33k and struggling

[farmanimals]

I don’t understand what I’m doing wrong. I’m earning just shy of 33k which is a really respectable salary. Yet I’ve just budgeted for the month and I’m really struggling to save anything or even have anything to spend.

My total for rent, all bills, food, car, phone bill, subscriptions I need for work is £1400. My bills have skyrocketed. I am earning £1900 a month.
This does give me £500 but this has to go towards all outgoings including petrol, all my toiletries and make up, I have to get my hair done because it’s really damaged as well. So if I want to socialise it’s basically out of the question.

Also I’m putting a lot of pressure on myself to save a deposit for a house. I’m putting lile £100 away at the moment a month if that, and only have £2k in a LISA. Makes me think I’m never ever ever going to buy a house.

Am I wrong in wondering how this is possible?

And the rest of Scotland looks at Edinburgh as being ridiculously expensive, haha!

Go on to MSE debt board and fill in a SOA and wait for the lovely people there (so not Mumsnet!!) to give you some solid advice.

Must admit my first thing would be stop buying makeup as it's blinking expensive and so unnecessary - but that's just me!!!

You're not joking 😂

You mention subscriptions you need for work - if I’ve ever needed to have a subscription to a industry body/magazine/whatever I have always charged my employer for this.

If you can’t do have a look on Martin Lewis Money Saving Expert as I think you might be able to claim tax back or something.

Make up isn't a necessity. Neither is expensive hair cuts/colouring.

I know! I was accepted into Edinburgh uni and quickly turned it down when I looked at how much more student accommodation was compared to everywhere else. Nope nope nope!

It was also too wanky for me

@TeeSor127458 I'm not sure - that didn't crop up! Certainly it's been like this for a good few years -

You have £950 disposable per month, you can save loads! £200 for mobile, internet etc. is really high, and £500 spending money is a lot too if you don’t have much savings. you could save £500 per month a
easily, Christmas and birthdays can come out if spending money too.

Not sure where exactly the OP is, in some areas of SE 33k is not an above average salary.

Being a lodger isn't always that bad. The key point is to have a long chat with the owner and see if they are a reasonable person, and make sure you raise your requests in advance. In my experience, the plus side is the property is often well cared for (because the owner lives there), and the owner tends to be older/more mature.

I earn just over 40k but my take home pay is £2,200... pension and student loan on top of tax and national insurance is real!!

@Notplayingball” half of England lives in Edinburgh”….. I’m sure they didn’t move for the cheap housing costs 🤣 it’s probably one of the most expensive places in the country outside London!

I earnt £35k in 2009 and could not afford to live on my own in London then. I shared a flat with two friends.

I don't think the OP is a nurse or a dr. (Posters suggesting hospital accommodation.)

She says she goes out to assess clients and takes games etc. I think she is perhaps / occupational health / speech therapy / maybe physio.

@farmanimals I do wish you'd come back and let folks here help. By giving a bit more info.

The one bill you can control is your utility and it is very high- higher than mine for a 4-bed detached house with the heating on all day (in cold weather) and using the gas oven every day.

Your situation is not unusual for a young person. BUT depending how old you are now (new grad or not?) some new grads have managed to save when at uni.

How old are you and what's the career/ salary path in your job?

Would you be open to being a lodger? It normally includes all bills. Probably not ideal but if you can grit your teeth and do it for a couple of years you could probably save quite a bit.

Are you on a fixed tariff? Ours has gone from £80/month to £260/month within the last year 🤢