... to think that most MNers live in a bubble?

[frgr]

Seriously, the amount of times I read on here about "oh we earn 70k a year but we're really struggle to provide for little Jacob's polo lessons this year" (or some other such shite).

In real life, the average income of my family and friends is probably circa the national average. I know for a fact that my BIL is on around £6/hr and works 42 hours a week, I know that my best friend's total family income is about 22k because she was talking about mortgages a month ago... I'm talking about hard working people who go out come rain or shine and do their day's work, to provide for their families.... and then I log on here and find out MNers are posting trivial shit about being unable to afford XYZ and feeling hard done by on their incomes of "only" 3x the national average.

I don't know if I've become more sensitive to this crap since starting re-posting on here last year (after a break of about 3 years), but it seems to me that certain members of MN are totally and utterly oblivious as to what the average family is having to endure during this recession.

It's fucking unbelievable, it really is.

In your opinion, why are so many MNers out of touch with reality? Does this site cater to a different class than me? Are avg MNers just generally deluded - do I even belong here any more, with our 21k combined income, worrying about where the next school trip fee is coming from despite the fact that both of us work?

Christ.

"not even being able to save £450 a month", I mean!

I would love to turn the clock back and not make the choice to marry XH (but I don't want to be with out my wonderful dd) but there is nothing I can do about that time machines don't exist. I think I am and have been punished more than enough for that crap decison.

Hi This is my first post as I am still reading though the forum.

I feel £70,000 a year is rich.

Tax would be heavy

Seriously am I invisible??!!

I thought we were talking about people who earn more than 70K.

The OP has evaporated with her crazy statements - come back!

[DONT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED THERE POSTED BEFORE FINISHED LOL]

Would anyone care to tell me how much someone that earns £70,000 a year actually takes home in one month?

I think the reality is probably that many jobs have aspects which are fulfilling, but also aspects which are mundane/challenging/scary/very difficult - take your pick.

I adore some elements of my work - teaching a group of really sharp Oxbridge candidates for instance. Dealing with a child protection issue at 6 pm on a wet Friday evening when I just want to get home and see my own kids is less appealing.

I'm sure most jobs are like this. If people truly adore every aspect of their job, then yes, I guess that's lucky, although you could also argue that they picked very well to find something that suits them so well

"The OP has evaporated with her crazy statements".

SimplyTes, I don't know if you're a troll, but I haven't - I've clarified what I've posted several times Which, as someone who's claiming this thread is simply about "people who earn more than 70k" (i.e. missing the details of the point), I wouldn't be surprised you havent' read.

Is it easier to pretend this is what I've posted?

frgr I'm with you on this one

Quattrocento Yes I said that earlier in the thread ...but some of these posts have annoyed me ...so I've got the hump now

No violet I can assure you there are jobs out there that are awful in every aspect - I have done a few in my time. Infact I have been in a teaching job where there was nothing to enjoy.

Yes - I am aware of that too. I said I imagine MOST jobs are a mixture of good and bad.

Not as much as you'd think matchbox - less than £4k per month

Simply Tes - I can see you! [waves]

Yes, but as you hopefully now know op, I am saying that you were silly to start a thread stating "most MNers live in a bubble" on the back of ONE supremely stupid first time poster (possibly even a troll) having a moan about her financial situation.

That does not mean that most Mumsnetters are living in a bubble.

Btw can I immediately separate myself from the like of SimplyTes and all the others who say they are rich because they work hard.

I am a lifelong leftie (I believe that's the first thing I say about myself on my profile) and do not believe all the hard work = high salary bollocks. Nor that the rich pay too much tax.

I Didn't agree with the OP's Original post

But agree with her second post. we should all be thankful for what we have. I sometimes realise I take a lot of things for granted, I wouldn't dream of wanting a bursary for school fees if I earned 70 grand a year. Which is a Decent wage no matter where you are in the country. I certainly wouldn't bemoan the situation!!!! I think it displays a bit of a bubble mentality when someone thinks they are hard done by compared to the rest of us on those wages, whether they are "deserved" or not (it doesn't really Matter anyway).

In suppose it depends who you mix with. Growing up I did not know a single person who enjoyed their job. In my family now it is only my sister and I that have jobs we enjoy. The rest are wage slaves ticking off the days.

Matchbox20 I posted the answer to your question earlier in the thread. About £3700 to £3900 or thereabouts.

Wow - my first ever troll accusation! I feel like part of the MN gang now.

I think we should encourage people to achieve in every aspect of their life. I used to earn "lots" of money, that didn't stop every aspect of my life falling apart.

I am a million miles from being perfect - but every person who earns contributes to society and should be recognised - whether 70k pa or 10k pa.

I have read all the posts.

A salary of £70k gives you less after tax than you might suppose - around £4k. A salary of £150k gives you even less than you might suppose.

Dragonhead

Hello!

Thats all I have to say - have fabulous evening - I am off to bed for a surprise!! So says DH!!!!!!!!!!!

Tes xxxxxxxxx

LOL - enjoy Tes!

Sorry I must of missed the post. Everything moves so fast here.

£4000 a month, in my world that is rich.

"I think it displays a bit of a bubble mentality when someone thinks they are hard done by compared to the rest of us on those wages,"

Yes, alison. And everyone else on that thread agrees with you. Therefore the op of that thread might be living in a bubble but not (to quote the op) "most Mumsnetters".

See?

I think it's all relative. In SW London the OP wouldn't be that well off at all (a three bed terrace starts at about 650K here) - and if mortgaged up to the eyeballs the OP shouldn't even be thinking about private school. The fees pcm for two boys at secondary level would be 2,700 pcm not including extras such as lunches and books. That would leave the OP with about 1,300 to cover: mortgage, bills, food, travel expenses, etc., etc.. Bit of a non starter really. I don't think MNers live in a bubble but I think the OP asked a very silly question, needs to do her sums and be a little more mindful of the feelings of others.

Yes, I posted it above - £3900 after tax. No tax credits. So you pay 100% of your housing and child care costs out of that which culd be about £1k mortgage and £1k child care so leaves about £2000k (or interest/rent could be a lot more - £4k is less than the interest on my loan I think - never divorce a lower earner). Child care is likely to be about £25k after tax if you have 2 children in London if not more so £2k or so> so YOure £4k less the £2k you need to spend in order to work to earn the £70k,

That leaves you with £2k for your rent and food.