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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To wonder what people actually expect and why they can’t just be happy to live simply?

586 replies

Terrazzomazzo · 08/10/2025 14:47

So many posts on here of people saying that they are running out of money and “I have no fun money” et. Why can’t people just be happy that they have enough to pay their mortgage pay their bills and feed their family and clothe their children? When did holidays , excess “stuff” and weekends of fun days out and take away etc become a given right and expectation?

OP posts:
Peridoteage · 08/10/2025 15:03

Mankind has made vast technological improvements in the last 200 years which should mean that far less labour should be needed to provide a basic standard of living, however in many cases the ordinary individual still works very hard and sees most of the value of theur labour flow to the rich. Social media makes it ever clearly just how wealthy some folk are, we want more because we are aware it is possible

Isthismykarma · 08/10/2025 14:59

I don’t agree with you but I kind of do to an extent.
I had a family member recently pleading poverty because she has nothing left at the end of the month to save. She lives with her partner in a three bedroom home, has been abroad twice this year one of which was long haul, nice car on finance, always dresses lovely, goes to the gym, has an expensive hobby and goes out for dinner at least once a week and a takeaway at least once a week. There’s a difference between poverty and just spending all your money every month and I do feel like people always expect more. However, there are people in genuine poverty in this country and in general I think lifestyle standards are slipping.

TheAlwaysThereButNeverUsedCeilingLights · 08/10/2025 14:59

BatchCookBabe · 08/10/2025 14:57

Because the last time I checked, the UK was not a communist country.

Even they had money for fun...

BatchCookBabe · 08/10/2025 14:57

Because the last time I checked, the UK was not a communist country.

OriginalUsername2 · 08/10/2025 14:55

Well you’re a good little cog for the machine aren’t you? 😉

BedlingtonFloof · 08/10/2025 14:55

I'm one of those people who is very happy with a nice dog walk, a good book and a mug of hot chocolate. I don't want or need a lot of stuff.

However, I don't think that humans exist just to work and pay the bills, and in the sixth largest economy, anyone who wants a bit more should be able to expect it tbh. Everyone who works should be able to have a little left over for fun, whatever that means for them.

Jammiesdodger · 08/10/2025 14:53

Good one OP!

TheAlwaysThereButNeverUsedCeilingLights · 08/10/2025 14:53

Why can’t people just be happy that they have enough to pay their mortgage pay their bills and feed their family and clothe their children

Because that's a bottom basic things one should be able to do when working. People rightfully expect to be able to afford more than absolute basics after all the work hours.

Bur come on, you know that.

TwoTuesday · 08/10/2025 14:52

Because we are in the 6th(?) largest world economy, working people should expect more than to just about cover their bills every month. Life with nothing in it but work is a miserable existence. Would you be happy with it?

SriouslyWhutNow · 08/10/2025 14:52

Because we’re not Puritans and I believe experiences give life depth and meaning. When did it become so wrong to want to see, do and eat nice things? Half the posters on MN these days are angry at anyone with half a can of beans to their name.

GooseOnMyGrave · 08/10/2025 14:48

Because at least a part of life should be about “fun”?? Yours is a pretty miserable way of looking at things.

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