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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask you honestly what are your first thoughts on seeing this?

644 replies

gemful · 09/12/2025 11:44

NC’d for this

A couple. 2 dc (no childcare)
A brand new, new build house. Mortgaged.
Two brand new cars.
They don’t dress designer but the present well.
She has a few designer handbags.
gadgets are always good brands, latest I phones, shark hairdryers, robot hoover.
very organised and tidy home, both work full time in good jobs.
They do family outings every few weekends but not every weekend.
Honesty, what are your first thoughts?!

OP posts:
xSideshowAuntSallyXx · 11/12/2025 08:58

Dontyoulooktired · 09/12/2025 11:47

Well to be fair, I wouldn’t notice any of that. I wouldn’t know she had a designer handbag unless she told me.

I’d say they were quite lucky?

Different path to me, I don’t go in for new gadgets. I’ve got my dads old Henry Hoover and a ten year old hairdryer 🤣

I’d say if they are happy, they are happy. That’s all you can ask for in life.

But I don’t go round thinking about how other people live thier lives or looking at what they have got, so I wouldn’t notice enough to have an opinion.

Edited

My Henry hoover is 17 years old and still going strong. He's much more powerful than the newer ones 😁

OneCleverPinkFawn · 11/12/2025 08:58

Nothing at all. Why would I think anything of it, it's their life and it looks fine?

ThatIcyPoet · 11/12/2025 08:55

They have it all in control and going well, good for them!

CharlotteStreetW1 · 11/12/2025 08:20

My actual first thought was that you were talking about my lovely colleague (who works bloody hard and lives within her means - the brand new car is leased).

My second thought is you could be talking about me! 😄

We are mortgage-free though simply because we are old!. Also I did have a brand new car, paid "cash", but it was under £10k.

Greypanda86 · 11/12/2025 07:57

The comments on this post are INSANE! Please stop justifying yourself OP, good for you ignore any negativity all it is is jealously. Comments saying putting £2k per month away in savings is not enough and can you get an evening job to top it up!! What in the world is going on here! Asking why you bought a new build, why are you explaining yourself. The new build haters are something else nowadays 😂 I bought a new build 6 years ago, best thing I ever did and believe it or not I’ve had zero issues. You enjoy a comfortable life, that’s great for you, carry on and forget about all the people trying to drag you down it says more about them x

Acg1991 · 11/12/2025 07:51

I can't believe people are actually criticising here - I'm sure it must be jealousy with a lot of these people.
My first thought on reading through all your comments is: Go you! Sounds like you're very sensible and happy.
Don't let other people's opinions bother you. And fwiw, I'd love a new build and have a few years not having to worry about much maintenance!

Allmarbleslost · 11/12/2025 07:50

I don't understand what you're asking

VibeDancer · 11/12/2025 07:47

My first thought is "why are you in their bedroom rummaging for their hairdryer?"

noworklifebalance · 11/12/2025 07:42

gemful · 11/12/2025 06:46

We take in over 7k per month. I’m not going to give exact but I’ll ballpark
2k- mortgage and insurances
2k-savings
thats 3k for all other bills, food, and fun. Money leftover is paid as extra on mortgage

we made money on our last house. We had savings alongside that. My DP was made redundant with a payout. It all adds up.
dh has been on more over the years…not masses more but more than he’s on now.

anyway look that’s it, I’m in for a busy day today so I’m going to end it here. Thanks for the replies everyone

Seems like a combination of sensible decisions, a bit of luck and hard work has led you to a point where you have enough disposable income to enjoy life rather than surviving.

Not sure why you are getting a hard time about new builds, new cars etc@gemful - surely people can appreciate we all have differing tastes and gain enjoyment from different things.

EmpressaurusKitty · 11/12/2025 07:41

Mamma2727494 · 11/12/2025 07:08

I was thinking this too!

Whats wrong with a new build? We live in newish one as second owners. I agree when the area is new it’s a bit characterless - the trees are very young and the playgrounds are bare minimum and a bit rubbish. But we live in a town with a bad rep for crime (had to move here from a lovely village for other reasons) and the outer edges are full of new builds and are considerably safer, plus the houses themselves are lovely to look at and are really nice to live in.

Edited

MN is snobbish about new builds. My flat has big bright rooms, is so well insulated that I only need the heating on during the really cold snaps & has excellent soundproofing. I love it.

NoisyViewer · 11/12/2025 07:36

Honestly, if this isn’t your life & wondering how it looks to the outside I would suggest you stop judging the just above average family & concentrate on your own.

BlazenWeights · 11/12/2025 07:29

Man most responses on here are not that far off from your sister and neighbours. No nice people on mumsnet? Goodness gracious!

Thellamawhocouldntdecide · 11/12/2025 07:13

I would feel I couldn’t relate much, as a scruffy, skint, single mum who’s clothes have wholes and would use a well trained Doberman as childcare if I could claim the costs back through UC. Unfortunately there’s not many Doberman’s who are ofsted registered.

Mamma2727494 · 11/12/2025 07:08

DottyLottieLou · 11/12/2025 02:14

Did you notice everyone was "just normal people", "lucky them" etc, until they knew it was you. Then it was " ew, new build", " you don't save enough", " you don't earn much", " bad things are round the corner". Welcome to mumsnet 🤣

I was thinking this too!

Whats wrong with a new build? We live in newish one as second owners. I agree when the area is new it’s a bit characterless - the trees are very young and the playgrounds are bare minimum and a bit rubbish. But we live in a town with a bad rep for crime (had to move here from a lovely village for other reasons) and the outer edges are full of new builds and are considerably safer, plus the houses themselves are lovely to look at and are really nice to live in.

80smonster · 11/12/2025 06:47

loulouljh · 09/12/2025 16:54

I would wonder why on earth you have bought a new build.

That was my thought too. The very definition of humdrum.

gemful · 11/12/2025 06:46

Christmastimeandwine · 10/12/2025 19:45

I would say normal mid class family! I’m really intrigued on how you afford to save £2k a month! I have similar house price, similar house hold earnings (+£35k more p/a) and we can barley save £1k a month, own my car outright (7 years old) and partners company car x

We take in over 7k per month. I’m not going to give exact but I’ll ballpark
2k- mortgage and insurances
2k-savings
thats 3k for all other bills, food, and fun. Money leftover is paid as extra on mortgage

we made money on our last house. We had savings alongside that. My DP was made redundant with a payout. It all adds up.
dh has been on more over the years…not masses more but more than he’s on now.

anyway look that’s it, I’m in for a busy day today so I’m going to end it here. Thanks for the replies everyone

OP posts:
wineosaurusrex · 11/12/2025 06:09

For me, new builds suggest 'not much money'. The rest would just strike me as uninteresting/unremarkable. Wouldnt think much of it.

Littlemisscapable · 11/12/2025 05:39

SJone0101 · 09/12/2025 11:51

Absolutely not an average middle class family.

To have that life style, both would have to be on £60k plus.

Sadly agree with this..10 years ago yes but now.... no. It's not good.

Theextraordinaryisintheordinary · 11/12/2025 04:32

I earn a good wage, as does my husband but we never choose flash cars. I did when I was younger but now I’d rather spend it elsewhere. Our vehicles are reliable & modest. I also sleep better at night knowing nobody will want to break in to steal the car keys!

Theextraordinaryisintheordinary · 11/12/2025 04:14

I’m just seeing a list of things/objects and wondering what real life is being lived underneath all of that. Made me want to ask what gigs do these people go to, what creative endeavours they have, what books/films do they enjoy? I’m not so interested in surface stuff.

The presented list is of normal things, nothing fancy but also enough to be extremely grateful.

Happyhappyday · 11/12/2025 03:33

Christmastimeandwine · 10/12/2025 19:45

I would say normal mid class family! I’m really intrigued on how you afford to save £2k a month! I have similar house price, similar house hold earnings (+£35k more p/a) and we can barley save £1k a month, own my car outright (7 years old) and partners company car x

Same. I feel like the math isn’t mathing. You owe what, £350k on the house? We owe about that but not UK so very low interest rate and our monthly payments are about £1600 so yours must be closer to £2k. You say you’re saving £2k, is that all in the pension? It can’t be or you wouldn’t have saved £50k for the 2 cars (2 years of all your savings combined or 4 years of half is going in the pension? Is the 17% pension on top?

At first glance, I would think you had a lot of debt.

What do you consider substantial savings?

MossAndLeaves · 11/12/2025 03:22

I would wonder how there is no childcare needed? Or are they teenagers?

tamade · 11/12/2025 03:22

Well I wouldn't make bitchy comments to someone about their new car, I'd say how much I like the colour, and then get on with watering my roses.

But, @gemful it sounds like you only have yourself to blame, everyone see's the low key outer appearance and assumes you aren't as loaded as you are. You need to bling it up, third car, head to toe Gucci and Versace for the whole family, loud designer labels and motifs. Hot-tub with gold fittings etc etc

CookingFatCat · 11/12/2025 02:58

Just ignore, stay happy!

DallazMajor · 11/12/2025 02:30

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