A few years ago we were a surviving on 30k as a household. It was tight but fine. That was one wage. I was a SAHP as it was cheaper than nursery fees.
We're a family of three with two cats. That's 2 adults and a 4 year old.
Now we have an income of just over 40k and things are harder than ever and we've never struggled so much. That's one wage, child benefit and a student maintenance loan.
We have £5 in the bank to last until 25th of the month. Some food but not much. Both cars need fuel. Before if things were tight there was always some way to get by. Small savings pot (under 1k) we also overpay into our bills account every month not much but would mean if things got tight there might be a spare £100 in there we could use.
Now we have no savings, no spare in the bills account. A combined over draft of £2000 now maxed.
Never thought I'd be wishing DC was back at school to benefit from the school dinner every day.
Desperately trying to get a job. Looking for something that pays about 20k. Would replace maintenance loan and give us 11k extra a year. So far all rejections.
Partner has also managed to get a job paying 8k more a year but doesn't start until May so won't see the benefit until the end of May.
Just feels relentless at the moment.
Saw a thread on here recently with lots of posters saying 85k was nothing in London and people on benefits had a ton of money and had no idea what it was like trying to survive on 85k with no help. I know it's bloody expensive in London but from my own perspective, 85k would be a dream. We don't qualify for benefits beside child benefit which is £87.20 every four weeks.
As I said, a few years ago we got by on 30k and now we're struggling on 40k.
AIBU to think some people don't understand that there's a huge middle section of people who don't recieve benefits but earn under 50k?
I imagine struggling a lot more than those on 85k.