What do you consider a 'decent' salary (non-London)

Blackpool_Saver

why is your mobile phone 50 pounds per month too ?

Blackpool_Saver

I am not surprised you are divorced spending the way you do, glad you haven't got kids cos you would have one heck of a lot of child support to pay !!!!

Mrs_Ryan

jeez.

I wish I earned 50k!! I earn 14k (16-17k with enhancements) and that feels like a fortune to me - in fact its the best paid job I've had!!!

I wish I could afford to spend 300 quid a month on clothes! You dont know how lucky you are. Cut back and quit moaning!

kingfisherblue

Wow, I can't believe that the OP is asking this! 50k a year is a figure that I - and most people - could only dream of.

Perhaps it's time for the OP to grow up and show a bit of maturity? He knows that he is wasting money, but complains that £50k plus rental income is not enough to live on. Perhaps his expensive lifestyle has something to do with that?

I care for my disabled son, so I am unable to work. I also have two other children, one dependent and the other a working 19 year old who still lives at home. I've been a single parent for five years. My circumstances are obviously very different, but I manage on the money I receive. I save what I can each week, so that I have a bit of cash to pay for things that I need. I'm looking for a new fridge at the moment, and despite my far more modest circumstances, I can pay cash for it.

My daughter's wage varies as she works for an agency, but she budgets each month. £53 for her bus pass (we live in the North West - I know that this is cheap compared to some places), £140 a month board, £15 a month council tax, £40 a month mobile phone (she's looking at downgrading this, as I told her about some of the threads on MSE about the possibility). She has a limit of £40 a week 'spends' - a limit that she set herself, as she recognised that it would be very easy to waste money if she didn't do this. Occasionally she buys a few clothes, but usually buys in high street shops such as Dorothy Perkins and New Look. She often waits for the sales. On a bad month, she saves less than £200 in her Credit Union account. She usually saves £200-£300. It's those times that she treats herself to new clothes. This month, she has bought a 32gb ipod touch (I think that's what it's called ). Following my advice, she looked around and weighed up the best deal. She'd paid just over £200 :eek: but this includes a free speaker that would normally cost £50.

OP, you're ten years older than my daughter, but not as mature when it comes to money matters. You obviously have the ability to earn a very good wage, but are still not happy with what you have. Apart from direct debits, pay cash for everything else. When you see the physical money leave your wallet for £300 worth of clothes, it might just make you stop and think.

ceridwen

jojo90 wrote: »

I want to retire by 40 and figure I need £750,000 - £1,000,000 in assets to generate £28,000 pre-tax accounting for inflation. Right now with current income that's just pie in the sky. Just seems to me like things work against those wanting to escape early.

Are you actually serious??:cool::eek:

maninthestreet

As the OP has discovered, your level of spending rises to meet your level of income.

nettttie

What do you consider a 'decent' salary (non-London)


Single parent 2 kids, no maintenance, 18K (inclusive of credits) - work 30 hours! It's not very decent but I manage:

roof over our head, food in cupboard, car (I buy bus pass or catch a lift for work) computer, sky (£18) laptop, bb, mobiles, been to London and Edinburgh this year, off to Spain soon, kids go on school trips. I feel VERY privileged that I live this life! I take advantage of offers posted on here! I did re-mortgage 2 years ago to pay debt so i have none now!

I know people with a lot less!!

Want2Bdebtfree_3

Technically looking at your statement you save £800 a month for holidays and entertainment? I earn similar amounts to yourself but they vary as I am in sales and I currently support myself and my other half whom is unemployed BUT DOES NOT RECEIVE ANY BENEFITS OR SUPPORT. I have been doing this for a while whilst he gets back into work as an electrician. New rules and regs lots of courses we have to pay for ironic when he did an apprenticeship... but I will not start moaning. Unfortunately I find it a struggle as I loose 40% immediately to the tax man so have to work harder to bring more home, I don't like this especially when the governments throw it away but accept it as fact of life and I am fortunate to be in a well paid job. The cost of living is expensive these days but you have to budget and be realistic and I have learnt this the hard way. I used to think yeah I earn lots and spent lots and "forgot the true meaning of money". I was STUPID. I am sorting myself out and have got that true meaning back. If you can save £800 a month for entertainment and holidays...... then you can use that to become mortgage free... I am sure you can holiday a lot cheaper. Plus do you really need to spend £150 on new clothes every month. Aside from all this you have £524 still left over anywhere.. thats a grand total of £1450 you could save each month! Just a thought.. is it fair on your parents that you move home to save money unfairly at their expense when by cutting back you could already save.... I thought initially people were being hard on you, but no I think not. Be realistic in your outlook. You own a flat/house that is yours its an investment. Not everyone is lucky enough to do that so its not just £2000 on base bills, plus as I said take £950 off your base bills for hoidays entertainment and clothes a month!!!

liney

You apparently save £50 month for car maintenance so why did a £100 repair this month come out of your excess funds?

I want, i want, i want. Well unfortortunatly you can't have everything. You need to prioritise what you really want, which means your early retirement or your rediculously expensive holidays and entertainment budget. You spend more in one month on luxuries than my mortgage and utilities together: you need to get a grip!

sharkie

jojo90 wrote: »

.... If I look to rent a room somewhere that's like £350 just to start with or £4,000 p.c.m. I think this country is just too expensive ..

C'mon guy, you are taking the P...

If you want the best from everything, it cost. Going broke with the Joneses cost. £50000 is nearly double my salary, and I run a car two properties and still save a few hundred a month.

Yes, if you buy in an expensive area it obviously cost more. Some 3 bed houses to rent are only £1400 and they are outside zone 1 and not in the worst or best areas either. I think £1400 rent is exorbitant! Know of one girl in E london whom rents a 2 bed flat for £600

On £50000 a month, you should easily be able to save half your salary, if you are single! If you are a working couple, then you can save even more, OR you can blow even more!