AIBU to feel deflated after payday despite a decent salary?

[Wtfisisfor]

Do you ever just get paid and think seriously is this it… I got paid this morning 3100 was put into my account, I transferred 1400 to the joint for bills and household expenses. And I’m left with the rest, but when I look at it, I just think, is this it? Anyone else? Just feeling a bit defeated today! I know to some people this is a lot of money. But these days it really doesn’t feel like it. Come and join for a moan

Definitely not being unreasonable.

There is still the mindset that anything over 50K is a high wage. In reality, inflation has eroded wages to the point that most people are struggling even those on traditionally ‘high’ salaries.

Its great if you have wealth and assests but not so much if you are depending on a wage to get ahead.

Meanwhile CEO pay is at record high and more wealth is concentrated in fewer hands. And a billionaire president is causing global financial chaos with a rogue war. The plan is working!

My half of the joint bills is £3250. I’m left with about £1k for saving and spends. I save around £500 of that and still feel I am lucky not to have to scrimp. I think £1.7K is fine as disposible income!

So you can pay all your bills, save £700 a month and still have £1000 left over (as well as a partner that also works) I cant relate to this at all. I wish I could

Wow student loan seems a lot ?

What is your take home salary each month? What company benefits do you receive? How much do you pay into your pension each month?

If you think that’s bad - I lose ~£25k of childcare help for earning over the threshold, and need to earn £55k OVER the threshold to recoup that (half of which is taxed at 62%).

So I take home £0 extra between £100-155k.

Truly insane.

I think if you can save 700 a month that's pretty amazing. I'm 51, have two teens, debts and no savings or possibility currently of saving and no hope of ever earning any more.

I earned an extra £250 this month and £100 of it went... I was feeling miffed until I saw this 😳. In your position I'd probably be under my bed weeping.

I feel like it’s perhaps not the money that is the issue, but more of a general life feeling of ‘is this really my lot for the rest of my life?’ It’s the monotony of getting a specific amount of money and being limited to that budget, whether that is small or not. While earning decently it’s not like you can just throw your hands in the ear, should ‘fuck it’ and swan off doing whatever. You need to work. You have bills and responsibilities. And it’s monotonous.

I am in a similar position, but I don’t really pay attention to the money in a bad way. I realise I am fortunate and can do whatever (within reason- I’m not going to the Savoy as others mentioned!) like having a nice lunch out, getting my daughter a toy, bowling or playing a fair game etc.

When I found myself feeling a bit meh about the monotony of life, I decided to embark on a new hobby I’ve always thought of doing. It’s a bit expensive but doable (ice skating) and makes me so happy.

I think you are just a bit meh about the routine of life OP. You have extra funds- go find something fun for you to do, that’s only for you. Carve out that time for yourself and find some fun in life and you might not focus on the money anymore.

I think I earn much less than you (I'm not in 50% tax bracket) but there's not too much difference between our 'spare' money situation, so I actually do feel for you there. It makes me wonder about my next career step and whether it would pay me what I think it will

For those saying it’s not a race to the bottom…. If the OP was saying their take home was £3,100 per month, but after all essential bills were paid and only had £100 left, people would have a lot more sympathy. To have left over close to what some people take home as their full time salary before bills is like complaining your diamond shoes are too tight.

My take home is £2k per month. I’m 46 and work full-time. We have 3 children. My husband is on very slightly more than me (he’s on £40k per year, not sure what his monthly take home is as we both pay a set amount into a joint account for bills). In the last 20 years, we have had one holiday abroad - and that was because we were gifted £5k from my parents after my grandmother died and they wanted us to have a family holiday. For a number of years I was also working a second job in the evenings, and running an Avon business too.

The comments on this thread about how hard people work for their extremely high salaries is really fucking insulting. I don’t doubt you work hard. But do you really, honestly think you work HARDER than people on much lower salaries? You aren’t being paid that for how hard you work. You are being paid that for your experience & expertise, for your intelligence & knowledge. Not because you work harder. I would genuinely love to have the “problem” of earning so much I lose my personal allowance and pay more tax. Because despite paying more tax, I’d be significantly better off than I am right now.

Out of curiosity, how much leftover per month would make you happy? Isn’t the general rule of thumb you want a third of your salary to be “fun money”? You have more than that leftover…

I feel deflated after pay day because I'm not able to save anything. I also work hard. Minging thread.

I got less than £1700 and have mortgage and bills to pay. It’s shit

People on lower salaries work hard and face financial stress every single month. That's deflating. Not having half of your very good salary left to piss about with however you want. This whole thread is nauseating.

I feel deflated as yet again my expenses haven’t gone in. £300 missing that I’m sure I’ll get next month as it does look like it’s signed off but this dates back to December. I have to ask my manager multiple times to authorise because she forgets. It’s like I have to beg for money I’m entitled to and not allowed to be pissed off when it doesn’t come through in my salary in time. I like her but her admin stinks and her attitude to money is very much one of someone who has zero money worries.

Yep, I feel you!

Disheartening to say the least.

How much would you feel was a good salary to have left over after bills OP ?
What is your job ?

I was made redundant in Sept. I thankfully am working now, but on a much lower salary.
I am a lone parent, receive less than you and am dipping into my savings every month.
It has been very humbling and pretty worrying.
You need to be thankful you have the level of security you have. I suggest you save, save, save but you really never know what might happen.

Really?
Thats all we should aspire to? Scraping by?

As I'm now retired I don't think that applies to me, furthermore I didn't have the skills or knowledge to work in that sort of job. I know that I did a good job, doing the sort of work that I enjoyed , I'm merely pointing out that public sector workers aren't all on huge salaries and don't get bonuses. Many of us provide essential services under very difficult circumstances, then we get told we have it cushy.

Grateful?! We’re not just getting it given from the government or charity. We’re earning it.

Spot on, particularly your third paragraph. It can't go on like this. Tax on company profits, dividends etc should be much higher than earned income tax.

There needs to be a revolution.

This! Yes! Thank you

Because she earns a massive salary.

My DP were farmers so income is hard to decifer. However, my uncle was a bus driver and aunt did a tea-time shift in a small hotel. She only worked a couple of hours as and when. They had four DC and owned their own home in the Lake District (house prices there are eye-watering now). All four of their DC moved away for college and never went back. There's no way they could have afford to live where their parents do, despite being teachers, nurses, etc.
I doubt any family with four DC could live anywhere now with one average job and DM working a few hours.