Are other full-time working families finding there is nothing left?

[fatface001]

Alarm went off at 5:30 this morning, then an hour stood on a packed train into London for the commute. We are a normal family: one child and two full-time jobs. I’ve always enjoyed working and have always worked hard, and I don’t mind that at all — but I do expect that full-time work should still mean there’s something left at the end of the month for a normal life.

But that really doesn’t feel like the case anymore.

There’s nothing left at the end of the month. Everything has been stripped back, all non-essentials have gone, and even basic things around the house are being put off or done ourselves because there isn’t spare money for trades. It’s just constant cutting back.

What’s hard is that we’re both working really long hours and doing everything we’re “supposed” to do, but it still feels like we’re going backwards rather than getting ahead.

When I hear talk about “those with the broadest shoulders” contributing more, I honestly don’t recognise it anymore in real life. It doesn’t feel like anyone in our position has anything left to give — it feels like the pressure is entirely on ordinary working households just to stand still.

I’m not looking for luxuries — just the sense that working still gives you a bit of breathing room. Right now it doesn’t feel like that at all.

Is anyone else feeling the same?

Alot of people who are struggling, are struggling because they have high debt repayments.

Yep! Both DH and I are now working more hours than ever - easily 60hrs a week each to cope with the increase in the cost of living. We are lucky that we have the ability and health to do so but it is making us tired and resentful that we are in a worse financial situation now than 10 years ago.
We no longer buy lunches, coffees out. Dinner out is birthdays only. Cinema is once a year, theatre also slashed. We no longer replace our cars and rarely go out to attractions which cost money. We are fortunate in that we can afford a holiday and to help our DC at Uni but its not where I thought I would be.

Agree! There’s times where I wonder how people get these high paying jobs but can’t grasp simple concepts. It’s frightening actually. A cleaner in a school is more aware of the tax system than the martyrs on here who think they actually pay 45% tax on every penny they earn. No wonder we’re fucked.

It’s fine, I get it. It’s probably uncomfortable to admit to yourself. I’m afraid at some point though, people are in for a big shock when they have to start paying at least their own way and for their own children. It will either be the IMF after a loan or the next Government, but it’s an absolute certainty.

Have literally replied twice to this comment and explained further!

Not everyone can. That isn't going to magically change even with a new government, people and children will just go hungry or resort to desperate measures to feed their children instead.

Our local MP has made it very clear that any fuel support will not just be for those on benefits.

It’s not magic, just economics

I guess people are saying they’re financially not any better off working than not, so where’s the incentive. If someone is in the same position without the stress, inconvenience and sweat and toil of working, the person not working is winning in comparison to those who are

You don't seem to be able to understand what is under discussion here. It's not about who is struggling (I agree I'm currently not) it's about what happens in a society where most people are. £200 is a typical hair price for women.

I know, but "up to 16k" you can still receive them, you aren't poor if you have thousands saved in the bank, therefore you shouldn't need bailing out by the tax payer. The thresholds are so wrong.

I would hope not.

I thought the thread was about people struggling on full time salaries. Also £200 is absolutely not the norm for your hair. And its comments like this why people have no money they think this is a normal basic expense

They aren't in the same position though considering there's usually a reason why someone can't work.

I think the only groups winning here at the moment are the super wealthy or benefit people who don’t work.

I can asssure you that "benefit people" are struggling too, and have less scope to make economies because their income barely covers the essentials.

A single parent with one child will get £776.78 a month in UC to live on without the housing costs element. Unless they are lucky enough to be in social housing, they will almost certainly have to top up the housing costs money in order to cover their full rent because the local housing allowance rarely covers it all. In my area, the average rent for a 2-bed property is over £100 a month more than UC will pay. That reduces their disposable income to £676.78.

The council here don't give 100% council tax reduction so everyone of working age has to pay 20% of it. For a band B property, that's just under £400 a year after the single occupier discount, bringing their monthly disposable income to a tad over £640 a month. Free school meals will help a little, but only in term time and not at all if your child is not yet school age.

Our water company is the most expensive in the country, with the average bill now over £750 pa, so another £60+ a month, bringing the disposable income down to £590. When you deduct the monthly cost of energy bills, tv licence, internet, phone contract etc, there's probably less than £500 a month to live on, if that. When a family's margins are that tight, the cost of something as mundane as replacing a pair of child's shoes can tip a household's budget into the red for that month. Free dental treatment and prescriptions do precious little to make it easier.

What so if you became disabled tomorrow through no fault of your own you don't think you deserve any standard of living for the rest of your life.

I don't get this comment. You don't have any nice things in life so you don't want that poster, who is disabled, to have any either. How mean spirited.

Do you lot realise at anypoint anyone can become disabled, lose their job, lose their partner, have a child with disabilities. Some of you are in for a real reality check when it does.

Fully agree here. We’re on £200K + with only a small mortgage (admittedly a large house so other costs are high) and we no longer eat out every week and think carefully about holidays. There is money left at the end of the month but we are at the stage where it becomes more difficult to get full time permanent work so are fully aware we may need to bridge the gap between losing our jobs and state pension starting - all while our kids (who we had late) are still at uni.
We may need to do private sixth form as well, since the local sixth form college isn’t very good at all.
It’s a bit scary, to be honest, even on what looks like a high combined salary.

Why would they be living off benefits and not out working though? Benefits are not meant to be ‘lived off’. They’re a stop gap.

Because working isn't possible for everyone.

Who is making all the millions through nurseries??? The owner most be absolutely raking it in

It needs to be privatised

A single parent could have a disabled child who can't go to childcare or school because they can't cope with it.

I hear you!

That higher tax rate threshold is set far too low for the cost of modern life and anyone in London or the suburbs. On paper, it sounds good, in reality, it goes nowhere.

I have insurance for all of the above with the exception of a disabled child. It’s the normal thing to do. Do you expect the state to pay to rebuild your house if you cannot be bothered to pay buildings and contents insurance?