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

[gemful]

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?!

I earn a good wage, as does my husband but we never choose flash cars. I did when I was younger but now I’d rather spend it elsewhere. Our vehicles are reliable & modest. I also sleep better at night knowing nobody will want to break in to steal the car keys!

Sadly agree with this..10 years ago yes but now.... no. It's not good.

For me, new builds suggest 'not much money'. The rest would just strike me as uninteresting/unremarkable. Wouldnt think much of it.

We take in over 7k per month. I’m not going to give exact but I’ll ballpark
2k- mortgage and insurances
2k-savings
thats 3k for all other bills, food, and fun. Money leftover is paid as extra on mortgage

we made money on our last house. We had savings alongside that. My DP was made redundant with a payout. It all adds up.
dh has been on more over the years…not masses more but more than he’s on now.

anyway look that’s it, I’m in for a busy day today so I’m going to end it here. Thanks for the replies everyone

That was my thought too. The very definition of humdrum.

I was thinking this too!

Whats wrong with a new build? We live in newish one as second owners. I agree when the area is new it’s a bit characterless - the trees are very young and the playgrounds are bare minimum and a bit rubbish. But we live in a town with a bad rep for crime (had to move here from a lovely village for other reasons) and the outer edges are full of new builds and are considerably safer, plus the houses themselves are lovely to look at and are really nice to live in.

I would feel I couldn’t relate much, as a scruffy, skint, single mum who’s clothes have wholes and would use a well trained Doberman as childcare if I could claim the costs back through UC. Unfortunately there’s not many Doberman’s who are ofsted registered.

Man most responses on here are not that far off from your sister and neighbours. No nice people on mumsnet? Goodness gracious!

Honestly, if this isn’t your life & wondering how it looks to the outside I would suggest you stop judging the just above average family & concentrate on your own.

MN is snobbish about new builds. My flat has big bright rooms, is so well insulated that I only need the heating on during the really cold snaps & has excellent soundproofing. I love it.

Seems like a combination of sensible decisions, a bit of luck and hard work has led you to a point where you have enough disposable income to enjoy life rather than surviving.

Not sure why you are getting a hard time about new builds, new cars etc@gemful - surely people can appreciate we all have differing tastes and gain enjoyment from different things.

My first thought is "why are you in their bedroom rummaging for their hairdryer?"

I don't understand what you're asking

I can't believe people are actually criticising here - I'm sure it must be jealousy with a lot of these people.
My first thought on reading through all your comments is: Go you! Sounds like you're very sensible and happy.
Don't let other people's opinions bother you. And fwiw, I'd love a new build and have a few years not having to worry about much maintenance!

The comments on this post are INSANE! Please stop justifying yourself OP, good for you ignore any negativity all it is is jealously. Comments saying putting £2k per month away in savings is not enough and can you get an evening job to top it up!! What in the world is going on here! Asking why you bought a new build, why are you explaining yourself. The new build haters are something else nowadays 😂 I bought a new build 6 years ago, best thing I ever did and believe it or not I’ve had zero issues. You enjoy a comfortable life, that’s great for you, carry on and forget about all the people trying to drag you down it says more about them x

My actual first thought was that you were talking about my lovely colleague (who works bloody hard and lives within her means - the brand new car is leased).

My second thought is you could be talking about me! 😄

We are mortgage-free though simply because we are old!. Also I did have a brand new car, paid "cash", but it was under £10k.

They have it all in control and going well, good for them!

Nothing at all. Why would I think anything of it, it's their life and it looks fine?

My Henry hoover is 17 years old and still going strong. He's much more powerful than the newer ones 😁

What I'd think? That you both have well paid jobs, and save/spend your money on big things rather than frittering it away on shit (which also keeps your house tidier).

I can't work out if the posters are joking about £130k being shit, and taking on extra work 😆

For context, DH and I earn £90k between us (even split). This seemed good to me until the cost of living rose considerably, but we still do ok and we're definitely not struggling. MN has unrealistic views of income - it might be low here but it's well over average.

We have a 4 bed semi (needs work but great potential), one car (definitely not new), a couple of holidays a year, plenty of extra curricular clubs etc. Only use the credit card for short term purchases. An extra £40k (minus tax), add a few years and reduced childcare costs and we might not look too different. Would love a tidy house 😆
Also SE, commute to London several times a week. No financial family help, but we do get babysitting if we'd like a night out.

Mostly - it sounds like you and your husband are both on the same page when it comes to spending and saving. Mine fritters spare cash.

Well I wouldn’t really notice, as I’ve no interest in designer anything and although I could afford to buy brand new cars, I tend to get them a few years old and keep them as long as possible as that’s far better for the environment. The only thought I would have is “I’m glad I don’t have to live in a new build house” as I think they are awful - tiny rooms, tiny gardens with poor soil, jammed in on estates together. Nothing wrong with it if you like them, but I really don’t. Different if it was an individual architect designed house commissioned for that family on a decent plot though. How would I know whether they had a mortgage or not? I think I may be missing the point of this thread,.

Absolutely nothing. What on earth?

Or physically can’t save that much! Jesus what a shitty reply!

That they probably earn well. That they chose to live well in the now. Maybe they are saving, maybe they aren't. Not my business. Good luck to them.

I think PP was being just a tad sarcastic.