My Journey as a First Time Buyer!

Saver-Rob · 30 January 2009 at 12:57PM

Payday has come at last and I have upped our joint savings to £51,000. I believe there is slightly more and will have to check with the girlfriend as she might have a little more tucked away than I knew of!

Loughtonlad · 30 January 2009 at 3:44PM

Hi Rob,

Well done on saving up and planning so ahead. I am 24 and looking to buy mid-end of next year. I met my wife at 19 and we got married end of 2007. I am bit like you where I started working from early age while my gf (now wife) was still studying. Now, she’s done with it and I am in process of doing a degree from Open University.
I would advise you to get some education under your belt. Its good to earn and save at early age but education will come in handy in near future.
You are young and don’t have many commitments at the moment so it will be much easier compare to when you have a mortgage on your head with 2 year old running you all around.
Education is perhaps the best investment you’ll ever make.

Good luck with everything!

Saver-Rob · 30 January 2009 at 3:46PM

Hi and thanks for the post. Education-wise I have completed 6th form but it ended there. I landed on my feet job wise and am now lucky enough to be in a secure job (hopefully!) and able to earn decent money if I am prepared to do the hours.

Do you have some savings behind you?

Loughtonlad · 30 January 2009 at 5:52PM

Saving wise I haveonly got about 5k so a lot behind most people in here. Last year we spent about 10k on travelling (honeymoon etc) and a decent car for my wife's commuting.
So, for next couple of years we are hoping to sit tight and make some savings(600-700 pcm plus quarterly bonus) as we both have decent jobs. Looking for a 2-3 bed semi in hertfordshire or nice parts of essex.

Saver-Rob · 30 January 2009 at 5:54PM

Nice1. Starting with a plan should end in a nice bit of money stashed.

Saver-Rob · 21 February 2009 at 6:45PM

Just a quick update. I am going to view my first house on Monday. A big step!!!!!

RetroBob · 21 February 2009 at 7:15PM

I'm with the brummy - I wouldn't trust anyone (male or female) with half a house they hadn't contributed as much for. You met her at the start of/pre-uni as well which is a big warning sign for me...

I am now 28, that's 7 years post leaving uni. Out of all of my friends (about half men half women), all bar two of them have split up with the person they were seeing before, or met at uni.

At least rent with her first, see how it works out. Buying a house on your own is a big enough worry as it is - why take on the extra unnecessary risk?

Excellent work with the savings.