- Paul, a bartender from Leeds, loves his job but struggles financially, earning £26,000 annually with extra costs eating his income.
- His dad, tired of helping him financially, has threatened to cut him off if he doesn’t get a ‘real job’, but Paul wants to keep bartending.
- While wants to change his father’s outlook, Sarah recommends cutting expenses like gym and subscriptions, considering cheaper housing, or finding a side hustle.
What’s the most important thing to you about a job? Money, work-life balance, company culture?
For this week’s Money Problem reader, Paul from Leeds, salary definitely comes second to fulfilment — which bartending, despite the low pay, provides him in spades.
However, the 32-year-old’s dad is tired of having to top up his meagre wage, and threatening to cut off financial support unless he changes career.
Wondering how to balance work satisfaction and making ends meet, Paul reached out to Metro consumer champion, Sarah Davidson, for insight.
The problem…
I’m 32 and live in Leeds where I am a full-time bartender. I absolutely love my job and have done loads of courses over the years and am really knowledgeable about cocktails, mixology and even have an Accredited Global Bartenders Certificate. I’ve spent thousands of pounds on training and developing my skills.
The problem is that even full-time, I earn around £26,000 a year plus tips, but those don’t add up to a significant amount. I also live on my own and after years of being in a house share, I just can’t go back to that. After I’ve paid my rent, council tax, bills, living costs and all the normal things I need, I have literally no money left.
Paul's monthly spending breakdown
Gross pay: £2,167
Take-home pay after income tax and national insurance: £1,853
Expenditure
- Rent (1-bed flat near city centre): £900
- Council tax (25% single person discount): £100
- Gas and electricity: £106
- Water and sewerage: £50
- Broadband: £32
- TV licence: £15
- Mobile phone (SIM-only): £15
- Groceries: £200
- Eating out/takeaways: £120
- Socialising/pubs: £80
- Public transport (MCard bus pass): £87
- Gym membership: £29
- Clothing and personal care: £50
- Streaming and subscriptions: £40
- Household sundries: £20
Total outgoings: £1,844
What’s left: £9
My parents have been generous and pay my mobile phone bill and gym membership but my dad has just decided to stop that. He says it’s time to behave like an adult, stop being selfish and ‘get a real job’.
My job is a real job and I don’t want to go work in something else. Apart from not wanting to, I’m not qualified in anything else. But how can I make him see this from my point of view?
The answer…
Hmmm, tricky. You’ve invested time and money into your bartending career and that’s what you see it as – a career.
Your dad’s not wrong though. At 32 you should be paying for your own mobile and gym membership.
I hear you on the houseshare front but I’d argue that if you’re too grown up to be living with housemates then you’re probably too grown up to be relying on your parents for money every month.
Your question is how do you make your dad see it from your point of view. That is the wrong question. You need to look at this from his point of view: why is your dad making this change?
The answer is that he knows he’s not going to be around forever to cover your living costs. He wants to make sure you can look after yourself financially independently. And to be fair, that’s basic parenting. Put it another way – he’s worried about you because he loves you.
How do you think Paul should address his financial situation?
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Find a higher-paying job.
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Stick with bartending and reduce other expenses.
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Look into side hustles for additional income.
So, what are your options?
You and your father have framed this decision as one related to your job. It doesn’t have to be about that though.
The problem he wants you to solve is how you stand on your own two feet. I asked you for a breakdown of your spending. Technically you should be able to get to the end of the month without going into the red but it’s far too tight for comfort.
When trying to solve a Money Problem like this there are only two things you can do: earn more or spend less.
If you want to keep your job, then other things are going to have to go. Do you need gym membership or could you start running outside? Or buy some weights for home?
More Metro Money Problems
You’re spending £200 a month on going out – not to be a fun sponge but I’m pretty sure you could get that down if you tried. You work in a bar for heaven’s sake.
Streaming and subscriptions – cancel some or get a bundle. How often do you actually watch something on Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, Sky, YouTube and the rest?
As for bills and rent, while you’re not alone in suffering the ‘single person tax’ and having to take on everything by yourself, it’s a choice and requires a compromise somewhere.
You’ve said your flat is near the centre of Leeds. It’s a pain, but you could probably find somewhere cheaper if you were to move further out.
Lastly, look at side hustles. Try Bark.com, Freecash, Vinted, eBay, and virtual assistant job boards.
Happy adulting.
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Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.