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Original poster

Can´t survive on salary without benefits. Doesn´t seem right.

625 replies

Fashionesta · 27/04/2021 14:19

Just wondered if anyone else was in the same boat as feeling a bit miserable. Recently started new job, 31K a year, felt happy with that, potential to grow. Having done all my calculations and bills, if it were not for getting some money towards housing, I would be 300 pounds a month short :(

After pension I get around 1800 per month. Rent is 950 and I have one of the cheaper properties in my area so no ability to find anything cheaper - its me and DD in a 2 bed. No luxuries at all. Basic mobile phone on giff gaff 8 per month, no SKY etc, old car although paying off car loan of 150 month which bumps outgoings up. By the time I have paid all my bills, council tax, loan, after school club for DD and swimming lessons for her which I feel is essential, if it weren´t for the fact that I get some help towards rent, I would be -300 per month.

I generally feel like I earn a decent wage and panicking a bit about the situation. Not asking for a solution really as I think I am quite frugal, also sensible so pay for life insurance, car insurance, pet insurance and house insurance. Pay TV licence and so on. Shop at Tesco.

Anyone else don´t feel like they are getting by on what I actually consider a decent wage (although I realise in MN terms I am probably not earning much at all).'

Argh I just hate feeling poor all the time and I shouldn´t have to rely on benefits when on 31K surely!

OP posts:
UniversitySerf · 27/04/2021 15:21

You are very much like a relative I have, her and her DD have got by fine but with not much money for extras. Now in her forties she is just about to get a mortgage and a promotion. She has worked incredibly hard and is to be admired. But being a single parent or just living singly is often financially difficult long term. It’s the reason so many people stay in anything from inadequate to really terrible relationships.

Housing is the real issue though it just shocking how much rents have risen. I rented a little terrace in Birmingham 25 years ago, my friend rents something similar in Nottingham. I paid 240 per month, she pays 850. Wages certainly haven't more than doubled, it’s shameful.

FuckyouCovid21 · 27/04/2021 15:31

You're on more than me and I struggle, but I don't get any help with rent and mine is only £50 less than yours

randomsabreuse · 27/04/2021 15:32

If you get help with rent there should be some for after-school club too.

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General money
TakeYourFinalPosition · 27/04/2021 15:37

I think, realistically, it's just going to be that you're renting in an expensive area by yourself.

Summerhillsquare · 27/04/2021 15:37

In many parts of the UK you'd be more comfortable. Rent is your problem here, you must be in the south east? In the north east you'd be looking at nearly half that.

User65412 · 27/04/2021 15:38

Housing costs are crazy. Where abouts in the UK are you? I have a friend in the same boat as you and we were discussing this the other day. She's in her 7th year of teaching and on 30k (academy). Just seems so unfair. She really didn't think she'd be struggling with what most consider a pretty decent wage.
You've got the single personal council tax discount presumably?

ConfusedAdultFemale · 27/04/2021 15:40

How are you getting help toward rent on 31K a year? I assume it’s not through the government as that’s very far above their cap even for a single parent.

ConfusedAdultFemale · 27/04/2021 15:41

And I say that with genuine interest. I’m on 12K a year and receive £22 per month towards my rent.

Gettingthereslowly2020 · 27/04/2021 15:42

I agree, it's awful. £31k is a decent wage, well it was a few years ago. Cost of living has risen significantly and wages haven't risen to match it. It's not fair at all. You're trying your best to work and support yourself and your child but it's impossible.

Yes you could work your butt off and get a promotion just so you can pay your rent without having to claim benefits but you shouldn't have to. People used to get promotions so they could afford luxuries like holidays, etc not just so they could pay basic bills. A standard full time job should pay enough to cover rent and bills.

It really annoys me. I'm also a single parent with one child. I earn less than you but can't claim benefits because my rent is cheaper than yours. I still can't afford basic holidays or fun days out even though I work full time.

minniemomo · 27/04/2021 15:43

I thought the cap was £23k for benefits?

Having £850 after rent is more than. Many people have, should be doable

megletthesecond · 27/04/2021 15:44

Do you get any help towards childcare costs? That really adds up. Especially in school holidays.

aliloandabanana · 27/04/2021 15:46

It's not the expectation that a parent should survive on one reasonable income whilst bringing up a child - you would expect the other parent to be contributing. Even if one earnt £10k and the other earnt £21k you'd have more due to two tax allowances. So, although you feel you should be able to cope, many people would understand that you can't.

MsMcGonagall · 27/04/2021 15:46

That is a decent wage - above average in fact. My take-home is similar, and as someone said, the key is that DH also earns. It would indeed be pretty restrictive if we were just on one of our salaries.

I'm in the south west and rents are similar here - and that is also outrageous.

Magnificentmug12 · 27/04/2021 15:50

£950 rent is cheap compared to others I know. The reason a normal wage is not enough because you now need TWO wages to run a house, bills and actually have a sub standard life.

It’s disgusting! Rent here is £1500 and we’re not even in London!!!!

SuziQuatrosFatNan · 27/04/2021 15:51

It's not right but sadly is quite common. The cost of living doesn't match wages for those on the first five income deciles and haven't for a while. Hence most single parents in those bands needing top ups. So the state picks up the tab that employers don't. You haven't even really got £1800 in your pocket anyway when you subtract council tax. And your rent is more than half that. For a two bedroom place anywhere it would be close to 50% of your wages after council tax.

Wages haven't kept up with inflation and housing costs. That's why we're paying out £37 billion a year in top ups. Not your fault OP. It is what it is.

GreyhoundG1rl · 27/04/2021 15:52

Why are you eligible for benefits on £31k?

AnotherEmma · 27/04/2021 15:53

Well, wages are low and housing costs are high. It's not your fault.

Do you get child maintenance?

As a PP said, you should also get some help with childcare costs.

Eyevorbig0ne · 27/04/2021 15:55

Housing is pricey.
Most lp find their situation a bit shit until the kids are no longer needing childcare or when they either leave home or get a job. This frees up more money for the parent.
Except nmw earners who depend on wtc. When their kids reach 18, it stops and some struggle with full rent etc.

ivfbeenbusy · 27/04/2021 15:57

@GreyhoundG1rl

Why are you eligible for benefits on £31k?

It's crazy but true....a poster a while ago - her husband was on £70k a year and because they lived in central London were eligible for housing support on universal credit!!!

I was so outraged I checked myself on the government calculator!

2bazookas · 27/04/2021 15:57

Looking at your outgoings, I'd suggest you can't afford a pet because of the cost of food and insurance; and you can't afford swimming lessons.

Sorry, benefits are not provided to pay for pets and hobbies.

ivfbeenbusy · 27/04/2021 16:01

Agree on the pet comment and swimming lessons - both a luxury. I have a combined income with DH more than twice yours OP and can't afford these things and I don't claim housing support

Also - where is daughters father in all this? Does he pay maintenance?

Living costs these days are very much geared towards a 2 parent income

megletthesecond · 27/04/2021 16:01

Swimming isn't a hobby ffs. It's a basic life skill and keeps a child healthy.

GreyhoundG1rl · 27/04/2021 16:02

It's crazy but true....a poster a while ago - her husband was on £70k a year and because they lived in central London were eligible for housing support on universal credit!!!
That's nuts. Surely living in Central London is a choice most people can't afford?

osbertthesyrianhamster · 27/04/2021 16:03

@minniemomo

I thought the cap was £23k for benefits?

Having £850 after rent is more than. Many people have, should be doable

Cap doesn't apply to those in employment.
SuziQuatrosFatNan · 27/04/2021 16:03

Sorry, benefits are not provided to pay for pets and hobbies.

Oh behave. Top up benefits are provided to absolve employers the responsibility of paying their workers a decent wage. The recipient of the top up can do as they wish. Which frankly isn't much anyway.

OP 20 years ago I earned £18k. I earned it for typing out letters my boss dictated onto a tape for me and going home once I'd done. Put that figure into an inflation calculator and £18k then is the equivalent of £32k now. That's 1k more than you're on. I bet you're working a lot harder with much more responsibility than I was 20 years ago. And that has happened to wages everywhere.

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