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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:
me4real · 27/04/2021 17:06

I don't really get it as you're on several grand over the average wage. It's more than enough to live on.

GrumpyHoonMain · 27/04/2021 17:07

@mam0918

You need to move to a cheaper area... you are making more than me and DH combined but we pay half your rent.

Is it our dream house/location = no, but its WHERE we can afford to live.

for example:

I didnt drive until recently and DH worked the opposit direction, I had to get an hour+ bus ride into the city then walk across the city meaning I had to leave 3 hours early to be on time each day.

I wasnt the only one that did this because the city is too expensive and impractical to live in - I do however have a decent 3 bed terrace in our town for less than a houseshare in the city and live comfortably on our income.

Well yes, correct. Or downsize from a 2 bed. But she doesn’t want to do that or follow solutions other people on low salaries (and limited benefits) do. So what can we do!
Allergictoironing · 27/04/2021 17:08

@BrightYellowDaffodil

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.

^ This.

Rental for a one bedroom flat in my area is around £900pm, which would be picked up if I were on UC and unemployed. I would never think of asking for my entire mortgage monthly bill to be paid, but my current monthly interest is around £330 and if unemployed I couldn't get a penny towards even that.

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JediGnot · 27/04/2021 17:08

@Fashionesta

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!

40 years of deliberately shifting money from ordinary people to the rich under the guise of "free market" capitalism means that all of the benefits of economic growth for decades have gone to the top 10% or so, and huge percentages of that have gone to the 1% or the 0.001%.

Capitalism needs to be properly regulated for the benefit of all, or the alternative is that the vast majority struggle. Capitalism screws the vast majority if we deliberately choose to allow it to and that is what you are experiencing.

GoodnightOwl · 27/04/2021 17:08

I'm in Cambridge, it's be at least £1000 a month for a 2 bed.

Rhythmisadancer · 27/04/2021 17:09

who on earth thinks that someone working full time should not be able to afford a pet and swimming lessons for their child?! There are some real monsters around

Laggartha · 27/04/2021 17:09

The lack of social housing is a travesty. And yet people continue to vote Tory.

name674398 · 27/04/2021 17:10

That's a good salary OP, and that rent payment is huge on a single salary, it's huge even on a double income tbh! It's very frustrating.

PurplePinkParade · 27/04/2021 17:10

I'm in the same boat OP. I'm a single mum and worked incredibly hard from breaking up with DDs dad to go from being a SAHM to working PT on £8k to FT on £19k then get a good promotion. I'm now on £27k, live in a cheap part of the world in the north west. Rent a cheap 2 bed house for £500 but I couldn't survive without my UC top up.

My take home pay is £1750.
I get around £400 UC top up.

Childcare alone is £500 even after 30 free hours. On top of that I have to pay off my car loan (£175), fuel (£100), council tax (£80), internet (£25), gas & electric (£50), water (£25), phone (£10), life insurance (£5) car insurance (£40) home insurance (£8) - I'd be left with nothing without UC, and the above doesn't include essentials like food shops and clothing. UC is amazing and has helped us survive the last 3 years. I'd be utterly destitute without it.

MayorGoodwaysChicken · 27/04/2021 17:10

@JinglingHellsBells

I don't understand why your daughter's father can't pay towards her needs just because he lives overseas. It's a moral issue surely, not one of politics? Why doesn't he pay for his child?

And yes, sorry, but pets are expensive and if you are really struggling, they ought to go.

You sound like you’re angry with the Op that her ex has absolved himself of responsibility towards his child. How is it her fault?! As she has pointed out, she’s not looking for budgeting advice, just making a general point. Which is very valid. You just can’t resist the chance to feel superior and make sneerI have remarks can you?
MayorGoodwaysChicken · 27/04/2021 17:10

@JinglingHellsBells

I don't understand why your daughter's father can't pay towards her needs just because he lives overseas. It's a moral issue surely, not one of politics? Why doesn't he pay for his child?

And yes, sorry, but pets are expensive and if you are really struggling, they ought to go.

You sound like you’re angry with the Op that her ex has absolved himself of responsibility towards his child. How is it her fault?! As she has pointed out, she’s not looking for budgeting advice, just making a general point. Which is very valid. You just can’t resist the chance to feel superior and make sneerI have remarks can you?
BrightYellowDaffodil · 27/04/2021 17:11

I don't really get it as you're on several grand over the average wage. It's more than enough to live on.

On what planet is the average wage linked to the amount you need to live on? It means what it says - the average amount paid by employers - and doesn't reflect average living costs, or indeed any living costs at all.

And for those saying move, you know moving can be expensive, right? And cheaper places tend to have cheaper wages so more than likely the OP will be in exactly the same position somewhere else

MayorGoodwaysChicken · 27/04/2021 17:11

Sneering remarks, that should say.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 27/04/2021 17:11

who on earth thinks that someone working full time should not be able to afford a pet and swimming lessons for their child?! There are some real monsters around

I agree. It is sad that expectations have fallen so low.

EmbarrassingMama · 27/04/2021 17:12

That's really crappy OP. I'm sorry you're struggling and you're right, it's a good salary; no one earning good money and living sensibly should feel like they can't make ends meet.

Swimming lessons are necessary for basic safety. Anyone suggesting they should be stopped is a fool.

Do you know that you can get tax free childcare for things like after school clubs?

ChocoholicWineLover · 27/04/2021 17:15

@Fashionesta - Rental costs are shocking, your rent is more than our mortgage. How come your daughters father doesn’t pay maintenance, as that would help you pay towards the basics for your daughter like food, clothes, uniform, swimming lessons etc.

JediGnot · 27/04/2021 17:15

@TheYearOfSmallThings

who on earth thinks that someone working full time should not be able to afford a pet and swimming lessons for their child?! There are some real monsters around

I agree. It is sad that expectations have fallen so low.

Tory voters and politicians
doomonic · 27/04/2021 17:19

I don't really get it as you're on several grand over the average wage. It's more than enough to live on.

Is it?

Original poster
Fashionesta · 27/04/2021 17:20

Thanks @purplepinkparade That's exactly how it is isn't it?

Yes work take a chunk out for my pension too. I'm fine, tbh even if UC took away the couple of hundred each month In would manage, just. I'm just trying to make a point that it shouldn't be hard to have a good life on this salary.

Again, ex is moot point as it's not counted in benefits.

OP posts:
Kdubs1981 · 27/04/2021 17:20

@ivfbeenbusy

It isn't hard to survive though when the father is pulling his weight
You seem to be blaming the OP for the lack of child maintenance when it is completely outside of her control. Why?
TreeDice · 27/04/2021 17:20

Loan repayments can really add up quickly. Lots of people won't have to deal with that too.

Sorry you live in such an expensive area! Would moving be a possibility?

GiveMeTulipsfromAmsterdam · 27/04/2021 17:21

Rent costs are the problem in the UK. Greedy landlords raking in the money. The government tends to make sure the property market is propped up, the last no stamp duty helped second home purchases and landlords buy up more and keeps prices up.

It's sad, people without deposits or inheritance or extremely large salaries are left behind to rent.

Cannot help but heard your story many times over

loveheartss · 27/04/2021 17:21

Well yes, correct. Or downsize from a 2 bed. But she doesn’t want to do that or follow solutions other people on low salaries (and limited benefits) do. So what can we do!

OP has already said she wasn't looking for suggestions but was rather marvelling at the fact her salary was not enough to live a decent life. And she's right - it's shocking.

Fnib · 27/04/2021 17:21

I'm so sorry. It's absolutely shocking how housing costs have rocketed and yet wages haven't kept up.

doomonic · 27/04/2021 17:22

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.

True dat!