The irony of a Great Ormand Street charity worker coming to my door....

[MulledWineAndMingePies]

... asking for money when I'm a full time nurse with paediatric background that just today was accepted for an RCN hardship fund because we are so painfully broke.

I can't give 30p to a charity.

We don't have debt, we don't have habits like smoking or drinking, we don't even have a massive mortgage.

We are just utterly and painfully broke.

These strikes can't come quick enough.

Pension contributions are tax deductible so they get taken off first then, tax is deducted from the remainder. It reduces the amount of tax you pay.

The government increased the nhs staffs pension contributions, no discussion on wether staff wanted to pay more into the pot or not.
I have many colleagues who have now withdrawn from nhs pension scheme as the contributions they want us to pay are too much.
when the nhs staff had their pay increase recently.. it was at the same time as the pension increase so there wasn’t any extra actual money ending up in the bank. Some were left worse off financially hence leaving the pension scheme

I do not live above my means, as I have shown repeatedly in this thread.

I can't see that you have shown this as you yourself have not shown your outgoings /expenditure apart from mentoring 10% to pension, fuel costs, £500 mortgage and childcare for x number of children + you live in Brighton and gave a student loan + your DH earns as well

£34 k is a lot more than a great number of people live on

Strike issue aside I think you have at least 2 children in full time paid nursery /childcare as that would be a big monthly cost

OP we all have to pay into our pensions. You do earn more than the average salary, and your pension package and other benefits such as sick pay and maternity pay are better than most private sector jobs. Your overall package is much higher than average.

Agree.

I get the impression that you are living beyond your means due to childcare costs.

if it weren’t for that would your income be manageable?

when we had children we knew the childcare costs would mean we lived beyond our means for that 3-5 years. We took steps to mitigate- interest only mortgage, reduce pensions, nhs childcare voucher scheme, savings, interest free purchases, credit cards etc. once the kids are at school childcare costs drop dramatically and we were able to get back on an even footing.

if it is childcare causing hardship that’s understandable, but it is temporary and once that phase is over you should have enough disposable income to live reasonably well.

Why do you ignore my questions OP? 🤣

I'm going to go out on a limb and assume it's because it doesn't fit her woe is me narrative

Sorry, I agree.

I can only assume you are living in London or another v expensive area and have a huge mortgage?

If that were me I'd be moving out to a cheaper area - nurses are in short supply/high demand everywhere supposedly so you could find work wherever you fancied?

We (dh and I) had to do this when we were younger - move to a completely new area to have cheaper housing. Unfortunately we are not all entitled to be able to afford to live in the area of our choosing or where our families live. That's life.

So brave 🙄

Yes he earns less than that

But even if he earns 10k that puts your annual income at 44k, 8k above your outgoings. So why did you need charitable assistance?

8k above my outgoings? I really would love to hear your maths there.

As I said upthread, the hardship fund wanted every single finite detail or all bank accounts to check that our outgoings are bigger than our income.

They didn't just see that we had 8k (lol fucking hell I wish) extra per year and think ahhh fuck it, give her a bit more, it's nearly Christmas! They saw we were fucked.
Genuinely, and really and truly fucked.

And if the average earner is 33k then as a couple we are significantly under that.

Im hiding this thread now because reading it, rehashing my situation is honestly so depressing to keep reading.

Thanks to those who helped, I really appreciate it.

Your income is 34k, his is 10k, so 44k, your outgoings are 36k, so that leaves you 8k?
People fiddle things all the time, for all we know you said he's unemployed and only sent in your details. I'm not saying you did so that, I'm saying that you've explained yourself very poorly as only mentioned your income here. Unless you're somehow trying to suggest you both bring in a total of 34k after deductions (which you didn't explain) in which case your husband needs to be working more hours

Your DH earns less than £15k? That’s your main issue then. If you’re struggling he needs a full time job. £34k really isn’t a bad salary but you do need two proper salaries.

Something doesn't add up. If the DH is earning under £15k he must be part time, in which case, he can do some childcare. Plus their mortgage is only £500 and OP says they have no other debts.

Anyone else thinking OP's DH earning under 15k is a bit convenient? Surprised she didn't say he was a volunteer 😆

Wow! Somme comments on here, £34k is minimum wage now?!!
I consider that a decent salary for a 3 year degree, CPD, etc. And to live on without other tax payers support.
How much responsibility do you have to take? Presumably there's a doctor to refer to whenever you feel the need?
Starting salary for Dr after 6 year degree course £28k. And they have no choice where they live for the first 2 years.

If the fundraiser cares so much, tell her to spend the day working at Tesco, then donate the money. If nothing else, it's probably warmer in the store than walking the streets!

Yes I really don’t get it either. £34k is a decent salary. Particularly as it’s only a standard 3 year degree, no need for a masters or PhD. Most people have degrees now so it’s a pretty standard qualification, and the salary is above average.

What? I never said what my outgoings were.
I never said my outgoings were 36k?
I also never said that my husband earned 10k.

can you please quote where I you got this information from my posts?

And I did not commit fraud by lying to the bloody hardship fund charity.

So not this?

I never said my outgoings were 36k?

Ha ha except you did.

You specifically said your outgoings were 36k +

Oh whatever in a fucking tangle, combined alone, whatever I'm 2k lower than I get.

But I guess I'm just bullshitting and just committed fraud.

You run with that. But at least you can fucking afford Christmas.

@MulledWineAndMingePies you have to be living above your means if you are struggling.
It's that simple with no debt and a small mortgage