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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:
Yawnthisway · 27/04/2021 16:55

Of course the ops going to claim the money she’s entitled to. Why wouldn’t she? Don’t be angry with her be angry with the system that’s subsidising landlords mortgage.

kiwiPlumapple · 27/04/2021 16:56

We have 3-4 days each week with only pence left in our account. This is why I’ve just started a cash in hand cleaning job

AndreaMarteau · 27/04/2021 16:56

Don't beat yourself up and if you were paying mortgage you wouldn't have help from UC at all

And that's the kicker, innit. The govt are happy to pay some mortgages, which leads to inflated rents in some parts of the country, but only if it's someone else living in your house.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General money
Beautiful3 · 27/04/2021 16:57

Housing is expensive for a single person. It realistically takes 2 working people to be able to afford a home. Perhaps look at getting a flat/masonette? I used to earn the same as you, but could never have afforded this house without my husbands income too.

Sweak · 27/04/2021 16:57

Some of these comments are disgusting. OP is making a valid point, it's ridiculous that 30kish isn't enough for one adult and child to have a fairly comfortable life.

Some people are so used to benefit shaming they've missed the point. OP works full time, she's hardly not contributing her fair share of taxes.

Comments about the dad not paying his way are equally ridiculous...I'm sure she wants him to pay! She can hardly make him. Even with a CSA claimant often the allowance is pitiful.

Comments about swimming...basic skill all kids should learn, it's literally potentially life saving.
Comments about the pet.... so despite her mother working full time her daughter gets no pleasures in life? Pets teach kids all sorts about care too.

Comments about moving... really this depends on job opportunities and support networks.

Only thing I can suggest is shop at aidl of Lidl, but if there isn't one nearby then it's just wasting petrol so potentially limited saving compared to going to local Tesco. That being said this thread isn't asking for budgeting advice...it's making a valid point about the cost of living in the country

doomonic · 27/04/2021 16:59

Some people won't be happy until OP comes back and says she's living in rags and decided to eat the pet instead of daring to go to Tesco

Yep & half of them will be second homeowners or bought a house cheaply 🙄

Yawnthisway · 27/04/2021 16:59

@Beautiful3

Housing is expensive for a single person. It realistically takes 2 working people to be able to afford a home. Perhaps look at getting a flat/masonette? I used to earn the same as you, but could never have afforded this house without my husbands income too.
She is in a flat
RandomMess · 27/04/2021 16:59

It's so unfair that absent parents get out of paying maintenance. I honestly think the debt should be accruing. Even if he was only paying a measly £100 per month what a difference that would make to the op.

Itsabeautifulday81 · 27/04/2021 16:59

Nothing wrong with benefits OP

You’re doing really well

I’m a single parent. It’s not easy.

How much do you get in UC? Do you contribute to pension?

AnotherEmma · 27/04/2021 17:00

@PowerhouseOfTheCell

Some people won't be happy until OP comes back and says she's living in rags and decided to eat the pet instead of daring to go to Tesco
🤣
AbsentmindedWoman · 27/04/2021 17:00

I was merely reflecting on the way society works and am surprised to see that the amount of people who think someone who works in a decent job 9-5 should not do anything, have a pet or allow their kids an activity.

Yes.

It is honestly revolting to see the people who would deprive people of all and any treats or luxuries.

Especially because, if it was them, and their precious kiddo, they'd make damn sure they were claiming whatever they were entitled to.

They certainly wouldn't go without, or refuse a top up benefit that paid for a valuable enriching experience for their child - if the shoe was on the other foot.

BrightYellowDaffodil · 27/04/2021 17:00

The govt are happy to pay some mortgages

Ain't that the truth. It's OK to pay - in effect - the mortgage of a landlord who is rinsing money out of the state while pushing up the cost of housing, both rented and purchased, and who couldn't give a fuck because they're alright Jack, but heaven forfend the government would contribute to the mortgage of any poor sap who just wants to keep a roof over the heads of them and their children.

teraculum29 · 27/04/2021 17:00

@Moonpeg

I’m totally gobsmacked at the amount landlords are asking for in rent. How on earth do they get away with this? It’s ridiculous. I’m in a three bedroom detached house with garage and my mortgage is 330 per month. I’m in Scotland mind you but it’s a real eye opener at what other people pay for a roof over their heads. It’s so unfair
I'm 3bed, end of terrace, in the South, £1050 a month, recently looked for similar properties in my area, they are £1200 plus.
LynetteScavo · 27/04/2021 17:01

But if you had a spouse on a similar wage, you'd have a huge amount of disposable income.

When I told my DM (an ex teacher)I though teachers aren't paid very much she retorted "they are paid enough to support themselves". But maybe not if they are single and happen to have children and don't live in the north; a newly qualified teacher would earn less than the OP

Waxonwaxoff0 · 27/04/2021 17:01

@doomonic

Some people won't be happy until OP comes back and says she's living in rags and decided to eat the pet instead of daring to go to Tesco

Yep & half of them will be second homeowners or bought a house cheaply 🙄

Bet none of them are single parents either. The majority of people spitting venom are usually women who would be in exactly the same position as the OP if their husbands decided to up and leave. The irony.
AnotherEmma · 27/04/2021 17:01

@teraculum29

OP, as you are on UC, I think you should have help with afterschool club too (unless you are already claiming it). Don't beat yourself up and if you were paying mortgage you wouldn't have help from UC at all.
Not true. People with mortgages can still claim UC, they just wouldn't get the housing element.
doomonic · 27/04/2021 17:02

Unfortunately you are a product of the broken housing market & wage stagnation

she's the product of a broken relationship

Err, you do realise if living costs were lower then she would be able to afford me & also plenty of households with 2 working parents still struggle.

As a higher rate tax payer OP I don't want you to eat your dog, take what your entitled too. The landlords have no problem doing so.

jessycake · 27/04/2021 17:02

Rents and house prices in kent where I live are just rediculous, they are boyed up by the London market its so depressing for younger people .

yutrer · 27/04/2021 17:03

Are you paying alot in your pension?

RandomMess · 27/04/2021 17:03

As a comparison DH and I earned £31k between us 18 years ago and could get a mortgage on affordability and buy a 3 bed house (cheapest in area) in the SE for £140k we had one child and I was pregnant at the time.

So in 18 years our equivalent jobs only pay out £23k each so £46k combined and the same house costs about £330k more than double whereas salary barely increased.

Rents have also doubled in that time too.

Littlefluffyclouds13 · 27/04/2021 17:03

@FuckyouCovid21

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
How does that help op? Hmm
doomonic · 27/04/2021 17:04

Bet none of them are single parents either. The majority of people spitting venom are usually women who would be in exactly the same position as the OP if their husbands decided to up and leave. The irony.

True, I earned 30k not that long ago (p/t) & I wouldn't be able to support myself & dc so who am I to judge.

megletthesecond · 27/04/2021 17:04

I'm a lone parent and I have life assurance, salary protection and a payout if I drop dead. As well as house and car insurance obviously. Not cheap but would be reckless not to.

Babyroobs · 27/04/2021 17:04

If you received CM then that would not be taken into account at all for Universal credit. Many will be getting regular CM payments on top of benefits. Op is in the unfortunate position of not getting CM. When I was earning around 28k I came out with £1800 so I can only imagine your pension payments must be pretty high which obviously will benefit you later in life. IT's high rents that are the problem but no way around that when buy to let landlords put their cash into buying them and the government won't invest in more social housing.

BrightYellowDaffodil · 27/04/2021 17:05

I’m totally gobsmacked at the amount landlords are asking for in rent. How on earth do they get away with this?

In part at least, blame the mortgage companies. I looked at the terms of my mortgage when I was thinking about options if my job went tits up, and they demand that a property is rented out at 145% of the mortgage payment. So a house with a mortgage payment of £500 a month has to be let for a minimum of £725 a month.

I never understand why this doesn't get more publicity.