AIBU to think many Mumsnet posters seem to be high earners?

[Jane143]

AIBU to think that the majority of people on MN seem to be high earners? As a guide, income over £60k? Most people I know in real life earn closer to average wage which I think is around £35k

I also think people on more modest salaries are likely to either be doing practical stuff or not be allowed to use their phone or Internet during work time, so wont contribute to the conversation
Lots of MN also seem to wfh, are super productive and can do all their work in 2 or 3 hours a day! I dont know anyone who does that irl

YANBU. It's the same on other sites like Reddit where everyone seems to be in software or finance and on six figures. It's either bullshit or the site attracts higher earners. I think more likely bullshit and those of us on more normal incomes are less likely to mention it.

For some sanity, I have 2 degrees and am on ~£35,000 pa, which is considered good going in my industry.

Actually I think the high earnings and the SEN are linked.

I didn't know anyone with SEN. Until I moved to a wealthier middle class area with a choice of Excellent schools. All of a sudden loads of kids with SEN and excellent educational plans to help.

I strongly believe the link is that in my new area schools have more time, money and resources to support families. Many Mums are SAH and give their time to support the school and specifically their children. Many have given up hours to working their way through the system to get their children the support they need.

In short SEN is equal everywhere. But where there is money and time those kids get recognized and supported. Where there is no time and money they are labelled as trouble makers and left to muddle through the best they can.

I dislike this inequality immensly.

I don’t get this at all… people always claim high earners on here are bullshitting but:

a) why would you lie about your income to a bunch of randoms on the internet? Its not like they know you
b) why do people struggle to believe that there are higher earners on here? You know there are higher paid people in the UK: why can’t they be on Mumsnet?

I’ve noticed this too. I’m nearing the end of my working life earning just around the uk average, and a few times I’ve felt like a huge under achieving person when it seems so many people consider 60k plus not great. Hopefully I’ve given my employers good value, done a good job, and been a decent colleague since I started work at 18. I never discuss salary with friends so I’m clueless really and was a bit shocked reading so many high earners on here. Good for them but it definitely struck me!

I suppose some probably are, I am sure there are all sorts on here. However I am also sure lots are projecting a fantasy at times.

What’s worthwhile though? We live in a capitalist society and the market values (financially) some things more than others. Why should someone who earns more do anymore than people who are paid less do?

Its just that topics tend to bring out issues relating to either very low earnings (e.g. help im struggling to survive/access benefits) and those which invite input from higher earners (e.g.who else here earning 90k feels they aren't very rich?). There's a lot of tone deaf 'i earn 80k and dont class that as high earner' comments though. Definitely a contingent of people who dont understand that by definition if you earn more than double the average UK income you are objectively a high earner. How wealthy you feel isnt the point...you are still a high earner.

This with bells on! The amount of threads where women are putting up with the most godawful behaviour from their partners and ask if they are being unreasonable is insane to me!
I find it much easier to believe someone earns six figures…

Why would someone say they were a high earner if they were not? Maybe they are living in a delusional fantasy world, or they might be a pathological liar or they might be just simply stupid.

There are many people like that in the world and there are many people who are none of those things and actually are high earners. They do exist and they do use MN just as every demographic of society uses it.

I do notice that there is a level of skepticism and distrust of anyone that claims to have a positive life experience on MN.

People in higher paid jobs tend to have more autonomy and flexibility so can post online during the day. Lower paid workers tend to be heavily monitored and prevented from using phone at work, and on specific breaks at specific times, so you don’t get them posting as much during the day. People on higher incomes are also more likely to have cleaners and nannies so have more free time for posting instead of doing chores. So yeah I think there are probably more higher earners on here than the average population.

The gigantic majority of the population in average and low paid jobs/?

I find that people suggest the most expensive things- £1000 dresses for a wedding guest, £400 for a cardigan etc which makes me think they must earn loads if that’s their ballpark!? Our household income is high comparatively but I buy everything on vinted! Equally though the fact that those brands exist and survive means people ARE buying them so why not mumsnetters?! How lovely for us that only a tiny % of earners hit 150k+ and they’re all here!

I agree and I think there’s also quite a lot of misogyny in this assumption as well. As in people can’t believe a woman can earn a high salary.

Surely you know the top 10% of Income Tax payers already contribute around 60% of all Income Tax. Higher earners are already carrying a hugely disproportionate share of the burden.

Agree with this. I just got called 'downstairs' to have a word with someone about having their phone on them during working hours.

Now I'm back in my office replying to you while I drink my brew. They are on minimum wage. I am on more as I have a comfy chair and a PC and a desk. They are definitely working harder than me right now.

I find the opposite, it feels like a race to the bottom. Anyone who suggests dealing with an issue by paying money for a service or product is shut down for being insensitive to low earners. I've often been afraid to post something for fear that posters will latch onto the fact I'm financially comfortable and make it all about that instead of the actual issue.

It really depends on which threads you read.

The 10% of income taxpayers with the largest incomes contribute over 60% of income tax receipts

This has been debated on here a lot and honestly I don’t think they’re lying like you say what would be the point? Plus threads about private school can run to 1000 posts and it’s a really hot topic on here when irl it only affects a small number of families.

Yes there are benefits threads too but they usually only get a handful of comments and if they do blow up it’s to flame the op for “scrounging”

I believe mumsnet does just genuinely skew richer tbh

What is "earning".
Some of us inherited, darling.

The top 0.1% of earners pay more income tax in total than the whole bottom 50%.

Often the owners will be high earners, but others will have inherited money or property or have merely benefited from the extraordinary inflation in house prices. I know a retired dinner lady who lives in a £600,000 house.

Good.

And you dont find that gross?? And thats including the tax avoidance they will be paying for. it should be so much more.

A far higher than average number at least say they are.

And they seem to have pots and pots of savings.

Who knows if it’s true!