How much do you have saved

[Sergio4]

And how much of your salary do you save every month?

I have about a thousand saved and save around a few hundred a month as I am looking for a better job

About a million a month. I do wonder about those people who have less than a million in liquid assets. I mean did it not occur to them that they might need a lot more than that to hand?

I wonder about those people who save nothing. Who do they expect to look after them when they stop work?

We have to prioritise our worrying-how we're going to feed everyone and still keep the electric on this month is more urgent.

Not too posh to iron at all. But you have to drum up that kind of business - advertising etc and there are so many businesses already offering those kind of services. There's just too much competition. It's hardly going to make enough money to see you into retirement and through old age. As for things like childminding you need to be registered and pay for the appropriate checks.

I'm very fortunate to be in a position to be able to have 12 months liquid cash savings, and now able to max out my annual ISA allowance into S&S for medium term savings, and into a SIPP for retirement. Also have rental income from a shared property with my brother (inheritance). I am very very fortunate and don't consider that this has come through anything other than luck. Most people work hard, my financial position is due to good fortune and not just hard work!

For those who can't save at the moment they will hopefully have plans to be able to save in the future, perhaps when the children are in school and they can do more hours, or return to learning (which is subsidised for those on some benefits).

To be honest if you really needed more money you would find a way.

But they all have time to waste on an anon forum?
Where is the ambition? Where is the desire to learn, to improve one's lot? Online courses to get abetter paid job eventually,, more part time work?

I have two degrees and a Master's. I have time to waste because I became disabled. I learn every day. I have a desire to work, what the fuck do you think disabled people who don't want to be like this do?

People who complain can always a) afford the internet and b) afford to spend time during normal working hours complaining they don't have enough money

I can afford the internet because it's my one and only lifeline. I don't leave the house, I don't smoke, drink, spend a penny on myself. I have the internet because without it, I'd be even more lonely, isolated and miserable. I don't have any other luxuries. Again I can afford the time because I'm off work and disabled. I have all the time in the world.

What a horrible person you must be.

I would love to know how old each poster is!

I wouldn’t worry too much about first time posters who suddenly turn up claiming to have stupid amounts of money in cash. No one in their right mind would keep hundreds of thousands uninvested. They are most likely trolls living out their fantasy lives.

Lots of people save nothing because they really, really can’t afford to. Anyone who doesn’t realise needs to get out of their narrow little, over privileged world and into the real world.

@LifeBeginsAtGin So you don't think 'people in general' includes disabled people?

20 squillion billion.

It is going to be so dependent on income, age, how people define savings (ie to include house equity, pensions or not). It is clearly easier to have savings when you earn a lot. Over a certain income there will be a point where it is about choices. I had a good friend on £60k plus that had £20k of debt and that was lifestyle and bad financial management. But for people with low income it is obvious that most if not all of their income will need to cover basic living costs.

I really can’t believe how horrible some people are on this thread!

And the worst thing of all is that most of us here are mothers, and our children do tend to copy our behaviour. I have the upmost respect for those who have said that they don’t have much in savings, but then only to be made to feel less of a person.

No, I won't wind my neck in. No one said "not the disabled. And now I'm not a general person? What am I then?

I take home £3000 a month after a 6% pension contribution. £900 into a joint pot each month - not exactly savings but family money for holidays, house and car maintenance, clothes etc - although it's growing incrementally (currently at £3k) because we put in more than we take put. There's also another £8k pot of money we don't touch. We pay £20 each into our 2 dc's junior ISAs - not a huge amount, but as we plan to be mortgage free in 18 years and have several good pensions between us, we'll be well placed to help them if needed in the future.

This thread is stupid.

It was started by a 22 yr old who has other threads going on asking for advice on money and employment.

Wouldn't it be good if people actually put their questions into context and on the right section of Mumsnet?

Like- 'How much do most 22 yr olds save when they only work p/t and for the minimum wage?'

Which is what this is about.

As I said, we all get a free education and free contraception, after that how our lives pan out is down to choices and paths. Some go on to more education, move around the country/world looking to further their careers, work long hours. Others settle down with the first bloke that comes along and pop out several kids. You can't then complain 'it's not fair'.

Oh come on LifeBeginsAtGin you can’t really believe that - are you saying a kid born into a wealthy family in the countryside has exactly the same chance of success in life as a kid born on the same day in a council flat sharing a room with 3 siblings?

earning a decent salary to be able to save is not just all about hard work! its circumstances or luck if you want to call it that: family/ childcare circumstances, personality and physical/mental health too.

i work with loads of different types of people in my job. i've met loads of 30 somethings, who graduated 10 years ago, went to state secondary or state grammar school, good universities etc and they are still "only" earning £24-27,000 per year. i know you can save money if that's your salary but they've worked hard, been committed all their lives - where is their £45k job!!

Gin I'm sure you know that what you said is nonsense. What Sparkle said is true.
I don't understand how some people can be so blind to social inequality.

Yup. I know plenty of teachers top of main pay scale 32000 at that's at 40 years old!

Our family income isn't much more as despite extremely good qualifications life has been shitty. No savings or pension . There is so much luck involved.

Of course good fortune comes into it

Check out this amazing cartoon

Privilege on a Plate

@Lifebeginsatgin I don't see anyone here saying life's not fair. What is annoying is being told that we "should be saving more" and "who do you expect to look after you in old age" by people who have more money and who don't understand what it's like not to have any.

I applaud people who have worked hard and have substantial savings but it doesn't give you the right to look down your nose at those who don't.

Not everyone is cut out for university education and high flying careers. Some people don't have the academic potential. It's just a fact.

Gin - You seem quite thick.

What are you all saving FOR? Is it old age or have you something in mind for it.

I definitely need a change of my mind-set. I would find it very hard to save without a purpose if that makes sense.