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to be fed up of hearing 'I've worked hard for my money'

945 replies

newbluesofa · 28/11/2025 15:41

Lots of chat on MN recently about taxes on high earners. So heard lots of 'we have this money because we work bloody hard for it' and honestly I'm sick of it and think the people who say it are selfish.

Nurses work incredibly hard, long shifts, difficult job. Carers provide absolutely essential service, again shift work, difficult hours, difficult job. Teachers provide essential work, I know multiple teachers and they all devote evenings, weekends, school holidays to the detriment of their own families. All of these jobs also have huge emotional tolls. So 'I've worked hard for my money' means nothing to me, because a lot of people work a lot harder for a lot less.

OP posts:
Starconundrum · 28/11/2025 23:50

The whole reason we can communicate in this way us due to a dirty rotten socialist who wanted us all to have access to anything anyone says.

Most of would still not be able to participate had he not been a socialist

Everybody's wealth rides on the backs of others sacrifice.

AntiHop · 28/11/2025 23:46

Papyrophile · 28/11/2025 21:25

@AntiHop , true there's the risk of making a wrong professional judgement, as there is for everyone, but the employer paying their salary is not going bust without notice. That really happens in the private sector.

But you said nurses and teachers "are not exposed to any risk". That's not true. If you meant "the employers of nurses are extremely unlikely to go bust" that is not the same as "not exposed to any risk".

I note how you downplay the life and death decisions that nurses have to make by saying that everyone has a risk of making a wrong professional judgement. Yes, but for most people's jobs, that isn't a life or death matter is it? I notice that you ignore my point about nurses' risk of being assaulted at work.

I vividly remember the company my dad working for going bust in the late 80s. It was one of two times I ever saw him cry. I also know that he didn't make life or death decisions, nor did he ever get assaulted at work.

Starconundrum · 28/11/2025 23:32

And I think the upper middle earners know that which is why they fight so hard to retain access to the elite.

Starconundrum · 28/11/2025 23:30

I think the most valuable work often doesn't have a price that is paid.

ForHazelTiger · 28/11/2025 23:28

PrawnsForDinner · 28/11/2025 23:13

Seems to me you don't understand how they create or have wealth. Most UK billionaires are self made. They create businesses that employ many people. I've never gotten a job from someone on benefits. Lots of billionaires invent new stuff and products. Like the vacuum I bought!

Billionaires are mostly destroying the planet and exploiting their workers

ForHazelTiger · 28/11/2025 23:27

Totally agree. Also, valuing 'hard work' for its own sake is a nonsense.

KitTea3 · 28/11/2025 23:24

Bellsbeachwaves · 28/11/2025 22:49

I find it crazy that anyone can earn, say, £400k. Crazy.

As someone who can only work part time and probably earn less than £14k a year I do as well 😭🤣

DressOrSkirt · 28/11/2025 23:23

PrawnsForDinner · 28/11/2025 23:13

Seems to me you don't understand how they create or have wealth. Most UK billionaires are self made. They create businesses that employ many people. I've never gotten a job from someone on benefits. Lots of billionaires invent new stuff and products. Like the vacuum I bought!

No, I don't care how they got wealthy, it does matter, they don't need billions, or even 1 billion. It wouldn't make a difference to their lives to spend it, pay their employees more, or give it to charity. They are hoarding it.

Starconundrum · 28/11/2025 23:21

PrawnsForDinner · 28/11/2025 22:50

It's not hoarding. Do you not understand how intangible assets work?

The device you are probably using to post was created in part by a billionaire.

Añd lots and lots of minimum wage workers supported by the state that you don't want to contribute to because you think it's all only you doing the hard work.

This is the issue with your rhetoric.

You are not working in a vacuum.

DIL2025 · 28/11/2025 23:20

Starconundrum · 28/11/2025 23:16

But why are you blaming the welfare state for that split rather than policy?

I'm not - I'm saying I resent paying an unfair share towards it!

Starconundrum · 28/11/2025 23:16

DIL2025 · 28/11/2025 22:54

It was a choice we made so that my husband could pursue his high earning career - just like a nurse knows she has to work night shifts - it doesn't make the sacrifice any less.

Yes, I am a product of the welfare state. I believe in the welfare state. I am happy to support a welfare state that is fair and genuinely helps those in need. But I do resent the welfare state in its current form and how bloated and ridiculous it has become. I also resent paying an unfair share of tax to support it. As a household we pay about £15,000 more in tax than an equivalent earning household just because of how the income is split - madness!

We are normal people, this is not an insignificant amount of money for us.

But why are you blaming the welfare state for that split rather than policy?

PrawnsForDinner · 28/11/2025 23:13

DressOrSkirt · 28/11/2025 23:01

It absolutely is hoarding. Minimum wage workers/those on benefits put far more back into society than billionaires. And they also created, in part, the device I'm using to post.

Why do you mention intangible assets, I fail to see how they are relevant to the discussion.

Seems to me you don't understand how they create or have wealth. Most UK billionaires are self made. They create businesses that employ many people. I've never gotten a job from someone on benefits. Lots of billionaires invent new stuff and products. Like the vacuum I bought!

DressOrSkirt · 28/11/2025 23:01

PrawnsForDinner · 28/11/2025 22:50

It's not hoarding. Do you not understand how intangible assets work?

The device you are probably using to post was created in part by a billionaire.

It absolutely is hoarding. Minimum wage workers/those on benefits put far more back into society than billionaires. And they also created, in part, the device I'm using to post.

Why do you mention intangible assets, I fail to see how they are relevant to the discussion.

DIL2025 · 28/11/2025 22:54

NoSoapJustUseShowerGel · 28/11/2025 22:09

A decade spent abroad missing out on family -very much a choice you made.

You’re a “product of the welfare state” yet seem to resent a portion of your husband’s tax payments going towards welfare.

It was a choice we made so that my husband could pursue his high earning career - just like a nurse knows she has to work night shifts - it doesn't make the sacrifice any less.

Yes, I am a product of the welfare state. I believe in the welfare state. I am happy to support a welfare state that is fair and genuinely helps those in need. But I do resent the welfare state in its current form and how bloated and ridiculous it has become. I also resent paying an unfair share of tax to support it. As a household we pay about £15,000 more in tax than an equivalent earning household just because of how the income is split - madness!

We are normal people, this is not an insignificant amount of money for us.

whyyyyyisitmonddayy · 28/11/2025 22:53

Nurses and teachers are now warned going in they won’t earn much. The hope is that their work is rewarding in itself

im going in academia (currently applying for a PhD) because i want to do it, not because im delusional and think it will pay (it won’t!) but my boyfriend is going into finance because for him, he’d be content with the role and pleased to earn good money. I currently work as a food delivery driver as a part time gig and the pay is equal-ish (still not fair but by uk standards) to the amount of brain power it takes - which isn’t true for all jobs but it is for mine

UserFront242 · 28/11/2025 22:52

Bellsbeachwaves · 28/11/2025 22:49

I find it crazy that anyone can earn, say, £400k. Crazy.

I don't know anyone on over £40k. £100k seems obscene to me. But if they earn it then fair play.

Bellsbeachwaves · 28/11/2025 22:51

Bellsbeachwaves · 28/11/2025 22:49

I find it crazy that anyone can earn, say, £400k. Crazy.

But I'm told that socialism doesn't work so ... Like in my ideal world, we would all have enough and I guess earn similar. Nobody needs a private jet, or a pool, or multiple holidays. But then I think everything would be a little grey and I wouldn't be able to watch Rivals on Netflix and then I get a bit stumped as to what the answer is.

PrawnsForDinner · 28/11/2025 22:50

DressOrSkirt · 28/11/2025 22:45

Because it shouldn't be one or the other. There are people hoarding billions, no one needs that much money.

It's not hoarding. Do you not understand how intangible assets work?

The device you are probably using to post was created in part by a billionaire.

Bellsbeachwaves · 28/11/2025 22:49

I find it crazy that anyone can earn, say, £400k. Crazy.

PrawnsForDinner · 28/11/2025 22:47

Starconundrum · 28/11/2025 22:14

I'm not.

Bloody well done.

I just don't see why they're upset at paying a very slightly higher tax rate when poor people have had their incomes eroded to the point food banks are now common place and some people have died.

We paid enough thank you very much.

DressOrSkirt · 28/11/2025 22:45

Starconundrum · 28/11/2025 22:14

I'm not.

Bloody well done.

I just don't see why they're upset at paying a very slightly higher tax rate when poor people have had their incomes eroded to the point food banks are now common place and some people have died.

Because it shouldn't be one or the other. There are people hoarding billions, no one needs that much money.

PrawnsForDinner · 28/11/2025 22:44

rwalker · 28/11/2025 22:09

Because people who are high earners are constantly been made to feel they have to justify what they have worked for

people are very quick to slag them off if they earn over 100k but never mention they pay about 37k into the public purse and dare I mention they have to pay for their own child care

Would people slag of surgeons who earn good salaries? I guess they would if they dared to operate in the private sector and MADE MONEY

😱 😱

PrawnsForDinner · 28/11/2025 22:30

ExhaustedPigeon37 · 28/11/2025 21:09

I’m a police officer, so is my husband, we have both missed birthdays, Christmases, anniversaries, new years, had days off cancelled with no notice, we both work shifts, long hours, often off late, have to give the first 30mins of any Overtime worked (from a normal shift) to the king (which means if we work 7-4 but finish at 5pm we only get paid 30 mins OT). the job has had an emotional toll on both my husband and I, dealing with death, rape, knife crime, gun crime, gang crime, trying to make a difference and to help people. I have worked in the public sector paying 13.4% of my salary (I do not have a say in this) into my salary sacrifice pension, that pension by the way is no longer final salary, we now also have to work 35 years to receive the full pension not the original 30years we signed up for. Just this year I’ve been spat at in my face, been punched, pushed over (resulting in a broken wrist), which only one has gone to court and I was awarded £50 compensation.

We are both apparently “high earners”. We do not get any child benefit and neither of us earn over £100K! In fact we are actually still paid around 28% under inflation due to the previous pay freezes!

I quite frankly risk my life every time I go to work, I risk being assaulted on duty. So yes I work bloody hard for my money and I will let people know about it I’m asked! I’m not selfish in anyway, the job I do doesn’t allow me to be selfish.

Edited

I have to say. Thank you and your DH for your service.

DIL2025 · 28/11/2025 22:29

MurdoMunro · 28/11/2025 21:23

I hear you @DIL2025 these are all
sacrifices for having to put the work first, some unfair, unreasonable, cruel even. But they are not limited to high earners. It’s that question that I am struggling for an answer to, when people get defensive and use that phrase ‘I sacrificed so much to get this’ I’m not understanding what they are that’s different for people on median incomes.

@MurdoMunro I get where you are coming from. My dad worked in the emergency services and he would frequently miss Christmas. But he never travelled away and when his shift finished he was just off duty, simple as, didn't even need to think about work until he next went in (although I appreciate there is a mental burden he carried from his work).

I have met multiple median earners who may tick some of my examples. Many are incredibly hard working and make big sacrifices for work. But I have never meet a median earner who would bear the full breath of this burden, whilst I have meet many high earners that do 🤷.

Through my life experience I feel I've meet enough people from a breath of different backgrounds and income brackets to feel I've got my radar tuned pretty well on this one. But I understand this is just my opinion informed through my life experience. That being said many people make assumptions about high earners without actually knowing any.

Cara707 · 28/11/2025 22:29

newbluesofa · 28/11/2025 15:41

Lots of chat on MN recently about taxes on high earners. So heard lots of 'we have this money because we work bloody hard for it' and honestly I'm sick of it and think the people who say it are selfish.

Nurses work incredibly hard, long shifts, difficult job. Carers provide absolutely essential service, again shift work, difficult hours, difficult job. Teachers provide essential work, I know multiple teachers and they all devote evenings, weekends, school holidays to the detriment of their own families. All of these jobs also have huge emotional tolls. So 'I've worked hard for my money' means nothing to me, because a lot of people work a lot harder for a lot less.

100% agree. Most of the UK's wealth is inherited or indirectly acquired via the 'contacts' of public schoolers.

A lot of the jobs that are actually essential to society are the ones that are the least respected and the least well paid whilst many meaningless jobs are well paid and respected.

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