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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask you honestly what are your first thoughts on seeing this?

644 replies

gemful · 09/12/2025 11:44

NC’d for this

A couple. 2 dc (no childcare)
A brand new, new build house. Mortgaged.
Two brand new cars.
They don’t dress designer but the present well.
She has a few designer handbags.
gadgets are always good brands, latest I phones, shark hairdryers, robot hoover.
very organised and tidy home, both work full time in good jobs.
They do family outings every few weekends but not every weekend.
Honesty, what are your first thoughts?!

OP posts:
godmum56 · 09/12/2025 17:05

why would I think anything?

x12 · 09/12/2025 17:06

Presumably you live in a cheap part of the country if 500k gets you a 5 bed which would probably explain why people were shocked by your 60k salary.

godmum56 · 09/12/2025 17:07

gemful · 09/12/2025 15:48

We have ample savings. We save over 2k per month. Pensions are good etc.

Show quote history

sounds like you have a rude naighbour and at least one rude reli....not sure why you told the reli what you earn though?

x12 · 09/12/2025 17:10

Just ignore the neighbour

Tiedyeegg · 09/12/2025 17:12

Also having now rtft, I think whether £130k is a good household income depends on where you are.
It would be great in my area but you’d struggle to spend 500k on a house in my area.

x12 · 09/12/2025 17:15

Also having now rtft, I think whether £130k is a good household income depends on where you are.

Realistically it’s not a bad income anywhere although in some parts it would be more average. However the lifestyle it affords you would vary considerably, I personally think 25k is a lot to spend on a car on that income but I don’t like cars and prioritise different things.

SwanRivers · 09/12/2025 17:16

gemful · 09/12/2025 12:35

Honestly I don’t brag, I don’t feel any of it is worth bragging about. My sister and friends will visit and have said things. My sister especially, she asks a lot of questions. I have argued with her on this. 😭 she asked me what I earn and nearly had a heart attack. I earn 62k. She said she assumed I was on half that. I try not to talk about money tbh.

Oh stop it OP

I can't read any more

I just can't 🤣🤣

Quitelikeit · 09/12/2025 17:19

I suppose with an income of roughly 8k a month you can afford a decent sized mortgage, plus finance for cars then some left over for savings etc

I am not sure why your neighbour is commenting since I assume they live in a house of similar value

Times are hard for people just now maybe they are projecting on to you

Ormally · 09/12/2025 17:20

Interesting.
Unless I was a relative, perhaps, I wouldn't have any idea about mortgage status, agreements for how much you work, or whether you pay for childcare, and don't think it would make me go deeper into it.
With 'brands' and decor I might think you would want me to notice, but as a personal comparison I wouldn't progress to thinking pricier is automatically better. I would think you were putting your money where you thought it was meaningful.
It might depend whether the neighbours were also in the same kind and size of house or whether there was quite a mix in every sense.

JamieCannister · 09/12/2025 17:20

LucyMonth · 09/12/2025 16:54

100% sure. My FIL is rich rich. Friends with celebrity millionaire and billionaires and lives in a tax haven kind of rich.

They lease cars through their businesses. They never pay for a liability through personal finance. You lose money on the sale a car even with interest on finance included. Millionaires don’t get the same APR as normal folk. Under 5% and often 0%. They also change their cars every 5 minutes.

I’m talking truly wealthy people here. Not a couple who both have decent jobs and live in a nice area kind of wealthy.

Show quote history

Sorry, I thought we were talking about wealthy people, not truly wealthy people!

I believe that there are plenty of wealthy people who pay cash for cars, and I stand by that.

Koolandorthegang · 09/12/2025 17:23

beefthief · 09/12/2025 11:46

This seems entirely normal unless you're going to drip feed that it's actually Fred and Rose West

They didn’t live in a new build

x12 · 09/12/2025 17:24

I suppose with an income of roughly 8k a month you can afford a decent sized mortgage, plus finance for cars then some left over for savings etc

It won’t be 8k if saving into decent pensions.

Cocktailsandcheese · 09/12/2025 17:31

ShanghaiDiva · 09/12/2025 11:51

My first thought is - you seem to be stalking them.

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Yes! OP how do you know (and why do you care?!) what sort of hairdryer and hoover they have?

EmpressaurusKitty · 09/12/2025 17:33

Cocktailsandcheese · 09/12/2025 17:31

Yes! OP how do you know (and why do you care?!) what sort of hairdryer and hoover they have?

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If you look through the OP’s posts, she’s answered that one.

houseofisms · 09/12/2025 17:36

I have a 5 bed house with sea views in a posh coastal town and a brand new car on the drive.

does that make me posh??? Nope, I have cancer, house paid off by my life insurance payout, the car is a mobility car for my severely disabled son and I have to rely on benefits. Never judge a book by its cover!!!

YaWeeFurryBastard · 09/12/2025 17:36

Slightyamusedandsilly · 09/12/2025 16:12

Modelling an expectation that work is a requirement of life. They have two girls. The mum working models that work is essential and that women's work is as crucial as mens.

There is more to work than the money it brings in.

Fcuk the car. It's a piece of metal.

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You can achieve that by working part time, it’s what I do.

JustSawJohnny · 09/12/2025 17:39

What are we supposed to think?

Because I'm finding it hard to give any form of any fucks for something so very normal.

Original poster
gemful · 09/12/2025 17:44

Cocktailsandcheese · 09/12/2025 17:31

Yes! OP how do you know (and why do you care?!) what sort of hairdryer and hoover they have?

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RTFT I am them 🤣

OP posts:
Original poster
gemful · 09/12/2025 17:45

YaWeeFurryBastard · 09/12/2025 17:36

You can achieve that by working part time, it’s what I do.

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I have no interest in working part time I like my job.

OP posts:
Hyacinthbucketsgarden · 09/12/2025 17:48

I have no thoughts because I have enough to think about with my own life, without being concerned about other peoples' life styles.

LemonDrizzleKay · 09/12/2025 17:49

gemful · 09/12/2025 14:24

The neighbour said “new car!? Is one new car not enough?” I laughed (nervously) and said “ah well I can’t let him have all the fun!” She then said…it’s a bit overkill no?…or did you win the lotto?head tilt…

Jealous!!!None of her business!!

Wafflesandsyrup · 09/12/2025 17:49

I'd think: good for them

notatinydancer · 09/12/2025 17:54

YaWeeFurryBastard · 09/12/2025 17:36

You can achieve that by working part time, it’s what I do.

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It’s unusual to earn £62k part time.

TheNinkyNonkyIsATardis · 09/12/2025 17:55

The best fit I have for this set up is my friend who works in marketing. She doesn't have two cars because they both WFH self employed as very successful marketing consultants. No need for two.

She earned enough working 3 days per week to have to register for VAT within 7 months. But she reckons AI will have pinched her job within 7 years, so she's pricing and planning accordingly.

MikeRafone · 09/12/2025 17:57

I fail to see why having 2 new cars is "overkill" I find that a strange thought process?

Good luck to you, it's not what I would be doing with my money but good for you. Possibly because I have my own requirements and want to spend money on other stuff id not be worried about what you were doing with your money.

The couple 2 doors down from me didn't win the lotto, they brought a lot of new things and then sold them again very quickly as they found these items were rushed purchases and didn't bring them happiness - so they sold them and possibly made others very happy as they got them far cheaper second hand - they probably lost around £55/60K in the first 6 months.

If you work hard and are savvy with your money fair play, its none of anyone else's business how or what you do to get the money and I hope your new purchase des bring you happiness