I am SOOO fed up of being broke

[bunnyfears]

it's making me depressed I think. and; can't see a way out. I earn £45k, so decent wage which has been fine actually leading up to this point. but still nice the cold st of living has gone up, I just can't make it last. I would be ok if there was no birthdays/Christmas/car to run and maintain/house and garden to keep in working and liveable condition. like I can just afford mortgage, utilities, food

I currently need to fix my car, leak in the bathroom and water damage in kitchen, garden needs sorting out, need new floor covering upstairs, every room needs painting

I'm fully aware that people manage on less but how on earth do they do it??

Interested in ideas we can’t afford to sort out our house issues too no bathroom floor since a large leak insurance wouldn’t cover and garden is a state.

I feel the same op. We are late 50's no mortgage but between trying to ( and failing miserably ) to save for retirement and support two kids through Uni, driving lessons etc, there is nothing left for home improvements. It all feels bleak although I absolutely know we are hugely better off than so many others. I'm not moaning would just like there to be a bit more to get ahead.

it's miserable having your house fall in to disrepair around you isn't it.

the only thing I can think of is to move somewhere where houses are cheaper to reduce mortgage monthly payments to free up some money. I can't do that currently because I still have teenagers in school. but maybe it's an option for you?

I feel your pain. I'm on more than that but still seem to spend more than we earn, the drive needs tarmacking, the house needs pointing, the garage is wrecked, the car needs tyres..........

People manage on less because they e.g. live in a cheaper area, have no car, live in a flat not a house, have fewer or no children. Not blaming you for any of those things btw - everyone should be able to have kids if they want them, and live near family/friends/familiar places if they want to. I’m just observing that people’s circumstances massively affect how far their salary goes!

And some will have more outgoings and less income than you but will still “manage”, in that they survive, just with a very low standard of living.

Quality of life has gone down for most people except the very comfortably-off over the past few years. It’s depressing.

Is the £45k your entire household income, and you also have at least one child to support? If so I’m not surprised you’re struggling!

yes, that is our household income, single parent to 3 teenagers. I've managed on quite a lot less in the past! it's the most I have ever earned. and I always felt 'safe' because we lived well within our means. never upgraded to bigger house, don't buy fancy cars on go on extravagant holidays. I have pets which were very affordable when we got them but get fees have really gone up and I dread them getting sick

If you're happy to list out your expenses people may be able to give you some more specific help?

that's kind thanks. I'm not ready to share finances and pick it apart, it's too depressing because we really are not extravagant. but it helps in a weird way to hear other people feel in the same predicament. I give myself a hard time for not managing myself money better/getting a better paid job etc. but also really sorry that people ARE in the same situation because it's a bit miserable

Penny pinching is so miserable. I am the same, got 3 kids and on my own but decent income which SHOULD be enough but having to constantly consider everything we do in terms of cost and not being able to have many luxuries is less fun than life used to be. And most people I know have more or 2 incomes so don't have to think that way. And the anxiety over if there is a boiler breakdown or car has issues or weighing up about putting the heating on while trying not to alarm my kids just feels miserable.

£45k for managing four adults effectively is not that much! You’re doing nothing wrong, the money just doesn’t go far. Once you’ve paid off your mortgage there will be spare money for house repairs hopefully?

I assume you can't claim on insurance for water damage etc

I would look where I could save money: utilities, SIM instead of contract, non branded food, meal planning, insulation, cut streaming services, WIFI supplier. Can teenagers get part time jobs?

Can you sell anything to raise money for the damage? Declutter and sell everything.

I earn half that am mortgage free and children are grown up. Every month I want to put something away towards retirement as that age is looming however every month there is an extra bill to pay.
I may own my own home, but need a new kitchen as it's falling apart which I don't think will ever happen. A new shower, there's a damp patch in the bedroom which is getting worse, a single brick utility whichgets covered in mould patches. Back garden fence needs repairing and the roof is not looking good, I could go on!

Sorry to read things are tough OP. Money just doesn’t go that far at the moment.

Are the teenagers old enough to think about a weekend job to help with some of their own expenses?

Re: the leak - how bad is it? Is it diy-able with a bit of help from the internet?

Hiya, yes some of the jobs are diy-able (not the leak) but I am a bit disabled. it takes a lot out of me to do DIY/decorating so I need to take time off work to do jobs slowly and recover. the jobs have just piled up and I suppose I feel overwhelmed and a bit paralysed. just moaning really

my eldest has a job and pays for her own frivolities, which is good. but even 1 child to pay for is expensive! it would be fine actually without the things that keep breaking down/unexpected bills like vets etc

mortgage won't be paid until I'm 70. I think I will sell once the youngest is 18 and buy in a cheaper area so I have no/much smaller mortgage (my house has increased in value a lot since I bought it)

I'm sorry @jimbort and @crimsonlake that you are in the same situation. I keep telling myself that nothing is forever and it's a temporary situation, but it's going on and on!