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Original poster

I earn £81,000…

280 replies

Sueretiredawhileago · 15/09/2023 17:36

And (although clearly I am not on the breadline and understand how lucky I am compared to others) I have very little spare money. I am a single (co) parent and I live in London so mortgage is a lot. I used to have loads spare and felt ‘well off’ but now I’ve had to cut down on all the little spending I once never gave a thought to. No quick coffees, pastries for breakfast, no brunches, no magazines, new lipsticks etc etc.

If I can’t afford these things I don’t understand how ‘they’ keep saying that consumer spending is still strong and driving inflation. Who the hell has the spare money??!!!

OP posts:
Vettrianofan · 15/09/2023 21:23

Well done for pointing out the obvious....

Princessandthepea0 · 15/09/2023 21:25

Vettrianofan · 15/09/2023 21:16

I think there's nothing smug at all. I have several children and loads of health problems. Carry on making judgements....

My point still stands that living in a cheaper part of the UK is sound advice and will save a fortune to those who are struggling. It doesn't have to be a struggle.

Show quote history

Yes - it’s that easy to sell up and find a new job as a single parent. I suggest you stop making judgments of the op. Especially when you @ her with your no mortgage.

Finallybreathe · 15/09/2023 21:27

Very fortunate we don’t have a mortgage/rent or kids and have a household income of £150k so we have spare money to spend.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General money
Vettrianofan · 15/09/2023 21:32

Princessandthepea0 · 15/09/2023 21:25

Yes - it’s that easy to sell up and find a new job as a single parent. I suggest you stop making judgments of the op. Especially when you @ her with your no mortgage.

Show quote history

I think you will find those who have bragging rights are those on the thread with no mortgage and income in excess of £150k as per pp. I am not bragging about being well off. I never have and never will be unless Agent Million rings my doorbell 😂

ORYX99 · 15/09/2023 21:35

Eye opening thread. I'm a lone parent on 34k a year. Take home 2200 a month, 1100 on rent, childcare costs, and all the rest. Lived in London but moved because I couldn't afford it. I put 75 a month in savings. Wish I owned a house. Put a holiday on a credit card every other year and pay it off fully before booking another. It's not a fancy lifestyle but I manage.

The difference is that OP can still afford to live in an expensive area. Yes they feel the squeeze but they're not falling into poverty.

Princessandthepea0 · 15/09/2023 21:38

Vettrianofan · 15/09/2023 21:32

I think you will find those who have bragging rights are those on the thread with no mortgage and income in excess of £150k as per pp. I am not bragging about being well off. I never have and never will be unless Agent Million rings my doorbell 😂

Show quote history

Your initial post was beyond unhelpful and smug, which is why others called you out on it.

One income household. Earn a fraction of this. No mortgage. Don't struggle at all.

As if that’s not enough - you’re still here not actually being any help to op. Just suggesting she’s somehow inferior to you for not coping like you - mortgage free. That’s not pleasant at all. Whatever makes your evening I guess.

Highandlows · 15/09/2023 21:39

“How awful that you can no longer afford luxury purchases on a whim, my heart bleeds for you.” Probably paying taxes so that you live miserably and envious.

starsparkle08 · 15/09/2023 21:41

That’s a lot of money I’m struggling to empathise

Teateaandmoretea · 15/09/2023 21:41

Another daft ‘I earn loads so why aren’t I rich’ thread

It’s because how well off you are is a function of both income and outgoings. Pretty simple really. It isn’t just your annual salary,

randomfemthinker · 15/09/2023 21:41

I think it's probably because people are making a priority over what they truly want over their lives so people spend accordingly even though yes people must be OVERALL spending less you'd think. And people I guess spend in different ways. For instance, I don't have kids or pets, I wear second hand clothes and haven't had my hair done in years yet enjoy overseas holidays as that is what I love most over "fun in the sun". Your priority is living in London, for instance which is expensive.

Grumpis · 15/09/2023 21:42

I feel skint and never did. I have a good income. There are just lots of things now which I cannot afford. Also lone parent.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 15/09/2023 21:42

catslikeparties · 15/09/2023 19:09

Anyone who thinks £81k is a great salary for life in London is on another planet quite frankly. Have you seen the London house prices?

OP is a single parent, so there is no second salary from a partner.

I agree, on ops salary she can't even get a 400k mortgage which is basically an ex council flat in a not nice area of London

And if she lives in a block of flat she'll have a high service charge (mine is £240 a month! Went up from £90 last year!) as well as council tax and all the bills to pay alone.

OP I'm also cutting back on coffees and lunches out etc now and don't get take aways anymore I will up freezer with posh ready meals as my treat instead!

Vettrianofan · 15/09/2023 21:43

ORYX99 · 15/09/2023 21:35

Eye opening thread. I'm a lone parent on 34k a year. Take home 2200 a month, 1100 on rent, childcare costs, and all the rest. Lived in London but moved because I couldn't afford it. I put 75 a month in savings. Wish I owned a house. Put a holiday on a credit card every other year and pay it off fully before booking another. It's not a fancy lifestyle but I manage.

The difference is that OP can still afford to live in an expensive area. Yes they feel the squeeze but they're not falling into poverty.

I am glad you have moved in order to live a better life for you and your family. Especially as a lone parent, you must have a lot of strength in order to make the move knowing how difficult it would be. It sounds like you have made a good decision for the long term though.

Cupcakekiller · 15/09/2023 21:43

The cost of living in London is madness. I'm a single parent on £37k in the north west and while we aren't rich we certainly aren't poor.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 15/09/2023 21:43

Ps for everyone saying leave London,

For me I grew up here, all of my family and support systems are here. I could get a house if I moved two hours away but I'd be miserable and would have extremely high commuting costs. So my son and I are basically trapped in a tiny flat unless I find a husband at some point to go halves of a house mortgage with!

CharlotteRumpling · 15/09/2023 21:44

I don't think the OP has claimed anywhere that she is living in poverty.

Most of the people on this thread who have lots of spare money to spend have no kids. Which I guess was the case even before CoL. But not comparable to the OP's situation.

Vettrianofan · 15/09/2023 21:49

Princessandthepea0 · 15/09/2023 21:38

Your initial post was beyond unhelpful and smug, which is why others called you out on it.

One income household. Earn a fraction of this. No mortgage. Don't struggle at all.

As if that’s not enough - you’re still here not actually being any help to op. Just suggesting she’s somehow inferior to you for not coping like you - mortgage free. That’s not pleasant at all. Whatever makes your evening I guess.

Edited
Show quote history

Let's turn the tables round then. If I lived in London I would not have been able to afford a property to buy full stop. I was illustrating (fair enough, clumsily!) that people can survive on a fraction of that income OP has posted without genuinely struggling. I know others who do have mortgages locally and don't struggle either. Choosing to live in an expensive city is what it is - a choice.

A lone parent has just posted saying she moved out of the city as she could no longer afford living there. It does happen and sooner or later difficult decisions need to be made.

Vettrianofan · 15/09/2023 21:52

Cupcakekiller · 15/09/2023 21:43

The cost of living in London is madness. I'm a single parent on £37k in the north west and while we aren't rich we certainly aren't poor.

Yep, glad you are also echoing this like several others that don't live anywhere near London.

Life really is not a massive struggle (financially) for many if budgeting well each month.

Original poster
Sueretiredawhileago · 15/09/2023 21:58

I find it curious that people can earn that much but not be aware of life outside Their area.How the fuck are you eating so much whilst being so unaware

I eat an average amount I’d say.

Your mortgage is too large for your income if you are struggling on £81k

great. What’s the solution? Live on the streets?

OP posts:
Original poster
Sueretiredawhileago · 15/09/2023 22:00

I am from London. My whole family and friends and community are here. My child is at school here. My child’s dad is also here and I think he (and the court) might have something to say if I tried to move up North or to Wales or wherever people are suggesting. Plus my working industry is in London.

OP posts:
Cupcakekiller · 15/09/2023 22:02

@Vettrianofan in fact my wage is considered a very good wage for our area. I work for a large civil service dept and a large proportion of our staff earn well under £30k.

Princessandthepea0 · 15/09/2023 22:04

Vettrianofan · 15/09/2023 21:49

Let's turn the tables round then. If I lived in London I would not have been able to afford a property to buy full stop. I was illustrating (fair enough, clumsily!) that people can survive on a fraction of that income OP has posted without genuinely struggling. I know others who do have mortgages locally and don't struggle either. Choosing to live in an expensive city is what it is - a choice.

A lone parent has just posted saying she moved out of the city as she could no longer afford living there. It does happen and sooner or later difficult decisions need to be made.

Show quote history

Your first post on this thread.

One income household. Earn a fraction of this. No mortgage. Don't struggle at all

Then popping on every minute to have a pop at how inadequate op is for having a mortgage.

It isn’t op that’s coming across badly here. Your contribution is frankly irrelevant to op’s circumstances.

mondaytosunday · 15/09/2023 22:06

I own my house outright and earn £32k. I live in London. Feeling the squeeze (two teenage kids - one lives away but I do send him some money every month), four pets, one car. But still have the odd meal out and coffee!

Princessandthepea0 · 15/09/2023 22:08

Sueretiredawhileago · 15/09/2023 22:00

I am from London. My whole family and friends and community are here. My child is at school here. My child’s dad is also here and I think he (and the court) might have something to say if I tried to move up North or to Wales or wherever people are suggesting. Plus my working industry is in London.

I wouldn’t get worked up over it. MN is a weird place and if you’re a higher rate tax payer it brings out lots of unhinged responses. People actively wanting you to be miserable all whilst funding the rest of society. A prime example of why this country is broken is the nonsense posted on threads like this.

LinenUnionGlassCloth · 15/09/2023 22:10

Similar income, single parent to a teen in an expensive northern city. Chunky mortgage but I’m ok, have reduced my outgoings to mortgage/house costs and car which means I’m ok.

I do a weekly Ocado shop which includes lunches for all of us, never buy coffee etc out but have a nice bean to cup machine at home.

I literally spend zero during the working week. Unconsciously now.