Can two people live on one person's wage?

james_smitha

JGB1955 said:

Until the late 1980s it used to be normal for 2 people to live off one wage - those were the days of SAHMs.  

That was a long time ago, how things have changed. A chart LP for about £6, as I was a minor then living in Edinburgh a bus fare was very cheap. A second class letter 6p

zagfles

Global median household income in PPP terms (ie accounting for different cost of living in different countries) is under £10k a year. So yes, it's doable. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Median_income

See this thread on the pensions board where OP and her OH live comfortably on £13k a year and even struggle to spend more! https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6019383/its-time-to-start-digging-up-those-squirrelled-nuts/p1

(think mortgage paid off but £7k is usually enough for mortgage/rent on a reasonable place)

pinkshoes

MSE_Laura_F said:

MSE spotted a tweet from someone who asked:

Can two people live on one person's wage, provided the wage is £20k+?

Like all the best hypotheticals, this one opens up all sorts of questions about the depending factors. Many of them have been discussed on this board before.

So what are your thoughts? What are the factors that matter?

It depends on the person and whether they have a grasp of the difference between WANT and NEED, and whether they can manage the basic maths of working out why it's not a good idea to take out loans to buy things that you could get second hand for very little money. Just because you can afford to pay back £20 a month doesn't mean you should!

Lots of people struggle to manage due to the above, and are spending money on things they do not actually NEED, because they convince themselves they DO need them. Even healthy food is cheap if you know how to cook. 

£20k for a couple in the South East or London would be challenging though unless you got social housing.

MaryNB

After tax £1,480 a month. In Bristol the most studios start at about £725 (currently three available on RM in the whole city for less). Add council tax £120, gas & elec £60, water £30, two phones £30, broadband £20, one monthly bus pass £80. Leaves £415 for food, clothes, entertainment. emergencies etc. 

FashionHeart

Saying from personal experience, no - I mean I don't think even one person could live on a wage...not even at 20k..thats what I currently earn per annum and its quite a struggle and especially when the cost of living is so high.
Even if you do budget it won't make a big difference to your lifestyle.

maisie_cat

We live on £1480 a month, pensions with nothing else, luckily no mortgage. Council tax/water is our largest outgoing at £250 a month, we manage the ongoing bills using our savings for capital maintenance stuff if necessary.. 

Basil_Bruschetta

Yes

Cut your cloth to fit your lifestyle!
What they used to do in the "good old days" ie save before you spend and look after the pennies its not hard!

Too many people are spendthrifts and pea brained when it come to money and saving!

tealady

I couldnt.
However I was in a minimum wage job, partner entitled to nothing.
Had to pay for everything including glasses and dentist.
Oh and had a mortgage, and the interest rate went up to 17% (remember the "good old days" of the 80's). There was little work where we lived. 
It was a struggle.

74jax

MSE_Laura_F said:

MSE spotted a tweet from someone who asked:

Can two people live on one person's wage, provided the wage is £20k+?

Like all the best hypotheticals, this one opens up all sorts of questions about the depending factors. Many of them have been discussed on this board before.

So what are your thoughts? What are the factors that matter?

We do. But the plus part is considerably more. Shouldn't the question be 'on less than £x'? 

[Deleted User]

MovingForwards said:

Yes

Own home, with mortgage, make overpayments and it's a sub prime lender.
Own / run a car.
Save each month.
Pay into a SIPP.

Council tax is paid over 10 months, not 12.
Gas and electric costs are negligible.
Insurances are paid in full annually.
I'm SIM only, OH is on a full contract.
Have a pet too.

Not into pubs, clubs, restaurants, do like chippy night.

Frequently use a local butcher and buy from a deli.

Enjoy day trips.

Rarely shop at Aldi, do use Tesco.

I don't drink, OH does, neither of us smoke. 

The only savings I'd make as a single person is on the council tax, everything else I'd barely notice.

Did it on under £21k.

(Edit, new car came recently while on a slightly higher wage, removed reference to it as old one wasn't on HP finance.)

We live virtually the same as you, 2cars, one cat and own own house (mortgage paid), and survive on £16k pa
I am disabled but apart from DLA £240 per month & CA (included above)) - we are not living on benefits