you wouldn't know only she puts pics of herself in scrubs. If she didn't you'd 100% think she's a sahm with a thriving social life.

I know a sahm that posts a lot on SM. Her partner is in a low paid job. They get topped up with UC. I suppose you wouldn't really know just going by her posts but that's the situation.

When I read this type of thread I always feel like the OP wants to just hear that the people they are jealous of must be in shitloads of debt, or dealing drugs.

Surely it’s obvious that some people just have more money than others? There are so many ways they could have this money, but the majority are obvious.

Sizeable inheritance, generous family support, passive income, working partner earns a lot more than you think.

I am 33 and have three young DC. I have a large passive income which is much higher than my DH income but he loves his job and prefers to work. I imagine some people might think I am in a precarious position, being a SAHM, but those who know us better and know my background, quickly work it out.

When you see people on SM it’s possible that none of what they post, or very little of it is true. You don’t know them, so why care how they live or where they get their money from?

@3WildOnes you're on the right track! Easy to pick up shifts in some job areas, and they get well paid when you leave NHS roles

The fact is that accounts that are aesthetically pleasing and (somewhat) aspirational will always be more popular than showing the reality of the situation. Therefore there will be more of them, and they will be promoted harder by Tik Tok to encourage views.

Not many people can pull of a realistic and entertaining account of what it is like having a few kids but there is one in NZ called lisaperesecullen who though clearly knows a lot about marketing/fashion etc. has some very funny and relatable day in the life videos.

I know this isn't the point of the thread but what professional roles pay overtime? I don't know any professional roles except medine.

They may be faking it til they make it

You would honestly be astounded at how much successful YouTubers make. Sometimes absolutely millions.

I live the life you describe. I'm not on social media. Same age bracket.

We live on DH's salary.

My best piece of advice is to not live beyond your means, even if you have a good household income. Too many people put themselves into debt just to have a mega expensive car when they can already afford a nice new car. They will take on the biggest mortgage they can on the biggest house possible, again meaning they end up in debt.

We couldn't really afford to have us both working. I imagine that's the case for many many people. Very very few at our large primary were full time outside the home as lower income area so not worthwhile.

I didnt have the flashy lifestyle though!

Wow you’re getting a lot of bitchy comments for just asking a question! I think some suggestions above are probably reality but they are also not the average within their demographic. Most 20/30 year olds have to work.

I follow an influencer type of mum, a bit older, made $US500k last year!

Just because a person expresses curiosity, it doesn't make them jealous. And even if they were, so what? Isn't it natural to want nice things when you see other people have them? Especially if they don't seem to be working that hard for them.

OP, I think a lot of it is smoke and mirrors. Done people are very adept at making their lives look amazing on SM. But not everything you see is true.

They pray to the King of The Potato People to give them money ....

Good lord it's not rocket science is it? It's money they've worked for, won, inherited or married into. OR it's all smoke and mirrors and they aren't rich at all and are just good at looking like they are.

A lot will be American, and outside of the major cities, big houses and big cars are much more affordable/standard than they would be in the UK.

“Maybe it’s just not reflective of real life…”

But if it’s on the internet it must be real. Said no one, ever.

Just to add my husband thinks it's important I have the option to stay home and spend as much time as possible with our boys- so he does overtime in a well paid professional role to enable that

I'm 26 and could be a SAHM but chose to work 2 days a week and we have 2 under 2. Basically living that lifestyle

1. My husband works extremely hard
2. We have a reasonable mortgage (essex)
3. We've always been sensible with money so have a nice safety net behind us

It's not that tricky really..

Inherited wealth, parents bought them a house, they have rich husbands.

I had a number of friends who lived in million pounds houses before they were 30.

Their partners have high salaries. They live in a cheap part of the country. They themselves have a high-paying career before children which they keep doing part-time. Family money. All of the above.

(and you sound jealous).

As @SENDhelp2023 said SM is not always real.

But some can be SAHM due to a rich husband or family money.

On SM rich people play at being poor and poor people play at being rich.