Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Finances

229 replies

Flowerflowering · 16/12/2024 18:51

Just wanted to vent a little and share my story…so, my husband and I have been struggling a lot financially. We don’t have any savings, our living costs keep increasing (our rent is super high) and our salaries are just not cutting it. After payday we’re often left with just enough for food and that often finishes very quickly so some months it can get very difficult and stressful. I sometimes rely on my mum and she often helps when she’s able to, but my husband usually finds it very difficult to ask for help. I’m not expecting him to be demanding hand-outs or something but I would just like him to use his initiative sometimes and ask close family members when we’re really struggling for basic essentials, instead of burying his head in the sand and behaving as though he’s oblivious to the fact that some days we run out of food and the fridge is almost empty. I’d also like to add that he’s got a large family and has some family members that are very well off - I’m not saying that means he should take advantage but I don’t see why he can’t ask them for help when it’s needed? We’ve got very young children as well, which causes additional stress. He’s very matter of fact and blasé about the situation and I don’t know whether this is just him being all “macho” about it and hiding his emotions as men sometimes do…but it’s started to upset me a little. I know there are options such as getting seconds jobs etc but our kids are still young and I wouldn’t want to always be out of the house and exhausted because I’m trying to make extra cash because my kids would ultimately be affected by this…but then again, even if I did, it would probably be for a short while perhaps. Just feeling a bit overwhelmed 🥲

OP posts:
SleeplessInWherever · 17/12/2024 17:18

NewName24 · 17/12/2024 16:49

This.
£2.5K is not a small amount to live on. (and, I don't think we know what part of the country the OP is in, as to whether the rent is £1.5K)

If anyone thinks that a joint income of circa 60k is high, I have a bridge to sell you.

I don't think anyone has said it is a high income, but, equally, it is not a low income either. As stated, it is an amount that should mean you are able to balance the books.

The shaming on this thread is unreal.

In fairness to most posters, the OP started a thread to ask if she WBU in thinking that her in-laws should give them cash regularly. I think that sense of entitlement should be shamed.

We don’t need to know her rent, or outgoings. She said they’re high enough for them to be struggling with them and that’s all the information needed. The books aren’t balancing, end of story. The specifics don’t matter IMO.

I don’t think anyone should be shamed, and don’t think anyone is coming to say they’re poor because they’d really value judgement.

I think what they need is practical support, but also don’t see any shame in asking family for help when you’re struggling.

NewName24 · 17/12/2024 16:52

@SleeplessInWherever the thing is, the OP hasn't come here to ask how she can sort out her finances.
She hasn't answered any questions about her costs - which is fair enough, she doesn't have to of course - but no-one here can then 'help her' by helping look through her budget, or making suggestions of where savings could be made as OP doesn't want that.
She only wanted to have people say that of course other people should give her handouts, despite there being no reason (that she wants to share with us) why anyone should.

NewName24 · 17/12/2024 16:49

Mrsttcno1 · 17/12/2024 16:00

I understand this but even if you said it was £1500 in rent that still leaves £2500.

Even if you said the other household bills so wifi, water, gas & electric, TV package, council tax etc came to another £1000, that still leaves £1500 after paying all household bills.

It’s not enough to be on holiday twice a year or having weekly restaurant meals but it should absolutely be enough to put food on the table.

This.
£2.5K is not a small amount to live on. (and, I don't think we know what part of the country the OP is in, as to whether the rent is £1.5K)

If anyone thinks that a joint income of circa 60k is high, I have a bridge to sell you.

I don't think anyone has said it is a high income, but, equally, it is not a low income either. As stated, it is an amount that should mean you are able to balance the books.

The shaming on this thread is unreal.

In fairness to most posters, the OP started a thread to ask if she WBU in thinking that her in-laws should give them cash regularly. I think that sense of entitlement should be shamed.

SleeplessInWherever · 17/12/2024 16:08

Mrsttcno1 · 17/12/2024 16:00

I understand this but even if you said it was £1500 in rent that still leaves £2500.

Even if you said the other household bills so wifi, water, gas & electric, TV package, council tax etc came to another £1000, that still leaves £1500 after paying all household bills.

It’s not enough to be on holiday twice a year or having weekly restaurant meals but it should absolutely be enough to put food on the table.

Depends on what other outgoings people have.

Once you arrive in a position of debt, those repayments can swallow your income. Yes, it’s often self inflicted, but that won’t change the amount it costs.

I don’t think it’s up to others, a general comment not aimed at you specifically, to tell people what “should be” affordable. If it isn’t, it isn’t.

Let’s help people out of the holes they’re in rather than just judging them for being in them.

Hankunamatata · 17/12/2024 16:03

Are there cheaper rentals avaliable? Could you downsize?

IVFmumoftwo · 17/12/2024 16:03

Spanielsaremad · 17/12/2024 15:04

I don't think op did say it was low income did she?

She said she might have to look at buying a house on schemes aimed at those on low income.

Mrsttcno1 · 17/12/2024 16:00

SleeplessInWherever · 17/12/2024 13:08

It really isn’t.

Rent alone can comfortably take up £1500 of that in some areas.

I understand this but even if you said it was £1500 in rent that still leaves £2500.

Even if you said the other household bills so wifi, water, gas & electric, TV package, council tax etc came to another £1000, that still leaves £1500 after paying all household bills.

It’s not enough to be on holiday twice a year or having weekly restaurant meals but it should absolutely be enough to put food on the table.

SleeplessInWherever · 17/12/2024 15:54

If anyone thinks that a joint income of circa 60k is high, I have a bridge to sell you.

The shaming on this thread is unreal.

OP - try cost saving measures and some proper planning before you consider a second job. Working yourself to death is not the way.

Shinyandnew1 · 17/12/2024 15:17

So, what’s the point of having wealth if it’s not to help others?

Security, being able to buy nice things when you want it?

Shoxfordian · 17/12/2024 15:15

It sounds like you need to communicate more with your dh about finances and take another job if you need to tbh

Don't expect other people to bail you out for your life choices

Spanielsaremad · 17/12/2024 15:04

IVFmumoftwo · 17/12/2024 14:54

Aren't you a bit embarrassed to say your are low income when you have £4k each month coming in?

I don't think op did say it was low income did she?

IVFmumoftwo · 17/12/2024 14:54

Aren't you a bit embarrassed to say your are low income when you have £4k each month coming in?

Shinyandnew1 · 17/12/2024 14:42

their money is for you to dip into

Yes, I think it’s this sense of entitlement that is so rude. Their money is theirs, because they have worked hard, prioritised, saved, gone without, whatever. Nobody else has any entitlement to it because it’s not theirs.

Tinyratsarse · 17/12/2024 14:36

Manara · 16/12/2024 22:17

Do you hunt around on MN for threads you can trot out the ‘we worked hard for our money’ line?

Seriously, no one gives a shit what wealth you have or what you leave your kids. She’s not even talking to you. And everyone works hard for their money.

Read the room and leave OP alone.

Edited

As someone who has lost a lot of money in the past to someone I tried to help I can see where you are coming from.
I am past pension age and have s very ,very low income but I manage. I wasn't always a good manager . I have been in considerable debt but took control of it ,eventually. I went for help to MSE and stepchange .

I would say that meal planning and not buying anything on a whim has been my biggest help. I.ve paid everything and am solvent now.

I would help someone with advice and support. I would help children .But casually expecting family to bale me out ,no. If it was a one off dire emergency yes.
I feel for your mum I really do. She has her own needs and responsibilities I'm sure. You seem to think family is a resource that it is normal to take for granted and that whether they are wealthy or not ,their money is for you to dip into.

SleeplessInWherever · 17/12/2024 13:08

Spanielsaremad · 17/12/2024 12:37

I know it's net and I still don't agree it's a healthy income for 2 full time working adults.

It really isn’t.

Rent alone can comfortably take up £1500 of that in some areas.

Spanielsaremad · 17/12/2024 12:37

NewName24 · 17/12/2024 12:30

I don’t think £4k is a healthy income in a 2 working adults household, not nowadays.

Which shows how skewed MN is.

Of course it is. This is net, the OP has stated.

I know it's net and I still don't agree it's a healthy income for 2 full time working adults.

NewName24 · 17/12/2024 12:30

I don’t think £4k is a healthy income in a 2 working adults household, not nowadays.

Which shows how skewed MN is.

Of course it is. This is net, the OP has stated.

SleeplessInWherever · 17/12/2024 11:40

BMW6 · 17/12/2024 10:05

It's one thing to help out someone hit with an unexpected bill occasionally.

The OP has said they have accrued large debt that they have to prioritise over household bills. They have a healthy income of 4k pm - more than most I'd have thought!

Their rent is very high but she hasn't said why they haven't moved to something cheaper.

I may be wrong but the impression I get is that they've been trying to live a Champagne lifestyle on a Beer budget, and expecting richer relatives to bridge that financial gap.

I don’t think £4k is a healthy income in a 2 working adults household, not nowadays. If both are on high 20’s, that’s only a few thousand a year over minimum wage now.

Hardly bank breaking. It’s doable, but not high by any stretch.

I’d hazard a guess that most with enough to reliably save, are on more than £30k individually.

Though that is just a guess!

BMW6 · 17/12/2024 10:05

It's one thing to help out someone hit with an unexpected bill occasionally.

The OP has said they have accrued large debt that they have to prioritise over household bills. They have a healthy income of 4k pm - more than most I'd have thought!

Their rent is very high but she hasn't said why they haven't moved to something cheaper.

I may be wrong but the impression I get is that they've been trying to live a Champagne lifestyle on a Beer budget, and expecting richer relatives to bridge that financial gap.

Cosyblankets · 17/12/2024 07:19

Flowerflowering · 16/12/2024 19:49

So, what’s the point of having wealth if it’s not to help others? I’m not advocating rinsing wealthy relatives just for the sake of it, but the wider concept is that if you have relatives that you’re very close to, and they understand your situation, and they’re able to help, why not? Why spend time and energy building wealth if it’s just for you and only you?

So that you can stand on your own two feet.
So that you can retire early.
So that you can have nice things because you worked for them.
So that you can pay the mortgage off.
That was my point when I put money aside.
My point of saving was not so that relatives who built up debt could expect to be bailed out.

OneQuaintLemonHare · 17/12/2024 05:59

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

winter8090 · 17/12/2024 05:29

Stop taking handouts from your mother and balance your budget.

Stop taking on new debt. Live within your means. Over time repay the old debt.

Ireallycantthinkofagoodone · 17/12/2024 02:36

Flowerflowering · 16/12/2024 19:07

I’m not convincing my husband to start asking for handouts, but I do understand that it seems that way. I was merely getting concerned that he wasn’t taking it as seriously as I was, or perhaps he was appearing as though he wasn’t taking it seriously. We don’t struggle every single month, but on the times that we do, it’s good to rely on others close to you because that’s what family/community is for. Not all of us just soldier on when it gets tough. I’m sure you’ve needed to rely on others at some point, right?

No

PeloMom · 17/12/2024 02:13

Flowerflowering · 16/12/2024 19:49

So, what’s the point of having wealth if it’s not to help others? I’m not advocating rinsing wealthy relatives just for the sake of it, but the wider concept is that if you have relatives that you’re very close to, and they understand your situation, and they’re able to help, why not? Why spend time and energy building wealth if it’s just for you and only you?

Because it’s not their job to finance financially irresponsible relatives?

Cantbelieveit888 · 17/12/2024 02:03

Flowerflowering · 16/12/2024 18:51

Just wanted to vent a little and share my story…so, my husband and I have been struggling a lot financially. We don’t have any savings, our living costs keep increasing (our rent is super high) and our salaries are just not cutting it. After payday we’re often left with just enough for food and that often finishes very quickly so some months it can get very difficult and stressful. I sometimes rely on my mum and she often helps when she’s able to, but my husband usually finds it very difficult to ask for help. I’m not expecting him to be demanding hand-outs or something but I would just like him to use his initiative sometimes and ask close family members when we’re really struggling for basic essentials, instead of burying his head in the sand and behaving as though he’s oblivious to the fact that some days we run out of food and the fridge is almost empty. I’d also like to add that he’s got a large family and has some family members that are very well off - I’m not saying that means he should take advantage but I don’t see why he can’t ask them for help when it’s needed? We’ve got very young children as well, which causes additional stress. He’s very matter of fact and blasé about the situation and I don’t know whether this is just him being all “macho” about it and hiding his emotions as men sometimes do…but it’s started to upset me a little. I know there are options such as getting seconds jobs etc but our kids are still young and I wouldn’t want to always be out of the house and exhausted because I’m trying to make extra cash because my kids would ultimately be affected by this…but then again, even if I did, it would probably be for a short while perhaps. Just feeling a bit overwhelmed 🥲

I think you need to get a spreadsheet out and write out a list of all your outgoings.
How big is the place you are renting? And how much is the rent plus bills? How much is childcare? Do you and your partner work full time?

Please break it down as asking family and friends is not a long term solution.

Swipe left for the next trending thread