How do people afford to buy so much?

[Ilovexmastime35]

Aibu to be confused about where I'm going wrong?! Of course everyone's financial situation is different and for those earning well it is no problem paying out for clothes/shoes etc.
But for low - mid earners, how do you afford things? I see people on social media going out regularly, days out, holidays, clothes, city breaks, seaside trips, buying new technology etc. I know what jobs they do and they are not high earners. How are they doing this?

I want to treat my kids to a day out over half term. I've just looked at booking tickets to a local safari park for 2 adults 2 children. It comes to £145!!
I was looking at a local meet Santa on a train event, £80! We can't do it because if I bought those tickets I wouldn't have any money left for anything else for a month.
I think these prices are extortionate and for low-mid earners most people cannot afford these prices.

I need new clothes, boots and a coat desperately. I'm plus size so cannot shop at Primark. The cheapest I can find is a cardigan is priced £34.99. A coat over £59. I just cannot afford these things! My clothes have holes in and my shoes leak!

Im unable to work at the moment ,but my husband earns just over 50k. After all bills, food, fuel, we have about £200 disposal income to last a month. We don't drink, smoke, we don't eat out or socialise. Our money goes on the children and the house. There is never a penny left over for us.

I think in comparison to wages, most things are priced too high. I'm grateful we have a roof over our heads and can afford food but everthing else seems out of reach!. My husband is senior management, he can't earn any more than he does now. We are not frivolous at all. Any advice on how to afford these things apart from getting into debt?

Those of you piling in on OP have clearly missed

I don't have access to our money. My husband gives me housekeeping each month to buy the food. I have nothing apart from that. He has the rest. I don't have access to it and I don't have a card to. It. So I do not know the exact figures. But he doesn't want me "wasting" his money

He thinks it’s his money. In what universe is that OP’s fault?

@ssd

Totally agree with bluntness here. As for the posters insisting the op is being financially abused, catch yourselves on. What about the op taking some responsibility for her cluelessness.

What a thoroughly unpleasant and totally unnecessary thing to say.

The OP is being abused and that is NOT HER FAULT.

Wow
£50k and you can't buy a coat?
I'm on 30k DH is a SAHD
We manage just fine and have some treats!
My parents pay for Xmas activities etc but on my wage we could still live a lovely life without their help
Where in the country are you?

I am sometimes in your situation.

I buy eBay bundles of kids' clothes and but my boots and coats on there too - I find stuff I really like and continue to do it when I have more money too.

Days out are ridiculous and I never really found the answer to that one. I rarely take the kids anywhere that we have to pay.

Oh, I see the updates about your husband. I was curious as I'm a single parent and earn way less than your husband does, but thought it must be your car and mortgage... sounds like it's him. You have to get this sorted with him. It's unacceptable if there is enough money and you can't go and buy some winter jumpers.

Your husband earns a lot more than mine and we have all the usual outgoings and have enough for clothes and days out not loads but we don’t go without that’s for sure. Anne sit down and go through all the outgoings and see where you can save because on 50k you should not be skint. Also delete social media. It will make you feel so much better about your life. People on there are only posing what they want you to see. They don’t post their shit days and it’s all fake anyway Try it !

Sorry just read your husband IS withholding money from you. I would not find this acceptable. Your in a marriage and you have children together. You should have full access to the money to get what you need. He is treating you like a child. You need to put your foot down and get a card for the joint account. Tight bastard

Probably credit. Or their mortgage / rent could be lower than yours which makes a difference.
Years ago I worked in a company and a girl I worked with earnt less than me yet was always wearing the latest fashion and going out all the time etc ... I could never understand why. I later heard her and her BF had an argument because she had over 10k in debt.
Later in life a family I once knew always seemed to be in days out, nights out etc ... I since know they have thousands on credit, no savings and get a monthly allowance from ‘Well off’ parents! So it’s not always what it seems. Don’t beat yourself up!

I'm on minimum wage, part time job, I've just bought a plus sized coat, very warm, from Primark, £30.00 It can be done. I never touch DP's money....never had joint bank account with anyone, never will...

Im unable to work at the moment ,but my husband earns just over 50k. After all bills, food, fuel, we have about £200 disposal income to last a month.

You have siw very high Bill's!

I feel the same as OP but my husband doesn't earn nearly as much as OPs DH. I work but I'm a very low earner despite being a hard worker. I've just not had any luck in life. Now I'm on statutory mat leave and our house has decided to fall apart. Discovered 3 leaks in the last 2 months. Our floor is being ripped up on Monday and today we found another leak. Really?! Another floor needing ripped up. I wish life would give us a break and throw us a bone.