To be shocked when adults have absolutely no savings at all?

[ThisJollyReader]

I’m going to be honest, I find it quite hard to understand when adults have no savings at all. Not even £100 put away. I’m not talking about people going through a temporary rough patch but just having nothing set aside whatsoever. Personally, I try to keep around £10k as a buffer (I know everyone’s situation is different), but even putting that aside, I would still feel uncomfortable having nothing at all.

AIBU to feel like having at least something put away is important or am I being too harsh?

DH and I moved nations (to here).

I am very respectful of anyone who has been brave enough to migrate to find a better life. I did so, at 24 when I married an American, for love. It took three months living in his teenage bedroom with his parents before I had found a decent professional job and a flat and moved us out. He wasn't as competent at life, so we are not a couple now.

This is such a goady thread. And during war and cost of living crisis as well!

Yes, sometimes you have to make massive moves for work!

If you can afford it, of course. How can you move if you don't have the money to move in the first place? Or even the money for a deposit/bond if we are talking private rentals?

Have you heard of the squeezed middle? High enough income to get no help but not enough to have any left at the end of the month?

It is understandable to move for a career job... that is going to be the start of something great. You move there, put down roots, work your way up.

Fuck moving for a zero hour job. No one does that.

Very true.

@Kirbert2 IME, people use credit cards, overdrafts, ask family to help them out, etc. because if it’s a good opportunity, it’s worth it.

You apply for jobs in the new area first: once you’ve secured something decent, you do whatever’s necessary to get yourself there. I’ve moved on my overdraft before and I know people who’ve lived in lodgings/Airbnbs until they could raise a deposit.

If there’s nothing in your area, how’s your situation ever going to change if you don’t move where the work is?

Like you said, cost of moving is a lot too.

My DP was served an eviction notice so had to move. With the cost of removals, deposits on his new place etc.... it was over £2k.

Unless you have an actual good job lined up (not a zero hour one, or even a FT NMW one), you are not going to be forking out that much to move. And if you are jobless and looking, where are you going to get £2k from?

My DC, an apprentice on NMW in the SE, in a house share that costs £1000 per month in rent, gets by only because his parents can afford to subsidise the cost. Not eligible for a ha'penny of UC support. Young, single and yes, he's capable of coping. It would be worse for a young family with small kids, but then, you need to ask whether the parents should have them.

Sorry @JHound don't think there should be any support for young single people without life-compromising physical disabilities.

So you are shocked that some people barely earn enough to make ends meet? You are shocked that not everyone earns enough to pay for everything and have money left over to put into savings? You need to learn about the various incomes that jobs pay, and about the cost of living, OP.

Yes, life can be hard for many people. But l do not feel sympathy for families
who say they are always broke and in debt..

But live off, Deliveroo take aways, have massive hair extensions, daily nail manicures, head to toe tattoos, live in the local pub and only use taxis to travel about in

My heart bleeds fif them!
Boo boo !

I suppose it depends if credit cards, overdrafts and family are an option because that isn't always the case. If you have a history of bad credit, you already live in your overdraft at the end of the month and your family also don't have much money then it is going to be very difficult.

I think support should be time limited. Like there should be an onus for individuals to manage their own bills and finances.

Exactly.

I certainly wouldn't be able to magic anything like £2k up no matter how good the job opportunity. I simply don't have it.

Oh well. I was stalked in 2018 to 19. I was suicidal. I was told I was fit to work at that point. I was told I was fit to work when I broke my shoulder. I was told I was fit to would after a triple leg fracture

I would probably be dead right now if I hadn't eventually got disabilitiy benefits for a short time

Anyone who thinks benefits should only be given to people who are disabled can get in the effing bin and stay there - and don't dare shame people for having kids either.

I would have lost my home if not for UC on more than one point in my life - and it would have cost the taxpayer a lot more to rehouse me

Rubbish. That's not my life. Benefit basher

The people most vocal and vitriolic about benefits and the people who claim them have never found themselves in the position they need them.
They talk from a place of privilege, but they will never admit it. They just blame people like you and me for our lot in life... that it is our fault we have relied on the welfare system.

I do know families on benefits, not working who just splurge on takeaway and just get it delivered.

And?
I am on benefits, and I have not signed anything to say I can not spend it on takeaways.
Once the money is in your account, you can spend it however you like.

Do you now find it hard to understand ???.
Let me break it down there for you a small bit 🙄.
Having 1 or more children in college with younger children at home also .
Childcare costs , weekly activities for children .
Clothes , shoes , Electricity, heating .Food . Oh , look at me forgetting to mention MORTGAGES & CAR PAYMENTS !!!!
Does that make it any easier for you to understand 🤯..

Why don't they cook? They aren't disabled and unabled to cook. They are unwilling.

Again the taxpayer has every right to complain about how their money is spent. I'd have sympathy if the money was spent on groceries than every single meal as a takeaway.

Why does anyone get a takeaway?
Do you ever get a takeaway? If so, why?