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Original poster

Is £30k enough to live off

182 replies

Desdemonadryeyes · 02/05/2026 13:35

I realise it’s a ‘how long is a piece of string’ question but I’d appreciate views. My DH died a few months ago and I think I’m now receiving the amounts which will be my monthly income (got his full works pension for a few months) and surprised to receive an extra £2k on my state pension.

Think I’m being over taxed but that will all be sorted out eventually.

My income is £30,600 per annum after tax. No mortgage. Last year I also won £1950 on PBs which is tax free plus I have other annual bonds that should bring in about £3,200 in interest some of which will be taxable. I’m taking out every year to top up my cash ISA.

I have increased expenditure due to requiring a dog walker following an injury but hope to get that sorted eventually.

I like good food, and mid price wine - drink about 3/4 bottles a week. I run a car. Have lunch out with friends probably once a week. Netflix and cheap Sky package. My yearly outgoings on bills etc is £12,400. Need to add in car and house insurance which are due soon but don’t what they will be yet. Dog walker £3,750 per year 🫣

Never really needed to budget before. DHs pensions covered day to day living expenses quite comfortably and I used my inheritance from my dad for life’s luxuries. And I didn’t need a dog walker. Now I’m alone I feel a bit daunted. My injury means I can no longer fly economy.

I could live for a couple of years on the contents of my store cupboards and freezers. When my DD comes home I pay her train fare and uber journeys. And she then shops for her expensive recovery eating plan.

I’ve lost a significant amount of weight recently so need to update my wardrobe. I do enjoy buying stuff. I really don’t need ‘stuff’ but we only pass this way once.

i intend to downsize when I’ve recovered from my injury, and after paying DHs care home fees hope to have about £250,000 left over to put somewhere to earn some interest.

So I will have about £15,500 per year for food, going out, holidays, clothes, gifts etc. I have got savings I van dip into if necessary but for some reason I don’t like doing that. Think I’ve developed the mindset that I should be saving it for my DD to inherit. But my dad had that attitude and it used to annoy me that he wouldn’t spend money on what he needed to make his life more comfortable.

So is that a reasonable amount to live comfortably?

Thanks for reading.

OP posts:
thefloorislavayes · 03/05/2026 18:46

The wine is fine, but the income is inadequate for anything beyond the basics. What you’re describing is the "Middle-Class Mirage"-the memory of a lifestyle that $30k can no longer actually fund.
Even without a mortgage, $30k today is a "fixed-cost" income. Between soaring property taxes, insurance, utilities, and healthcare, the surplus for those "little luxuries" has evaporated. To truly sustain a middle-class life with genuine agency and comfort, which is what you're describing - you need an extra $20k. Without it, you can no longer live the middle-class dream; you are simply managing a very graceful decline.

Happysummerrain · 03/05/2026 18:50

I’m sorry for your loss.

You don’t need strangers on the internet to work this out for you. Also, there are many people out there who have less money and will therefore be “uncaring” in how they respond to questions like this.

If I knew you I’d be concerned about you drinking 4 bottles of wine a week. I have 2-3 bottles a month. It seems excessive, health-wise, but again, that’s your call.

SonyaLoosemore · 03/05/2026 18:53

Only know if you can live off that. I only know that I could! You may have to let go of a few luxuries like flights, and do something a bit cheaper for holidays. Good luck.

MNLurker1345 · 03/05/2026 19:00

@Preppyprepper, my DH and I drink around 40 units per week, each.

My blood pressure is 120/79, my BMI is 22.8,
in fact all of my Obs are normal as well as my recent blood test results. I have no health conditions and am on no meds. Supplements though.

I am 59, I exercise for 15 mins a day, weights and resistance training and Yoga alternate days.

Drink lots of water, eat daily fruit and veg, lots of
protein, low carbs.

According to guide lines I am massively over
drinking but I drink good quality wine, paired with good food. I am not what you might typically think, knocking back the plonk and waking up with a hangover every morning.

TheLittleSunnyCat · 03/05/2026 19:00

I’m sorry for your loss OP.

I think because you have such a good information on your needs, would likes, etc, consulting a financial advisor (for a fee) is worth considering.

One thing jumped out at me in particular from your opening post “I have got savings I van dip into if necessary but for some reason I don’t like doing that. Think I’ve developed the mindset that I should be saving it for my DD to inherit.”

It’s a definite shift at around retirement no longer to be saving for your future, but to use previous savings for the now and the remaining years especially the active ones. I can understand that if savings haven’t in the past been touched for good reason that starting to use them feels wrong. But when my mum was a widow I wanted her to use what she had for her own needs and wants, especially having lost her life partner. I would have hated the thought of her not having the best life she could because she wanted to leave to me. I think a financial planner could help you with all this.

Doctor1988 · 03/05/2026 19:03

Another one here to comment on the wine. That really is too much and could lead to significant health problems.

ILoveMyCaravan · 03/05/2026 19:15

Not sure if I’ve misread OP, but you know the £2k pension from your husband is a one off payment?

sorry for your loss x

WhistPie · 03/05/2026 19:20

thefloorislavayes · 03/05/2026 18:46

The wine is fine, but the income is inadequate for anything beyond the basics. What you’re describing is the "Middle-Class Mirage"-the memory of a lifestyle that $30k can no longer actually fund.
Even without a mortgage, $30k today is a "fixed-cost" income. Between soaring property taxes, insurance, utilities, and healthcare, the surplus for those "little luxuries" has evaporated. To truly sustain a middle-class life with genuine agency and comfort, which is what you're describing - you need an extra $20k. Without it, you can no longer live the middle-class dream; you are simply managing a very graceful decline.

I assume you're in the US with your talk of $, property taxes and health care. These things don't apply in the UK

£30k is more than enough to live on OP, but your bills do seem quite high. Ours are about £9000 pa for 2 people, a car and 2 cats, and that includes David Lloyd membership

Sunnydays60 · 03/05/2026 19:20

Could always look into something like "borrow my doggy" to cut the cost of dog walking...

Giraffeandthedog · 03/05/2026 19:21

thefloorislavayes · 03/05/2026 18:46

The wine is fine, but the income is inadequate for anything beyond the basics. What you’re describing is the "Middle-Class Mirage"-the memory of a lifestyle that $30k can no longer actually fund.
Even without a mortgage, $30k today is a "fixed-cost" income. Between soaring property taxes, insurance, utilities, and healthcare, the surplus for those "little luxuries" has evaporated. To truly sustain a middle-class life with genuine agency and comfort, which is what you're describing - you need an extra $20k. Without it, you can no longer live the middle-class dream; you are simply managing a very graceful decline.

OP has £30k which is equivalent to about $40k

FurryWastebin · 03/05/2026 19:24

How do you think people on the state pension or on minimum wage manage. Draw yourself up a spreadsheet and look at what you've got left after the bills have been paid.

If you don't ease off the plonk you won't be around for that long either.

Madarch · 03/05/2026 19:25

2 adults and two spoiled dogs live on less on our house.

ThatLemonBee · 03/05/2026 19:27

As a single person yes but as a parent no , maybe survive but not a comfortable life in any way . Unless you were lucky to own your house already or living free somewhere.

Madarch · 03/05/2026 19:28

thefloorislavayes · 03/05/2026 18:46

The wine is fine, but the income is inadequate for anything beyond the basics. What you’re describing is the "Middle-Class Mirage"-the memory of a lifestyle that $30k can no longer actually fund.
Even without a mortgage, $30k today is a "fixed-cost" income. Between soaring property taxes, insurance, utilities, and healthcare, the surplus for those "little luxuries" has evaporated. To truly sustain a middle-class life with genuine agency and comfort, which is what you're describing - you need an extra $20k. Without it, you can no longer live the middle-class dream; you are simply managing a very graceful decline.

Sorry, unless you do not live in the UK, this is bollocks.

Legsahoy · 03/05/2026 19:28

Are you really drinking 1/2 a bottle of wine 6 nights a week and then a full bottle 1 night a week? Together with your wine expenditure, your dog is a major luxury, as the dog food and vet must add a lot to the dog walker expense.

I don’t think you’ve got enough left over to fly long haul business class and “Club Europe” isn’t worth the additional spend.

AnotherVice · 03/05/2026 19:30

Well on 4 bottles of wine a week you won’t have to factor in living a long life.

Salsa2026 · 03/05/2026 19:32

TakeTheCuntingQuichePatricia · 02/05/2026 13:49

Is this a joke? I live in less than that and have to pay rent.

As do many many people, it’s a tad ignorant this post…

Millindugu · 03/05/2026 19:32

Well I earn 21k and it’s just me and have 4 kids so I hope so

rwalker · 03/05/2026 19:34

God people are twats on here

i think OP is struggling more with the unknown and have to budget

your plan sounds good I’d say yes you’ll be fine but you can obviously fine tune it as you go along

Tiggywiggypiggy · 03/05/2026 19:35

I’m so sorry for your loss.
Everything must seem really overwhelming at the moment.
I personally think you have enough to live comfortably .

Zanatdy · 03/05/2026 19:35

It’s plenty, but given the interest you mention, assume you have plenty of savings to dip into. Agree wine intake is excessive, though you’ve had a tough time (and some people do enjoy a few bottles a week, though over recommended.

bringincrazyback · 03/05/2026 19:35

Some of these responses are so lacking in compassion. Did you not read that OP lost her husband recently?

OP, I can’t speak from experience re your question, but didn’t want to read and run. Sorry for your loss.

OneFineDay22 · 03/05/2026 19:36

Half a bottle of wine on occasion might not be too much but seriously, every day it really is! A doctor would probably already advise that you shouldn’t just stop suddenly and that you should cut down. It is a lot,
OP.

Salsa2026 · 03/05/2026 19:38

rwalker · 03/05/2026 19:34

God people are twats on here

i think OP is struggling more with the unknown and have to budget

your plan sounds good I’d say yes you’ll be fine but you can obviously fine tune it as you go along

I don’t think they intend to be facetious, I think they just think OP lives in a bit of a bubble wrt earnings and what truly counts as ‘hard done to’.

Mumtryingtolivethedream · 03/05/2026 19:38

Sorry for your loss. Spend your money enjoy your life. Inheritance isnt a given spend what you need. Youre in a good position financially, mortgage free. And as for the four bottles of wine yes its more than recommended but tomorrow is never guaranteed live for today and go knowing you've lived life to the full.