2.5 Million Families on £100k/year Don't Feel Rich

olly300

PasturesNew wrote: »

I did used to have orange squash/soda water and lime/soda water. Some pubs would charge just 30p for that, but some would actually charge the same for that as they would for a coke or cider.

With straight tap water and squash in pint they don't tend to fleece you more than 60p still extortionate but much cheaper than what they like fleecing you if ask for soda water.

However at the moment plain tap water is free.

lostinrates

PasturesNew wrote: »

I have only ever been once. About 20 years ago, somebody took about 6 of us to a show as a treat. Miss Saigon it was. Hell of a long journey, there/back on the same day too. Apart from that I've never been to a theatre, or a pantomime. I don't really fancy them either. I think theatres etc outside of London are completely different affairs... I was brought up in the countryside and have usually lived rurally. Any local theatre groups would have had a dull production running for a few nights twice a year probably.

I think more people go to more things these days - but it could be because I'm mixing with posher people online than I ever did in real life. In real life I just mixed with ... the underclasses, until I stopped doing that as I had nothing in common with them except they just hung out on walls/street corners for free.

As a matter of interest, is this something you'd consider doing when you move? Theatre (opera/the ballet)is easy to go to alone, you're eant to sit there quietly anyway! And people behave better than in cinemas...as a rule.

olly300

PasturesNew wrote: »

I think more people go to more things these days - but it could be because I'm mixing with posher people online than I ever did in real life. In real life I just mixed with ... the underclasses, until I stopped doing that as I had nothing in common with them except they just hung out on walls/street corners for free.

It's not about being posh.

Some people I know, whose parents are definitely working class, where brought up to have at least one hobby. As adults they continue to have hobbies and will find something cheap to do rather than have a TV if their budget is constrained.

olly300

lostinrates wrote: »

As a matter of interest, is this something you'd consider doing when you move? Theatre (opera/the ballet)is easy to go to alone, you're eant to sit there quietly anyway! And people behave better than in cinemas...as a rule.

It's a case of finding cheap tickets.

One thing that puts people of going to such things is the perceived cost even though you can find cheap tickets.

lostinrates

olly300 wrote: »

It's not about being posh.

Some people I know, whose parents are definitely working class, where brought up to have at least one hobby. As adults they continue to have hobbies and will find something cheap to do rather than have a TV if their budget is constrained.

I agree with this very much.

lostinrates

olly300 wrote: »

It's a case of finding cheap tickets.

One thing that puts people of going to such things is the perceived cost even though you can find cheap tickets.

Ten pound tickets in the gods for the Opera House, and yes I agree ticket prices are horrid (hence discussion with my father!;)) off the main theatre land is much cheaper. When you are settled Pastures give me a nudge and I can suggest some smaller places, easy to get to for you and in safe areas.

Time Out though, will be a great resource for you till you find places you like to return to yourself...

Edit: crikey, apologis Olly, I thought that was Pastures, but the answer still stands to PN!

SingleSue

mitchaa wrote: »

£500 is fairly easy to do to be fair. 2 big shops fortnightly costs us around £250 (Child costs in there aswell, i.e nappies, wipes, yoghurts, smoothies etc), then lunches for work, (Easily £10pd between the 2 of us) £1-2 a day on newspapers etc, soon adds up to around £500 or so.

Car costs (x2) are around £1200pm all in. My car costs around £450pm in finance, insurance/tax/servicing £100pm or so, Fuel around £250. The wifes car makes up the remainder, £400 or so. Perhaps a little expensive to some but its what I get my pleasure from, flicks my switch so to speak.

The £500pm on crap includes £80 gym fees for the pair of us, her hair and makeup around £70pm or so on a good month, a good meal between the 2 of us a couple of times a month is another £100. I go out a couple of times a month with my pals, £150 or so. Then include cinemas/birthdays/swimming etc and £500 is there before you know it.

Im not whinging about it, it's just what I/we spend our money on. I suppose if we went down to basics, we would be able to cut costs by half and save a hell of a lot more, but for what? I'm here to enjoy myself, not be miserable.

To me that is a rich life.......

SingleSue

PasturesNew wrote: »

I have only ever been once. About 20 years ago, somebody took about 6 of us to a show as a treat. Miss Saigon it was. Hell of a long journey, there/back on the same day too. Apart from that I've never been to a theatre, or a pantomime. I don't really fancy them either. I think theatres etc outside of London are completely different affairs... I was brought up in the countryside and have usually lived rurally. Any local theatre groups would have had a dull production running for a few nights twice a year probably.

I think more people go to more things these days - but it could be because I'm mixing with posher people online than I ever did in real life. In real life I just mixed with ... the underclasses, until I stopped doing that as I had nothing in common with them except they just hung out on walls/street corners for free.

We used to go to the London theatres for ex hubbies' Christmas 'do'.

The boss would hire a large mini van or small coach and off we would all go to an afternoon/early evening performance, followed by a meal at a posh restaurant.

Saw Phantom of the Opera, Buddy! and Starlight Express.

Not been to the theatre since though.....

dexter_fan

FWIW I think feeling rich is just a state of mind. As long as you have more coming in than you have going out.

I feel fairly well off. Our gross household income is nowhere near the figures quoted. We still manage to pay our mortgage and overpay by £1,000 per month. We go on holidays abroad 2/3 times per year. We are not really pub people, our car is 10 years old (but I love it, and it is always fully paid for - no car loans). I am not into designer clothes and our children are grown up. We therefore feel we have a good standard of living.

Work colleagues have new or nearly new cars, the latest gadgets and childcare costs. One manager confided that she was trying to re-mortgage her flat again this year. She is in her mid 50's, no children, yet still paying off her mortgage and bought a new car last year with a huge loan.

My wealth is my peace of mind

Spirit_2

Our household income is £120K. A little insight into where it goes.....We have a modest home and our friends are a broad church........my two closest buddies.........a school caretaker who also holds two other jobs as a seamstress, the other a paediatrician.

Last trip to London Theatre was War Horse at the weekend....with pre theatre dinner in Chinatown.....our treat to OH's sister for her 60th Birthday.

We are in the home straight of paying off what was a large amount of debt. When the debt is paid off I will reduce my working hours and salary so that I have a better work life balance. We have a comfortable life, support others in my family who are less well off.

Before finding MSE we wasted alot of money and were really pretty clueless about managing a household budget. These days we are more in control .......I am even doing the grocery challenge! We do have a couple of classic vehicles (one I have had for 25 years) we have had horses for many years but not at present, currently drive older vehicles, and Mr Spirit has a couple of sports that cost about £80 a month. We are paying for DD through Uni as we do not want her to be saddled with a debt on graduation. Second home is a mortgage on a flat for my mum so that she could relocate to somewhere she loves for her remaining years.

Thats it.

Oh pension contributions .......17% of my salary, 14% of Mr Spirits.