To wonder how other families get to the end of the month?

[gundigirl]

DH and I are both middle earners, with a combined income of around £90k. We have one DD in state school – no fees, but she does a few clubs and after-school activities, which add up.
With the rising cost of living, I’ve had to take on a side hustle. I actually enjoy it, but still – without that extra income, I wouldn't have been able to cover recent repair bills, for example.
I honestly don’t understand how other families (especially those with two or more DC, or just one working parent) make it to the end of the month. I’ve never felt more financially squeezed.
I’m not exactly a super-saver – I like the odd hair appointment – but I do try to save or invest a bit each month when I can.
What am I missing?

Exactly, if everyone never spends money on anything, the coffee shops close, the shops close, the pubs close, the kids activities become non viable- and then we complain about the death of the high street and all the people who work for those businesses directly lose their jobs; then those further up the supply chain.

Jobs happen because people spend money.

Agree. I also don't really want to go back to the 1950s when the jobs were mainly for men and definitely not for married women. We have created an economy (housing in particular) that requires 2 incomes in many families, sure, but I like having my own income. Isn't that always the advice on MN if your husband is a shit when you have small kids - go back to work, just in case?

She didn’t just a question, she hasn’t stated where a huge amount of her households disposable income is going.

It is a chat forum, people can post whatever they like.

I guess it is a sign of our times when others get offended by some having more than them. It used to be the opposite just a few years back. People boasting about their huge salaries.

Anyway, it is harvest time and everyone who can should donate to the food bank. We have donated loads of rice and pasta and tins (and UHT milk!). The kids whinged about the weight of their school bags. Happy now?
The OP can donate to the food bank for her “sins”.

I do think that some "higher" earners need to give their heads a wobble a bit - I take home about £2050 after all my bills and direct debits - including frivolous things like subscriptions and earmarked money for petrol and food shopping - I have £1100ish I save about £350 into various pots - I earmark another £100 for if the kids need anything extra that month, new shoes etc.

That leaves me with £650 to literally spend on whatever we fancy, maybe a takeaway, a coffee, treat for the kids a day trip - what ever.

I used to be terrible with money, but once I started tracking it I realised how much I was wasting on nothing, now I have a much better control of what I am spending and I actually feel like I have MORE money.

I split bills with DH - he is a slightly lower earner but has more outgoings - he prefers to keep things separate.

Who said I was offended?

Babe,

You are right, I have had those sealed single-shot milk tubs with coffee in hotel bedrooms if they have a pod machine, but it's rare - once a year at most.

I hope @HairsprayBabe read your post!

Absolutely. Planned obsolescence.

Which is also a side effect of things being cheaper (relatively) like washing machines and socks - quality is deliberately worse.

@SoMuchBadAdvice you are missing the point - I am saying you have had it and not known about it - never known about it.

Mmmm - well it's an odd thing to argue about!

I see your logic - if you are right, then I can't dispute it because I wouldn't know, but I can't get my head around not knowing that I am drinking something that is so yuk that even coffee doesn't disguise the taste.

I don’t think people are offended - they just think it’s rather daft to be posting about not having enough money when you earn 90k and spend the amounts OP is spending!

OP i totally understand your point and agree. It is factors beyond our control. Everything is going up in price so much ! Also what is your side hustle do you mind me asking?

Well, yes, but unless you’re uber rich, it’s always been the case that you have to limit what you spend on one thing in order to buy something else, or that you have to save for a few months or a few years to buy things.

It’s only in the very recent past that it’s been seen as normal to get takeaway coffee every week, or to just grab an Uber, or to get multiple takeaways - or even to send your kid to multiple expensive activities.

90k is a good income but it’s not so good that you can just spend whatever you like and sod the consequences.

£90k is a lot more than many have coming in, but of course we all have different priorities. I suspect you must know exactly where your money is going but haven't wanted to make changes/cuts as prices increase?

It’s called budgeting which I guess you aren’t doing.
Are your housing costs high ? Do you have debt.
something is going wrong with your budget somewhere £90k is a good income.

Of course you were going to get roasted on MN!

£100 on a gym! Join the local leisure centre with a pool as my local centre has a pool and is £50.
you could save £600 a year by switching.

£180 on foods? Have a look at your meal planning and only buy what you need. Having the food bin was a game changer. I was buying potatoes every week and throwing most of them out. Now I just buy from local shop if I need spuds.

yes it’s great your kid can do lots of activities but they will survive if you need to cut one.

my take home pay is £2400. My mortgage and rent in shared ownership is £1000. Bills are on top. That is struggling. If an expected bill came in then it’s not getting fixed or going on a credit card. Single earner in my family of three.

indeed. And yet those on £24k automatically assume they’d be 3 x wealthier if they were on £70k (and ‘rolling in it’) when that’s so far from true it’s laughable.

I used to have a work colleague who always moaned about how skint she was and yet she got a takeaway coffee at breakfast and lunchtime. That’s at least £150 a month!

DH is guilty of this and then every month he wonders where all his money has gone 🤣

He could easily get up and make a sandwich but he’d rather stay in bed a bit longer - we can easily afford it so it’s not an issue if that’s what he wants to do but it does make me laugh.

@HairsprayBabe I can 100% tell you that I would tell that a cup of tea had UHT milk in it also. There is a distinct smell and taste from it. It’s very very obvious!!Growing up in Ireland where fresh milk is used in tea always…uht is very different. And yes I would smell a jug of milk handed to me…when in a cafe I always ask for fresh milk too. Even if there’s milk on the table. Fresh means fresh to me 🤣

Given that your income is pushing £6k per month (not taking account of pensions or student loans), and your fixed outgoings (mortgage, bills, gym) are less than £2,500, YABVVU to be struggling. Even with clubs and wraparound care, and running two cars, I'd guess you have £1,000-£1,500 disposable per month, which is more than many people live on.

You never have heating on and skip meals in the evening - I assume to make sure kids are fed

that sounds very grim @thenovice

Oh so you weren’t then? So you just suggested the OP was tone deaf for shits and giggles?