A Nigerian woman residing in the United Kingdom has sparked widespread discussion after revealing her family's detailed monthly expenses on social media. The TikTok user @kudi_moni shared a comprehensive breakdown of what it costs to maintain a family of four in the UK, with total monthly expenditures reaching nearly £7,000.
Detailed Breakdown of Monthly Costs
The expense breakdown provided by the Nigerian mother shows significant allocations across various categories essential for family life in Britain. The mortgage payment alone amounts to £1,860 monthly, equivalent to approximately N3.5 million in Nigerian currency. This represents one of the largest single expenses in their budget.
Utility costs also contribute substantially to their monthly outgoings. Gas and electricity bills total £260 monthly (about N494,000), reflecting the high cost of energy in the UK. Other notable expenses include £700 for a live-in nanny, £500 for groceries, and various educational costs for their children.
Mixed Reactions from Social Media Users
The revelation prompted diverse reactions from viewers across social media platforms. Many expressed surprise at the substantial figures, while others questioned specific allocations within the budget.
User @oka_langa_ raised concerns about the nanny's compensation, stating: "£700 nanny is modern day slavery - the UK law clearly states that every person should be paid a minimum wage. This is a chargeable offence." However, @nollywise offered a different perspective, noting that live-in nannies typically receive free accommodation and meals in addition to their salary.
Several commenters questioned whether the £500 grocery budget was sufficient for a family of four. @sharedmoments asked: "How do you spend only £500 a month for feeding? Is it enough or do you still pick stuffs from supermarket by within the week? I'm curious."
Context of UK Living Costs
@Hope's kitchen provided context for the expenses, commenting: "She is right, I spend more than this and we are family of 5 especially if you live in London. If you and your partner earn good amount of money is achievable as some family are high earners." This highlights how location within the UK significantly impacts living costs, with London being particularly expensive.
The discussion also touched on educational investments, with @lucaben2020 seeking clarification about lesson teachers and Kumon programs mentioned in the original post. Many viewers noted the absence of income information, with @I_AM_IBEJI_OMO_IBEJI pointing out: "Watin dey always pain me be say at the end you all will never reveal the income of the family of 4. Na so so expenses."
The conversation expanded to include savings and investment strategies, with user Temi questioning: "una no get savings and/or investment for budget? anyway this family is rich." This reflects common financial concerns among diaspora communities balancing immediate expenses with long-term financial planning.
The viral post has opened important conversations about the real costs of living abroad for Nigerian families and the financial planning required to maintain a certain standard of living in Western countries.
