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Original poster

People saving money during coronavirus

58 replies

Miamarshmallows · 14/12/2020 18:00

DP is in this position as is one of my friends. Both extremely high earners and both can wfh. Jobs are both very secure and also been lucky enough to not get ill or watch anyone close to them die from the virus. Both made huge savings throughout this time.
Surprises me how many people are bitter about this. Yes they may be lucky now but we all go through trials in life and I don't think anybody has had it easy in anyway throughout this.

OP posts:
Itisasecret · 14/12/2020 18:55

Read the room. This post is incredibly arrogant. I say that as someone whose husband earns a significant amount of money and we too, have saved lots.

Not the point though is it? Many have and will suffer significantly. Your post is atrocious and I can only think it is intentionally worded to upset and goad.

Hunnihun2 · 14/12/2020 18:58

I’m not sure why you have made a post to state this OP? If people are around you are coming across bitter maybe you come across as though you are bragging when they are less fortunate.

Mustbe3ormorecharacters · 14/12/2020 18:59

I’m in the same position as your DP and his friend so are my colleagues. My “wealth management advisor” (banker) is constantly on the phone trying to get me to invest. I know I’m lucky and I know others aren’t.

unfortunateevents · 14/12/2020 19:03

Seriously? What a distasteful, pointless post. DH is probably in the same position as your DP, and both I and our two DC have worked during the pandemic. I doubt it has occurred to our family or friends to be bitter because they are too busy with their own lives to start figuring how much money we might be saving! The only way anyone knows your financial situation is if you talk about it - and why would it be necessary to do that?!

UnseenDoreen · 14/12/2020 19:03

This poster @Miamarshmallows often likes to post goady controversial statements that intend to wind people up without saying anything.

Remember the one about her "friend" baking a cake with her partner and good old Mia was going to report them.

Pathetic.

WhatWouldYouDoWhatWouldJesusDo · 14/12/2020 19:08

We aren't rich by any stretch but we've saved around 8 grand more than we usually would.......at what cost tho ? No holidays, no meals out, family birthdays alone and going to Aldi is the highlight of my week.

Town is full of boarded up shops and I know more people who have killed themselves as a.result of covids impact on their job (( well lack of job ))

No live theatre, no cinema, out tiny, independent art deco cinema is on the verge of closure.

DS and I are high risk, so it is what it is and will be for a while for us yet. It's all well and good saving money but look at the bigger picture and it's a poison chalice.

Ideasplease322 · 14/12/2020 19:08

It has been difficult for many people for different reasons.

There is almost a competitiveness around it.

Yes I have saved money and am really lucky to wfh. But, i have had covid which was awful and I live alone so I have felt very lonely and isolated. I haven’t seen my parents in months.

Let’s stop sneering at each other and be a bit more supportive

ByTheSea · 14/12/2020 19:09

We have been very lucky to both save on commuting costs and WFH. That said, I have spent loads more that I would normally have supporting local businesses, food banks, cultural and music venues and artists during this time.

blue25 · 14/12/2020 19:10

We’ve saved loads of money, but we don’t actually mention it to anyone. I don’t think anyone’s really interested anyway.

ByTheSea · 14/12/2020 19:14

Responded before I read other replies. Didn't mean to come off as boastful, know how lucky we are, and would rather everyone be healthy and working if they desire. DH and I have been very unlucky with our health during this whole time and money certainly can't buy that.

Original poster
Miamarshmallows · 14/12/2020 19:16

Oh for christs sake, this place is ridiculous at times.
I started the thread because it's in the media and this is a forum so I wanted to discuss it.
I am not personally benefiting as do not live with my partner and was made redundant myself.
I step away from any thread which starts getting catty or nasty as I have better things to do then argue with strangers on the Internet. Especially those who seem to get turned on by being nasty. I simply will not engage in it. My energies are best placed elsewhere.

OP posts:
Waxonwaxoff0 · 14/12/2020 19:25

Who is bitter?

I couldn't care less about who is saving money. What pisses me off is people who have safe jobs shouting for further lockdowns and going on about how amazing it is to spend more "quality time" as a family and loving the "slower pace of life".

Sobeyondthehills · 14/12/2020 19:26

@Miamarshmallows

DP is in this position as is one of my friends. Both extremely high earners and both can wfh. Jobs are both very secure and also been lucky enough to not get ill or watch anyone close to them die from the virus. Both made huge savings throughout this time. Surprises me how many people are bitter about this. Yes they may be lucky now but we all go through trials in life and I don't think anybody has had it easy in anyway throughout this.
Probably because once again its the people on the breadline getting shitted upon is the reason why.
chocolatesaltyxmaspudballs · 14/12/2020 19:27

@onedayinthefuture

From my experience those calling out for more restrictions and lockdowns are those that work from home and have made huge savings.
Absolutely not true. I WFH in a secure job and have saved money. But I'd like my life back thanks.
Hunnihun2 · 14/12/2020 19:32

@Waxonwaxoff0

Who is bitter?

I couldn't care less about who is saving money. What pisses me off is people who have safe jobs shouting for further lockdowns and going on about how amazing it is to spend more "quality time" as a family and loving the "slower pace of life".

It’s funny you should quote “slower pace of life” because that’s what OP has stated on other threads.... that she’s loved it since Feb.

The absolute check of OP. Next time name change if your going to brag! Blush

rookiemere · 14/12/2020 19:35

was going to post the same thing @chocolatesaltyxmaspudballs .
DH and I both wfh and we've saved some money - mostly by not going on holiday - but I'd give anything to be back in the office with the team.

Besides lack of pay rises for the foreseeable will erode any savings pretty quickly .

However I do feel very grateful we both have jobs. DH ended his contract in November 2019 and was incredibly lucky to get a new job in February.

Moondust001 · 14/12/2020 19:52

@onedayinthefuture

From my experience those calling out for more restrictions and lockdowns are those that work from home and have made huge savings.
From my experience, those calling for more restrictions and lockdowns are those sitting at home on their arse whilst the rest of us pay for it. But luckily, I know that my experience isn't the whole story. Yes, I've been working from home. I did before this, and I will after. Yes I've saved some money. None of which I wanted to save. I wanted to spend it on the sorts of things that keep people in jobs. It's dead easy working from home. You get to work lots of extra hours without pay supporting staff whose mental health is desperate, because they can't cope; and helping support projects that deliver essential services to the poorest and most disadvantaged communities in the country because they really need it more than ever.

But well done on on the whinging about being in work and actually having to go. My sympathy goes out to you.

Zeetah · 14/12/2020 20:06

We’ve saved a fortune on commuting (me £50 a week, DH probably about £80). Bills a bit higher but not that much.
However we endured 4 months of working without childcare for a toddler plus we’ve both been the busiest ever, DH has been working insane hours. Swings and roundabouts.

FakeFakeNews · 14/12/2020 20:09

Surprises me how many people are bitter about this.

How do so many people know his financial circumstances to be telling him they're bitter about it?

I know a couple of people who I suspect are better off financially due to lock down but I couldn't say for definite because they have the good grace to recognise how fortunate they are and enough self awareness to know they'd be a twat telling everyone and expecting them be impressed or something.

It is it you going round telling his financial circumstances to people and assuming they must be bitter if they don't respond how you think they should.

Frouby · 14/12/2020 20:13

We are better off due to lockdown. Our business was eligible for a bounce back loan, which paid the overdraft off so no overdraft fees, tho the facility is still there should it need it. I was furloughed so the business saved my wages (am a director but only take 10k a year) and it still went into the house. DH benefited from the self employed grants 1 and 2, and because work is drying up (no orders for January, had 2 weeks off November) will probably qualify for the 3rd.

No holiday this year, 3k saved. Spent a bit on the house, spent a bit more on takeaways and a lots more on food shopping (2 dcs home for 6 month, ds usually gets fsm). Oh, also had a small inheritance from fil who died of covid. So overall financially better off.

Next year will be an absolute shit storm though. So not so much smug as grateful for a small amount of savings to get us through a few more months.

PassataQueenofBritain · 14/12/2020 20:18

So your DP has saved money during the pandemic, but you have not? How is your money not pooled if they're your partner? Surely the savings belong to you both jointly?

sirfredfredgeorge · 14/12/2020 21:09

Surprises me how many people are bitter about this.

Has your DP campaigned for higher taxes to improve the lot of those less fortunate
Has your DP increased his charitable giving to make up for this unexpected windfall

Or have you and your DP just gone around boasting about how great it is everyone else is fucked 'cos making out like a bandit.

I really doubt people are bitter about your good fortune, more likely bitter at having to listen to privileged pricks boasting about it.

nex18 · 15/12/2020 00:06

I have saved money from not commuting as often, spending more on having my heating on all day so I don’t freeze whilst working from my kitchen. Mainly feeling envious of people who are allowed to go out to work and see their real life colleagues. As far as I am concerned wfh is the worst of all worlds.

BarbaraofSeville · 15/12/2020 08:28

Financially we're one of the fortunate ones because I've WFH so saved commuting costs, being paid in full and while DP hasn't been able to do any work in his normal industry, he's been working in another sector and ironically this year will be his best paid ever, mostly because his normal industry is a bit 'labour of love' so mostly low paid and insecure.

But we've kept this quiet and still really fear for the future if there's mass unemployment and lots of business failures. In the past we've been in a bad financial state due to business failure ourselves and know how bad it can get, so on a personal level, we're seeing this time as a chance to 'catch up' and be on a more secure financial footing - most of what DP is earning is being put into his previously non existent pension and on a wider level, we've set up direct debits to give to charity each month to support food bank and homeless charities.

But I do think the lucky few shouldn't be publicly crowing about their good fortune and don't blame those who have lost their jobs and businesses at all for being bitter as unfortunately they may suffer very hard times going forward.

For example OP, you say you've been made redundant while your DP and friend are still working in 'extremely well paid jobs'. How will you feel if they start buying expensive cars or going on flash holidays while you face not being able to find work again, possibly for years, because so many of your peers are in the same position as you?

Wingingthis · 15/12/2020 08:39

The money we’ve “saved” from not going out/train fares, baby and toddler classes etc has not made us any better off as DH was on 80% pay during furlough, then lose his job as company went bust, is now working for much lower pay than before due to no other option. I’m on maternity pay as we had our second baby in April.
Consider yourself very lucky OP.