Outside the M25, the game changes. A salary of £40,000 to £45,000 feels luscious.
You can afford a mortgage. A car. Maybe even a cheeky holiday to Benidorm without eating beans for a month.
In places like the North East or Scotland, £35k puts you in the top 20% of earners. You’re basically a local celebrity.
The "I’m Fine" Zone
The real secret? A good salary is when you stop checking your bank balance with dread.
It’s when a sudden £200 car repair doesn’t ruin your month. It’s when you can buy a coffee without guilt-tripping yourself.
Funny detail: That “coffee test” is a surprisingly accurate measure of financial comfort. If you can buy a flat white without mentally calculating your overdraft, you’re doing well.
