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?!

I'm in a similar boat to you OP, except for that I earn less. I got the university degree, which Tony Blair promised would open doors for me-but did not. I can't afford to put my heating on amd spend the winter layered up, looking like the Michelin Man. Stop whinging and sounding entitled. Just count yourself lucky to have a roof over your head!

I earn that and it's hard with two teenagers one of whom is learning to drive.

Can you re-finance your mortgage by extending the loan period to bring the payments down whilst you pay for nursery? My 17yr old is on the cusp of finishing school and not ruled out uni plus she is learning to drive so I have prepared for this by extending my mortgage period.

9 month oods get 15 hours and from 2 years they will get 30 hours in April I believe.

The car loan is not for ever, nursery ends, you'll be fine then, and it's not that tight now. Even on bc a high salary we only had £4K after tax and we lived really well on that, certainly didn't need to watch the pennies

I’d get rid of the car asap and get a cheap runaround.
We as a household earn less than you by a lot, our mortgage is a grand a month and we have 3 kids. Our gas and elec is £200, water £65, council tax £200. Our food is a lot because we also have a teenager 🤦🏽‍♀️😂 and we don’t have childcare costs due to my job, I’m a childminder. I’m currently on maternity leave though, so not bringing anything in.
im shocked that on that income you’re struggling personally.
But I’m exceptionally frugal, and obviously that’s making a difference for us. For example we haven’t yet had the heating on. We use blankets, hot water bottles, cheap oodies, 13 tog duvets, slippers etc. is that an option to lower your bills a little?
can you shower less and for shorter times? Can you sell some things? Can you get rid of your
phone contract and get a sim only? For example I pay £1.10 per month with lebara. Our Netflix is £4.99 a month, we get Disney free because I switched a dummy bank account to Lloyds for £200 and then got free Disney. Lots of things like this you can do to save money. Sign up to money saving expert newsletter, he has so many tips to save money.

If you don't mind me asking, what did you study and when did you graduate?

Is the lack of opportunities down to location?

Think you’re muddling posters. I certainly didn't call you names - in fact, I was sympathising a bit and explaining why you were being given a hard time. I also acknowledged £100 then isn't the same as now. Even 2 x £167 isn't anywhere near £500, and it was a one off special from wedding, so hardly everyday expenditure.

ThisOldThing I graduated in Psychology in 2001. I live in Greater London and work in Central London as a Management Accountant. It's not like I haven't worked hard or that I haven't tried. Because of my not great wage, I had to save a ridiculous £150K so that I could get a mortgage on a flat in an area where I'm less likely to be stabbed. Having been evicted a good number of years ago due to being a an illegal sub tenant and spending six weeks sofa surfing before I could sort out a new roof over my head, I know to not only cherish my flat, but to be thankful that I can just about pay my bills. There are too many people out there who expect an easy life to be served to them on a silver platter, when they've never even had a sniff of poverty.

£300 pcm for a car is ridiculous…childcare won’t last forever.(can’t the father pay half??) Do you need Netflix? Not to sound harsh but this sounds very first world-problemy. We’re in a cost of living crisis so belts need to be tightened. you're earning a good wage - Do some sensible budgeting and lose/reduce non essentials.

With all due respect, there are many people who don’t even earn up to half of what you’re getting and they’re not on MN complaining. Sorry to break it to you but your post is giving “first world problems” vibes because you’re not focusing on what you do have/achieved but more on what you don’t have - which is what? A nice coat? Would you rather be homeless but wearing a nice coat? Would you rather not be able to afford your child’s nursery, but at least you have some disposable income for a holiday? You need to perhaps see things from another point of view and maybe be a bit more thankful 😊

Really tough. Nursery is the big problem. When will your costs reduce?? Hang in there

@TheSpoonyNavyReader 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.

If your big ugly SUV hits me, I am far more likely to be injured.

Your big ugly SUV also causes air pollution, which is part of the reason why I have ongoing respiratory issues.

It is more difficult for me to see past your big ugly SUV, both when I am driving and when I am walking.

You driving your big ugly SUV creates a market demand for more big ugly SUVs, which means I will have less choice when I have to replace my car because the market demand means that manufacturers will only be selling big ugly SUVs.

Therefore, it does affect me and it is my concern.

You get £2000 from the state, for a disability? I'm surprised at the amount. How does government assess such claims? Not suggesting you are not deserving, asking for a family member

after the essentials given above you got 1000 left, how is that not enough to live on? food and treats and clothes for 2 people does not cost 1000 a month.

you need to do some budgeting and cutting nonessentials like netflix new clothes for yourself and lower your food bill if its too high. you got lots of spare money, some people barely bring home half of what you do and do not get any child maintenance at all and manage.

Cheese

I’m going to say it again - fathers need to fund half the nursery costs and then have maintenance costs added. The reality is all you get is half of nursery paid for and nothing towards food, clothes, utilities, travel to & from nursery, activities etc etc. It’s ridiculous this is on the mother to pay for and sort out.

Have you looked at your specific bills? £50 per month is a lot for water rates. We only pay £24. If you’re not already on a water meter, consider getting one - our water bill halved over night.

Similarly, are you on the best deal for gas and electricity? Worth checking as prices have changed a lot recently and there are now some better deals out there.

Are you claiming the single person discount for Council Tax?

Ridiculous - sorry OP get a grip

Post-grad loans are still paid at a percentage of salary rate aren't they? Or do you mean you took a private loan?

I think your money management skills need refreshing

But that's not including bills is it?

It’s depressing people are saying Netflix is a luxury. It probably is these days but it’s ridiculous I can be on this salary and not even be able to pay for that comfortably.

@Unfff
Why isn't your ex paying half the nursery fees + CMS?

in my opinion you’re unable to pay £4.99 comfortably each month because you’re mismanaging your money elsewhere.
you could cut costs drastically in a lot of areas, as many posters including my self have said. But you haven’t responded to those, only to dole out more pity that Netflix is too expensive for you. If you’re paying more than £4.99 for Netflix that’s the kind of mismanaging of money I’m talking about.

@Pipsquiggle he pays the rate set by cms which is 400