AIBU - We’re struggling to get by on £200,000 a year

[BreakingDad77]

next.ft.com/content/d6f1e58e-20c9-11e6-aa98-db1e01fabc0c

Just actually gobsmacked by her comments -

“In theory, with our household income, we are in the top 5 per cent of the UK population and yet it does not feel that way,” she says. “If you’re earning millions of pounds, then you’re OK — and at the other end of the spectrum you get everything paid for. We are caught in the middle where we are paying for everything.”

Yeah because you know those on benefits get such a cushy deal...WTAF

Just all feeds into why UK is one of the mist unequal countries in Europe.

Its ironic as with the EU ref Brexiters going on about how all the other EU countries are crap and yet we have some much bigger problems closer to home.

I'd rather have 200k and pay for everything compared to earning 16k between two of us with a toddler and getting the most minimal of tax credits.

the things I could do with their money.

But if they are unhappy with their lot. More fool them. It's their misery.

So a £200k income is now the 'squeezed middle'

With tax credits and child benefit my £25k salary increases to about £30k. But actually, I'm still paying tax and NI so I still only have £25k a year.

I haven't read the article by the way, just riled by your description BreakingDad!

If both parents are used to a certain lifestyle then they may not have the skills required to live more cheaply.

“If you’re earning millions of pounds, then you’re OK — and at the other end of the spectrum you get everything paid for. We are caught in the middle where we are paying for everything.”

I don't disagree with that statement at all, I think the squeezed middle is a very real phenomenon and it breeds an awful lot of resentment.

But with only one four year old child (so not paying multiple private school fees or anything) and a joint income of 200k I am struggling to see how she is struggling. She isn't the squeezed middle as far as I am concerned.

It's a non story. The more you earn the higher your aspirations. So if you buy a big house, go on a couple of decent holidays, pay childcare or private school fees the money is largely spent. It does cost a lot to live a good lifestyle and provide a good retirement.

The issue is that they've not had to live on a much smaller income. It's all relative.

My combined household income is around a third of hers and I consider myself to be pretty damn well off. Silly cow. Anyone who chooses to pay private school fees is not the squeezed middle, any household that has at least 5k left after mortgage school fees and pension is a very wealthy household. This woman needs a serious dose of reality.

YANBU - some people - including most politicians - really do not have a clue.

Rising school fees, for example, really don't factor for the majority of the population.

With such utter incomprehension it is not surprising that the UK has some of the highest levels of poverty and inequality in the UK.

We wouldn't struggle on £200k. We'd be as happy as pigs in shit!

Oh what a poor woman!

One child, private school and no benefits! My heart breaks for her!

Not

My heart bleeds

Aw where's my violin

Might have something to do with them having a £700'000 house. If they are over leveraged on their mortgage, paying nanny costs and commuting as well as into pensions etc then they might not feel as well off as their gross salaries would suggest.
It's utterly ridiculous though to complain about it as they have made the choices to put them into this position.

If she's really struggling she ought to pull her kid out of private school. That will save her a pretty penny

The squeezed middle is a genuine thing but I had it around the £30k/£40k mark depending on your housing costs!

Struggling to afford the lifestyle you want isn't the same as "struggling". I would like to have two foreign holidays a year, not necessarily expensive ones, but definitely sunny ones. We can't afford that. Doesn't mean we are on the poverty line!

Tell her what. She can employ me at £160k a year for doing nothing, and then get a few benefits if she likes. I promise I won't complain.

I am sorry she cannot be the squeezed middle by anyone's calculation (though I agree they do exist), the phrase cut your coat according to your cloth comes to mind, she will have made some expensive life choices to be struggling on that sort of Income. What does she think most people live on if she thinks £200,000 is suffering, how very sad someone can be so socially unaware.

And I agree that if you choose to pay school fees then you have no right moaning about being hard up. They are always a choice, not a necessity.

she definitely is not the squeezed middle. the squeezed middle are the people on much less than they are. its all relative though isn't it, she earns a lot and wants to spend like a millionaire - I think she needs to come back into the real world.

My disability benefits do not amount to £200k. Not even with fsm, prescriptions, hb.
I'd rather work to earn 200k and pay all the above, we'd be better off!

Comparison is the thief of joy.

We used to have visitors from Europe stay when we lived in a third world country.

They were always saying how broke they were, how expensive everything was, all the things they couldn't afford to buy.

At that point, we grew our own vegetables, kept a goat and were the only people we knew who didn't have to use a stand pipe (outside tap).

I've got a dishwasher and a washing machine now, my rubbish gets collected, we all wear shoes and shop at a supermarket.

It's all relative.

Poor lady, living in her bubble; how about a more realistic article about say how hard it is to budget on one sixth of that amount; 😬 everything paid for indeed.

We are squeezed middle - on about 20% of what her family income is. And I thought we were doing rather well.

Wow!

I don't agree with her but "stupid bitch" and "stupid rich bitch." (different posters) says more about you than her, I think. Her financial success shouldn't breed such vitriol.