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?

I’m recovering from surgery, so day before surgery I did a big shop of things my DH or kids can make easily or self serve. $330!!! So now I’m stressing about what I’ll need to scrimp on to pay that back.

Meanwhile DH’s job had had several reorg’s this year and if he’s laid off we’ll be in deep trouble. MIL and BIL live in our basement apartment for no rent and we were getting ready to ask BIL to help us if DH loses his job, and maybe pay a bit more monthly on utilities…and he’s answered that he’s been loaning to another BIL* every month so not as much to go around.

*and DH and I are fuming because they had us babysit Sunday night before my surgery while they went to a fancy restaurant and day before we’d wanted to go to trampolines or indoor play gym and couldn’t because it would be $60-100 and kids would whine for snacks there. So we went to an indoor walking track….And guess where they went Saturday??

I totally get where you're coming from we only made a million pound this week and now have to choose between heating and eating. People just don't understand how hard people like us have it

If they have nearing £16,000 in the bank they have plenty of time to get back on their feet, they do not need to collect money from the tax payer to pay their bills, they have months upon months of a buffer there, possibly up to a year even. The threshold is way too high.

I understand some claimants won't have savings and that's fine, that is what the benefit system is then there for but giving money to people with potentially 6k, 8k, 10k, 15k etc already in the bank is madness. And they wonder why there is no money in the pot to sort out our NHS.

Wishing hard times on someone else just because they have an opinion on what their taxes shouldn't be spent on is hardly "understanding" on your part neither.

I can't get insurance i was born disabled i have a progressive condition i have worked for 20 years full time paying tax and NI and have only the last few years gone down to part time. Check your privelage

How small is a small mortgage? Where is all your money going? Are you putting it all into your pension?
What does careful about holidays mean? Still going but not luxury?
Genuine questions because I’m baffled.

It will be your personal choice to spend it on private 6th form if your saving it for that most people don’t have that option.

@Frugalgal you got that totally the wrong way round ! It’s Labour who leave the economy in tatters and others have tomckme in absolve their reckless spending !

Will be the same this time !

Send me your PayPal hun or go fund me I only spent £99 on my hair cut this month so I’ve got £51 spare for you x x

I had a stressful job as a mental health nurse
But my life not working looking after my disabled teen is far more stressful ,than when I worked

and if you had a disabled child? As you've already said, there's no insurance for that.

Already is, they’ve exceeded expectations this time.

You’re not alone and I do feel sympathy for you. I try to put it into perspective. I am not going to a foodbank. Nor are you. I actually think that no one should lose their personal allowance. We should all have that. It’s not a massive amount and should be, imo, a universal benefit.

But people on benefits still need to save for things like a new boiler, a new car (new for them) etc being disabled is forever they won't just get back on their feet.

Fortunately they’ll be gone soon.

Thanks babe 💅

People on benefits still pay council tax and other bills which rise 🤷‍♀️
Those who get a top up from UC are suffering the most really as they work, but paid so little that they need a top up, but its so meagre and if they work more (if their work allows it) they lose their top up, so they are kind of trapped unless they can earn significantly more

If they're renting (because theyre disabled and unable to work), the boiler and house repairs woll be paid for by the LL. Presumably most peole too disabled to work would also qualify for a motability car?

I am tempted to pull out the tiny violin for high earners because I don't understand where the money goes.

DH and I have a good life on modest incomes. 1 DD in uni. 2 holidays a year, nicer places now it's just the 2 of us. 2 cars, full fridge, a couple of expensive hounds... I don't have much to complain about.

But the people getting benefits get nowhere near what middle earners earn 🤦‍♀️
Ppl are here thinking about UC top up makes your income match a middle earner but it really doesnt. The UC top is for those working but not earning much at all. These people still have mortgages as well, pay council tax and have the same bills as everyone else

Plenty of disabled people have mortgages to pay, and motability cars aren't handed out like leaflets...

Do you think people on benefits don’t have bills or eat? Of course this is a concern for them
as for losing your income, if those on benefits are so well off, why would you worry about that? Surely you would be fine
take 5 minutes to do a benefits calculator and see what you would get, and then tell me it isn’t a struggle

One of us would stop working and we’d downsize to afford it.

I personally feel that as a country we should be investing far more im affordable sports, arts and music for young people and kids.

Thats very sad for your friend's child and a great loss or sporting talent which with better funding could have achieved huge potential.

The club covered the expense, shes doing amazing 😍

But they earn far less than you?!
If you qualify for a UC top up your wage is incredibly low, the top up doesnt make you suddenly up there in income with someone on 30k 😂

Oh FFS.