The Uk really is a tale of 2 cities...

[baffledbaoutmycareer]

On one hand, I hear stories of people struggling to survive and having to skip meals bc of the cost of living crisis

On the other hand, I know many people going on holiday soon, returning from holiday, eating out all the time, buying new toys etc.

Which one is more common? Shall I believe my eyes or the news?

There is huge Rich and poor device in the UK that is getting bigger. So I can imagine both are fairly common, depending on your social circle and where you live etc you are.more likely to see one rather than the other but most people are somewhere in between. We are neither but def closer to the first one. Thankfully we don't have to skip meals etc but the luxuries we can afford aren't huge. Eating out and take aways are things we do every now and again as a treat, certainly not every week. We can afford one modest holiday a year, which is carefully budgeted for.

*devide

That’s not what the title means. The two cities are London and Paris.

Both things can be true at once, given you can't see the whole country.

Actually the extremes of rich and poor are just as much a central theme to the novel as the locations of London and Paris, the title carries both meanings.

I work in a school in a very deprived area. A lot of the dc have been off in weeks leading up to the end of school as we're on holiday and many had plans for the holidays too. On the other hand a weekend in a tent is out the question for us this year. I'd say there are a lot of factors but the working poor seem to be the worst hit. I'm a single parent, I'm sore with a second income a modest holiday would be possible and I'd prioritise that even if things were tight. Probably depends very much who you know and what their priorities are

Yes, but OP is really referring the the famous opening paragraph, which begins ‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…’

It’s a global issue of wealth inequality.

8 men own the equivalent wealth of 4 billion humans.

I've no idea how people are paying for holidays this year honestly I'm looking at £2.5k for a week self catering 2 adults 2 kids next year - id rather not go

People continue to accrue debt because they think they deserve or need a certain lifestyle and there's absolutely a huge class divide in this country.

We have healthy incomes but also a mortgage of £1500 a month now on top of all the other bills so it's getting harder

A 'foreign' holiday can certainly be cheaper than the UK. But also.. benefits and cash in hand work adds up.
I live near a 'deprived' area. Low incomes on paper but most people do cash in hand work and like you observed do go on holiday etc.

FIL also pulled that trick. Owned his own business and when the time came for university declared minimum income so that husband got the full loan... although they had a decent standard of living.

There are some incredibly rich people in the UK who do not just live in central London. In some roads people struggle next to those who can buy a house with just what is in their deposit account. I have seen it all.

That sounds a bit like my area.
I wouldn't say 'incredibly rich' as property here is cheap.
But we are 15 mins walk from town centre, around which is some of the most deprived postcodes in the country. Small terrace houses.
Our area is a nice street with 3 bed semis, well kept gardens and the street next to us all detached houses with gates... Beyond that a mixture of properties but all 'naice'.
The streets In other direction getting closer to the town centre noticeably more erm 'downmarket'. Loud boy racers, not very well kept front gardens and there have been stabbings a couple of times.

It's really very strange.

The two are not mutually exclusive, obviously. Some people are financially comfortable because they have good jobs, small or no mortgages, their savings & investments are finally proving decent returns, and they have plenty of disposable income.

Others are really struggling to keep roofs over their heads & food in the fridge or on the family’s table. If they can afford a fridge. Or a table.

Others are burying their heads in the sand, amassing enormous debts, living in rented houses full of furniture on credit with two shiny new rented cars on their driveways. They are spending hundreds of pounds a month on Sky, Deliveroo, Netflix, nights out, trips to theme parks, designer clothes, beauty treatments etc etc. They are booking all-inclusive holidays and it’s all going onto credit cards at 29% APR. One day, it will all collapse round their ears.

Both are true.

We are fine.

But I know loads of people who are really struggling.

The contract been the "rich" and "poor" is growing all of the time. Many have had large pay increases while some will have not had one in years. Some employers pay generous pension contributions while others pay the minimum. Some will see huge increases in their mortgage soon while those who have paid theirs off won't. Those who have large amounts in savings will benefit from the good savings rates.

This sums it up perfectly.
It isn't just a case of the "haves" being super rich or the "poor" being destitute, there are different levels of rich, well off, comfortable, struggling, on the breadline etc with plenty more in-between.

We are definitely in the "comfortable" camp having no debt, decent retirement income, investments etc with no need to draw-in the purse strings and have decent plans for the future.
Around me I see neighbours (mainly younger families) in big new-builds with two brand new Mercs on the driveway or his & hers BMW's (with matching 'plates). None of my business how they are affording (or more likely, financing) these things but it goes to show (on the surface anyhow) that not everyone is feeling the pinch the same way.

Ironically we are actually better off now than we have been for a while. Mr Monkey was contracting for a few years so his income was up and down and lost all his work during covid (he worked in events and bar industry). When we were buying our flat we ensured we could pay the mortgage in one income and during covid had to economise a lot to ensure we could live on my income alone.

Post covid he decided on a career change and now has a fairly well paid salaried job. So his contribution to household bills goes straight in to a savings account for holidays and going out etc..