How do middle-class people attain those lifestyles?

[YourPoisedFinch]

Young professionals on 30k a year, multiple holidays a year, parties, concerts, outings etc. ... how do they afford it?

This is my family pretty much. My partner has a decently paying job but I’m on 26kish and we don’t worry about money. Don’t have a lavish lifestyle at all but own a nice house with a quite small mortgage, two cars, can afford to book nice holidays and meals out etc. two kids.

the only reason I can do any of this is my partner is on a goodish salary (in the 40s) and I owned a mortgage free house given by family. Ludicrously lucky position to be in, I’m fully aware and I often feel like I didn’t deserve it, wish others could have the same etc.

other people in my position it’s always family money and loans. Always

1 £30k is not a grad salary for many. In some industries add £100k

2 different spending priorities. A totally empty fridge but dinner at a Michelin star restaurant or Primark t shirts and gucci handbags

notoriously hard to get into, need a degree from oxbridge or another top law school, 100 hr weeks, perfect grades etc.

@whatonearthisgoingonnow 'Marketing manager jobs are £30-35k for example and you wouldn't be walking into that in your early 20s.'

No marketing manager worth their salt would work for £30k unless they are working for a charity and have a wealthy husband or second income. It's not much above minimum wage.

I'm a newly joined marketing manager in automotive (home counties) on more than double that. My marketing graduate assistant is on £35k.

They earn more than you think. We've always been able to survive off one income. So the other wage was free to save, invest, travel etc.

I was on 30k when I was 23, I was on 60k by the time I was 29 and stopped work for maternity leave.

This was the early 2000s.

As PP said it was fairly easy to get that salary plus I was a homeowner in London.

I had holidays, went out drinking, did what ever I wanted really.

So the people you are talking about probably rent or live with parents and are very good with their money.

Also sorry for quoting the OP 🙏

@DancingNotDrowning which industries have 130k grad salaries? Even a MC law firm would be 100k for newly qualified

people are also forgetting wage stagnation

So sorry you developed Parkinson’s. My dad has it (although is in his 70’s) so I really feel for you. Just sending love and support x

None of this is necessarily true: law is practiced across a huge spectrum of roles and industries. Our corporate lawyers and litigators (reinsurance) come from a range of backgrounds and educations, including those with Law conversions, and a first year PQE joining us starts at around £45,000, with potential to double that within three years. I’m a Company Secretary - an area of law not even on many people’s radar - if you’re interested in a career in the law, it’s absolutely more accessible than you currently think it is.

If they’re not saving, it’s easy.
Admittedly this was 6 years ago when cost of living wasn’t quite as pricey, but I earned £32k. Flat shared with a friend, lovely apartment cost us £600 each Inc bills. I wasn’t saving much so the rest of my money was mine to party, holiday, buy avacados and coffee with, I was never short of cash.
However now I earn £54k, rent alone and am saving for a house and feel money is so tight!

Some prestigious cars are cheaper on PCP than you'd think and sometimes cheaper than bread and butter type cars.

As most of us know children are quite expensive!

There's visible spending holidays, concerts etc. There there's invisible saving/living carefully - few takeaways, prudent spending, holidays at cheap times etc.

That is tough. Why do you think you didn’t pass your professional exams? Was it just the first year you failed? My firm also used to let go anyone who failed their first year.

What are you doing your masters in?

the sort of firms that pay this much are magic circle law firms; big 4 law people are paid very little

by prioritising holidays and outings? It's not rocket science.

With a full time job - so not that much free time, and not having children, it's pretty much all pocket money once you've paid mortgage

I miss that time 😂, kids have bankrupted me (no regret, but they really take all my money)

Doesn't seem to exist on MN. New graduates on here seem to be earning more than people out in the real world take decades to achieve.

I have depression, went off my drugs and failed. now my masters is in economics, a field with no exams except for the masters. also all exams at my school are open book

Yourpoisedfinch Pharmeceutiicals industry

No, we’re a medium-sized global reinsurance company, not a Magic Circle law firm. The world of work is far bigger and broader than the Big 4 and the Magic Circle! Have you considered attending any career fairs or graduate conferences to explore your career options? You currently have quite a narrow view of your potential, which won’t be helping.

If your failure was due to your mental health at the time and you are now on the mend and still wish to pursue a career in finance then my advice would be to apply to a mid-tier firm (top 10 rather than big 4), continue your qualification and drop the masters. You don’t need a masters in economics for a career in finance but you do need a post degree qualification.

I have a masters in economics, which does not lead to a law career, hence my lack of knowledge

I don't want a career in finance anymore

what does he do there.. is he a salesman?

Oh, it’s you again. OP, you really need help. You really circle round the same questions over and over.