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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Family on 'Saving money at Christmas' nearly 4k a month and UC?

126 replies

clockingoffcloud · 09/12/2021 19:48

Did I mishear? Had it on in the background, both parents working, their current income was not much under 4k a month and they are getting universal credit, and moaning only have £50 left after paying everything.... wtf?!

Yes IABU if I should not be shocked at how much they earn AND claim benefits

OP posts:
Livelovebehappy · 09/12/2021 20:31

YANBU. Madness. But then the whole benefits system is screwed up.

Autumndays123 · 09/12/2021 20:31

@RussianSpy101

2 full time wages coming to less than 4K isn’t good. If they need the top ups then they need them.
What planet are you on? Combined household income of 48k after tax is plenty. I imagine this is one of those faux-naif posts.
notacooldad · 09/12/2021 20:35

2 full time wages coming to less than 4K isn’t good
Lol!
🤣🤣🤣

HaaaaaveyoumetTed · 09/12/2021 20:35

@maa32

If they lived north west, that's an okay income
Depends where! Some places, yes a good income. Other places average to low with associated housing and childcare costs.
Merryoldgoat · 09/12/2021 20:39

I live in an unfashionable untrendy SW London suburb.

A big standard 3 Bed Terrace is £1800 minimum. Council tax £170, utilities, childcare for 1 child you’ve got to £3500 ish. Then food, transport etc.

Rent is killing people. It’s a disgrace.

Merryoldgoat · 09/12/2021 20:39

Bog standard 😖

Namechangeforthis88 · 09/12/2021 20:40

These programs usually have people on a decent income who chuck money around like there's no tomorrow and then boo on about how they're struggling. I've seen it with couples with a very similar income to us, and I feel pretty privileged, and they have takeaway every other night, a HelloFresh subscription, and they buy food from the supermarket, can't understand why they're in their overdraft.

SnailandtheWail · 09/12/2021 20:41

😂 @RussianSpy101 dicking about again- don’t believe a word of it.

LuneyTunes · 09/12/2021 20:49

@RussianSpy101

2 full time wages coming to less than 4K isn’t good. If they need the top ups then they need them.
What planet is this on? Speaking as someone whose two full-time wages earn half that. Can I have my top ups now?
FatFilledTrottyPuss · 09/12/2021 20:53

I caught the last half of this program, it was less than £4k per month and included their benefits. Still, it’s about the same income as dh and I have and we get no benefits at all. It just made me think how extortionate the cost of living must be down south or wherever they live that they need top ups to make ends meet and I felt really sorry for her. It’s not like they could move up north instead as her partner is an archaeologist and presumably that’s not the kind of job you can get anywhere.
That said, the only archaeologist I know quit his job and got a job delivering for Tesco because it paid better so there’s always that option.

Skyll · 09/12/2021 20:58

I think their income was £3,200-something including their benefits?

Merryoldgoat · 09/12/2021 21:02

@LuneyTunes

2 x full time wages taking home £2k total? That’s £13k a year each which is £7.14 ph for a 35 week.

Minimum wage for 35 hours per week is £15870 and therefore £2400 a month.

It’s low, it’s shit, but it’s not ‘less than half’ that.

Merryoldgoat · 09/12/2021 21:05

£2400 combined obviously

Whitefire · 09/12/2021 21:05

@Namechangeforthis88

These programs usually have people on a decent income who chuck money around like there's no tomorrow and then boo on about how they're struggling. I've seen it with couples with a very similar income to us, and I feel pretty privileged, and they have takeaway every other night, a HelloFresh subscription, and they buy food from the supermarket, can't understand why they're in their overdraft.
Absolutely. It would not make for an interesting program if the only costs were basic essentials (rent/mortgage, childcare costs, essential bills). The program makers need something to work with - high cost phone contracts, little used gym subscriptions, everyday coffees and lunches.
Skyll · 09/12/2021 21:05

He worked full time. She worked part time. And they had 4 kids.

PrincessNutella · 09/12/2021 21:06

For 1500 rent, what would you get? How many bedrooms, for instance?

elbea · 09/12/2021 21:08

We get a tiny bit of UC on a similar income but it is all the childcare element to help with big nursery fees.

Emerald5hamrock · 09/12/2021 21:08

Did I mishear? Had it on in the background
Starting a thread without the facts because???

Merryoldgoat · 09/12/2021 21:10

@PrincessNutella

For 1500 rent, what would you get? How many bedrooms, for instance?
Where I am (Zone 3/4) a 2 bed maisonette
Macarena1990 · 09/12/2021 21:12

We were watching this earlier and were just as shocked!

I don't work and OH brings in less than that each month and I certainly don't feel impoverished. We live in London too. I really struggled to feel sorry for her to be honest.

ISeeTheLight · 09/12/2021 21:12

If they live in London and have 4 kids that's really not much. Especially if paying childcare for one or more of them. Cost of housing is extortionate, even in the rougher areas. You really don't have to live in South Kensington to spend £1800 on rent.

RussianSpy101 · 09/12/2021 21:17

@SnailandtheWail believe a word of what? It was the OPs post not mine?! Nice name change though!

HaaaaaveyoumetTed · 09/12/2021 21:25

@ISeeTheLight

If they live in London and have 4 kids that's really not much. Especially if paying childcare for one or more of them. Cost of housing is extortionate, even in the rougher areas. You really don't have to live in South Kensington to spend £1800 on rent.
I've just had a look in my local area (north west) and a small '3' bed (2 & a box) is £1100 a month, a 'proper' 3 bed £1500 and a 4 bed £1800. With 4 kids you'd need at least a 'proper' 3 bed, the small 3 beds can't take a full-size bed in the box room. So no, you don't need to be anywhere near Kensington to spend £1800 on rent. To be fair, my mortgage is £1500 so not much better!
julieca · 09/12/2021 21:30

That is a high income.

julieca · 09/12/2021 21:31

DP and I both work full time and earn less than that.