How many of you have made it?

[washerdrier]

Another thread about spending money and saving for a deposit to buy a house got me thinking about how so many people seem to be in a situation where they're either renting and saving to buy, just married and saving to have kids or in some other way squirrelling money away for the next stage...

I feel like the generations before us didn't really live like this.

I just wondered by show of hands how many of us have made it... I.e. completed their family, in their forever home, pensions ticking along, fun money available each week. Vs how many of us are still striving to get there? Bonus points for sharing your age.

36, two dc, live in a small house in a great area. We're surrounded by wealth but I feel we have made it too. Our dc are so wonderful and we have a happy marriage. When they both start school we'll be working towards our bigger house. I know i'll look back on this bit of life as our happiest though.

@washerdrier

Another thread about spending money and saving for a deposit to buy a house got me thinking about how so many people seem to be in a situation where they're either renting and saving to buy, just married and saving to have kids or in some other way squirrelling money away for the next stage...

I feel like the generations before us didn't really live like this.

I just wondered by show of hands how many of us have made it... I.e. completed their family, in their forever home, pensions ticking along, fun money available each week. Vs how many of us are still striving to get there? Bonus points for sharing your age.

Generations before us definitely didn't live like this. Different, but certainly no easier - in many ways people these days don't know they're born...

I'm older than you, but not quite a whole generation. So I will let you know about my parents instead, and pretty much everyone they knew in the new town where they lived from the 50's to the 70's.

Almost everybody had a council house that was what we would now describe as their 'forever' home, and few people were saving to buy a house - there was no need, and no spare cash anyway. Private pensions weren't a thing, some belonged to a company pension scheme, but not everyone. The state pension would probably be all they got, and since most women had given up work when they got married and had kids, then their pension entitlement was a lot lower because they'd paid in far less.

There wasn't really any 'fun' money each week. What spare money they had at the end of the week was saved for a 'rainy day' or to pay for the annual holiday, or for things like replacing worn out furniture & other household items; not on takeaways, or going out for the evening to the pub. The few occasions I actually remember my parents getting a babysitter for me were for my dad's annual works Christmas 'do' at the company's social club.

It wasn't exactly a hand-to-mouth existence, but not far off. But most people did seem to be relatively contented with what they had. Or resigned to it at least.

I think I've mostly made it but my 18 year old self would think I'm definitely living the good life.

I am 28, have my forever home (in the sense we wouldn't move unless we won a lot of money- millions) and my beautiful 19 month DD.

For what I do, even though for my team probably more on the junior side, I earn well. I would be happy to plod along where I am if needs be for the rest of my life as I don't need any more money, but equally I want to develop professionally to the next tier (but not further realistically). My job allows me to WFH and I have autonomy over my hours and work.

My 18 year old self thought you were rolling in it if you had a 250k house (I live in the SE) and took home 2k a month. Considering our house is nearing on being double the value and I would earn nearer 3k if not for student loan and pension deductions, my 18 year old self would be amazed.

I feel extremely lucky, privileged and thankful for what I have as I know its not a story everyone shares. I love my job, my home and my family. Money helps, but I'm not striving to make more.

I have enough, and I feel lucky to be able to say that.

I'm 69, finally managed to buy our first house aged 43, despite working and saving hard, DH and I (+ 4 DC's) had to live off our savings when the recession hit in the early 90's. DH is a self employed builder and when savings were spent we were on income support with DH doing paper rounds to help our finances!
If it hadn't been for an inhertance, sufficient to put down a deposit on a "doer upper" (interest rates on sum borrowed were eye wateringly
high )we wouldn't probably be home owners now.
With DH's skills and all our hard work we now have a lovely 4 bed detached, in SE commuter belt. whether we will be able to afford to remain here when DH retires is another matter.
Despite being a retired Civil Servant my pension is small and DH has been paying into pension funds since he was17.
He would have been better off putting it under the mattress rhe way things have turned out with the invested funds.
When we were first married there was no Bank/financial institution that would lend to a self employed person, it was very difficult for anyone in the 70's to get a mortgage, as a wifes income would not be taken into account when assessing your ability to pay!
I'm 69 and I still haven't "made it" our financial future worries me.

In the process of ‘making it’ but so much further along than a few years ago! 30 year old me would be very happy with my progress

Mid thirties dp and I now each on 50k plus with a property each
Now starting to save/invest decent amounts for retirement
Next few years are for marriage and (hopefully) children

Yeah I guess so...

Just turned 34. 2 children, no plans to have any more. Bought our house for 500k 4 years ago with a 20% deposit.

Combined income before tax or expenses of about 250k.

I count myself very fortunate.

Early 30s
One DC, will hopefully have a second
4 bed house in south east
Joint income £85k
Me part time, DH full time

We worked hard to get promotions and saved hard to make sure we owned a house before we had our DC. We have more than both our parents had at the same age.

I think so? 36, happily married most of the time, one DC by choice. House worth £900k, 60% equity currently. About £250k in savings & pensions. Combined income £200k/year. Saving for retirement - goal being to fully replace current income without eating into capital as well as saving so if we decide we don’t want to work for a year we can & for DC uni (not in UK so very very high fees). Current biggest expense is our nanny (no nursery places where we are).

Almost where I want to be but it has been a slog!
Own house, 4 bed detached but in the north where house prices are a bit more reasonable.
Salary £47k and wedding booked for next year- 3rd date due to covid! Once the weddings done then we can finally try for a baby- we were ready when we planned the first wedding date. I’m 30. Listening to people talk it definitely seemed easier but then my Gran was a single parent and had 3 jobs at one point so she could buy her house so I’m not convinced.

I feel like I'v made it. Married, 2DC, have a good career and have bought a 3 bedroom house. A few years ago I was stuck in a dead end job but went to uni and trained and was very lucky to land a great job. We still live modestly by the time our bills are paid but have savings and go on holiday, short breaks, days out etc. I tell myself how lucky I am every day. Most people in my profession come from money, but me and DH came from squalor and hardship. We know how lucky we are, there are people on Mumsnet who are much better off then us but I feel truly blessed to be able to provide for my children so they never know hunger, the feeling of having no gas and electric and having nice Christmas presents.

Nearly made it.

39 years old with a 1 year old toddler (one and done I think) happily married to my best friend (who I met at uni). We have a nice little house, in a nice town in the catchment of a great Primary school although it's small and our adjoining neighbour is a bit batshit so don't see it as our forever home, however house prices have gone a bit nuts locally so would struggle to afford the "next step" on the housing ladder without a substantial income boost.

Had enough in savings to quit my £36k (stressful) creative industry job, and send my toddler to nursery twice a week whilst I try to set up my own business in a highly competitive creative field (with a low success rate). My husband earns about £50k so we are comfortably paying bills and can still put a little away.

I will consider myself to have made it if my business takes off and also for my husband to have the option to hand in his notice and be able to do what I'm doing. His job is quite stressful so I would love to be able to support him in his next step like he is supporting me now.

We are mortgage free, we bought in 2013 (when house prices were low) and overpaid hard (60% of our combined income) whilst we were both earning and didn't have children, it has made the transition to one salary and no mortgage easier. We have been incredibly lucky to have been in the position to buy when we did.

15 years ago we were on the bones of our arse broke crying over a council tax bill I couldn't afford, going over my overdraft limit, racking up credit cards and store card debt (for ex display furniture) in a shitty rental where the landlord used to just let himself in whilst we were at work.

I guess we've made it in all the essential ways which has given me the opportunity to attempt to have a stab at the dream career. I feel very lucky to be in this position.

I just hit 60. I was married for 20 years when found out I was married to a cheat. I only had 3 years left on mortgage but sold house and split equity. Rented for a while. Met and married second husband. He put his house in both our names and we bought a house together, renting out his old house. After paying a mortgage for 17 years the new mortgage taken over 20 years stretched out ahead of us but we got lucky as interest rates dropped after about 7 years. I paid up to 10 percent on first house in interest but most interest I have paid on second house is 5.8 percent. Now less than 2 percent. We had 2 bedroom and shower room loft extension so now 6 bedrooms and as we have overpaid whilst rates were low only 2 years left on mortgage. We have a 7 bedroom holiday home in France and now built up 6 btl properties. I retired early at 56 and dh wants to work until 62 but have pension sorted and between us make over £100k a year so I would think we made it. Not brilliant health though.

Hmm, we bought our house in 2012, not sure exactly how much its raised in value but I'd say around 35/40%.

We have two kids. Both doing OK in our careers, have enough money to pay the mortgage, pensions etc. Probably do private school for both dc's. Don't have any major expenses other than the house and retirement, dont see the point un fancy hols as the kids as still small. Plus covid etc.

Wouldn't mind a holiday cottage but cba with the upkeep etc on it.

Have to say though that we live abroad, things are cheaper, standard of living is higher.

Sorry to hear about your struggles @miserablebitch. I hope there's something wonderful in store for your future.

@TammyTwoSwanson, yes you have definitely made it. Well done on beating cancer.

37, DP, 1 DC (no more), 4-bed house in West London mortgaged (not our forever home but because we’ll probably move out of London one day), 1-bed flat in West London mortgaged/ rental, a couple of £1,000 disposable each month (not including DP’s income which is far higher than mine). No significant pension provision though (although this is a conscious choice).

35 with 2 children both earning salaries we are happy with, but me part time. Joint income of £75k for now (would be £100 if I was working full time)

We have a house worth £400k with about £130k equity but it’s only small so find ourselves saving all we can as we know we are fast outgrowing it

I wish we didn’t feel like that so we could just relax and enjoy ourselves more

I'm 53.
My observation on these threads is this.
It's down to luck. My luck was staying married to the same person, having 3 healthy children that could therefore go to normal childcare and school.
Those fundamental points enabled us to both work full time. We don't have enough pension but can hopefully rectify that.

Hmmmm doing ok ish.

Married 12 years and 2 children at secondary school.

Paid about half of the mortgage on our house . The house will be our home forever. We did want to buy bigger when the children were younger but we could never afford it, so converted the big second room into 2 small rooms for the children.

We feel very poor atm , our money seems to be very tight.

Hubby works 40+ hours
I do 25 , but frequently pick up a fifth day now we dont need childcare, for extra spends.

We are 33 so I am hopeful by 40 we will be a bit more sorted, and more of the mortgage paid off .

So , half way there ?

Ohhhhh wooooooh living on a prayer hahaha

(Coincidentally, prying i have enough fuel till payday)

Definitely not made it, unlikely to make it in the sense that some on here have, unless I win the lottery. I have made my peace with it though and know a lot of people who are in far worse situations.
I am concentrating on improving my life in other ways, working out how to maximise my earning potential, but still keeping my work/life balance intact.

@cuttlefishgame that's certainly what I saw from my parents and grandparents. They all had far less than most who've responded on this thread but seemed much more resigned to their lifestyle

Hmmmm I’ll say I’m nearly there.

29, married this to a kind, loving DH
Joint income of over £120k
Stable job, in an interesting sector
Savings / pensions are on track.
Large mortgage on a large 3 bed semi in a beautiful location (I think we have one more move for the forever home)
Baby number 1 due next week…

Yes I would definitely say we have made it.

Im 31. 1 dc by choice.
At 23 I bought my first house- deposit was 8k with govt help to buy and got married that year.
Sold that house at 29 with a decent enough profit to put a deposit down on a 4 bed detached.
I earn 45k dh earns just over 50k
My pensions are doing fine and seeing as im only 31 and have been working full time pretty much consistently since 22 apart from 10m maternity leave and will continue to do so for the forseeable im not worried about my pension.

We save. But thats usually to do home improvements. This year we did the 3 loos and garden.
I have much more than my parents or grandparents had at my age and I appreciate that.

Made it.
DH and I both 30yo.
3DC, one in private school, the other 2 will also go.
In our forever home and will be mortgage free by 40.
At least 3 foreign holidays a year, day out every weekend.
The children have an amazing life which is our main priority.
We save £2,000 and enjoy the rest.

Sorry, that should’ve said we save £2k per month.