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What do you think the average disposable income for a family of 3/4 should be?

2 replies

CM2024 · 29/12/2025 21:24

So we’ve seen a house that’s up for sale on our development (which we love) it’s the last lot until they complete the development.

Currently in a 3 bed with 1 child but eventually hope to have a second. The house we would be buying would be our forever home.

After taking into account mortgage we’d be left with about £3.8k a month. After our bills, food childcare etc we’d have about £1500 left a month. We don’t have any debt and our cars are both paid off. They’re not new but are running well and good makes so I don’t think there would be problems in the near future. That money would include money for holidays, birthdays, Xmas etc and general monthly spend. Already factored in savings for MOT’s, gym, hair appts, petrol, subscriptions, charity donations etc.

I’ve done a couple of pressure tests and if my mum couldn’t look after my son two days a week for whatever reason and our mortgage went up from 4% to 6% we’d have £900 to live off a month for fun money, savings anything going wrong etc not including child benefit.

Do you think that is enough? We are fixed for 4 years and hoping to just borrow more on our current mortgage. I’m in a career where every 5 years my income can increase by £10k or more so I’m hoping by the next remortgage to be on at least £5-£7k more and am willing to move jobs if need be to achieve that. With my student loan that gives me an extra £300 or so a month to play with, but obviously it guaranteed.

I live in Kent and house prices are predicted to go up by 20% in the next 5 years so I’m scared to not move now and be stuck in my current house.

So do you think £1500 is enough and worst case would £900 be?

I’m a new mum so I’m a bit ignorant to ongoing expenses with kids and whilst he’s so little I know costs are lower (excluding childcare). I just don’t want to be house rich and money poor and I’m just trying to figure out what the best thing for my child’s future is.

OP posts:
Statsquestion1 · 29/12/2025 21:37

Is that 1500 left after savings too?

Statsquestion1 · 29/12/2025 21:51

You need to account for absolutely everything. I would break it all down to the last penny.
This is our budget monthly…maybe it will help.
Me 3100
DP 4100
CB 280
Total 7480
Housing
Mortgage: 1900.
Insurances(life, house): 150
Property tax: 40
Total Housing: 2090
Utilities
Electricity 150
Waste collection: 30
Broadband & TV: 70
Mobile phones x3: 60
Total Utilities: 310
Food & Groceries
Groceries & household food: 500
Dining out / takeaways: 200
Total Food: 700
Transportation
Fuel: 250
Car insurance & tax: 150
Maintenance & NCT: 100
Public transport / Parking: 20
Total Transport: 520
Education & Kids
School books, uniforms, fees: 50
Activities, sports, clubs: 50
Pocket money/treats: 60
Total Kids & Education: 160
Entertainment & Lifestyle
Family outings, hobbies, gifts: 200
Subscriptions, books, etc.: 60
Miscellaneous expenses (haircuts,nails): 60
Personal spends: 200 x 2 = 400
Total Entertainment: 730
Savings & Miscellaneous
Emergency fund / Savings: 2,000
Holidays (monthly allocation): 500
Clothing: 200
Miscellaneous buffer: 260
Total Savings & Misc.: 2960
TOTAL MONTHLY SPENDING: 7,480

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