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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think you can live decently on a low wage?

65 replies

Idessa · 03/11/2021 04:46

Can anyone give me examples of how they've made it work? Enjoyed life etc? Lone parent here on less (quite a lot less) than 30k. Feeling like I'll need to earn a log more than this to ever actually feel comfortable and enjoy life fully... thoughts?

OP posts:
Jubilate · 03/11/2021 12:06

As others have said, there is a difference between not having a lot of excess income, and being caught in a trap of not having money to keep body and soul together consistently throughout the year.

If you fall into the former category there is scope for it to be quite rewarding. I think frugal living and more environmentally friendly living go hand in hand. Firstly, really cut down on what you consume, especially first hand and especially small, frivolous purchases that add up.

Bonkerz · 03/11/2021 12:07

Single parent here. Earn £18k a year. Tax credits and working tax credits and generous to us. It enables me to pay my bills and do food shopping and save around £50 a month for Christmas. Occasionally I'm also able to save for a rainy day although this is always used thanks to cars and breakages in the home.
We have two take aways a month and one trip out every couple of months (pub meal or cinema etc)
I do have some debt but paid every month so manageable for me.
My kids don't go without thankfully.

beautifullymad · 03/11/2021 12:30

@MamDancer I doubt I'll have the time!
I do volunteering work for a charity that supports young mums. I try to pass on what I know as it can be a life line and makes pennies stretch. Once this draws to a close maybe I'll have a bit more time.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 03/11/2021 12:38

So much will depend on where you live, and the relative cost of housing.
If you can rent a 2 bed flat for say £650 a month, that’s a whole lot different from a minimum of about £1200 anywhere around here.

WaterAndTheWild · 03/11/2021 12:57

@beautifullymad

Marry me.

HarrietsChariot · 03/11/2021 13:21

@F00tFeature

UK State pension is approx 9k Plenty of people live on that
Yes but there are lots of discounts and freebies that other people have to pay for. Free prescriptions, free bus pass, lots of places have OAP rates. Most pensioners either are mortgage free or have their rent covered by the state. 9K for a pensioner goes further than it would for someone of working age.
beautifullymad · 03/11/2021 13:25

@madmomma, this time of year I make lots of seasonal soups. And they are nice served with chapatti.

In season is broccoli, mushroom, squash and onions. And leek and onion.

Broccoli soup is so quick. The secret is to char the broccoli florets in butter to get flavour before adding veg or chicken stock cube that's only just dissolved in a cup of water. The broccoli should be turning brown and smell nutty. Simmer until soft the use a stick blender to purée. Add more water if needed at this stage but taste first. Add pepper and a dash of double cream.

This method above works with the mushrooms too.

Onion soup is yummy but it takes a long time to cook down on a low heat. It's more economical to use a slow cooker for a long cook.

For the squash it needs seeds removed and roasting when the oven is on. You then apply the above method to get soup.

My stick blender and my slow cooker are purchased off local selling sites. I paid £5 each for them.

Another tip is, Lidl often have their £1.50 boxes of out of date or bashed fruit and veg after the checkouts on the way out. These can pad out meals and make soups.

Chapatti flour is basically wholemeal flour but much cheaper. Chapatti made from a 10kg bag cost a few pence each to make and a frying pan to cook. I add in a cup of value flour. So one cup of each.

It's two cups of flour, salt, generous veg oil and hot water. It's quite a wet dough. Knead and form into balls you roll out between baking paper. I like to mince a garlic clove and brush the with garlic oil on the side that's finished cooking.

fournonblondes · 03/11/2021 13:31

@ all beautifullymad

Amazing!

madmomma · 03/11/2021 14:28

Brilliant tips beautifullymad I'm going to be making brocolli soup and chapattis tomorrow!

uncomfortablydumb53 · 03/11/2021 14:36

Really interesting thread
I've lived well on disability benefits for years now
I'm frugal and always buy second hand furniture and clothing
Look for discount codes and sales if I need to buy new
I am however mortgage free( due to divorce settlement) and have a limited social life.
I'm entitled to free bus travel and have a railcard, happy with Netflix( on an old second hand TV
The internet has opened up my world.
My late DM had a saying " Happiness is wanting what you have, not having what you want" which I now live by

uncomfortablydumb53 · 03/11/2021 14:38

I live on around £10,000

TiddleTaddleTat · 03/11/2021 17:54

These are my people . Collecting tips! Once you get used to budgeting and doing as much low cost and diy as possible, it becomes a bit of a game. That's assuming your most basic needs - housing, food, etc are covered.

Guacamole001 · 03/11/2021 18:59

I think it also helps if people dont smoke drink overeat etc. Addictions cost money....

Ukholidaysaregreat · 03/11/2021 19:45

Loving this thread. Full of wise words and good ideas.

Didyousaysomethingdarling · 20/11/2022 18:54

@Idessa @Bluntness100 @beautifullymad

I know it's an old thread but I'm curious to find out how you're all managing?
Hoping you're all coping with the cost of living crisis. xx

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