DH and I on just above average salaries, very grateful for what we have, kids, own home which we can afford to keep warm, enough food etc, swimming lessons for kids, toys etc and I know we are extremely fortunate … however when it comes to house maintenance, furniture, cars, and even just the extras like occasional trips to the cinema/pantomine, meals out, local events, birthday parties etc, the prices are getting more and more extortionate despite using every voucher scheme going etc. Most people we know seem to be still affording all this despite being on the same salaries or less and with less debt. Just wondering how, I know of people who seem to get regular large cash gifts off wealthier relatives or had inheritances in the past which meant they have a lower mortgage, is this how people seems to be affording it or are we just missing something?