Anyone else feel like they can’t afford much?

[Kitten189]

I earn around 19.5k a year which is low, but I have no dependants.
I live with my partner and he earns slightly lower, our rent isn’t that high between us but sometimes I just feel like I can’t afford to live very well.

I used to go shopping with friends and they would be spending hours buying quite high-end things and I could just about afford something from primark.
Virtually all my clothes are from Primark, charity shops, EBay, Tesco etc.

I don’t drink or smoke, I have a basic gym membership, a phone contract and Netflix but that’s it.

I get my hair cut every 6 weeks at £25 and I very occasionally get Botox or a facial, but I get it cut price.

I have zero debt which is good, no overdraft etc. As until last year I was in debt, I paid it off with birthday money from my parents.

I just don’t seem to save anything and don’t know where it all goes. I see people going out to fancy places, wearing nice clothes etc and still managing to save money.

I recently went for a meal with friends. It was at a fancy restaurant one of them had chosen, I just had one main but they were all ordering cocktails, desserts etc like it was nothing.

I shop in Poundland, Wilkos and mainly Aldi etc.

Just don’t know where I’m going wrong, I can’t seem to afford anything and never seem to save. I used to have a friend who was out drinking twice a week yet still managed to save £200 per month.

Anyone else feel like this?

Bills are included in rent

Not sure why so many of you are advising what OP could earn, which jobs she could do when her opening post was why couldn't she live within her means and comparing herself to her friends.

In my eyes she was feeling a bit down and just having a bit of a moan.

Fair enough, she mentioned work later but usually in reply to questions

With due respect OP - you’re living beyond your means for a low income earner. And I suspect what’s hitting you hard is the discretionary spends.

You shop sensibly, avoid debt etc - all good. Then someone invites you for an night out, you go, and blow £100+. Then the same thing happens and before you know it your money’s gone. It doesn’t register with you because in your mind you’ve been careful with everything else and can afford it. But you actually can’t.

You don’t have a realistic idea of how much things cost. You don’t NEED to spend £100 on an night out. I earn quite a bit more than you and the only time I’ve ever spent that much was on my graduation bash. I buy at most 3 new sets (tops/ bottoms/undergarments) of clothes a year. An adult doesn’t need so many new clothes.

You need to sit down and figure out how much you can afford to spend on things like nights out , clothes makeup. Then set aside the rest as savings in a separate account and don’t touch it.

Also how much does the medication cost - presuming it’s not £100 a month?

It's possible to have a good life on that wage in Greater Manchester, we raised 3 dc on that and less.
It's not what you earn but what you spend.
If you want for things you need a good wage, if you are able to afford your needs, then you can manage on a smaller income.
There's no right or wrong, it's a personal decision.
Just don't waste your hard earned income, or get into debt.

If they are earning £10k a year more than you, there’s your answer.

This is a good link

www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/budget-planning/

OP - ignore all the supercilious twats saying that as they don’t have botox you don’t need it either.

I earn less than you, and there’s a lot I’d give up before botox!

You sound like you have a great attitude to money, you live well, but within your means. I’d really recommend a Monzo card or similar, it’s really helped me manage my spending.

[quote FlaminEckVera]@FrownedUpon

Surely it’s because you’re on a really low wage. I save & spend quite a lot but I earn over 60k. Not really rocket science.

What a vile condescending post.

@firstonealong

You absolutely need a better paying job.

In 1998 I was on your wage as a PA.

Wow. I bet the OP and everyone on this thread is bowing at your amazing and awesome response. You are a font of great knowledge.

WOW!!!

#sarcasm

You win the award for the most spectacularly useless post on the thread.

Can people stop giving the OP a hard time for spending on botox? If it makes her feel better about herself, so what? She isn't spending a lot, and it's not like she is spending £150 a month on cigarettes!

@Kitten189 YANBU. But it's like this for many people unfortunately. I don't think you sound like you're doing too bad tbh. Gym, haircuts, botox and other treats, no debt, a partner to share finances with, and on a similar wage to probably half the country!

And as a few posters have said, many people (who appear to be 'rich',) are VERY much in debt, and lots of it. It's not until one of them (if they are a couple,) loses their job, that their life goes tits up, and the house of cards built on sand, comes tumbling down.

And yes yes YES, I know not ALL people who are solvent/who flash the cash are in debt, but many are!

And also, as a few others have said, stop comparing yourself to others, and don't take any notice of what you read on here. Contrary to what people want you to believe, MOST people on here are not on £50K a year, (for a 3 day a week job,) with a husband on £100K a year... There are a lot of fantasists on here.[/quote]
Love that you only quote part of my post
It was not condescending to OP but rather "you are worth more" and a rage against the system that she is so low paid
Me pointing out my salary in 1998 was to illustrate how fucked up the economy is and against the normal person and greet for a high earner - I assumed that people reading would see that, clearly I was wrong
OP you are worth more than what you are earning - some great suggestions by people here you should action some

Oh and if Botox makes you feel good - keep doing it

I know how hard it is, I used to struggle too and it’s not realistic to say you won’t spend 100 on a night out…that’s very easily done!

I think as others have said you need to budget. Make a spreadsheet and work out your long term plan. Is it to save for a deposit or just have a better standard of living? Realise that you might be talking about a five year plan but the longer it takes you to start the more you’re delaying your goal.

Work out how much you can reasonably afford to save after all of your outgoings including social spends. Then stick to it.

When I was on your salary I had to be strict with myself. If say I allowed 200 for food per month but wanted a splurgy night out then I’d be eating baked beans on toast for the last few days before pay day….you can steal from your food budget to pay into your social budget…and -not- buy clothes one month for example….

It’s do able but is hard….and maybe for some people when they earn more they don’t face these struggles but I have found that the more I earn the bigger my outgoings so I still have similar issues now!

Really keen to know if you enjoy teaching and do want to be a teacher but have lost confidence as you haven't as yet been offered a job?

Knowing how to successfully budget is a good skill for everyone whatever your income. It's just that you're currently working 40 hours a week, have the qualification, so if you did want to be a teacher, then imo your focus should be on improving your chances of being recruited. If your heart's not really in teaching, then that's another matter.

I'm a professional (not teaching) and took a significant drop in salary moving sideways for a decade while DC were young. When DC older, it took a year to retrain and salary increased significantly.

My point is if you feel teaching really is for you, then doing everything you can to get a teaching job is likely to - in addition to the short term benefit of increasing your expendable income - also give you more options and have longer term financial/ lifestyle benefits too.

Hi. You have very very low rent, very little outgoings, no car, no kids and you have 'little spare money'. Where is your money going?? Forget about buying designer clothes. Primark etc is perfectly fine. Stop comparing yourself to friends. Write down both your outgoings, see what's left and save the whole lot! You have to be strict.

@firstonealong

Oh and if Botox makes you feel good - keep doing it

100% agree

If teaching isn't for you, then isn't it time to look for other professional jobs to apply for?

You don't seem to be coping now beyond keeping head above water, which is good, but what about savings for a house/flat, paying for maternity leave, pensions?
Upping your income seems the most logical option. I assume your friends have got on with using their degrees, had a few promotions and that's what is paying for nights out, not necessarily debt.

Some of these threads are so condescending! So what if you earned what OP is now in 1996 or whatever? Of course not everyone on here is a millionaires wife,or earning 100k .Twice in the last few months ,people have been asking about housing and facing Eviction! Its why I like it here as there is a good spread of different people!

Having no debt is great !

I earn more, but I still buy clothes from çharity shops, because I love a bargain & the unusual treasures that I find

I don't get the feeling that you really want to progress. All the people that I know who have changed career have been 100% focused & have all succeeded. Perhaps it is a case that you don't believe in yourself /confidence ?

I know 3 people that don't have teaching degrees, but they teach children & adults ( not in school setting)

Firstly, you're trying your best. You sound really sensible. Low wages are absolutely shit. Everything rises but the low earners are expected to just get on with it! Shocking.

If you're on regular medication if you haven't already get a prescription pre payment card. It's around £10 per month I believe and renews yearly and works out so much cheaper. My partner is on daily medication and has the pre payment card. I wouldn't like to think what the cost would be without the card.

Also, in shops like Poundland be wary of some things. What you think you're getting a great deal on is not always the case. Shop around a bit if you can.

Some people just live off credit cards so don't compare yourself to others. I know it's tough not to but you have no debt and budget your wage. This is really sensible.

Clothes and alcohol might make someone happy short term but I'd much rather have no debt and Primark clothes!

@Apocalypse10

I know how hard it is, I used to struggle too and it’s not realistic to say you won’t spend 100 on a night out…that’s very easily done!

I think as others have said you need to budget. Make a spreadsheet and work out your long term plan. Is it to save for a deposit or just have a better standard of living? Realise that you might be talking about a five year plan but the longer it takes you to start the more you’re delaying your goal.

Work out how much you can reasonably afford to save after all of your outgoings including social spends. Then stick to it.

When I was on your salary I had to be strict with myself. If say I allowed 200 for food per month but wanted a splurgy night out then I’d be eating baked beans on toast for the last few days before pay day….you can steal from your food budget to pay into your social budget…and -not- buy clothes one month for example….

It’s do able but is hard….and maybe for some people when they earn more they don’t face these struggles but I have found that the more I earn the bigger my outgoings so I still have similar issues now!

How do you spend 100 on a night out genuine question I couldn’t even if I tried

Also to add OP you can try getting a prepayment card for going out or putting it in a different account so once you’ve spent your allocation it’s gone

One thing Ive learned is that putting effort into earning more is far more valuable than putting effort into saving more. So earning an extra £10 is worth way more than cutting back for that £10.

Your salary is very low. Work on increasing that.

@CastawayQueen

Night out, 3 friends:

£5 bus there
£14 meal
£46 first round (bottle of wine and 3 cocktails)
£28 bottle of wine to share
£7 G&T
£6 chicken shop
£15 taxi home

= £121

and that's without the pre kids class As

That was my last night out. They had shots too which I didn't get involved in. Nor did I get a new outfit.

I'm not working and have no money thankfully my lovely lovely friend gave me £100 for this night.

[quote wedswench]@CastawayQueen

Night out, 3 friends:

£5 bus there
£14 meal
£46 first round (bottle of wine and 3 cocktails)
£28 bottle of wine to share
£7 G&T
£6 chicken shop
£15 taxi home

= £121

and that's without the pre kids class As

That was my last night out. They had shots too which I didn't get involved in. Nor did I get a new outfit.

I'm not working and have no money thankfully my lovely lovely friend gave me £100 for this night.
[/quote]
Ah ok that explains it I’d only have 3 drinks the whole night 😂

The OP doesn't drink though, so she could go out with friends and even if she had a few non alcoholic drinks and a coffee and dessert, then it would still be substantially cheaper than £100.

I couldn't spend £100 because two pints of cider is my limit without being ill.