MNHQ here: are you a JAM ("Just About Managing")?

[FinnMumsnet]

Hello,

With the Chancellor's Autumn Statement coming up next Wednesday (23 November), rumours swirl that it will include measures targeted at a group the government has been calling "JAMs", or those "just about managing." There's some suggestion that this will include action on things like childcare subsidies, the cost of holiday flights and fuel duty. (For more, here's the Mirror, the Telegraph and the FT.)

We know from previous conversations that many MNers are having to work hard to make ends meet, and we'd love to hear your thoughts on whether you think you fall into this category, what action you'd like the government to take, and whether any of the proposed measures (though we don't have any more details we're afraid!) would make a difference to your lives.

Thanks,
MNHQ

I'm confused by JAM as I don't know if we count as one? DH thinks we do.

We have 3 jobs. both work full time and DH set up his own business to pay off debt (nearly all paid now but will keep it on due to cost of pretty much everything)

We are overdrawn every month after paying mortgage, bills, food, clothing, school extras that they keep coming up with, fuel, parking, insurance etc

My DM watches DD before and after school. I could not afford childcare costs nor is there any spaces. If DM fell sick we'd be fucked. I'd have to change jobs or reduce hours.

I have only had a 1% pay increase for the past 8 years. DH was made redundant in last job which put us in a really difficult financial position. He's now coming through it but money still tight.

We don't put any money away for the future, or for DD's future. We don't have any money left over each month to do that. We've cut down on going out anywhere although we still get a week's holiday abroad.

We rely on vouchers/discounts/topcashback on everything we buy and use ebay a lot.

Do we count as a JAM?

Yes, JAM, but not jammy. (Sorry, couldn't resist).

The tories current "hymn" :-

Once upon a time there was a tavern
Where we go to raise a glass or two
This is how we laugh away the hours
And dream all the small things we wouldn't do

[Chorus]
These are the days you plebs
That will never end
We sing and dance forever and a day
We live the rich life we choose
Where you fight and never win
For we are tories and sure to have our way.
La la la la,
These are the days, oh yes these are the days

Then the busy years went rushing by us
We paid for our knighthoods on the way
If by chance I'd see you in the tavern
We smile at them and we'd say

[Chorus]

Just tonight I stood in the tavern
It still looks the way it used to be
In the glass I saw a strange reflection
Was that lovely (hah!) tory really me?

[Chorus]

Through the door there came familiar laughter
I saw your face and heard you call my name
Oh my friend we're older but even richer
For in our hearts our dreams are still the same

[Chorus]

Apologies to Mary Hopkins et al.