I am absolutely sick of never having spare money

[lockd]

Anyone else feel the same?

We have enough money to pay our bills comfortably and are able to have the kids in a club each, so we are lucky really, which is where I feel so unreasonable always whinging about money.

However, that's literally it. I keep just getting so jealous seeing people going on family holidays, weekend trips away, meals out, having a takeaway night each week, going out to do activities like bowling/cinema every weekend with kids, renovating their houses etc.

I like to think I'm not a greedy person, however I'd just love to have the money to save to buy a house, or enough to have a cheap holiday each year, or even just get a takeaway without stressing.

Could have written this word for word.

Isn't it shite!

There have been several threads on this recently. You'll have people coming on soon to earn they have excess money and have a mansion but it makes them no happier so stop moaning...

Have you had a proper trawl through the money saving expert.com website to minimise all your bills, apparently using their money makeover the average person will save hundreds if not thousands on bills per year. It takes time but that money would pay for a holiday. There are also tips on how to make cash in your spare time. I sign up to their weekly emails which are really helpful

Where are you seeing all these people? Get of SM if that's where.

Could have written this myself today, word for word in fact!!!

I agree. Covid put paid to any employment and now we have to count the pennies. We are very fortunate to own a house and would happily downsize, to release some money, but it’s not selling and it’s so expensive to move that there’s a price we can’t go below.

We should consider replacing carpets, curtains and appliances, but we can’t.

Like you, we’re managing, but the council tax increase shortly might tip us over. I am grateful that we have a comfortable home, but it would be nice to go out once in a while and have a treat.

@idontlikealdi pretty much always on social media. I do need to get off.

But not always just on there.

They might be in debt or have inherited when a loved one died. Its not all sunshine and rainbows

Couldn’t agree with you more. Working so hard and next to nothing left over once bills are paid.

Everyone should have enough money that allows them to save up for a holiday, have the odd meal or day out, buy the occasional treat like a top or some trainers that they want, stop for a coffee and a slice of cake from time to time. Life shouldn't be about just getting by. Wages / benefits should be higher, or housing much cheaper.

And it begins... my 102 year old aunt I never met died and left me 200 million, I'd prefer if she was still here instead of the money.

What can you do to improve your finances?

No point complaining if you don’t put the effort in to change your circumstances.

OP

One thing you said never do is "get jealous" of people that to you are doing well. Possibly you did not mean it like that

My parents were fed up with the lack of jobs where we lived in the north of England and in the late 70's they moved to London as they knew plenty more jobs here and a future for their kids/us

TBH, I wanted loads of money and not work and have a new car even if it meant getting oe on HP. Dad and mum put a stop to that for obvious reasons. Since that day we never borrowed money for anything other than a property and saved up for everything or done without until then. We, well I wanted 4 chilled OH disagreed said we could not afford a 5 bed house at the time

In all that time when we saw nicer property, flashier cars, nice clothing people eating out in nice places whilst we went to big Mac, not once was I ever "jealous" I am actually please for almost everyone that has worked and living a comfortable life

Trust me, you will get there, work longer hours, and or get a second job or better-paid job ad before you know it, you will be a lot better off with money to spare as long as you are prudent with your money. Good luck

I have a friend that goes on holidays but the one thing she would actually love is kids. However all attempts have failed. So you may look enviously at her lifestyle but she will be looking enviously at yours too.

Yeah I agree.
This is another one of those 'misery lives company' threads.

Count your blessings as like many of us you're getting by... do not compare your life with others that's when the joy goes away. Remember everyone is blessed in their own way ❤️🙏

Surely you understand that not every body is in a position to do something to improve their finances? We aren’t all equal robots.
People have different health problems and circumstances. Not everyone is in perfect health, able to retrain etc.

Yes, YNBUto feel fed up about this. Please don't vote Tory later this year.

YANBU and meanwhile the rich are getting much richer.😒

Most of us now are just working to eat and pay essential bills. 😡

The kids club money would be your 'spare money' imo

People in the world having to cope with far worse problems. Illness, injury, etc.
Compared to some you have a lot.

You could use some money- making apps, I easily make about £30 a month on that. That could be bowling with the kids or a takeaway?

receipt apps: shoppix, SnapMyEats, Amazon rewards, storewards
survey apps: MSR, OnePulse, yougov
cashback apps: topcashback, quidco

I wrote a very similar post recently OP.

I’m the same, I see people of my age doing such nice things all the time and having nice things, going nice places. And I just wonder why that isn’t us.

I’m considering a social media break. However it is my main source of contact with friends. We don’t text or call. We use instagram or messenger to contact eachother and I use Facebook for events a lot so it would be a lot to get used to to get rid of all my SM for a while. I think it needs to be done though

Yes, and some people have kindness, empathy and compassion - compared to them @girlfriend44 , you have nothing 🙄

That dosent change their situation though . Only the individualmente change their money situation.

Sometimes it's actually good to remember that there are others worse off. Helps bring us down to earth.
People living in 3rd world counties would give anything for what we have.
Having enough money to eat and a room over your head is not to be underestimated!