Are there any MN's out there that aren't like this?!

[MyLifeHasChanged]

Going on about Birkenstocks
Have a family inheritance
Private schools for kids
Saving loads for their Retirement or kids UNI

Yes we are all from different walks in life and that's what makes mums (or mumsnet) great!

I just feel I cannot relate to this site anymore!

Dh 2 wanted to go to university ( nowhere posh) and I admit it was tough helping him as he was only entitled to the bare minimum of help ( Dh was working then earned too much to get much in the way of any financial help for him beyond the minimum)
It was a hard three years and a big sacrifice. How people do it with more than one child I’ve no idea.
It puts a lot of strain on families.

Ditto. I’m younger but agree with the rest.

My first thought was I wouldn’t be seen dead in Birkenstocks 🤣

Amen. It's my view that immigration only screws the poor further. The first thing you learnt in economics is supply and demand. An unlimited supply of something means that demand is met and prices fall to rock bottom. A huge influx caused by the EU freedom of movement and wages stagnate...we leave the EU and wages rise. Then COVID, ai etc...soon the only jobs will be at the top end and at the bottom which one does immigration effect most?

But yes, the inability to discuss this as adults and other issues is frankly disgusting. I posted on FB this week that the energy suppliers are called for the government to sort out prices. Octopus made losses last year because of "reinvestment" but sit on £1.5 billion cash reserves. One of my oldest friends suggested in jest I was becoming a socialist like him. We can joke about politics and agree/disagree....but I've another friend who blocked me because I had a different view on Brexit....how fucking childish

I am none of these and am just back from the Co-op and Sainsbury's having bought a load of cut price food after 8pm.

Only one?

I am the first 2 only, no private school for kids and certainly not saving a massive amount!

Yes, I like a seasalt sandal on the other foot so that despite my lack of savings, inheritance etc, people will recognise me as a Mumsnetter 😉

For those who wouldn’t be seen dead in Birkenstocks, why? I personally find them exquisitely comfortable but they are hugely on trend in various styles. The youngsters are all over them!

😂

No inheritance. Local comprehensives for my kids - would never send them to private school. Comfortable in retirement (but not rich.) Wouldn’t be seen dead in Birkenstocks

Birkenstocks - yes, have had a few pairs over the years. I wear them when I feel like it.
Inheritance - yes c£60K from my aunt and due to get another c£75K part inheritance next year.
private school - no, DC went to selective catholic schools
DC got student loans, I contributed a little to living expenses
Retirement - saving hard, retiring soon (I'm 64), not a massive pension, pretty average I'd say, enough to live on.

It's all relative, I read about people on MN with a lot less and a lot more.

Just the saving for retirement which was achieved 5 years ago at 54.

Don’t you think the private school money would have been better spent saving for retirement? Or did you not personally pay fees?

We pay for private school, and have little saved for retirement. Poor decision? Probably. But I’d rather live on beans on toast every single day of my retirement than watch my ‘too neurodiverse for state school but not neurodiverse enough for specialist school’ children be miserable every single day, which is what happened before we moved them to private school.
They’re happy now so it’s worth every penny.

I’ve been wearing Birkenstocks for 30+years (not exclusively!) otherwise no.

I know what Birkenstocks are but they are not to my taste
No inheritance or private school here
I put 15% of my income into work pension currently but that has not always been the case
Both DC are paying back student loans but doing ok
Think I’m pretty average other than I’m long term single

I always imagine them in tweed jackets and Hunter wellies telling people to buck up. Like a cross between Lady Bracknell and Princess Anne.

I can’t relate to those things at the moment either.

Yes I've been here since 2010 when I first got pregnant, and it strikes me as mostly very comfortably middle class. I am somewhere in there (minimum wage earner but from fairly wealthy family) so I've had some inheritance and have no mortgage, which gives me good disposable money each month, but I can't relate to a lot of the experiences here.

None of them 🤣

My kids are in a state school that I'm more than happy with. My eldest has left school and is doing fabulously in his apprenticeship. My middle child will not be choosing to go to uni. Unsure about the youngest due to his age. We could support them if they wanted to attend uni but not by lots - we definitely couldn't pay their rent and their spending money.

Absolutely won't be receiving inheritance from mine or dh family.

I detest Birkenstocks. Think they look vile 😆

I have Turkenstocks which look like Birkenstocks but are much cheaper 😁. One of my sons won a scholarship but didn’t like it at the school so back to the local comp he went. I’ve never had or wanted a career just a job so have never had to try and impress with my ‘salary’. Same son went to Uni and has the debt which he pays back out of his very good salary. I inherited £1k 🤣 and lifelong CPTSD. My pension is laughable but do have lovely feet so feet pics here I come.

Only the inheritance bit, but not a country estate or similar. Don't most parents try to leave a bit to their kids if they can?

If you stay off threads about comfortable shoes, complaints about VAT on private schools and moans about people not leaving them as much money as they think they should be entitled to, then you'll get a more balanced view of the user demographic.
Lots of people from all walks of life worry about retirement and the costs of uni so that might be harder to avoid.

I know what Birkenstocks are but they're not for me.
Decent inheritance
No kids, private school or otherwise.
I haven't the income to stockpile but I do have assets and an inheritance.

I think there's quite a good balance here. The only thing I've noticed is some posters who come from wealth will assume you're in the south. So are surprised at when I mention a price of something, or that I 'only' have X amount in savings. I think that's a lack of theory of mind of some people, rather than associated only with the wealthy. I absolutely can imagine the lives of folk who aren't me, wealth (or lack of) related or not. Some seem to lack this ability!

I love birkenstocks (have since I was a teenager!) but I am a single parent and also can't relate to the private school stuff. Or indeed the angst over setting your kids up for life. I really support their education and other stuff (sport etc) but not bunging your kids a load of cash.