Anyone feel they earn a decent salary but never have spare money?

[Poppins17]

Just that really.. we’re very lucky, we have a mortgage, we put our heating on, we buy food when we need it (albeit from Aldi on a very strict meal plan) but sometimes we see others, even family, seemingly living their best lives and wonder where they are getting spare cash to do all those things, when we don’t have anything left at the end of the month.

either their income is greater or their expenses are lower or they are going into debt,
Maybe because of an inheritance they have a much smaller mortgage, maybe family live close so their childcare bill is very small, maybe they have huge credit card debts,

True @Cottagecheeseisnotcheese - I do sometimes have to remind myself not to compare apples and pears

Different circumstances and different priorities.

The way I see it, I could have a much higher disposable income if I went back to working full time and we bought a house in an area that isn't as nice, but I like my house and I like my lifestyle and whilst we could choose to spend money on expensive days out, cocktails and my appearance, none of that has value to me.

I am a single parent and I’m on an ok salary and could still cry most days over my financial situation. Things were manageable a year or so ago but now any unexpected bill is a disaster and wipes out anything meagre that is left in the pot. I frequently scroll through my banking app to see where it is all gone and if there’s anything I can cut back on and there’s very little discretionary spending - Netflix etc. It sucks. Just glad I can keep a roof over our heads for now.

Dh and I had this exact conversation today. We're lucky we are comfortable, both good salaries etc however we don't spend like we do.
We are both savers/ not willing to get into any debt to do things (other than the necessities mortgage/ car) we have had a uk holiday for a week a year the last couple of years and work part time.

Look at other people going on holiday/ having their houses renovated etc and wonder what we are doing but then I suppose we luckily have little debt and Fairly substantial savings so shouldn't compare.

It's impossible to compare. My neice and her partner earn a quarter of what we do but from social media you'd think they were loaded, constantly on day trips, hair salon, kids new clothes and toys etc. They just stick stuff on a credit card so will be in a horrendous financial position and constantly argue about it. The grass isn't always greener.

We are similar to you, prioritise what's important and don't live about our means.

Yes, we do earn a good salary & had been pretty comfortable in the last couple of years. Both under 40, earning £100k total. Holidays, savings, even saving for the children were all fine due to a couple of promotions. But with the cost of living increases, particularly the price of energy, food and holidays also seem astronomical, we aren’t saving at all, we have nothing left at the end of the month & we are often short. Savings have gone down to 2 months salary & will probably be gone by Christmas.
feel very lucky we are not in debt but it’s crazy that two normal well paid adults with two children in junior school can’t save anything each month. Holidays are committed to this year but won’t be happening next year. Wholly blame the government.

Yes. We're on good salaries (for ordinary working people, not the apparent multitude of ten hour a week six figure earners on here) but every penny has to be carefully considered these days and there is nothing spare for occasional days or meals out any more, even fish and chips from the local decently priced chippie is now a once a month treat at most. All the small joy of life has gone. I grew up in a very poor household, I'm beyond furious and disbelieving that I'm having to live through it again in midlife.

The insane cost of living on these fruitcake islands is making us think very carefully about where we might retire to, as I'm not sure I want to grow old here any more, family ties or no family ties.

Decent salaries but they haven’t increased much in the last 10-15 years but everything else has. We can no longer save anything. I worry when we will no longer be able to afford everything we need to pay for.

Sorry to hear of others in the same boat, but also welcoming to hear it’s not just us in the same position.

I’ve been through the threads on this page and we’re doing most of what’s recommended.. we don’t have the heating on in the day when at work or at night, both have old out of contract phones, I walk to work, meal plan and shop at Aldi, DH cuts his own hair, we only use tumble dryer to finish off towels and bedsheets, we don’t really eat out at all - I remember last year we went to our local pub for tea perhaps once every ten days we don’t even seem to have the money for that these days, we don’t buy new clothes and I’m getting toiletries from what we have in (ie old Christmas presents), we cut out sky package down to basic… not sure really what else we can do!

Yes I had a wobble about this yesterday as I was paid on Friday and all my money is ear marked for bills & food. I will have very little left for anything. I desperately need some new pants, glasses and a mattress, but god knows how or when they will be purchased.
However, I’m not in debt, my children have everything they need, and we live in a warm, dry new build so it could be much worse.
It’s a shame that I’ve adopted that way of thinking about my life though…it could be worse as opposed to I am really happy and wouldn’t change a thing.

Me and DH were talking about this yesterday, he has had a massive pay rise over the last two years, He's worked for the same company for 25 years and they have bought his salary up to meet the currant pay scale. But we are still in the same financial we were as we were last year with the inflation/cost of food rising.

Luckily we only have mortgage debt.

Yes, we both work full time, I’m on £35k and DH a bit more.
I was paid Friday, and after moving all the money around and aside for direct debits, bills, I have £47 of discretionary spending this month.
We no longer have takeaways, nights out are a distant memory, to be fair I’ve always bought clothes from charity shops but now I don’t have a choice. Sky is cancelled, my phone is ancient and on a £10 a month contract.
The only thing left to cancel is our regular charity donations.
My friend is running the marathon and wants sponsorship, my son needs a haircut, my daughter gets £10 a month pocket money on the 1st. That £47 will soon be gone.

Working to survive.

unfortunately most of this is due to the disportionally high amount of decent wages spent in housing costs, for some it is simply because a 2-3 bed semi or terrace costs more than 500K in their area for others it maybe more self inflicted for maxing their borrowing for a large house ie they could have had a nice home for much less i don't mean 4 people in a studio apartment but more 4 people in a 4-5 bed
I think previous advice given to borrow the maximum you are allowed to borrow instead of borrowing the minimum you need for a reasonable sized property in a reasonable area has left people in a difficult situation, however downsizing costs money and takes a lot of time and it certainly can't solve this months or even 6 month's time problem, but down sizing might be right for some people, the temptation for lifestyle creep is easy. I'm half retired but I see young people in my profession thinking they should have certain things because of their job like a certain size house and better than average car when their income doesn't support that life style yet, it is hard

house prices coming down is long term a good thing for everyone but for some in the short term it would be bad, but housing is a basic need and it needs a solution and building 4 bed detached houses is not it.

Bigpinktrain Glasses direct are good. I got 2 pairs of glasses from there and they were much cheaper than from my opticians. Definitely worth a look

I'm single, have a mortgage, keep heating and electricity bills to the minimum, grocery bills should be reduced from this month as no longer have a cat to buy food and litter for, but there never seems to be anything left to pay for a holiday, or save for a kitchen upgrade (mainly white goods needed). I had to pay for a new passport this month as well as a vets bill. I shop for clothes in charity shops where I can (work skirts and dresses mainly) but haven't had a haircut (don't have colour just cut and blowdry) since May last year. Don't bother with make up any more and have never had my nails 'done' or regular facials etc. I just don't know where the money goes!

I find it better not to compare with other people.

I focus on what we do have, and on the standard of life I can give my ds. What other people have is not relevant to me.

Yes things are a bit tight but ds is going on the school ski trip. No I won't get a holiday this year - except two weeks in the garden - but I'm post chemo and wouldn't have been able to get travel insurance anyway.

The fridge and the log store are full, it's March this week and spring is on the way. I'm not in debt, my health is holding up and the car is in good repair.

I'm grateful. If someone else has bought themselves to a new Tesla or two weeks in Dubai, I really couldn't care less.

Brilliant post. I hope your health continues to improve

Dh and I are on good full time salaries and our mortgage paid off, but we aren’t splurging. Our only treats are a night out a month and one weeks holiday a year.
Our money is tight as we have chosen to allocate most of our spare cash into saving for early retirement and have three teens who cost a bloody fortune (uni, driving lessons etc).
It all comes down to what you prioritise I guess.
I also have a spreadsheet and account for every penny I spend and make sure I get the best deal / lowest price on anything I buy.
I guess the most important thing is how money savvy you are!

@Twobigsapphires if you’re managing to save then it’s just not the same as being worried about affording to live.