Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To struggle on this salary?

409 replies

Unfff · 17/11/2024 18:10

Or more to the point… think it’s just not worth the hard work anymore?

Had enough. I earn 3,100 a month. My mortgage is 900 and car finance 300. Student loans 300. Nursery is 800 and I get 400 child maintenance. By the time I’ve paid bills… this months heating was 150! Water another 50. Phone bill and Netflix… I’m left with barely anything. My job is really full on and I work late or weekends often… I do t strictly have to but it’s the sort of job where you just do… otherwise things fall apart.

I don’t do expensive things. Can’t actually remember last time I went on holiday! AIBU to find it utterly miserable that taking home this much money means you still can’t just buy a coat or even new jumper etc without having to think twice?!

OP posts:
Laura95167 · 17/11/2024 19:02

Unfff · 17/11/2024 18:15

@LittleRedRidingHoody i checked if I was entitled to anything but you have to earn loads less. I just feel like working is pointless at the moment.

This is hilarious

Nine9 · 17/11/2024 19:01

Didshejustsaythatoutloud · 17/11/2024 18:42

Claim Uc on 3100 after tax? Are you joking?

Show quote history

Exactly what I was thinking. I am all for UC and think our benefits system often isn't enough, but no way should OP be entitled to any extra on that wage.
Car finance is a choice too, she didn't need to choose a car with monthly payments, she could have bought a cheaper one outright or on much smaller monthly payments.

TheSpoonyNavyReader · 17/11/2024 19:00

OP I totally understand. We are fortunate that we can afford it.

Yesterday, we spent over 1.5k, new tumble drier £400, filled up a car £150, popped to Tesco £230, new bedding £500, hair and beauty appointment £350, lunch and a few other bits.

Thats not including the dogs groom and vet appointment.

I do not know how some people do it and we should have wages that support people, a new jumper, should not be a luxury.

PigInADuvet · 17/11/2024 19:00

Why is your heating do high? Are you heating a mansion in the north of Scotland? Or is test your total gas/electric combined?

Original poster
Unfff · 17/11/2024 19:00

Chan9eusername · 17/11/2024 18:18

. I just feel like working is pointless at the moment.

Well then your math ain't mathing because you'd have even less coming in if you weren't working.

Working isn't pointless if its paying for your home, food and bills childcare. You're just expecting a relatively affluent lifestyle off one not especially high salary with childcare costs coming out of it.

@Chan9eusername i feel like this is a high salary though!

OP posts:
Hohohovember · 17/11/2024 18:59

Is there a chance of promotion or more money with you work? If so, hang in there it will be worth it.

Dagnabit · 17/11/2024 18:57

Working is worth it because benefits are a lot less and you’d get no help with a mortgage. What’s the alternative? Cost of living is high, unfortunately. You will save on childcare fees as years go by but you’ll find other things associated with older children replace that. I would definitely go over your budget though, to see where you can stretch your money further.

AmICrazyToEvenBother · 17/11/2024 18:56

It's really difficult, OP, I can fully sympathise and am in a similar position.

Think about the bigger picture: think ahead to 5 years, 10, retirement. It is worth it. I totally get there are days it doesn't feel it, i torally get the slog, but the alternative is worse.

And there are plenty of days, I feel the same way too.

Heretobenosy · 17/11/2024 18:56

Why are you listing student loan as a payment, has this not already been deducted with tax and NI?

TheCompactPussycat · 17/11/2024 18:53

Katemax82 · 17/11/2024 18:51

She probably earns too much for chb

Show quote history

No, she will be entitled to child benefit on that salary.

LittleRedRidingHoody · 17/11/2024 18:53

lolit · 17/11/2024 18:53

I'm suprised no one has suggested a lodger yet

Mumsnet bingo 😉

lolit · 17/11/2024 18:53

I'm suprised no one has suggested a lodger yet

Katemax82 · 17/11/2024 18:51

Phonicshaskilledmeoff · 17/11/2024 18:21

Can you not get any child benefit, free childcare hours or tax free childcare?

She probably earns too much for chb

Scully01 · 17/11/2024 18:49

They changed the threshold for universal credit quite recently, so higher earners can now apply. Was it a recent check you did?

GivingitToGod · 17/11/2024 18:49

Invisimamma · 17/11/2024 18:39

Start putting a bit away each month is you don't already, for holidays, Christmas, treat days, home repairs.

You have £1k disposable income after major bills, what do you need to pay from that...

Food for you and toddler
Insurance
Petrol
Clothes
Haircuts
Toiletries
Any memberships or subscriptions?

That isn't disposable income when you need to buy food, toiletries etc

NeedNewDress · 17/11/2024 18:48

Are you doing anything to change the situation... looking for a different, better paid job perhaps?

samarrange · 17/11/2024 18:48

Invisimamma · 17/11/2024 18:30

I usually read these and it's down to poor budgeting but not in your case. It sounds like high housing costs and childcare that's crippling you.

Can you do anything about the car finance?

Is the student loan payment correct? I'm on £32k and pay less than £10 a month on my student loan.

Is the £3100 before or after tax?

£3100 per month (after tax, I presume) corresponds to about £47,000pa gross.

Student loan repayments start at £21,000 (for a postgraduate loan, which has the lowest threshold; it's more for a first degree), and are 9% of income above that. So if it's a PG loan, OP should be paying (47k-21k)*0.09 = £2340 per year, or £195 per month. If it's an undergraduate loan, it should be less than that. See https://www.gov.uk/repaying-your-student-loan/what-you-pay

So @Unfff, if the above estimated gross is correct and your employer's payroll system is really taking £300 a month out of your pay for your student loan(s), you should get that checked.

TheCompactPussycat · 17/11/2024 18:48

Stealthmodemama · 17/11/2024 18:47

You are paying 7,800 a year for your car.. How many years was your finance for?

How much is your phone bill?

I think she's paying £3,600. 12 x £300.

Stressedgiraffe · 17/11/2024 18:48

I'm sorry but I make 3500 around what you get with maintenance. This is to support 4 people. Rent of £1700 , childcare £500, bills ,£600, travel £150.
We can pay all our bills have heating on subscriptions etc. I don't count pennies going round supermarkets. I think you are mismanaging or forgetting some bills.

lolit · 17/11/2024 18:48

You are left with 1,200 after the expenses you have named in your op. Where does it go? This is some people's whole monthly income.

Have you kept track of all expenses for one month? It will make it clearer where your money is going.

Stealthmodemama · 17/11/2024 18:47

You are paying 7,800 a year for your car.. How many years was your finance for?

How much is your phone bill?

GivingitToGod · 17/11/2024 18:47

LittleRedRidingHoody · 17/11/2024 18:14

Oh that sucks OP. You're definitely not being unreasonable.

I'm sure the MN brigade will be along shortly with good, practical advice - just wanted to commiserate. I was on similar for a few years and it sucked - just surviving and no fun!

Are you not eligible for a bit of UC towards the nursery fees?

This. Your outgoings are enormous OP and childcare costs are a killer. I lived on the edge constantly when my child was younger. I actually think I would have been better off not working and claiming benefits but I didn't want to go down that route. Take care OP, as a single parent, this is all on you

Fedupandstressed · 17/11/2024 18:45

I don't understand how the student loan is so high? I earn 2700 before tax and my graduate and post graduate repayments come to £99.

Are you on a different type of loan?

MySparklyAmberPoet · 17/11/2024 18:45

@Unfff see my posts above

Swipe left for the next trending thread