To get ahead.
I had a few hundred pounds saved up to cover the cost of car MOT/ repairs etc. just received the bill and it is more than double what I had put away. On top of this I've had an unexpected vet bill to pay (not big enough to claim on insurance) and after training for two years I need to join a professional register to be able to use my new qualification at a cost of £300+.
My paltry savings have been wiped out, the cost of car repairs will take me months to pay off and any prospect of extra things I wanted to do this year are now off the table. My wage will increase when I am registered, however my universal credit will reduce by more than half so I wont really see much of a difference given the increase in cost of everything.
I rent privately and thankfully it's not extortionate, we have food on the table and I realise I am more fortunate than others who are struggling more than me.
It's tiresome working full time and when something big comes up there is no safety net, no partner's income to fall back on, if I save it can be wiped out in one fell swoop and I can spend a year building it back up again for it to be swallowed by something else.
We don't have a crazy lifestyle - I don't drink alcohol, smoke or do any socialising - I don't even have a fancy TV package or go on holiday.
It's a slog and although I am better off than I was a few years ago when I couldn't even cover the leckie bill sometimes, I don't see how I will ever be "comfortable" unless I have some sort of magic windfall.
Anyone else feel like this?