When you’re not struggling, but you’re not living large either, it can be a weird experience.
Source: Unsplash You can’t afford to buy your own house and your car is at least five years old, but you’re not struggling to pay the bills and can afford some treats here and there. Here are 15 quirky realities that many people in this financial limbo might find familiar.
1. You can afford name-brand cereal, but only when it’s on sale.
There’s a certain thrill in spotting your favourite cereal on offer. You’re not confined to the budget brands, but you’re not quite ready to splurge on full-price luxury either. You find yourself doing a little victory dance in the supermarket aisle when you see that two-for-one deal on Crunchy Nut. It’s these small wins that make you feel like you’re living your best life, even if it’s just in the breakfast department.
2. Your wardrobe is a mix of high street and high-end.
Your closet tells an interesting story. There’s that designer jacket you saved up for, hanging next to a bunch of basics from Primark. You’re not afraid to invest in a quality piece now and then, but you balance it out with affordable staples. Your mix-and-match approach to fashion means you can look put-together without breaking the bank. Plus, you’ve mastered the art of making a £10 shirt look like it cost ten times that amount.
3. You go on holiday, but it’s more Benidorm than Bora Bora.
Holidays are definitely on the cards, but you’re more likely to be found on a packed beach in Spain than a private island in the Maldives. You’ve mastered the art of the budget getaway, becoming an expert at finding those last-minute deals. Your holidays might not be the stuff of luxury travel magazines, but you’re out there seeing the world, even if it’s one budget airline at a time.
4. Your car is reliable, but not flashy.
Your wheels get you from A to B without any fuss, but they’re not turning heads on the street. It’s clean, it’s functional, and it’s paid off — which feels like a win in itself. You might dream of a sports car one day, but for now, you’re just happy that your current ride doesn’t break down every other week. Plus, you’ve become quite adept at ignoring that one mysterious noise it makes on cold mornings.
5. You have a savings account, but it’s more of a “rainy day” fund than a “quit your job” fund.
You’ve managed to squirrel away some cash, which feels pretty good. It’s enough to cover an unexpected bill or a minor emergency, but not quite enough to fund an early retirement. You tend to do a lot of mental gymnastics, constantly weighing up whether to add to your savings or treat yourself to that thing you’ve been eyeing. It’s a delicate balance between being responsible and enjoying life, and you’re constantly tweaking the formula.
6. You can afford to eat out, but you still check the prices on the menu.
Dining out isn’t a rare luxury, but it’s not an everyday occurrence either. You allow yourself the pleasure of restaurant meals, but you can’t help doing a quick mental calculation before ordering. The right side of the menu (where the prices are) still holds significant sway over your choices. You’ve mastered the art of finding the sweet spot between taste and cost, and you’re not above strategically suggesting split bills when dining with friends.
7. Your home is comfortable, but not quite Instagram-worthy.
Your living space is cosy and functional, with a few nice touches here and there. It’s not going to be featured in a home decor magazine anytime soon, but it’s far from shabby. You’ve become quite the expert at upcycling and finding bargains that look more expensive than they are. Your home is a work in progress, and you take pride in slowly but surely making improvements, even if it’s just one IKEA hack at a time.
8. You splurge on one hobby, but economise on everything else.
Source: Unsplash Whether it’s gaming, cycling, or collecting vinyl records, you’ve got that one passion you’re willing to spend on. For everything else, you’re the king or queen of finding deals and alternatives. Your selective splurging means you can enjoy high-quality experiences in your chosen field without feeling guilty. You might be eating beans on toast for dinner, but at least you’re doing it while listening to your prized limited edition LP.
9. Your technology is always one generation behind.
Source: Unsplash You’re not using a flip phone, but you’re not queueing up for the latest iPhone either. Your gadgets are modern enough to do the job, but they’re not cutting edge. You’ve perfected the art of waiting for prices to drop before upgrading. This means you’re always living slightly in the past when it comes to tech, but hey, at least you’re not dealing with all those new-release bugs and glitches.
10. You have subscriptions, but you’re always on the verge of cancelling them.
Netflix, Spotify, that gym membership — you’ve got them, but they’re constantly under review. Every month, you do a little dance of “Do I really need this?” You’ve become an expert at timing free trials and introductory offers. The day before renewal always brings a moment of existential crisis as you weigh up the value of each subscription. It’s like a monthly game of financial musical chairs.
11. You buy lottery tickets, but only when the jackpot is really high.
You’re not relying on winning the lottery to solve your financial woes, but you’re not above throwing your hat in the ring when the stakes are high. It’s less about serious expectation and more about buying a ticket to dreamland for a few days. You spend more time fantasising about what you’d do with the winnings than you do actually checking the numbers. It’s a cheap way to indulge in some “what if” scenarios.
12. Your gifts are thoughtful, but not extravagant.
You’ve mastered the art of giving presents that show you care without emptying your bank account. You’re the person who remembers someone’s favourite author rather than buying them the most expensive bestseller. Your gifts might not elicit gasps of awe, but they often hit that sweet spot of being both meaningful and practical. You’ve turned gift-giving into a creative challenge, always on the lookout for that perfect balance of sentiment and affordability.
13. You have a “good” outfit for special occasions.
There’s that one outfit in your wardrobe that’s reserved for weddings, job interviews, and other important events. It’s not designer, but it’s the best you’ve got, and you take very good care of it. You’ve worn it so many times that it feels like an old friend, always there to make you look put-together when you need it most. The fact that you can recite its cleaning instructions by heart is a testament to its importance in your life.
14. You’re an expert at finding free entertainment.
Source: Unsplash You’ve got a nose for sniffing out free events in your area. From gallery openings to local festivals, you’re always in the know about what’s happening that doesn’t cost a penny. You’ve turned frugal entertainment into an art form, becoming a connoisseur of public libraries, park concerts, and museums on their free days. Your friends often turn to you as the go-to person for budget-friendly fun ideas.
15. Your indulgences are small but meaningful.
You might not be jetting off on luxury holidays, but you’ve found joy in smaller indulgences. Maybe it’s a fancy coffee once a week, a monthly magazine subscription, or treating yourself to a nice bottle of wine on payday. These little luxuries might seem insignificant to some, but to you, they’re a reminder that life is to be enjoyed, even if it’s in small doses. You’ve learned that happiness doesn’t always come with a hefty price tag, and there’s a certain satisfaction in that realisation.
