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?

Pensioner spending is not the biggest cost in where my taxes are spent . HMRC breakdown confirms welfare comes top and a separate category further down for pensioners .
I do agree though the younger generation are screwed because there’s so few working now to build up pension savings and state pension maybe be severely curtailed to only the very needy .

Il say it again, you have to earn over £980 a month if single, £1400 in a couple to get a UC top up on your wage. You cannot work only a few hours anymore

The system is flawed though, because if you work a few more hours, you might earn more money but yoir UC is deducted from more so people are no better off so they get trapped

Unless they can move from a 13k salary to a 23k which isn't an easy ask if you are in low wage work as thst means a totally different job

The couple rate has just gone up to nearly £1600.

Is it those with very high mortgages or rent plus nursery fees that have suddenly felt the cost of living the most?

I’d be interested to hear outgoings for those who earn 70/80k+ as that a lot more than we earn and we are comfortable.
We have a mortgage in the south east although not a huge one but are looking to upsize.

I also think our timing has been lucky as we’ve finished the huge nursery fees (2 under 2) times and working very part time - which was miserable as we had nothing. So we’ve lived frugally for years and as we’ve earned more it’s easier not to spend on luxuries.

Feelings of shame and inadequacy can be uncomfortable.

I remember watching that on the news in New Zealand. People in the UK walking away from houses they had bought and then couldn't afford when interest rates skyrocketed. Remember watching some people smashing them up. Also really bad unemployment in people that would normally be gainfully employed. Was bad here, but worse over thereI think.

100%. If working full time isn't enough to get by and means they need to be topped up with benefits, there essentially the taxpayer is subsidising the employer. But the business makes enough profits to pay dividends out, which aren't taxed anywhere near as much as wages. All these people rushing to blame benefit claimants when the real issue is greedy businesses.

Most working families these days can’t manage to save the £6,000 unfortunately 😭

Let’s introduce more taxation and legislation on these ‘greedy’ businesses and individuals, see if we can push the unemployment rate into the double figures.

@MidnightMeltdown ..I know there are people on mumsnet who have said this and I also know a couple of families where I live who rely soley on benefits with no intention of working. However,I have worked with many people in various sectors who work damn hard and due to not being paid enough for a full time role which can include nights,split shifts etc( are in receipt of UC). Once again we really should stop the bashing. But I don't expect that will happen.

Neither can most people on benefits.

Nope, we really must stop the relentless financial crippling of working people through taxation.

Not getting into a fight.No point.

Why bother working then, why bother starting a business? That’s exactly the point.

It's possible to do 2 things at once 🙄

Well, you don't get judged by people such as you if you are working. I know which I'd prefer. It really isn't nice having people think of you as nothing but dirt on their shoe, especially when circumstances can change in an instant.

Increasing taxes on shareholders dividends would impact the employment rate how exactly?

Are you joking?

No, do you have an answer?

YANBU OP
I'm perfectly comfortable and not feeling this strain but I see people on the treadmill running as fast and as hard as they can, and getting nowhere.
I predict loads of posters will come along saying shit like 'try living on benefits' blar, blar, blar. At least people on benefits have the luxury of free time and freetime IS a luxury.

My kids do get told no! But 2 years ago a football kit was £65.

and that’s my point we shouldn’t be living to work but working to live. You should be able to have nice things, you should be able to say yes to a day out without worrying about it. 2 weeks of school holidays could cost an extra £300-£400 if you are a family of 4 and want to do 2/3 days out with your kids that you don’t get to spend time with normally cos your trying to work all the hours god sends to make enough money to give them a nice life!!

I work 50-60 hours a week I make decent money but we are being ripped off. It should not cost £200 a week for a basic food shop, it should not cost £50 for a 2 hour trip the cinema.

Many work so don't have the luxury of free time. If you are looking after disabled kids what is a sit down etc? I am knackered.

Some people on benefits are genuinely unwell. I have two incurable cancers and have been forced to claim benefit’s. My “ free time “ is spent going backwards and forwards to the hospital having chemo, bloods, scans, and scan results. I spend my “ free time” trying to manage my pain, so I can function and do my day to day jobs.

Oh and many people on benefits do actually work, so might not have as much “ free time” as you think!

I really can’t believe I have to explain this but lower incentive to invest translates to less capital for business, fewer expansions, reduced international competitiveness, projects are cancelled as no longer profitable and there are fewer jobs. Businesses relocate, moving jobs abroad. Reducing small businesses take home pay reduces the number of small businesses or businesses started and the amount of money available to support other small businesses.

Anything you tax, shrinks and slows or eliminates growth. There is no big bad people out there who are forcing the Government to do this, not 8 year old prep school kids, not landlords, not farmers, not people earning over £100k a year or employers. All there is is an ever shrinking group of people supporting the lifestyles of an ever increasing group of people, these are ideological choices and it always always ends up the same.

And yet people are lambasting those previously working people that can.
Nobody acquired £6000 whilst on benefits it would be historical savings
As are the iPhones and the cars and any form of luxury clothing that people are wearing at the benefits office.