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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is £2250, month, enough to live in post all livings costs are paid for

450 replies

Isitenough2250 · 07/04/2025 00:37

I am very aware that I may get slammed, and I am
prepared. DP has had a terrible time at work the past few years, as we have both seen terrible side affects of what stress can do heart attack/ stroke/
severe mental health issues - we thought it best for him to leave the job. Having worked out our budget, post mortgage/ bills/ insurances etc being paid we have £2250 left a month. That is for two adults and a cat. Out of which is food and then life costs, as in choices - gym/ hair cut/ going to the cinema.

Having never had to budget ever, is this enough? Sufficent savings/ investments for emergencies…..it is 2250 that we have come up with for food and miscellaneous spending.

Am prepared to be roasted, also any budgeting tips appreciated.

We think it will be about a year.

OP posts:
tinygingermum · 07/04/2025 00:40

That’s more than the vast majority of people can dream of having left over after mortgage and bills each month!

Original poster
Isitenough2250 · 07/04/2025 00:43

tinygingermum · 07/04/2025 00:40

That’s more than the vast majority of people can dream of having left over after mortgage and bills each month!

Thank you for not roasting me. I appreciate it’s probably verging on the ridiculous and this is a good life lesson for me!

OP posts:
MumChp · 07/04/2025 00:44

Many has less and does fine.

loropianalover · 07/04/2025 00:44

Are you not able to sit down and write out an example ‘week’ in your life/misc. expenses, multiply by 4 and see if it’s enough? It’s hard for me to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ without knowing your lifestyle. You’ll survive, but if you’re worried then it sounds like you might have to make adjustments to the way you currently spend.

Slinkyminky22 · 07/04/2025 00:45

That's more than we earn a month before bills. I think you'll be OK.

YouWereGr8InLittleMenstruators · 07/04/2025 00:46

I manage all expenses (that includes mortgage, insurance, council tax and utilities) for two adults, two teens and two cats for almost exactly that.

You'll be fine.

purpleme12 · 07/04/2025 00:46

I don't believe that you can't work this one out yourself

Original poster
Isitenough2250 · 07/04/2025 00:46

loropianalover · 07/04/2025 00:44

Are you not able to sit down and write out an example ‘week’ in your life/misc. expenses, multiply by 4 and see if it’s enough? It’s hard for me to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ without knowing your lifestyle. You’ll survive, but if you’re worried then it sounds like you might have to make adjustments to the way you currently spend.

Edited

Yes, I am worried - I have never had to work out what I spend….and will definitely be making adjustments as don’t want DP stressed in any way at all.

OP posts:
JohnKettleyIsAWeathermanAndSoIsMichaelFish · 07/04/2025 00:46

I earn that before mortgage/ bills/ insurances etc and am just tipped over the edge this month with the increases in energy bills and council tax. You should be ok as long as you are lean. Health is more important than luxuries.

Punzel · 07/04/2025 00:47

Yea don’t worry, it’s plenty. You could do it on a lot less of course. In fact it would be quite good for your self esteem if you did for a few months. Knowing you can cut your cloth and whip up a decent life from a small amount of money is a really important skill and makes you feel capable and confident that you can handle what life throws at you. At the moment you sound scared at the idea of surviving on what is a large amount of money. Sounds like you could both work on your resilience a tad?

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 07/04/2025 00:47

Most people don’t take home that much money a month never mind have it left over! If you really don’t know how much you spend every month take this time to be more financially aware.

KickHimInTheCrotch · 07/04/2025 00:47

I have about £3k a month for me and 2 DC (plus 2 cats) to pay for everything - mortgage, bills, insurance, food, car costs, trips, holidays, activities, clothes, house repairs. But we're used to it and I can make it work. But I guess the difference is that this is my life until the kids leave home, not a temporary belt tightening exercise.

Yodol · 07/04/2025 00:48

thats a huge amount to be left over with

loropianalover · 07/04/2025 00:48

Isitenough2250 · 07/04/2025 00:46

Yes, I am worried - I have never had to work out what I spend….and will definitely be making adjustments as don’t want DP stressed in any way at all.

Show quote history

You’ve never had to but are you not… able to? Can’t you open the notes on your phone right now, think back a few weeks and jot down what you spend? If you go out for lunch every day, order stuff online, grocery shop, cinema etc..?

Can’t you pull up a bank statement and highlight what you’ve spent ‘miscellaneously’?

Janedoe82 · 07/04/2025 00:49

depends on your lifestyle! Sounds more than it actually is- £250 a week each.
For me I would have to cut back. For example I easily spend £30 on lunch at work. Then £15 for a yoga class, £25 for another hobby I do. Wee shopping trip and maybe spend £40-50. I would get through £250 no bother.

Original poster
Isitenough2250 · 07/04/2025 00:49

purpleme12 · 07/04/2025 00:46

I don't believe that you can't work this one out yourself

I deserve that, it’s the unknown. I was prepared to be roasted.

I can take from this I need to be more organised and work out what to spend on food, minus that and then see what is left over.

OP posts:
soupmaker · 07/04/2025 00:50

It depends on your lifestyle. You've more than £550 a week which is way beyond what we have for food and spending on living. If we had that amount we'd be putting some of it into savings.

Original poster
Isitenough2250 · 07/04/2025 00:50

Janedoe82 · 07/04/2025 00:49

depends on your lifestyle! Sounds more than it actually is- £250 a week each.
For me I would have to cut back. For example I easily spend £30 on lunch at work. Then £15 for a yoga class, £25 for another hobby I do. Wee shopping trip and maybe spend £40-50. I would get through £250 no bother.

This! This is helpful - I have never had to think about what I spend, but I am committed to ensuring zero stress for DP.

OP posts:
Ohthatsabitshit · 07/04/2025 00:52

Just do an imaginary weeks food shop on line, work out your petrol/travel costs and other bits. I’d be surprised if it was anything like the money you are suggesting.

Original poster
Isitenough2250 · 07/04/2025 00:52

loropianalover · 07/04/2025 00:48

You’ve never had to but are you not… able to? Can’t you open the notes on your phone right now, think back a few weeks and jot down what you spend? If you go out for lunch every day, order stuff online, grocery shop, cinema etc..?

Can’t you pull up a bank statement and highlight what you’ve spent ‘miscellaneously’?

Show quote history

I will now look at a bank statement….and be entirely mortified at what I usually spend. Every cloud!

OP posts:
Original poster
Isitenough2250 · 07/04/2025 00:54

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 07/04/2025 00:47

Most people don’t take home that much money a month never mind have it left over! If you really don’t know how much you spend every month take this time to be more financially aware.

I am definitely seeing it as this!

OP posts:
HaddyAbrams · 07/04/2025 00:56

I have less than that per month before I've paid any bills/ rent.

I get that you've never had to do it before and it's a big change. But honestly, that's loads and you'll be fine.

Janedoe82 · 07/04/2025 00:57

Isitenough2250 · 07/04/2025 00:50

This! This is helpful - I have never had to think about what I spend, but I am committed to ensuring zero stress for DP.

Show quote history

All the other wee things too- stopping on the way to work to get petrol but also end up with croissants and a coffee. Nipping into Home Bargains to get a couple of things and next thing you have a candle, a new toilet brush and a pile of sweets and a set of loungewear and there is another £50.
What about things like Sky TV, Disney channel, Paramount. I have all of these.
National Trust membership. Pet food. Window cleaner. Plants for the garden. Hair dresser trips. Going out for dinner at the weekend, drinks with friends. Getting the car washed.

Original poster
Isitenough2250 · 07/04/2025 01:00

Punzel · 07/04/2025 00:47

Yea don’t worry, it’s plenty. You could do it on a lot less of course. In fact it would be quite good for your self esteem if you did for a few months. Knowing you can cut your cloth and whip up a decent life from a small amount of money is a really important skill and makes you feel capable and confident that you can handle what life throws at you. At the moment you sound scared at the idea of surviving on what is a large amount of money. Sounds like you could both work on your resilience a tad?

Yes, this is what I am seeing this as, an opportunity. I am totally up for the challenge and do plan to try and save. I appreciate I am very lucky - and it does sound ridiculous to say out loud that it’s a bit daunting…..when I have never had to budget. Thankfully never lived beyond means and always saved, as was always worried that DPs job was high stress so had prepared for it.

Preparing for this and doing it, two different things!

It also daunting to be the sole bread winner as well - but I have always been very focused on the fact that health is more important than any job!

OP posts:
OttilieKnackered · 07/04/2025 01:01

@Janedoe82 i would say most people don’t go round spunking £50 accidentally on the reg. We have half that, between two of us and a toddler, and we save £400 every month.

Anyone can choose to be frugal if they need or want to be.