Matthew and I have been dithering about opening up a joint bank account for ages. We finally decided to go with Smile, as we like they're policies and approve of their attitude towards responsible investments. However, Smile asks a lot of information of its potential customers.
Long story short, we made the mistake of tallying my earnings over the last year.
Internet, we should be the official poster children for living on next to nothing. Our combined income is less than someone would make working part-time at the deli counter in one of the corporate slave machines people call grocery stores in this country.
The thing is I don't, or didn't, feel like we've been missing out on much. We go out, we eat well, we have enough that I can have a garden and buy absurd amounts of yarn. We aren't deprived of anything and that isn't because we don't buy things. In fact, I have no idea how we're doing it, but here we are. We have a budget but don't always stick to it. We do a lot of free things but go to the cinema and out for meals. We both pay to trek across town to hang out with people rather than cycle, especially if it's too hot, too cold or raining. Shit, I'm doing my bloody PhD, which is a luxury in itself.
I'm not sure if I should be chuffed with us for doing so well on so little or morbidly, bitterly depressed at how far away we are from pursuing anything remotely grown up, like buying a house, having kids or going on an annual holiday to the Lake District.
But I can tell you this: the next time I hear someone bitching about how hard it is to get by living in London or how skint they are, I'm going to fucking belt them.
haha, we don't have kids or a house either... and the boy is desperately trying to find a teaching job while selling suits in a mens clothing store. Ah, education. I sometimes get irked when I consider that some teenagers probably make more than he and I do combined, but somehow the happiness part seems to even it out. Good for you!
Posted by: Leanna | October 15, 2009 at 02:34 AM
As I went from uni to grad school to post-doc to work to unemployment, I really do find that my lifestyle is pretty much the same over all these stages of my life. As my income went up, I spent it, but don't know where the heck it goes. Now that I'm living off my husband, I don't buy much, but can't think of what I'd buy if I had money! Where does it go?
Posted by: Lien | October 14, 2009 at 12:10 AM
Love it!
Posted by: Lix | October 03, 2009 at 01:55 PM
We've had a joint account with Smile since about 2001 and think they're great. The customer service has always been fantastic.
Well done on achieving a good lifestyle on a small income. It just goes to show that money ain't everything. I've always thought that living in London does rub your face in it a bit and makes you more aware that some people have LOTS of disposable income.
Posted by: Laura | October 02, 2009 at 09:13 AM
I think you should be very chuffed! Knowing that you can have a good quality of life without bowing to the great god 'Dollar' means when you do get the dosh you will already know what is important and spend wisely. When you have a lovely life, without needing too much, if feels akin to wagging school - delightful, slightly naughty, and just a little smug as you watch the other rats trapped in the cage that you've just escaped from. No point in buying a house if you have to sell your life to get it. Your life sounds full to the brim with the best things already!
Posted by: Caro | October 02, 2009 at 02:17 AM
Also, smile put a cheshire cat on their paying in books. Yay Smile!
Applause for doing so well on so little. I am sort of the opposite. Despite having been earning reasonably well for quite a few years, and Armin earning better yet, we are *also* tragically far away from the housebuying etc. (But, we did go and have a babby. And I did start a business. Both quite spensive.)
Posted by: Robynn | October 01, 2009 at 06:52 PM
Firstly, well done on getting by with a decent quality of life on limited money. Many people try and fail! But as for not doing adult grown-up things: seriously, getting a joint bank account definitely qualifies! That's more adult than I've managed to get to.
Posted by: Larissa | October 01, 2009 at 06:28 PM
Lol...that last bit made me smile! I hate how many people who think it's hard to be a student in London as you don't get enough loan etc but I always coped...and came out of it with savings! The only reason I moved was to do the grown up thing of buying a house, which is bloody impossible in London!
And my parcel came today! Thank you to both of you! I love it!
Posted by: Laura | October 01, 2009 at 05:34 PM