How do people afford it?

3KIDSNOMONEY

Why does it seem that everyone else has enough money for what they want.

We don't drink, smoke, go out much or buy designer clothes, but we never seem to have enough to go round and we only run one car. I know lots of people that run 2 cars, smoke, drink, go out lots, buy designer clothes etc. We aren't extravagant at all, but even so the credit card builds up and the money in the bank goes down. How does everyone else afford it?

Just feeling on a bit of a downer, try to cut back a bit with the help of this website but there is only so much you can do to cut back.

lynzpower

Do they really have themoney for all they want? Or are they racking up the credit cards?

I must say, IM significantly better off now I dont have debt - have you worked out how much better off youd be month on month if you were debt free?

Bogof_Babe

I think the two important aspects are how much you earn, and how much you are paying for your housing. If there is an imbalance in these, and you have taken out an unrealistic mortgage leaving you precious little to cover everything else, you have your answer.

If your mortgage or rent is in proportion to your earnings, then it must be your expenditure that needs addressing. In which case perhaps you could give us a few indicators of where your money actually goes.

ailuro2

We both work, run one car, don't drink much, gave up smoking years ago, and we have enough to get by pretty well, and manage a lovely holiday every few years.We only have one child, so we save a bit of money there.;) We aren't on huge salaries either.

Yes, we see some people with newer cars going on holiday every year, living in bigger houses than us, but I'd hate to see what debt they have.:eek:

Live within your means and you will have something you can't put a price on - peace of mind, and maybe even contentment. Keep working out where you can save, and if you still don't have enough then maybe you need to find a way to earn a little more?

Chollita

I'm with Lynz on this one - appearances can be deceptive, and sometimes people have odd priorities. Don't envy anyone else - you don't know the true state of their finances.

tomstickland

A lot of people appear to have money, but it's not real money, it's borrowed.
I'm really not interested in consumerism. It's very dull really. Being in control of finances is much more interesting.

inkie

They are probably chucked up to the eyeballs. I know where I would rather be. Lots of people are running the champagne lifestyle - beer money.

portsmouthali

I feel the same sometimes - I see my friends with nice cars, big houses and smart clothes, and then look at myself with my pushbike, little terraced house and Primark clothes.

It's daft though; my family are all healthy, happy, and we have everything we need. What more is there?

I'm not debt free, by a long way, but I'm working on it

ailuro2

Some people will look at you and think you are so lucky to be fit enough to ride a bike, and be able to afford new clothes,even from Primark.
Many people who are wearing designer labels and driving the latest model car may envy your happy family.

Happiness isn't getting what we want, it's wanting what we've got!:j

mrcow

tomstickland wrote: »

A lot of people appear to have money, but it's not real money, it's borrowed.

Perhaps, but not all by a long chalk.

Some people will just earn more than you do so they can afford more.

Others can be better at budgeting so they appear to have more because they are able to spend their money on what they think really counts.

Others are savvy buyers and will shop around to ensure that they are getting best value.

Others just have different priorities, so perhaps where you may spend your money on eg. satellite tv, they'll spend it on eg. cigarettes and alcohol.

I never believe anyone who says that they can't cut back on expenditure. I've been through the process too many times myself and the results are always astounding.

vikingaero

Well with 3 kids you will have no money!

We have 2 kids and although we would like more we don't think we can afford it without a struggle and affecting the holidays we take with the other 2 kids.

I don't think that looking at others is the right way to go about. For every person that has more than you, you can bet there are 10 people with far less than you.

People acquire money in other ways - whether it's through sale of property, on credit or through inheritance.

With any amount of kids you'll never be rich!