Instagram spending v Reality

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Is it just me, or is there an increasingly bizarre disconnect between Instagram and real life when it comes to money?

I’m not talking about the super-rich influencers living in Dubai or those leading ridiculously extravagant lifestyles. I’m talking about the seemingly ordinary UK Instamums. The ones who present themselves as relatable, everyday women with children, houses and normal family lives.

Yet the spending is absolutely relentless.
Every school holiday seems to involve another trip abroad, there’s a constant stream of new clothes, beauty treatments, homeware, Today I watched someone buying a Chinese takeaway from Harrods 😂
I know some people earn very good money. I know some have family wealth, and I appreciate that gifted products and advertising play a part. But surely this level of constant consumption can’t be normal?
The cost of living, for households on what would be considered very healthy incomes is having a huge impact now.
Yet on Instagram it’s as though none of this is happening.
Is there genuinely a whole section of society with this much disposable income that I’m completely oblivious to?
Does anyone else find it increasingly out of touch, or have I just ended up following a particularly vapid corner of Instagram and need to delete?

And that's before you even take into account the holidays every half term.

I don't have anyone in particular in mind no. This is a common theme amongst people (wannabe influences) as far as I can tell. SAHM/ part time working mum, around the house a lot, husband with a regular job, and apparently spending all her spare time in home bargins and TU clothing. In between of course buying new seasonal decor from the Hinch range every 2 months, and flying off on "bargin" family holidays in every single school holiday.

Most of them are probably getting freebies as they are giving the companies free advertising.

£1600 is nearly my entire wage

It’s not just influencers OP - in the ‘new directions’ section in woman and home it’s nearly always some posh bint in Surrey with a nice little hussle teaming up with their similar friend and making a big deal of making £30k a year - I can only conclude H or partner has a ‘big job’ or inheritance money involved.

You are being ridiculous and totally disingenuous. £850 a month on clothing alone is quite clearly far from the means of most adults in the UK.

30k a year, from home with no childcare or commuting costs and part time hours is a pretty good income though, no need to throw around insults with your “posh bint” comment either.

Sure, but it's about £2k take home, give or take. That's £500 a week assuming not a single other expense (which seems unlikely unless the husband is a very high earner).

Who are you talking about that spends £1600 a month on clothes? I don’t know why I’m being asked to explain some specific influencer?! 🤣

but yes some people put £1600 a month into their pension, some people have mortgages of £3k a month, some pay £1k on a car lease. They’re all expensive choices, but I’ve never really stopped to wonder how they got the money.

i know we’re not talking about the Becca blooms of the world but at the same time, someone who opens b&m hauls on TikTok isn’t automatically an “influencer”

I am not talking about someone in particular. There are lots of these insta mums who regularly post huge clothing hauls with 5-10 items.

The issue isn't 1600 on clothes alone. As I said, it's the cumulative affect. It's 1600 on clothes, a nice spacious and well decorated house, the holidays, the days out, etc. Apparently on a "regular" wage.

You are getting awfully defensive about this, are you worried I am talking about you?

Yes I am so worried you’re talking about me. You got me

Well, I might be. Tbh I couldnt' distinguish one from another, there seems to be about a million mid 30s women doing pretty much the same thing and they somehow land in my algorithm. I don't really pay them much attention, as it's boring, but I just agree with the OP based on what I've seen.

I recommend the book Yesteryear. It’s about an influencer mum in the states who is trying to claim she’s a tradwife but her whole life is built on deception. It’s a psychological thriller and I loved it.

Basically they’re all living in lala land. Some are obscenely rich, some are not and rack up tonnes of debt through BNPL. It’s all a bit pathetic. I have seen some who spend hundreds in shops like Home Bargains or B&M and it’s just pure tat. A £30 giant Christmas bell for example, absolutely hideous to look at and no doubt will be used for one Christmas then never again. So much waste.