What is a good salary in UK at present?

[malachi]

Not everyone feels the need to improve or grow a career. All they ask for is wages to rise with inflation.

You can guarantee the business owner is not taking a cut, and their customer is being charged more.

The whole idea that everyone should aspire to greatness, rather than just working to feed their family and spend time with them, is terrible.

You don't live to work, you work to live. If you want to work 16 hours a day, and build an empire, all power to you, but don't force your ideals on everyone else. That's not leadership, but dictatorship.

(I say this as someone doing well, in a highly paid job, yet constantly told I should be looking to grow and improve myself. Ignore the fact I was told throughout my life that I was 'lazy' and 'could do better', and that nobody amongst my parents and the education system realised I am 'highly functional' and neurodiverse, so already working much harder than them to just function 'normally')

Let people live their lives. Absolutely they should trade their time and skill for the things they need, but nobody has the right to tell them that they should want to do more.

I don't disagree there but whether we like it or not, that's how the world works. Life isn't fair but no one said life is fair. You either adjust to the situation or get left behind screwed over. Either way the world will still continue to move in the same direction.

Living in a first world country we have freedom and that freedom also equals changing jobs. If people are working in unskilled jobs for long periods of time and inflation is eating into their wages then those are the consequences of working in those type of roles. If they don't like it then they have the freedom to find another job earning more and shouldn't be complaining. That's down to the individual to change not society.

 

[Koalaboy]

I don't disagree but whether we like it or not, that's how the world works. Life isn't fair but no one said life is fair. You either adjust to the situation or get left behind screwed over. Either way the world will still continue to move the same direction.

Living in a first world country we have freedom and that freedom also equals changing jobs. If people are working in a unskilled jobs for long periods of time and inflation is eating into their wages then those are the consequences of working in those type of roles. If they don't want it to happen then they have the freedom to find another job earning more. That's down to the individual to change not society.

That's the capitalist viewpoint, which is often pushed harder because money = power = influence.

It's not how the world works though - it's completely how society has allowed it to work, and society can change it. It's just harder due to the influence that money affords the power to push back.

Modern capitalism benefits those who already have money and power. It does not generally benefit society. But those that are reaping the benefits do not want to lose them, and therefore have an agenda to keep things as they want them.

 

[HangTime]

I guess the point is that bemoaning the status quo doesn't in itself change very much, and "how society has allowed it work" is the reality you have to deal with, not how you want it to work.
Sure, you can work to change that but it's a long process that won't help people in the short term wanting to earn more money, who may be better served trying to climb up the ladder with the system they find themselves in, regardless of whether they agree with the system.

 

[413x]

I think that's a bit of an exaggeration, there's plenty of rags-to-riches tales about, and living paycheque to paycheque doesn't mean people aren't enjoying themselves. I had a friend years ago who got a job in London and moved to a rented flat in Kensington, she had a great time but wasn't saving any money.
Basically having a baller salary means you can afford outgoings you wouldn't ordinarily be able to afford. Maybe some spend it on a family home and childcare / posh school, or put it in savings and investments so don't enjoy it, but not everyone does that. Being a girl she didn't need hookers so could just spend it on the other thing.


For sure, and the same applies in those discussions around "what would a life-changing sum of money be?". People [virtually] look at you funny if you say £100k or £500k wouldn't be particularly life changing but 6-figure sums can just be instantly swallowed up by buying a house that isn't a mansion meaning you are then still working full time etc. Factor in a few luxury purchases for short-term gratification and it's all gone.

That said I do think mentality plays a part when it comes to spending scaling with earnings, it seems lots of people just spend the same sort of proportion of earnings regardless of what they earn, so [ignoring property equity] they never really feel like they are rolling around in a bed of banknotes.
It's worth noting however that to enjoy a decent salary you have to actually spend it - so even if you have more disposable income that doesn't change anything in terms of short term enjoyment if you don't dispose of it.

If I was given 500k it would certainly be life changing. Even 200k would be.

200k would wipe out my mortgage. (obviously I wouldn't do that but that's the potency of it)

That would instantly give us 1k a month back.
Or 10k a year interest in a lowly cash isa/pension etc
That's another 3 holidays a year.

That's a lot of money.
I'd probably be looking for part time hours and doing more travel at that point. I'd have too much money and not enough time off work.

I've never been career driven, I've only wanted a decent paying job to facilitate life.
I've also grown out of "stuff". I don't want a big house. Less interested in cars (as can be seen by 2008 Peugeot 207 I have).
And our mortgage is a lot lower than a lot of you guys on here vs our earnings.


Genuinely I don't really have anything to spend money on apart from travel. So more money would need to be split between more time and more travel. That's literally all I'd do with extra money.

 

[inferno]

When I lived abroad I would get about £10,000 a month and with that money you can enjoy yourself as a single person and still save a lot, not rich at all, but you can enjoy life and not worry about money at all. So I would say that was a good salary, I don’t earn that much anymore.

In the UK it seems having some money left over at the end of the month means you are doing well which is I feel a sad state of affairs

 

[VincentHanna]

When I lived abroad I would get about £10,000 a month and with that money you can enjoy yourself as a single person and still save a lot, not rich at all, but you can enjoy life and not worry about money at all. So I would say that was a good salary, I don’t earn that much anymore.

In the UK it seems having some money left over at the end of the month means you are doing well which is I feel a sad state of affairs

I earnt just under 80k last tax year, and yet my bank account is hardly billy big ********.

Not sure where it all goes.

 

[Koalaboy]

I guess the point is that bemoaning the status quo doesn't in itself change very much, and "how society has allowed it work" is the reality you have to deal with, not how you want it to work.
Sure, you can work to change that but it's a long process that won't help people in the short term wanting to earn more money, who may be better served trying to climb up the ladder with the system they find themselves in, regardless of whether they agree with the system.

True. But then the system also doesn't have jobs for those people - convinced them to go to University but then no roles at the end because now they expect even more money.

Also, we need public services, and they need to pay people well enough, otherwise there are no services.

All the government actually wants is people working as much as possible, so they don't have to deal with the huge financial holes they've made over the last decade.

They need some new wars, so 'civic duty' can become the slogan once again.

 

[malachi]

Modern capitalism benefits those who already have money and power. It does not generally benefit society. But those that are reaping the benefits do not want to lose them, and therefore have an agenda to keep things as they want them.

Its 2023, we have the internet and access to more information than ever before. Knowledge is no longer locked behind a door in a building, nothing stopped people reaping those benefits too.

Its far more easier now for people to sit on their backside and complain, that itself, society has allowed. Instead of going out there and doing something about it to better their situation.

No one aspires to be at the bottom end of life, having a crappy wage. But still somehow expects to be rewarded with good outcomes.

 

[Koalaboy]

I earnt just under 80k last tax year, and yet my bank account is hardly billy big ********.

Not sure where it all goes.

Similar, and yet I live in a terraced townhouse, in a not-great estate (no garage, etc.) and try to save what I can because retirement seems like it will never happen.

I know most people around me are even worse off. Maybe I should be taking more risks, mortgaging myself to an amount that I can't pay if rates hit 10% (because they won't, right ?), and building up credit card debt, as that all helps the economy.. .but I'm just desperately saving everything as I suspect the govt won't help me when I'm old, despite having paid all these taxes for the last 30 years... because it's all *gone*.

 

[413x]

I earnt just under 80k last tax year, and yet my bank account is hardly billy big ********.

Not sure where it all goes.

I think too many people spend to thier salary and then feel like it's not enough.
Be that an excessively big house, a brand new fancy lease car, upgrading super market etc etc.
That new kitchen is nice.. But is it really needed? It isn't most likely.

Which is all fine. But it's when people on xxxk say they haven't got enough, it grates people on low xxk salaries.

There are mitigating circumstances, ie you can't escape London. But there is a lot to be said about people spending too their means, and then inflation (for example) feeling like a real impact, when Otherwise it wouldn't have been. Or didn't need to be such a burden.

 

[Koalaboy]

Its 2023, we have the internet and access to more information than ever before. Knowledge is no longer locked behind a door in a building, nothing stopped people from those reaping the benefits too.
Its far more easier now for people to sit on their backside and complain, that itself, society had allowed. Instead of going out there and doing something about it to better their situation.
No one aspires to be at the bottom end of life, having a crappy wage. But still somehow expects to be rewarded with good outcomes.

You're obviously into "survival of the fittest". I get that. It's an alpha male thing.

Unfortunately, that's not how most people 'work'. Education, understanding, ability, all play a part, and many people can't just 'do something' or even don't know how to.
If society doesn't support people as they grow, to be able to do this, it's already failed. Schools don't teach this, and they're forced to follow the govt. curriculum.

Society is not built by "Everyone for themselves".

You don't have to be a socialist, but you must realise that without the rest of society, you'd likely have nothing.

 

[VincentHanna]

Similar, and yet I live in a terraced townhouse, in a not-great estate (no garage, etc.) and try to save what I can because retirement seems like it will never happen.

I know most people around me are even worse off. Maybe I should be taking more risks, mortgaging myself to an amount that I can't pay if rates hit 10% (because they won't, right ?), and building up credit card debt, as that all helps the economy.. .but I'm just desperately saving everything as I suspect the govt won't help me when I'm old, despite having paid all these taxes for the last 30 years... because it's all *gone*.

Sounds very much like me. 3 bedroom semi-detached on an early 80's estate.

I wouldn't mind if I had spent loads on the house but the biggest expense was a £2100 sofa bed for the spare room that I paid interest free over 12 months.

My garden looks like **** (2 dogs).

We did splurge on two ridiculously expensive 40th birthday holidays to the Caribbean last year, so it was probably that.

 

[Koalaboy]

Which is all fine. But it's when people on xxxk say they haven't got enough, it grates people on low xxk salaries.

I'd never say I don't have enough. I really feel for those on low salaries, and wonder how I'd cope, and how they do.

The reason I would complain, is that I was sold a dream... work hard, keep a good job, you'll have a good life and a happy retirement, yes the reality is every day it seems as if most of that is drifting away.

I'll likely be working until I'm 70 (having been sold the dream years back of retiring at 50) and then just having an 'enough to get by' life for the remaining few years - no taking luxury holidays and enjoying my 'free' time.

I absolutely appreciate younger people have it even worse - I struggle with how to best advise my teenage daughter - but the govt needs to stop selling these dreams, when the reality is you'll be a drone for life.

 

[inferno]

I earnt just under 80k last tax year, and yet my bank account is hardly billy big ********.

Not sure where it all goes.

It’s because 80k now is probably the same as 60k in 2019. A pack of haribo at the beginning of the year was £1, now it’s £1.35!

 

[413x]

I'd never say I don't have enough. I really feel for those on low salaries, and wonder how I'd cope, and how they do.

The reason I would complain, is that I was sold a dream... work hard, keep a good job, you'll have a good life and a happy retirement, yes the reality is every day it seems as if most of that is drifting away.

I'll likely be working until I'm 70 (having been sold the dream years back of retiring at 50) and then just having an 'enough to get by' life for the remaining few years - no taking luxury holidays and enjoying my 'free' time.

I absolutely appreciate younger people have it even worse - I struggle with how to best advise my teenage daughter - but the govt needs to stop selling these dreams, when the reality is you'll be a drone for life.

I'm certainly glad I missed the **** that kids have today.
Ever increased costs and salaries that can't keep up.

The rent trap is getting more and more scary. The big issue is later. It's fine renting forever if you know the support will be there when you're older.
But in the UK at least you never know when the rug will be pulled.

You can count on a livable pension. Get there... And it's gone.

Without having money saved in house or as cash.. And an nhs that's dying.. People are going to run out of money and die.

It'll be like the USA.. Except at least there you weren't paying into it for it to be ripped away. It was never there.

 

[413x]

It’s because 80k now is probably the same as 60k in 2019. A pack of haribo at the beginning of the year was £1, now it’s £1.35!

Its fredos that are the SI unit for inflation I think you'll find!

Lol here it is..

 

[Koalaboy]

Its fredos that are the SI unit for inflation I think you'll find!

We need the updated one. That was 4 years ago...

 

[Richie]

We need the updated one. That was 4 years ago...

Christ on a bike, is that old one not scary enough and you want the updated one? You masochist!

 

[malachi]

You're obviously into "survival of the fittest". I get that. It's an alpha male thing.

Unfortunately, that's not how most people 'work'. Education, understanding, ability, all play a part, and many people can't just 'do something' or even don't know how to.
If society doesn't support people as they grow, to be able to do this, it's already failed. Schools don't teach this, and they're forced to follow the govt. curriculum.

Society is not built by "Everyone for themselves".

You don't have to be a socialist, but you must realise that without the rest of society, you'd likely have nothing.

Its got nothing to do with "survival of the fittest" or being an "alpha male thing" When you are saying comments like this, you are showing lack of maturity level. I was expecting more of an better response from you.

Anyway, its got everything to do with taking responsibility and accountability for your own situation instead of playing the victim and expecting someone such as the Government to save you. It is "Everyone for themselves" we are not standing around, holding hands singing Kumbaya. Helping every man and his dog at time of need. When you are down and out no one is coming to save you, apart from yourself.

And yes, many people can just 'do something' if they are fully able to walk, talk and read which 99.9% of people in the UK can. We are not being invaded or at war fighting on the frontlines. So there is no excuse, just laziness.

 

[Koalaboy]

Anyway, its got everything to do with taking responsibility and accountability for your own situation instead of playing the victim and expecting someone such as the Government to save you. It is "Everyone for themselves" we are not standing around, holding hands singing Kumbaya. Helping every man and his dog at time of need. When you are down and out no one is coming to save you, apart from yourself.

That's not a society. It may be where we're headed, but it's not how communities or societies have been built and grown.
It's also not what you've been told - the reason the government takes taxes is to provide support for you and others when needed.
This is not playing the victim.

And yes, many people can just 'do something' if they are fully able to walk, talk and read which 99.9% of people in the UK can. We are not being invaded or at war fighting on the frontlines. So there is no excuse, just laziness.

Well done for just dismissing anything related to mental health. The same way Rishi did in his speech about how more people than ever are 'fit to work'.

You won't get any 'better' response from me, as it's clear that you believe everyone is 'built' the same as you. They're not.

There are absolutely people who do as little as possible, in the same way there are others that will tread all over anyone necessary to get to the top. Neither of these are 'good' members of society, and neither represents most people.