How much do you think you need to earn to live comfortably b

[Abigailly]

I am astonished at some of these answers!

As a family of four, we live comfortably on about £18k. Eventually we'd like to have an income of about £30k which would seem pretty luxurious.

I honestly think it's what you've become accustomed to. Say, our business went bust, and all we had was enough to cover basic bills, we would manage. I know we would because we've done it before. We would change how we shop, holiday, treat ourselves etc, but still manage.

In the same was if we suddenly boomed, and were earning another £100k a year, we'd still manage to spend that.

There's no winning when it comes to income

 

[Midnight_Fairy]

We were fine on 16k too really!

 

[MrsT&Ben]

I am astonished at some of these answers!

As a family of four, we live comfortably on about £18k. Eventually we'd like to have an income of about £30k which would seem pretty luxurious.

Just out of interest how much do you pay to rent or mortgage your home?

Our mortgage takes a huge chunk of our money and its not even like its a huge house, it a 1 bed flat in a reasonable area.

Sorry to be nosey but I think that where you live in the country and how much your mortgage/rent costs has a lot to do with 'living comfortably.

That said 90k seems excessive to me! That would be the lap of luxury for us! (No offence to the poster!)

 

[Lauraxamy]

Two years ago I was living off between 14-16k and I have to say I was pretty comfortable then, seemed to manage fine. I earn a bit more than that now and obviously I'm still comfortable. Around 30k a year would be nice though even if it was just so I could keep bumping my savings up.

 

[wishuwerehere]

We have an income of about 60K joint and our lifestyle is pretty luxurious - and that includes oh paying off debt from when he was a silly student. I think we could live off of 30K and not change our lives drastically (stuff like we'd have to downgrade our sky package and maybe go on holiday less, but not move house or take lo out of her nursery etc)

 

[mara16jade]

Hmmm, almost embarrassed to post this. LOL

For us in Southern California....at least $80-100k a year.

But then again, I'm not sure what all your mortgages are - ours is about $30k/ year. And that's not included utilities, bills, food, cars, gas, etc. JUST the house payment.

 

[beth_terri]

How much do you need to earn so that you don't qualify for tax credits? I'd say over that so your not relying on any government funding! X

 

[beth_terri]

This thread has totally depressed me!! Am I allowed to ask what you all do for a living? X

 

[onetwothreebp]

I'm a SAHM but OH works in the oil field and can bring home anywhere from 8000-15000 a month.

 

[mara16jade]

My DF is in business (finance) and I'm en environmental specialist.

Right now, we survive on about $70k - but to be comfortable and not have to double guess a purchase, $80-100k (before taxes are taken out) would be best. Taxes and benefits take out almost 30% of our salary.

 

[special_kala]

How much do you need to earn so that you don't qualify for tax credits? I'd say over that so your not relying on any government funding! X

26k for one child and 32 for 2 i think.

With CTC, CB and HB i dont think anyone in the UK could survive in less then 20k surely.

 

[bananaboat]

To me, living comfortably includes paying the mortgage on our own home, ability to pay monthly bills, ability to save monthly for emergencies, ability to save monthly for retirement, ability to enjoy vacations, dining out and odds and ends that we want. Basically having the option, not requirement, to be frugal.

Here in the Boston area, I'd say a minimum of 100k.

 

[Pink Flowers]

How much do you need to earn so that you don't qualify for tax credits? I'd say over that so your not relying on any government funding! X

26k for one child and 32 for 2 i think.

With CTC, CB and HB i dont think anyone in the UK could survive in less then 20k surely.

My brother and SIL apparently do... I think they are getting a bit of help. but they say we earn to much ?

 

[Belle25]

This thread has totally depressed me!! Am I allowed to ask what you all do for a living? X

I'm a stay at home mum (working would have no cost benefit )
Oh runs the online side of things for a international company.

I guess money can seem short even if your on a very good wage-my neighbours have two kids in private school for example, and kill themselves working long hours. To me, that extra money saved by sending them to state school would be better!

Everyone's ideas of what's essential to budget for differs i guess.

Xx

 

[mara16jade]

To me, living comfortably includes paying the mortgage on our own home, ability to pay monthly bills, ability to save monthly for emergencies, ability to save monthly for retirement, ability to enjoy vacations, dining out and odds and ends that we want. Basically having the option, not requirement, to be frugal.

Here in the Boston area, I'd say a minimum of 100k.

Sounds about right!

 

[Abigailly]

This thread has totally depressed me!! Am I allowed to ask what you all do for a living? X

We own an IT consultation business.

I agree with your 'able to live without government assistance' idea. I think that's a pretty good way to sum it up really.

 

[Pink Flowers]

My OH works dealing with telecommunications. I don't actually know what he does

I am a carer on maternity leave, I have been on sick since about 20 weeks.

So we have learnt to make do on just his wage, which as I said is about £40k

 

[mummy3]

Depends where you live. Here in San Diego we're comfortable now on about 150k, most other places and that would be a massive amount but it really doesn't go as far here

 

[LynseyPynsey]

OH is a detective constable in the police, I'm currently a trainee dental nurse (on maternity) and as I said we earn around 45k. We're both due pay rises soon