To feel like I should feel comfortable on this salary?!

[Toomauuc]

My take home pay is 4,200. I am a single parent but I do get 600 maintenance which covers most of DD’s costs.

I just can’t afford anything. I am doing all I can but looking at holidays for summer with dd and it’s around 2k minimum for a week abroad, including flights and travel to airport and spending money, all in.

I know objectively I am in a highly paid role but it doesn’t feel like it. I spend most weeks very stressed and often working late as that is what is expected in my role. I used to feel so ambitious but feel like there’s no point anymore. AIBU to think I should feel comfortable on one of the higher paid salaries?

I guess it depends how high your mortgage/rent are- and other outgoings- as on the face of it that does seem like a good salary!

Objectively yes as lots of families survive on less with both parents working.

But if you have high mortgage costs, high bills etc then its understandable that your spare cash has been taken up with the increase in costs of everything else.

There is absolutely no point in another thread asking this question without you listing your outgoings. It’s tedious.

It all depends on your outgoings. I earn a fairly similar amount living in an area which can be pricey and am fine but I have no debt at all other than what I run up on credit cards. I book travel when there are deals on and save up over time.

I also manage to put a fair amount into pension and savings - I live well - eat out, travel, gigs, nice clothes etc.

i don’t mean to sound at all smug. I used to be awful with money so had to make changes. if I had a massive mortgage or car loan or paid for weight loss injections etc things would be very different.

This is purposeful rage bait

Unless your mortgage is about 3k a month you reqlly are doing something very wrong. 4800 a month?! Right.

Doesn't it all depends on your outgoings?

I get a lot less and I can afford to buy a play a tiny little violin for you.

well dh and I bring home 5500 between us. So lucky you hey?

Most people don’t go abroad for holidays. There are plenty of great holidays in the UK. Are you having takeaways? Buying branded food? Do you do your own cleaning? Do you have the heating on a lot?

£3k a month mortgage and 2 kids in nursery - you have no money. One 12 year old living in Grimsby you’ll be rolling in it?

Complete and utter nonsense!

It's all about outgoing, but yes absolutely you ought to be able to save on that salary and maintenance. £200 a month that's one holiday etc.

You need to start saving each month.

If you need budgeting advice you will need to share your outgoings.

And as people have said a million times, every single person needs to actually budget and ensure that their income covers all their outgoings

Well you need to list outgoings or it's pointless if you have a high mortgage, cars on finance, loads of debt and childcare costs then obviously your struggling if you have none of them things its plenty only you know your outgoings. We can't just guess

This times a thousand!
Do you have a paid off house? Or a 2k a month mortgage? Childcare?

I earn half that amount and have 2 holidays booked for us this year so struggling to see how you are unable to do so unless your outgoings are extortionate

I know what you mean about feeling there is no point to ambition anymore. I earn about the same and any step up from where I am is massive in responsibly for a measley pay difference. These roles used to be better paid and getting there would have guaranteed a certain lifestyle, which now feels out of reach, I would imagine even more so with only one salary.

Can't really comments without outgoings but you can absolutely get a decent week abroad for 2 people for less 2k.

What are your outgoings? Mortgage/rent/childcare are usually the killers.

Take home of £60k and your moaning? a week abroad does. it need to cost £2000, talk about living with blinkers on.

£4800 a month and you struggle? What? I'm guessing just a rage bait post again

I am on a lot less than you and would love more but am fine and have holidays etc.

We have been away loads in the last few post covid years for £500/person and less. I am very very sure I could sort a holiday for you for less than £2k.

Op you knew how this was going to go - you thought you’d feel well off at your level of salary? I think it’s a common theme.

Is that per week? Or per fortnight?

I'm a single parent on £1,300 a month less, and my ex contributes £500 less a month. Yet I pay mortgage, bills, all of ds' costs etc. I still manage a holiday too.

So you must be paying £1k more mortgage/rent, and an extra £800 a month on activities, food, bills etc. or similar. Do you eat out all the time? Do you live in London? Or Oxford? Edinburgh?