Is this lifestyle attainable?

[khlomoney]

I am 26 on £40k. I’m still not comfortable, is this a good salary? I have friends my age with full house renovations, all the bells and whistles and wonder what I’m doing wrong. Feel like a bit of a failure! Do I have unrealistic expectations of life?

My salary used to just cover my bills, so I don’t have any savings. Now, 70% of my take home pay covers bills…

I don’t have much left over with nothing to show for it. If I were to buy anything that costs over a few hundred like furniture or a weekend away, I’d still have to split it over a few months or save up or buy on credit? I still buy the cheapest and minimum groceries. I can’t really afford to buy clothes or shoes or anything that’s more of a “treat” (eg have a friend’s wedding coming up).

Aibu to think my salary should give me more breathing space or is this just normal life?

Is housesharing not an option for you?

In my experience the vast majority of 26 year olds who are not living with their parents or a partner are housesharing.

Have a look and see how much it would cost you to rent a room in a shared place. The difference between that and your current rent could be significant, allowing you to save.

I flip-flopped between industries. Late twenties to mid-thirties I changed jobs very often, my criteria was:

• Am I learning/acquiring skills or qualifications
• Is there potential for internal moves
• Have I been recognised in the last 12mo (through promotions or bigger responsibilities and salary)

Data & digital is excellent, you've got so many options to maximise your potential and income. Here comes the unsolicited career advice

If you truly want big bucks, find your way into consulting (26 is fab to get in, do the grunt work whilst no children, by the time you start a family you'll have money and flexibility). You could go the route of big names like KPMG, or tech consultancies like Capgemini.

Alternatively you could scope out the big banks (Canary Wharf HQs) - they are absolutely desperate for women in tech roles, the likes of Morgan Stanley, HSBC, Barclays, Deutsche Bank etc.

You could also go the cyber security route, very hip at the moment - you may need a qualification.

Other options - data scientist, managing a Data Centre, Data & Reporting...

If you are serious about IT, join BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT - there is a lot you can browse on their website - ideas for potential career routes, courses and qualifications.

If you want a more relaxed career you could go the way of IT service delivery management - lots of flexibility there, money is decent (but not lots).