Am I being ridiculous?

[darkvelvet]

Hi,

We have recently moved house - we have moved back to our home town - It's me, DH and our two DC's - both teens.

Prior to this we lived in a 'cheaper' part of the UK and we were lucky to have no mortgage. The move back here, whilst the right thing to do has meant that we now have a mortgage for the next 15 years.

I have been going through our finances and it looks like after we have paid the mortgage and all other non- negotiable bills, we will be left with about £2000 per month. From this we will need to buy food and any other luxuries/non-essentials.

I am worried that this will be tight and that we will end up burning through the savings that we have. DH thinks I am being ridiculous and that £2k is lots

Am I right to be worried?

YABU. NRTFT. HTH.

Provided you budget and buy sensibly £2k should be sufficient.

Give yourselves a financial MoT. Go through all your direct debits - are you paying for stuff you never use or don't really need or is purely a want.

Are you shopping in the best supermarket for price? We saved a lot by going to Aldi for essentials and most other stuff too as their range extended in the noughties. Occasionally used Waitrose for treats.

Are you on the best tariffs for fuel?

Check heating timers and thermostats. Can you turn down from 20 to 18. Only boil enough water in the kettle for what you need.

OP has 2 children to feed and clothe etc , not 3

Yes but she has a husband or does he not get fed?

If 2k is going to be hard work and there's a non working adult in the household who needs feeding and clothing, they should get a job and contribute themselves then.

You realise this is 2K AFTER all bills have been paid - that this is just for food and fun?
It's wise for anyone to regularly check their tariffs etc, but I don't think OP is in the position where she needs to be concerned (from a purely financial POV) about how much water to boil or how warm to have their home, or whether they can have a few treats from Waitrose.

To be fair, I think food is essential ... and their food budget does have to come out of this

Have you read the thread? This is what THEY have left, OP never said he wasn’t working

You might not be adding much to savings but you absolutely shouldn't need to "burn through" what you already have.
Most people are in the same boat (or worse) with costs going up so much more than wages.

I have less than that left after only paying rent.

Yes, you are being ridiculous and I suspect this is a wind up post. Many people don't bring home £2,000 a month, before having to pay their bills. How on earth can you think that £500 per week isn’t enough for your food and non essentials? 🙄🙄🙄

Yet more proof MN seems to be peopled by by pp in the higher income bracket

Yep, I find it mind-blowing that someone would post this OP in all seriousness. Their bubble must be tiny if they think that this is a real problem

It's astonishing that people like this have little to no concept of how others live, and/or find it impossible to read a room.

Ok, you may not be able to go for luxury holidays with the four of you but it's more than enough to survive. If struggle in the future then adjust your lifestyle? Many people manage with a lot less.

Yes I have. Your comment re '3 other people to feed and clothe' made it sound like 1 earner and 3 dependents.

£2000 should be plenty.

Indeed. And then right after posters describe how they have a great deal less to live on, another one pipes up stating that they have 4k surplus every month 🙄

The OP is concerned about whether £2k after bills ie enough.

If they reduce bills then there's more than £2k.

It's not difficult.

I guess the question is … it depends on your lifestyle? Of course on paper £2k is enough but are you people who are used to going to Florida each year, multiple holidays, not thinking twice about what you buy clothes and food wise ? Then if so yes you’d need to budget.

But everyone is staying it IS enough, that she doesn't need to worry.
So, she doesn't need to reduce bills. It's always good to, but she doesn't need to.

I’m moving to North Essex! Our grocery bill for me, DH plus two teens has skyrocketed in last 3 years. And I’m shopping at Aldi and getting the non perishables when they’re on offer. Electricity and other bills have gone up too. What’s really killed me in the last couple of months is tradesman (had two huge issues in the house and the bills were insane). Trying to claim one on the house insurance but they’re kicking back. Christmas will be tight. I miss taking holidays, being able to buy new clothes and having a car. Obviously still buy new clothes for growing kids but it’s vinted all the way now.

Reward yourselves by sticking to your budget.
Buying a more expensive home in a better area is a sound investment.

Stay strict and you will soon have a good buffer of saving for when the fridge explodes etc.

I have less than that to cover everything as do very many others.

How old are the teenagers and are they boys? If so then that will also have had an impact, as well as the increase in price.

So, how much do you spend per month on food for 3 people?

Christ we had £2k a month BEFORE all the bills. We are being totally ridiculous.

Unless there’s a huge drip feed coming.

It does sound like a huge amount to many & its understandable some would say ridiculous when money is so tight. My thoughts are it is very doable although when you break it down to amount per person per day for food & entertainment especially paid for events etc its not a huge amount. I think you are right to be concerned about eating into savings although its not exactly money worries territory.

Yes.