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1 or 2 cars doesn’t really matter.
£800 per month on cars is an extravagance by any means.
By whose standards ? Yours ?
I think you’re gonna find that that opinion is in the minority 🤡
As someone who's views I genuinely look forward to reading, your inability to see other's point of view is the most depressing thing I've read on here in ages.
Thanks, I’ll rein it in.
Didnt mean to offend.
By whose standards ? Yours ?
I think you’re gonna find that that opinion is in the minority
So spunking the best part of £10k a year on a car is considered normal?
That's £14k gross if your a higher band tax payer.
Non taken. 🙂
Next time you're up in Harrogate, pop over to Burnley and I'll buy you a pint. Always good to meet decent people.
Right - sod all this theoretical stuff for a minute - Rusty, what can we do to help?
Indeed, but i’m only pointing out what others actually do in my world.
Anyway, sometimes I get carried away and this looks to be one of those moments where my fingers tap faster than my brain and i’m pissing people off.
That (surprisingly to some) isn’t in my nature, so...
Sorry if this whole topic has pissed forum members off, I certainly didn’t mean to do that just wanted to point out how some other segments of society view income and spending.
I’ve stepped too far over that demarcation line and I apologise for my attitude on this topic.
I will, in future, not comment or get involved in Money threads from now on.
Just keep on being yourself Ed 🙂.
Just having a bad day - I'm supposed to be revising today, but it's probably time for a bike ride.
Give us a shout if you fancy a pint over New Year.
And it's an open invitation - we're usually in the Bay Horse in Roughlee for Britain's best pub quiz on a Tuesday.
ok will see what we can do !
Honestly, we're fine. Off for guitar lesson tonight with a mate, it's brilliant. 🙂
Be great to see you though - you Hit the Northing next year?
Couldn't make the December date (is it still going ahead?) but proper looking forward to next year. The beard is now Biblical. ☺
bikebuoy I have to say I get v confused as you do come across as a decent person and original thinker....then you come out with stuff like this.
I get that it's "normal" for some (including a sibling of mine) but for those of us who live or work with those who live at the other end of the income spectrum, so what?
Anyone who can afford that is incredibly privileged, and to not see it is utterly depressing. See also comments re Thatcher.
bikebouy reported for breaking STW rules by actually apologising for something and admitting he may have taken things too far.
WTF were you thinking man?
And it’s an open invitation
This could go horribly wrong - mass STW NYE party at Rusty's everyone - yay!! #****ter #Faceplant
Another individual I'd genuinely love to meet. 🙂
None of us come over well on here.
What's up with the car Rusty? Might be able to help remotely or put something together maybe.
It's fine Molgrips, honestly. I wish I'd not mentioned it now.
The mighty Doblo (copyright Harry the Spider) keeps rolling.
I'm in a much better position, mentally and financially than I have been for years and incredibly fortunate. Loving the Associate Nursing course, a genuinely wonderful thing to be involved in and it pays enough. I just wish I'd had the confidence to get into nursing years ago - but it's a bittersweet regret, I don't think I'd have appreciated it half as much as I do now. Sue is doing fine, which helps more than I can express.
Stepkids and grandkids are happy and healthy, we've just had a wonderful week in Krakow and we are debt free.
Thank you for your concern, I genuinely appreciate it, you are a lovely bloke.
I can’t help but think a few of those arguing so vigorously about how little you need to earn before you are ‘privileged’ are really just defending their lack of success to make themselves feel better?
We should define ourselves by how we treat our most vulnerable, not by the number on the back of your BMW.
Dude, you need to to rethink your definition of success.
All of us have the potential to be successful - giving everyone an equal opportunity in life would be a start.
I can’t help but think a few of those arguing so vigorously about how little you need to earn before you are ‘privileged’ are really just defending their lack of success to make themselves feel better?
"I can’t help but think a few of those arguing so vigorously about how little you need to earn before you are ‘privileged’ are really just defending their lack of success to make themselves feel better?"
newsflash we all go in the same size box at the end im afraid.
At least the soylent green at your successful peoples retirement home might not be people flavored 😀
I can’t help but think a few of those arguing so vigorously about how little you need to earn before you are ‘privileged’ are really just defending their lack of success to make themselves feel better?
Troll.
No previous account activity, just this one post.
Wonder who it really is?
I can’t help but think a few of those arguing so vigorously about how little you need to earn before you are ‘privileged’ are really just defending their lack of success to make themselves feel better?
I’m perfectly happy with my level of success and don’t need to feel better
but it’s pretty sad that people who earn twice what I do think they are “struggling” because, essentially, they can’t control their spending.
I can’t help but think a few of those arguing so vigorously about how little you need to earn before you are ‘privileged’ are really just defending their lack of success to make themselves feel better?
Troll.
No previous account activity, just this one post.
Wonder who it really is?
I’ve got my suspicions. They are either in one of two camps, “Obvious Troll” or “****”, or most likely both.
They are either in one of two camps, “Obvious Troll” or “****”, or most likely both.
For someone to go to the effort of creating a new account simply to say something so full of hate is clearly in a dark place themselves and are just lashing out.
they can’t control their spending.
Well, that some places are more expensive to live than others is also a point although I'm not denying yours.
Another individual I’d genuinely love to meet
However you do know that...
back of your BMW
320D MSport, plus Interior Lighting pack 😉 😀
Pfft, that's a council beemer.
Pfft, that’s a council beemer.
Sure, but anything else would exceed my £5k per month income, and mean I'd be living beyond my means 😀
Live on my own with a mortgage and try to save a little each month. Then the months that have bills like Gas, Electric, Insurance etc, I have to use savings. At the end of the year I'm about even. Just have to resist buying that Santa Cruz...
Well, that some places are more expensive to live than others is also a point although I’m not denying yours.
Sure, location will often be a factor. But if someone struggles to get by on £5k a month, it will almost never be the only factor.
I can’t help but think a few of those arguing so vigorously about how little you need to earn before you are ‘privileged’ are really just defending their lack of success to make themselves feel better?
I am successful and earn a lot, I am also very privileged. I am the first to admit that has mostly been down to luck. Does that mean I can make a valid point about how little you need to earn to be pivileged?
Sure, location will often be a factor. But if someone struggles to get by on £5k a month, it will almost never be the only factor.
Exactly. Unless the cheapest property in a location is costing £3500 a month then location is not the factor.
Regardless of what you earn or are worth just remember
DON'T BE A DICK
Cheers
Actually, a bit too public
You really should eat something.
You’ll fade away to a shadow.
Exactly. Unless the cheapest property in a location is costing £3500 a month then location is not the factor.
You're assuming I'm talking about mortgages. You need to factor in costs of living. Have a play with the chart here: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/cost-of-living-the-one-chart-that-shows-why-londoners-are-the-poorest-workers-in-the-uk-a6692566.html
It may be a small-violin playing overwhelmingly titled piece, but the general context is true. Location is a factor - live in London for example and you will have a lot less disposable income per comparable salary than somewhere cheaper.
Thank you for your concern, I genuinely appreciate it, you are a lovely bloke.
Nah it's all talk. I'd have bailed 😉
I can’t help but think a few of those arguing so vigorously about how little you need to earn before you are ‘privileged’ are really just defending their lack of success to make themselves feel better?
Ah! So you equate success in life with monetary gain then? I genuinely feel very sorry for you
Location is a factor – live in London for example and you will have a lot less disposable income per comparable salary than somewhere cheaper.
Is anyone disagreeing with that? The point is around £5K per month not being enough to live on. You know people live in London on a LOT less than £5k per month don't you?
Unfortunately because people can't do the maths they get attracted by the salary to work in London and not realise they will actually be worse off. And because more and more people want to live in London the prices continue to be high so it never ends. There are a lot of other places to live and work...
people can’t do the maths
Your posts come across very accusatory. Perhaps people “don’t” do the maths or think to do the maths rather than “can’t”... Does everyone research the finite cost of living before they move house...?
Oh and some people are born in London, or can’t find it easy to move out of it. We all know its not easy to save an appropriate deposit and re-locate.
None of that changes the fact that if someone told you they were earning £5k a month and were living in London, the likelihood is they are not better off than someone earning £4k a month and living somewhere else with a much low cost of living.
My point is, earnings are not always an indicator of “being well off” I accept peoples choices on spending influence that, but you can’t tar everyone with the same brush instantly.
None of that changes the fact that if someone told you they were earning £5k a month and were living in London, the likelihood is they are not better off than someone earning £4k a month and living somewhere else with a much low cost of living.
Exactly, and £4k per month living outside of London is well off, very well of actually. If you are earning £4k net a month (outside of London) and living beyond your means it is because you are choosing too rather than forced into it which is the point here.
£4k take home even in London is easy to do looking at the average cost of living etc.
This site has some enlightening statistics. 4 cities where the average cost of living is higher than the average income (and none of them are London unsurprisingly)! Doesn't bode well, although I don't know how that might be skewed by people living off big savings in their old age etc.
More you earn the more you spend…… It’s all relative. Though if your skint on 50k I’d look at what your frittering away. Bet it’s frightening 30quid a month on Starbucks couple of hundred on booze all adds up
This. I earn pretty good money but never had any cash left at the end of the month and when I looked at my spending it was amazing how much I wasted on stuff like buying lunches, grabbing a couple of beers, having a personal phone as well as my work phone etc. Contactless payments were my downfall because it wasn’t like spending money. I now take out a set amount of cash each month for general stuff and it makes me think a lot more about what I’m buying.
In the past I was really bad for living beyond my means and I’m still paying for it now, but it’s improving. I’ve paid my student loan off and in four years or so I should be debt free other than our mortgage and cars. I’m getting better at resisting sale stuff too (I’m a sod for buying bike gear when it’s on offer).
Cars are something that I need to look at because I sat down and properly looked st what my company car and my other half’s car costs are we’re just shy of £800 a month for a vRS and a MINI. My company car cash equivalent is now £500 a month admittedly that’s risk free because it’s maintained, insured etc but it’s a lot of money for a car that I’m not fussed by. Opting out in the spring is looking tempting and I think I’m going to try and buy, insure and run something for £350 a month. I never really thought about the cost of my car because it came out before I got paid but once your paying 40% tax on it it bloody stings.
Our mortgage is £200k and is about £740 a month
councik tax is £180 a month
food for three of us, a cat and a dog is £350 a month inc the odd take away / meal out
gas, electricity, phone, sky, BT Sports, Netflix, water is about £280
buildings and contents is £40
life and income insurance is £110
childcare is £300
the little guy costs say £100in hot lunches, swimming lessons, rugby tots, after school club
MINI costs £280 in finance and insurance
Fuel for both cars is probably £250 (mostly mine having a 60 mile round trip to the office)
We could definitely cut back if we had to and hopefully moving to a new house means that we won’t be spending so much on DIY projects / upkeep. I’m well aware that we’re pretty lucky and are above average (nice house in a nice village, two alright cars, few treats each month) but you need to step back occasionally to engage brain and realise this because it’s easy to get wrapped up in thinking that you’re skint etc.
Opting out in the spring is looking tempting and I think I’m going to try and buy, insure and run something for £350 a month.
Assuming you have some restrictions on the type of car you need to buy to 'qualify' for the cash alternative, Once you take out the ~£150 PM it's costing you just to get to work in fuel (50mpg), based on the numbers you stated, and not taking into account personal mileage/fuel etc, i'd say you have no chance.
As with most of my peers I would say I am largely 'debt-free' - apart from the mortgage!
My acid test before we commit to anything large-ticket financially is: Do we have enough savings to tide us over for six months if we both lost our jobs? If the answer would be made into a 'no' by the purchase, then it doesn't get bought.
I am totally against buying stuff on the never-never. If you haven't got the money, don't buy it.
I regard this amount of self-restraint as a kind of tax on not having to watch every penny, every day - which a lot of people do, but it doesn't seem to allow them much time to actually live their lives.
a few of those arguing so vigorously about how little you need to earn before you are ‘privileged’ are really just defending their lack of success to make themselves feel better?
hey if it wasn't for my lack of success I'd not be able to think of myself as an underachiever! I can't think what would be worse than thinking I'd somehow fulfilled my potential. Though I probably have...
Exactly, and £4k per month living outside of London is well off, very well of actually. If you are earning £4k net a month (outside of London) and living beyond your means it is because you are choosing too rather than forced into it which is the point here.
Depends init, single earner, family of 5 (two under school age) and a horse. and it's a bit tight some times!
We'd not have the horse if we could but the old sod is too happy to put down and too knackered to loan out. Seeing as he's been part of the family for the last 14 years it's a bit rum to kick him out 😉
We shop almost exclusively at aldi, don't go out and most of my bikes are second hand 😉