To struggle on this salary?

[Unfff]

Or more to the point… think it’s just not worth the hard work anymore?

Had enough. I earn 3,100 a month. My mortgage is 900 and car finance 300. Student loans 300. Nursery is 800 and I get 400 child maintenance. By the time I’ve paid bills… this months heating was 150! Water another 50. Phone bill and Netflix… I’m left with barely anything. My job is really full on and I work late or weekends often… I do t strictly have to but it’s the sort of job where you just do… otherwise things fall apart.

I don’t do expensive things. Can’t actually remember last time I went on holiday! AIBU to find it utterly miserable that taking home this much money means you still can’t just buy a coat or even new jumper etc without having to think twice?!

WTF is a Jogger? 🤔

In what way does it directly affect you? A d what do you drive? Surely you are equally accountable to the whims of other people's opinions?

Everyone is entitled to their opinion and if someone had taken umbridge then that’s their opinion.

Lots on this thread have criticised the OP for saying she is struggling, the point I am making is that normal everyday items have risen so much that some are frankly out of touch and that bedding from M&S when you are working full time earning decent money should not be a luxury.

On this thread we have had the famous MN chicken that can feed a family of 4 for 3 nights and OP should grow her own vegetable and make a thermos flask of hot water at 6am is completely normal.

Seems a pretty good life-sum equation to me, at least some of your earnings are being chucked at a mortgage when so many are chucking more at their landlords in rent.

Generally, life is a bit shit for many right now, probably felt worse by being an LP - you are not alone. Just get through this winter and all will seem better once spring comes. It will still probably be shit but things are always more bearable after the Spring.

I live in the country, it’s big enough for all my kids.

I also like it. Simple. I do not have to explain anything to you as it’s of no concern to you and anyone that thinks I should rent a car so we can all go out as a family is in my opinion naive and frankly stupid.

Well you're right. I also don't think a holiday should be a luxury either but it seems it is to many. Perhaps the ire directed at you reflects the frustration that average people feel as their standard of living erodes beneath them. It's been quite a fun thread really.

People need to celebrate everyone it’s not a race to the bottom, the UK is one of the only countries where people are looked down at for doing “well”.

Well could be going to university when everyone in their family has left school at 16.

we have become a society of everyone staying in their own lane, and treating others with suspicion if it does not meet their own narrative.

Those that have name called and questioned my need for a big car, or telling the OP that she is lucky just show their emotional intelligence.

@TheSpoonyNavyReader I do not have to explain anything to you as it’s of no concern to you

I just explained that it is my concern. It's a choice that affects me, therefore, it's my concern and I am permitted to comment on it.

It's not pointless - you're building your career. And paying a mortgage on your own. How much longer left to pay on the car? Can you get rid for something smaller/cheaper to insure and cheap tax/tax free?

How does it affect you? How do you travel, because I want to have an opinion about that, thank you. I took drive a large SUV (not ugly or awful in my opinion FYI) and it is a miriad of safety systems that make it very safe for pedestrians, ensuring a collision is unlikely to occur and if it does, a breaking and bonet mechanism designed to reduce injury. It's also hybrid so around town, it drives without emissions. What exactly do you object to? It also wafts cool air up my smug ass on warm days.

She gets less from maintenance than nursery fees cost. Never mind all the other costs of bringing up a child.

That's really 💩 and hence why you would wonder why bother working!

Bu I do think the car costs can reduce, Netflix etc

You have my sympathies just from the burden of being a single parent

Why is it your concern, it does not affect you. I am not asking you to fund my car. I have explained that it’s big enough for all my children, I live in a rural area and I like it.

Why do you drive your car? What make is it? How many children do you have?

I love my cooling seats, also my car is the safest car for pedestrians, with all the safety features. It also has airbags in the bonnet.

@TheSpoonyNavyReader

I used to take packed lunch and my drink to work and now eat at home . I rarely buy any food out. Its a luxury not necessary.

If the car was sent back the op could by a cheaper low milage car for £3500 ( mine cost that and it is used all day every day. ) It also only costs £60 to fill and does almost a week of lessons.
Childcare is expensive but generally CM is cheaper than nursery.
Also TEMU actually do lots of very inexpensive items with free shipping including bedding. Yes it might not fit with peoples ideals but when times are hard it could help.

Mobile hairdressers / beauticians are also cheaper than salons and many equally good.

It is very possible to stretch the £££

Pointless? You can afford your own gift me, car, all your bills, nursery, and money left over. You think you could do all that within working?

Why on earth would they be eligible for UC when they earn over £3k per month... net?!?!!!

(that's double what I earn!!!)

Hey OP. When you stop paying child care, you can get yourself to M&S and buy 3 sets of bedding. Something to look forward to.

Hope the people who have said, 'Some of things that you pay for now won't last forever', have given you a bit of hope.

How is working pointless??? Working is the reason you can afford to hear your home and have Netflix. Working gives you the ability to live your life. If you didn't work, you'd have a lot LESS!!

I know you're getting a roasting on here op so I wanted to sympathise with you.
I've a similar salary, and outgoings (not the same ones but they add up to a very similar amount) and yes it's hard.
Monthly bills are covered but then you get a dental bill & child needs new shoes etc etc.
There's no wriggle room at all. I've bought most of my child's Christmas presents (less than £50) on vinted and that's all I can justify because it's really scary using up savings all the time.
I earn £50k which I thought was a good wage and actually a wage I'd never think I would earn. But the COL has taken my pay rise away and I don't even go to cafes with my child for a quick bite or soft play etc let alone a meal or night out with a babysitter (I don't have anyone who can babysit for free, & child's dad is awol so I am the only one who looks after my child apart from nursery)
It's depressing and I think the school yers are going to be bad too because I'll have to pay for wraparound & holiday care.
Taxfree childcare helps, but doesn't cover the whole amount eg I think you get £10k allowed to be topped up, but I pay out about £13k on nursery (I'm not in London, not even near to London).

It's shit to just work to live. I was brought up assuming life wouldn't be this depressing

Sorry spending £500 on a few new bedding sets is extravagant!

-Sell car buy a cheaper one that is economical
-remortgage

• check your using tax free childcare entitlement

-check maintenance is correct, see if you can change contact days with the other parent so you can cut a day of nursery fees. not easy to get help as a single parent, but that’s a good salary for 1 adult and 1 child, it’ll get easier, as a single parent with no help, i can promise it gets a lot easier when they start school.

What am I reading? Is this sarcasm?

£500 on new bedding and £350 on hair / beauty appointment?!?

That's literally 80% of my monthly income.

This is a lovely way of looking at things

well they aren't costing you £1k per month.

I gave my examples as there are loads of knobs on here saying that 1k is a fortune when in fact it’s not with petrol, food, insurance etc

I don't think £1k is a 'fortune' at all @TheSpoonyNavyReader. I'm well aware of what things cost and how quickly money can drip away on seemingly 'nothing'. Dh popped into town to take the 3 dc (and himself) for a haircut yesterday. On the way home he stopped and bought ds2 and 3 new football skins (pretty essential given the weather turning and last years are outgrown). Boom...£140 gone in the blink of an eye.

Life is expensive, people get that.

However, your posts are saying 'Life is expensive with food, insurance, petrol. £1k doesn't go far. I mean, I had to spend £500 on bedding. I'm just showing what things cost'.

It's just senseless drivel. You're not demonstrating what things cost at all. Because bedding doesn't have to cost £500, nowhere near. You've chosen to purchase very expensive items because you have plenty of spare income...good for you. But it's irrelevant when talking about £1k not going far on essentials!

£500 on bedding is not essential. It's not a price that even many who are comfortable would be willing to pay Imo (me included).