Eek, my apologies, other post disappeared.. trying to claw it back again!
You are right, I can't really compare it to "the good ol days" and how it used to be, so obviously have an inaccurate view on the whole thing! I haven't heard of anyone having another job to supplement their expenses, but i know where your coming from. It is tight, and i don't know how other people coming from other jobs are managing. Fortunately I came straight from college and into it, so for me it's actually the highest paid job i've had, used to living off a couple of tins of baked beans a week!