Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be shocked when adults have absolutely no savings at all?

482 replies

ThisJollyReader · 05/04/2026 17:19

I’m going to be honest, I find it quite hard to understand when adults have no savings at all. Not even £100 put away. I’m not talking about people going through a temporary rough patch but just having nothing set aside whatsoever. Personally, I try to keep around £10k as a buffer (I know everyone’s situation is different), but even putting that aside, I would still feel uncomfortable having nothing at all.

AIBU to feel like having at least something put away is important or am I being too harsh?

OP posts:
Charel2girl5 · 05/04/2026 17:29

We live and rent in a very expensive area. Both have professional jobs but with two kids in university we literally have an about a tenner the day before payday. I was ten times better off in my twenties than I am now in my late forties.
So happy for you that you can judge others and their financial situations.

Fantomfartflinger · 05/04/2026 17:29

At what age op? Because all most people have in their 20s is debts and maybe a mortgage. At 50 they might have much more than just 10k. Doesn’t it depend?

Locutus2000 · 05/04/2026 17:29

Locutus2000 · 05/04/2026 17:29

It is very clear who you are referring to, don't worry.

Show quote history

Those bloody poors!

DoingANewThing · 05/04/2026 17:29

Of course you understand. Your just being a sanctimonious arse.

Locutus2000 · 05/04/2026 17:29

ThisJollyReader · 05/04/2026 17:24

I get that savings go up and down over time and that life events can wipe them out. I was more referring to people who don’t have anything set aside at all on a ongoing basis, rather than people who’ve had to use their savings due to circumstances.

Show quote history

It is very clear who you are referring to, don't worry.

Summerbay23 · 05/04/2026 17:28

Surely it depends on your age and circumstances. I’ve got a little (that could easily be wiped out by a household emergency or needing to buy a new car etc). A 25 year old paying rent in London, and in a relatively low paid job, not a chance could they save right at the moment.

pickingthedandelions · 05/04/2026 17:28

We don’t, tbh. Have property and DHs classic car collection but no cash.

WallowingInMud · 05/04/2026 17:28

Flesh coloured scrunchbum leggings shock me.
That we have an idiot running the free world also.

The idea that some people do not have the means or inclination to save - not so much.

I advise a wee dram of Whiskey and a little
sir down in a peaceful place to overcome your trauma OP. Make it Malt and you might need to draw on those savings of yours.

NeedSleepNow · 05/04/2026 17:28

Having been in a financially abusive relationship and now as a divorced single parent who had to spend every spare penny to buy a suitable house for my children and I to live in, I have nothing in savings.

You can't have every been through tough times financially if you can't understand how people don't have at least £10k in savings. I would love a £10k buffer, even £1k would be nice but it's just not realistic at the moment. So many people live on the breadline, life is very expensive nowadays and a lot of people's wages haven't increased at the same rate as living costs.

madwomanintheatticc · 05/04/2026 17:27

If you’re able to save, and maintain, savings of 10k the you’re extremely LUCKY in your life circumstances.

Some people are less lucky, and do not have the option to achieve this. It’s not as simple as discipline or budgeting.

Dbdh · 05/04/2026 17:27

I understand if they have kids, have had health issues or had to support a DP with health issues or have had to care for relatives.

But like the average person who's had a normal life and worked? Yes.

Butchyrestingface · 05/04/2026 17:26

whatifs1 · 05/04/2026 17:22

Only £10k? wow. That won’t get you very far really, I budget for double that and then some.

shocking.

Edited

She’s clearly a pauper, darling. Probably shops at Lidl and doesn’t even extend the pinky when sipping tea from the Wedgwood china.

Ireolu · 05/04/2026 17:26

Lots of people have no savings.
Some people on here will have no savings.
This post may make them feel less than as you look upon them in disbelief/derision about their situation.

Itsmetheflamingo · 05/04/2026 17:26

ThisJollyReader · 05/04/2026 17:24

I get that savings go up and down over time and that life events can wipe them out. I was more referring to people who don’t have anything set aside at all on a ongoing basis, rather than people who’ve had to use their savings due to circumstances.

Show quote history

But how do you know whether you know the intimate details of their finances at a time they’re are recovering from the wipe out or not?

how do you know the intimate details of their finances 20 years ago, or enough to guess where they’ll be in another 20?

BruFord · 05/04/2026 17:25

In principle, I understand what you’re saying. I’ve known people who had credit card debt and no savings due to overspending on designer clothes, for example, that’s daft.

But that’s completely different to struggling to pay your basic bills and therefore being unable to save up a buffer. Many people are really struggling with the COL atm.

KurtCobainLover · 05/04/2026 17:25

I’m not sure I’m meant to save when my money runs out a week before payday…..

Createausername1970 · 05/04/2026 17:24

It's good you can save.

I am in a better position now, but I had a number of years where I just about covered my bills and food, but didn't have any savings at all. In fact I was overdrawn a lot of the time.

You play the hand life deals you.

Sirzy · 05/04/2026 17:24

Many people would be happy to get to the end of the month without being in their overdraft.

Original poster
ThisJollyReader · 05/04/2026 17:24

Itsmetheflamingo · 05/04/2026 17:21

Genuine question- had it not occurred to you that savings aren’t static and that even if you have them at one point they need to be spent or relied on at another point?

life is long- surely it’s not a surprise to you that people emerge from unemployment, divorce, house move etc. Having exhausted savings which even for well earning people can take years to build back up?

Edited

I get that savings go up and down over time and that life events can wipe them out. I was more referring to people who don’t have anything set aside at all on a ongoing basis, rather than people who’ve had to use their savings due to circumstances.

OP posts:
Whateverbrian · 05/04/2026 17:24

Surely nobody is this lacking of critical thinking?

Is it AI?

Pinkocsb · 05/04/2026 17:23

That’s ridiculous thinking. Lots of people don’t have the money to save. There is no ‘spare’ cash. I manage to save a bit now and then, but then there’s always a crisis to pay for so it’s gone again. Please don’t assume everyone has the capacity to save.

BlueDressingGowns · 05/04/2026 17:22

You’re right that having no savings puts you in a precarious position but goady and wrong to post about being shocked- it’s pretty obvious that some people are struggling to clear debt, never mind have £10K in the bank.

whatifs1 · 05/04/2026 17:22

Only £10k? wow. That won’t get you very far really, I budget for double that and then some.

shocking.

Idontjetwashthefucker · 05/04/2026 17:22

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Butchyrestingface · 05/04/2026 17:22

I’d say you are easily shocked and probably a bit hard-of-thinking to boot.

Still, recognition is the first step on the road to change.

Swipe left for the next trending thread