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?

It’s actually none of your business what people spend their money on, whether it’s from the taxpayer or not. I am sure the poster you quoted doesn’t have 16k in savings.

Like another poster said you are misguided and short sighted. Lower income families going into debt is not the answer. I am not sure you really understand the basics of economics - qualifying for a mortgage doesn’t mean you can afford to take on another big debt.

And when I need to pay for something similar I will be using the UC. What is the difference? Savings for emergencys is a good thing. Even the government encourages it with the help to save accounts. Might start using that soon.

While I don’t disagree that there is enormous wealth inequality in this country and that people are finding things difficult there are things that no one takes into consideration. Firstly the 2008 financial crisis caused by the banks and financial institutions which is still causing ripples today. Second Covid which we were woefully ill prepared for and is still causing ripples today. Thirdly reality. Governments cannot fix everything and often the things they can fix take years and substantial investment all missing in this country during austerity. Finally the old it was more difficult in my day argument. My parents lived in a caravan until they could afford a house. Going out for meals when I grew up was unheard of - and this is generally, not just us. My parents both worked in white collar jobs. We saved up for several years to afford to put central heating in! When I bought a house holidays new clothes etc were off the agenda particularly when interest rates hit 18%. I had only second hand furniture until I was in my forties. We shouldn’t want to go backwards certainly but neither is it guaranteed that the world we live in will always enable us to go forwards.

No I don't! If only!

This is Truth for most people.

While those at the very top with millions in the bank pay very little and shout angrily every time it is rightfully suggested they contribute more in taxes.

I think the issue lies in your expectations.

I work full-time. Self-employed. Only earn around 40K but no mortgage.

I come from poverty and my current standard of living is OK. Not lavish. Nothing like most on here expect. Slightly larger than average terraced house. Old car, no finance. Don't have annual holidays. I could afford one if I wanted but I've been there, done that and they're frequently not good, money pissed up the wall in fact. I'm not particularly driven by new clothes. Could have them if I wanted.

No judgement from me about those wanting a more lavish life. More power to you. But I think the expectation of a 'better' life and not being able to afford is it the key here. I have a worse life (I'm sure that would be the general perception) but to me, being able to afford my bills, not struggling financially, is good.

Presumably you only work full-time during term though? So realistically you're part-time if you average your working hours (and therefore salary) across the full year. I don't think it's surprising in that case that you can't provide for a family of 5 without state support.

I said "I would like a holiday" not that I deserve one but thank you for your input

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We didn't have kids for a long time because we wanted to pay off our cars, have a (mortgaged) home rather than the worry of renting, we had savings and both work FT. After having our kids the COL erupted at great speed, our fixed rate mortgage ended and the rates had gone way up, we ended up in debt due to medical / household repairs. All unforseen things that happened in a very short timeframe. We planned, we worked, we had a buffer but it all crashed at the same time.

Well, even Thatcher's government recognised the need to allow people to have a certain amount of savings. In 1980 the limit was set at £2000 (£8,695.32 in today's money) with no deductions off benefit.

What it comes down to is honest people aren't winning in the UK whether in work or on benefits. Dishonest and very rich people are winning and there's no accountability for failure.

Post office scandal sort of sums it up - normal ordinary honest subpostmasters had their money stolen from them often at great personal cost (for some of them, their lives, some of them sent to prison for the failure of the ruling classes) and STILL not all of them paid back and no prison for those responsible.

Corruption in the UK is absolutely rife, there is no consequence for those failing to do their job in the public sector (or private often, but the public sector is the worst IMO). The Post Office Scandal at least had some sunlight, but even then nothing has happened in terms of accountability. It's a story that is repeated everywhere. There needs to be a drastic change. Unfortunately that might end up being Reform.

I'm not saying it's my business what people spend their money on nor am I saying that the poster has 16k.

I'm saying that it's wrong that people are allowed up to 16k in savings, if they have even a quarter of that money, they are not poor and shouldn't be getting topped up by the tax payer. End of.

I'm literally responding to the OP about how we have nothing spare at the end of the month. I'm not stupid, I understand where our £ is going every month, it's obviously not a surprise. This is an online forum and I'm responding to an OP with my experience, I'm not sure why you're so obsessed with explaining my own situation back to me?

Actually it does. I only earn about 550 a month due to a disability so get benefits. I can't afford food and the council tax has become unaffordable. I think people have a skewed view of how much most people get in benefits. I get 1200 a month. Rent is 700 and council tax is 200. Once my gas and water and electric has come out of that I'm about - 50. That's before I've bought any food, paid for anything for my son, phone bill, Internet, sewerage rates, travel for work etc. I am literally drowning every month so not sure why people think being on benefits means you don't have to worry about bills. We still have to pay them!!!!

Yes I agree.

It's the fact that they allow people to have to up to 16k in savings and then collect benefits from the tax payer when they have more than enough to fund themselves, is what I have the issue with. I have no issues with people claiming benefits who need it, if they have even a quarter of 16k, they still aren't poor.

Exactly! Christ all these posters talking about how it's our fault for planning our lives badly and feeling entitled to holidays - our mortgage literally went up by £500 per month, our weekly shop has doubled since 2022, and our wages haven't kept up. Also the cost of doing work (basic!) on our house has sky rocketed too so keeping the house maintained sucks up any spare cash

When people are struggling despite doing everything they're supposed to do - work hard, behave honestly, pay their bills - what's the temptation?

E.g. the council here has imposed a lot of hurdles to jump through and arguably non-GDPR compliant requests for personal info to go to the tip and dump waste, which some of the most vulnerable (e.g. my parents, who can't use a computer) can't do. Result, lots more flytipping. To be clear, my parents haven't flytipped. However their house is full of junk they can't get rid of. Eventually I'll do it but I don't have the time right now and they live very far away.

A certain amount, yes. Up to 16k is absolutely crazy.

And yet you get people saying 16K is not enough.

Do you think peoole on universal credit hsve never worked?
Some work full time and still need the top up.
I dont work now becsuse my son is severely autistic,hes 16 in may but functions at around 2/3 years
Im not exactly living the dream.

I am not sure whether I will be as when qualified I a only on a band 5 nhs salary. With other costs I am not sure if it will be worth it. I will see what the situation is when I am finished.

But plat the moment putting my 3 kids in to holiday clubs costs more than what I earn after tax. I wouldn't have these costs if I wasn't working.

It feels like the middle keeps getting hit while people on benefits and pensions keep getting more support and increases. It doesn’t feel fair.

My nan was a working-class woman, a shop worker, and she jokes about how much money she has and all the extra payments she gets (warm house discount, etc)

Benefits needs to be means-tested more...I know the middle will be hit again to pay for this energy crisis.

We have about a 40% higher household income than we did 10 years ago due to being at the peak of our careers now. We’ve got children and we did struggle then as we were just above the threshold for top up benefits and blended family which makes financiers extra stretched. Now we’re even more stretched despite being professionals at the top of our pay bands, promotions, etc. Everything seems to have at least doubled in price and the mortgage interest rates have gone up, trying to look at what else we can cut back

It's £4.35 per £250 or part thereof. So £1000 over the limit is £17.40 per month. Nearing £16,000 savings they'd be down £174 a month. Bearing in mind for a single person basic UC is only around £400 a month.

Anyway, the point is they are expected to top up from their savings which is fair enough.

But most claimants have nothing like 16k savings! It's not really possible to save like that on benefits. So this really applies to people who were working (thus able to save) but through some misfortune lost their job. They are already likely to have costs not covered by benefits (eg. mortgages or subscriptions/bills that can just be instantly cancelled) so will need to use their savings alongside any UC they are entitled to whilst they get back on their feet.

I hope this happens to you so you can get a full understanding of how it works.

Agree. These days £16k in savings is doing pretty well. Threshold needs to be lowered.