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?

We don’t, tbh. Have property and DHs classic car collection but no cash.

Surely it depends on your age and circumstances. I’ve got a little (that could easily be wiped out by a household emergency or needing to buy a new car etc). A 25 year old paying rent in London, and in a relatively low paid job, not a chance could they save right at the moment.

It is very clear who you are referring to, don't worry.

Of course you understand. Your just being a sanctimonious arse.

At what age op? Because all most people have in their 20s is debts and maybe a mortgage. At 50 they might have much more than just 10k. Doesn’t it depend?

Those bloody poors!

We live and rent in a very expensive area. Both have professional jobs but with two kids in university we literally have an about a tenner the day before payday. I was ten times better off in my twenties than I am now in my late forties.
So happy for you that you can judge others and their financial situations.

I was just thinking the same. OP if you really can’t conceive of circumstances where a person has never been in a position to save, think yourself bloody lucky.

I don’t, I’m not claiming to know the full detail of anyone’s situation. I’m just talking more generally about attitudes towards having some form of buffer over time, rather than specific individual circumstances.

This. Have a biscuit.

i get this though. Forget poor people, people in the poverty line whose salary runs out before payday.

what about the sizable amount of the population who are completely reliant on employment/ wages to survive?

If you save even £10k, what does it do, keep your head above water for 3/4 months of unemployment?
It’s great to have a 3 month buffer but it’s not actually a very strong safety net. People over estimate how important this is and over estimate how much it will help if the worst happens.

I also find poor people hard to understand, like, why don't they just get more money?

Maybe just be grateful that you don't understand how some people don't have any savings makes you look ignorant though

You are so out of touch with how many people’s lives go

i mean yes there are people who could save , who I think should save , and won’t

but there are also a lot of people who have never been in a position to save

So you said “even £100”

what’s the point in saving £100? It’s nothing. It’s not getting you out of any hole

Some people lack savings.

Others lack intelligence, critical thinking and the ability see why things are different gor others.

Congrats on your savings but they won't compensate for other deficits.

Hiding this thread. How lucky you are op.

.

Obviously they should just take in some ironing.

I retract my earlier statement. We are meant to get wound up over stupid poor people, and how we are better than them.

I’m not shocked by those households that have young kids and high childcare bills, or are lower earners, as the COL crisis will have eroded any savings they had, or when people have just moved house etc etc. Those times in your life can take every penny you have (and more).

I am surprised when it’s middle and upper earning single adults or couples with no children yet. They’re in a prime position to be able to save (even £10 a month) and yet some don’t. My husband was never a saver. He always assumed he would get a pay rise and that would solve everything. Some people have that mentality. I’ve always tried to save even a little bit and was very surprised when I met him and we first discussed finances. He saw his overdraft as his money to spend! Not as a safety net. My mind boggled at his attitude.

lol

Who says I don’t feel uncomfortable not having savings? I don’t do it just because, I simply never have enough leftover.

Yes, I think age plays a part. I wouldn’t expect someone in their early 20s to have much at all. I was more thinking about people a bit further on who don’t tend to have any kind of buffer over time.

I am lucky enough to have savings but also sufficiently aware of the fact that not everyone is fortunate enough to have money left over to save after covering their essential costs. How can you not know this?

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

Nah, just too goady and too obvious.