Single-income households of Britain: How do you do it?
Posted by Acrobatic-Pudding-87@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 60 comments
I've been living overseas for a number of years but the time is approaching when I will have to move back to the UK with my son to be near my mum, and I'm getting anxiety looking at the costs of everything. All my work experience is in an industry that doesn't exist in my hometown and where it does exist in the UK there are limited opportunities and not great salaries, so realistically I'd be looking at a mid-life career change and a pay cut. When I see salary ranges of £24-30k pre-tax even for roles that require experience, and then rents of £1200-1500 a month for a two-bedroom place in my hometown, I'm left wondering how on Earth any single-income household can afford to live. I don't know if I'm going to be able to do it.
Jimny977@reddit
I’m 27 and a single income household, my wife moved here from the Philippines and is casually looking for work but only part time and not overly highly paid, as she wants to focus on kids in a couple of years anyway.
There’s no secret, just earn a lot more than average is the only way around it, and even then because of tax you won’t get anywhere near as far as you would if the same was split between two earners.
I earn £85k base and bonuses are apparently 15-25% (haven’t been here long enough to have received one yet). That gives enough to invest a decent chunk, buy a moderate house in a good commutable ish area when the time comes, and still live life. If I was earning the £35k median and my wife wasn’t though it would be tight at absolute best I imagine, I lived fine on £26k as a single guy, but when you want a family and future it becomes a different deal entirely.
Maleficent_Day_3869@reddit
girl who grew up in a single income household, as well as knowing lots of single income families. the answer is benefits and council housing
BigYoSpeck@reddit
Universal credit
Say your take home is about £2000
For a couple with 1 child and say £800 rent you have a universal credit entitlement of about £1700
After tapering for your earnings UC pay you £800-900ish
Child benefit is about £112 per month
This puts the household income closer to £3000 per month. It's not lavish but you can survive
Adventurous_Day_822@reddit
What!? So I'm trying to scrape by on about £1400 a month and not claiming anything. My wife earns 35k plus 5k car allowance and our mortgage is 470 a month. Do doubt I'm entitled to anything as we split our bills 50/50 so of course I don't have any money left over after that. Seems pretty unfair that someone on 2k gets a extra grand a month for free, it's ridiculous!
BigYoSpeck@reddit
If you have children and childcare costs you should look if your family is entitled to something. You can claim back 85% of childcare costs through universal credit
With a household income of I'm estimating £4k a month, if you had 2 children and childcare costs over £1k then there is probably a small entitlement there for you
Adventurous_Day_822@reddit
Thanks but I doubt it. Since our kids are a bit older we don't pay for childcare.
I find our benefits system ridiculously unfair. After working for 32 years i fell on harder times recently (last 3 years) and all I've ever been entitled to is 80 quid a week JSA which was stopped after a few months. I've gone from being decently paid as a contractor to scraping by, and there's folk out there already getting paid 600 a month more than me who are bagging an extra grand for free every month. What a joke!
flusteredchic@reddit
With older kids I think you're underestimating current childcare costs (even with "free" gov hours (they aren't free at all, every time the gov gives a free break, the nursery just adds it back onto "chargeables"). That 1K ends up going almost exclusively on childcare).
velos85@reddit
I live within my means. I don’t have 3 spare bedroom and 8 reception rooms in my house. I don’t drive a brand new BMW M and I don’t buy Balenciaga clothes for £800 a pop
Flat_Development6659@reddit
The people who earn £24-30k don't live alone in areas where rent is £1200-1500 a month. They either have roommates, a partner or live in a cheaper area.
LadyWithABookOrTwo@reddit
Or in the case of us single parents receive some Universal Credit to top up our wages.
No-Door-3181@reddit
House sharing or living with relatives. Very difficult to live solo on £24-30k pre-tax
-myeyeshaveseenyou-@reddit
I’m a single earner and co parent. I have the kids half the week so I’m also providing for two children. My ex has them an extra fortnight a year due to how breaking up weeks fall for us, so all benefits go to him so the only thing I survive on is my wage.
Sometimes it’s a struggle.
I managed to buy my house by living where I worked (hotel) for over two years and saving for a deposit. I’m up north where wages and house prices are fairly low. I’ve been offered wages that would see me very comfortable to commute but I’m not happy to miss time with my kids for what the commute and hours would be, it’s a hard choice to make but I only get one chance to raise my kids and I already only see them half the week
johnnycarrotheid@reddit
Story of my life lol Except only one kid here.
Dirt cheap mortgage is the only thing that saved me, same though, crap wages local job
-myeyeshaveseenyou-@reddit
Mine is definitely cheaper than rent but I only bought 3 years ago so it’s not crazy cheap, I was also 38 by the time I got to buy so I’m looking at working until I drop down dead some day. I’m currently disabled and still working because I can’t afford to live on sick pay so I get through the day on painkillers. I’m probably looking at hip surgery and that’s terrifying because the recovery process is long, genuinely don’t know how I will manage it
johnnycarrotheid@reddit
I managed it in 2019, and honestly I'd have been utterly knackered if I hadn't done it at that time, prices locally went from near 2008 crash levels to the stratosphere as everyone moved to the countryside. Scraped it then, the banks would laugh at me with how the prices are now.
Do love the fact that since I didn't get the kids benefits, I was never getting a council home like my ex did, but I pay less than Council rent for the mortgage.
Maybe look into a WFH job. I'm possibly having to do that in a couple years when the kid ages out and turns up to stay full time, if some stuff doesn't improve with her autism diagnosis. Story and a half right there.
My upstairs neighbour thankfully didn't heat their home one winter, pipes froze then burst and flooded me 🤦 The insurance + lots of DIY sorted me out for a lot of stuff, that was being backburnered. Including a shed that got knocked down, basically blew down 😂, and a cheap plastic clicky together one went up.
-myeyeshaveseenyou-@reddit
My ex works from home. I am always looking too for at home jobs but I also need to pull in a decent wage.
He actually owns a pretty fancy house. So at least the kids have something decent to inherit some day as I doubt the price of my house will ever go up much. It’s frustrating as I spent £130,000 in the 18 years I rented but banks kept denying a mortgage, if I’d gotten one sooner I’d be nearly done as my house cost £130,000. He had help from his parents who are fairly well off.
I’m mid autism diagnosis myself and suspect both my kids are on the spectrum too. My initial assessment was highly indicative and I’m basically just waiting for the confirmation but I’m basically assuming I am correct that I’m autistic at this stage. The waiting list is 3.5 years long but I came back with several traits across multiple areas of neurodivergence. It’s probably some miracle that I’ve even managed to get where I am in life give the ways my autism affects me snd I do see my life as a huge achievement for that because it’s just been so very hard.
LittleBullet2018@reddit
Can I ask what work you do? 24-30k does seem very low.
Acrobatic-Pudding-87@reddit (OP)
That’s not the range for my job, just the range I was seeing in a casual search for jobs in my mum’s town, not that my job pays much differently. Even in London I see my industry advertising roles at 36k a year, which is what I’m paid now in a country that is half as cheap to live in. Madness.
Aggressive-Risk9183@reddit
My wife and I are moving back to the UK too. I would say don’t panic - the advertised roles are often lower. You can find roles that are better paid and ask for salaries within a higher bandwidth. For example, in my wife’s field the salaries are often advertised as 25-30 but from asking around people with more prestigious or niche companies etc. are on closer to 35-45 and then higher for management. It’s also worth thinking outside the box. For instance, we are prepared to freelance and get global clients instead. It’s hard when you’re returning to look after a sick parent and really just need an easy job though! I will say that we are initially moving in with family to make the transition easier though. Good luck!
bsnimunf@reddit
Do you have to move back? is it to take care of your mum? If so your should probably live with her.
TheCarnivorishCook@reddit
Living alone is a very unusual state of affairs not the way its always been.
Why would a single person on a below average to barely above minimum wage have a 2 bed house?
If earn under £30k, or even under £45k, that's lodger money not renting a large place.
Acrobatic-Pudding-87@reddit (OP)
Single-income household, not single.
Horse-Upstairs@reddit
Earns lots
Exita@reddit
By having a very high single income.
ldn-ldn@reddit
It's very easy - just earn a lot! £80k+ per annum and you'll be fine!
Adam-West@reddit
I understand single income (as we are one). I don’t understand single parent. Especially without significant help from grandparents. It actually boggles my mind that it’s possible.
flusteredchic@reddit
By drastically lowering your standard of living Hun.
But it's not so bad if you make your peace with it and it is doable just don't be disillusioned, frequent Starbucks are a thing of the past... You scrape the bottom of your foundation or learn to live makeup-less... You're more cautious with the amount of loo roll you use to wipe.... Frozen veg is a life saver.... Pants and socks aren't replaced unless they're irreparable. Holidays anywhere, in or out of country are replaced with abundance of crafting supplies and discovering all the local free/cheap attractions etc etc etc
AlmaAlta_@reddit
By living in the North.
Iforgotmypassword126@reddit
Government assistance and top ups like working tax credits etc.
Also they’d most likely have some child maintenance money as well if they have a child
But I also don’t know! - it’s tough out there. Lots of people stay in relationships that aren’t great to survive.
ExistentialTabarnak@reddit
I live in a small, run-down town in the middle of nowhere.
spaceshipcommander@reddit
I have this conversation often with my mate. We earn more individually than the average household yet we live what our grandparents considered an average lifestyle. You shouldn't have to earn what I earn to own a house and not be in debt.
Psyk60@reddit
I'm on a single income, supporting me, my wife and several pets.
I'm a fairly high earner though, a little under £70k.
I have a relatively cheap house (£900 a month mortgage), an old car, and generally try to live within my means.
Although if I'm honest I also get a little help from my parents. £200 a month. I think I could get by without that if I needed to.
Opening-Winner-3032@reddit
Doable on 30. Move to central Scotland or some other reasonably cheap place. Get a house for under 100k house with 10% deposit. £500 a month. Plus bills household £300 plus food for 4 of you £400 if your careful.
That still leaves around £800 a month for car if needed and other living expenses.
We did it 21-23. Could be tight sometimes but still afford holidays etc.
KindlyReflection6020@reddit
Easy. Purchased a flat back in 2001 and never moved. I got onto the first rung of the housing ladder and did not climb up. Yes, the mortgage was tough in the beginning but as my income rose, my housing costs took up smaller proportions of my income. I have now paid off the mortgage and I am still living in the 1 bedroom flat. I wish the flat was located in central London. However, it is located in a small city in the hinterland of the UK.
The only downside in recent years has been that I WFH full time and I think it has affected my mental health a bit. Too proud to get a diagnosis as I do not want to become a mental health scrounger. I make my own money and pay my own way.
illarionds@reddit
I would be struggling if I had to pay that much rent - my mortgage is like half of that.
New_Vegetable_3173@reddit
try and find an area which works for you, but the rent isn’t too high because rent varies a lot between postcodes and towns.
Shop Aldi and lidl and Poundland
Independent-Ad-3385@reddit
When I was on that salary, tax credits (which would now be UC). I'm lucky to be closer to median salary now and own a home so my mortgage is less than rent would be, but it's still not easy.
Behold_SV@reddit
Here is the problem. Westerners think they want to live alone and be independent. In the meantime people from a cultures with the strong family values and ties outbids them by merging incomes and buying big houses. Several generations live under one roof. They put together all their incomes. It is a tough to be single and have to pay premiums.
EmFan1999@reddit
Westerners do want to live alone, doesn’t mean we don’t have strong family ties as well.
Houseofsun5@reddit
On the contrary I absolutely know I want to live alone, that's not open for debate, utterly non-negotiable!!
Behold_SV@reddit
Sure. But market economy don’t care
Houseofsun5@reddit
I don't think economies have feelings, they are just to be worked within in a way that produces the desired outcome. In my case a nice 3 bed detached bungalow for weekends and holidays and a crash pad in Greater London for work. Maybe not most people's ideal situation as it involves more driving that many would enjoy, but it's how I have worked within the economic situations over the years to end up with a situation that's okay for me.
EmFan1999@reddit
People in your situation (with a child) top up their income through universal credit. See what benefits you’re entitled to
Personally I’ve lived alone for 15 years and I have always earned over the average wage or been a student and so bills were lower, plus I’ve always been careful not to get into debt
Adorable_Pee_Pee@reddit
It was manageable for a while but it’s increasingly difficult
baddymcbadface@reddit
You're looking at a below average wage in an area with relatively expensive rent.
That combo will always leave you poor.
Check entitledto.co.uk, you may qualify for help.
lavayuki@reddit
Frugality and compromise.
I don’t have kids or pets either, I live alone so that reduces expenses.
Houseofsun5@reddit
By having an in demand skill set and a stable high income for many years.
yorkspirate@reddit
A combination of not having (or wanting) kids, living in a cheaper northern town and keeping my monthly outgoings as low as possible mean I've been comfortable for the last 5 or so years
Automatic-Expert-231@reddit
Be a HENRY
TeaLiving7900@reddit
prayer, whiskey and a bit of insanity.
Glittering-Knee9595@reddit
Shared houses for many years then luck with buying
Majick_L@reddit
Rent is the main thing that affects it. Luckily mine is very cheap, so I manage quite easily. I don’t pay for any TV subscriptions (sail the high seas), do my shopping at Aldi and stick to a strict budget and meal plans for the week, freezing multiple portions of meals etc. I don’t need to pay for broadband as my phone contract comes with unlimited hotspot tethering for £28 a month. Never buy takeaways, and I don’t have a car. I’ve experienced what it’s like to survive on unemployment benefits, so I’m good at managing my outgoings and living within my means. I can comfortably live on minimum wage but if my rent shot up by a lot, id probably struggle
Pale_Slide_3463@reddit
Cheap rent… super old house you accept the character of it lol. I don’t go out drinking at the weekends, I eat out maybe once a month/two. I don’t impulse buy anything. You have to be really good with money tbh, you learn how to make dinners with same ingredients the same dinners two nights in a row. Also I don’t have any kids so it makes it easier and cheaper
Ok-Practice-518@reddit
A lot of people get some sort of inheritance from parents or grandparents or leave in rural areas where they can save a little bit
winterval_barse@reddit
If you’re relocating to be nearer your mum, is it an option to actually live with her? 3+ generations per house can be a good way to cut costs (depending on the personalities involved ofc)
MiniCale@reddit
I skimp where I can eg. Not having many evenings out. Not buying expensive clothing or food. Not buying expensive ready meals. Cheap mobile phone contract.
I have been able to support my wife and her visa costs earning within the salaries you have found.
My mortgage is only £600 a month as I live in a relatively cheap area.
greenhairdontcare8@reddit
I accepted that my rent and bills for a while (lol forever) would be over half my salary, but to live alone I considered it worth it. I was also lucky enough to be earning £40k plus a year.
Solid-Board6295@reddit
On a wing and a prayer usually.
deprevino@reddit
A lot of single income households out there are simply playing by different rules as they bought their houses back when prices made sense and have a very affordable mortgage. Life is almost hilariously cheaper when you take rent out of the equation.
If it's something you want to pursue then you will just have to move to a cheaper area, earn a decent wage, not have children (well - too late for that one huh), consider side hustles, or any combination of the above.
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