Savings Log of a 26yr old on low pay

linz

Nice to hear from you again MW,

Make sure you use your Nectar card when you fill up at Sainsburys as well as in the supermarket

Best of luck with your studying and hope you reach your savings target. I also have an end of year target, was an Xmas one, but altered it to encompass NYE payday

turbo.jet

Hi,

Well it took me bl00dy ages but I finally read this whole thing! Even though my sentiments are the same as everyone who's commented, I couldn't not chime in myself.

I just want to say how inspirational it is to read your story, and how noticeable it is when you read it in one go how far you've come. You've spurred me on to be even better with my money.

A little about me (although not too much, as it's your thread!), I'm 32 and have only just (yesterday) finally become debt free, which is something you did years and years earlier in your life than I did. I am now committed to saving and I have £600 in my 'savings' (which I'm actually going to use for Christmas presents and tickets to Australia). Aside from this, I am also aiming to save £1000, then £5000 etc. I save 10% of my income every month before I spend anything (automated by standing order) as you've talked about and recommend this method. I stop smoking on Sunday (day 12 of my Champix course), so you are helping with the motivation for that too.

Can I also just say that you sound like a totally and utterly likeable fella who is intelligent, hard working, humble, polite and thoughtful man who is respectful of his family (especially his Mum) and learns from his mistakes (we've ALL made them!) Any girl you choose will be lucky to have you so just try and relax on that one, it definitely will happen, especially when you aren't trying so hard for it too. All that swimming and football must be increasing your chances too!

Am subscribing and look forward to keeping up to date with how you are getting on.

jjjenny

Wow what a tale, I've just read through all 17 pages and was gripped by your detirmination to provide yourself with a future. Congrats on stopping smoking, that's such a huge victory. You've cleared 14k of debt, now lets see 14k of savings!!

Jenny

xxx

MoneyWaster2007

Thanks for those last few replies, very flattering! I'm always impressed when someone takes the time to read through this whole thread...and then write a reply...and some very thoughtful ones too!

So linz - are you on target to hit your NYE figure? I find goal setting helps motivate myself but don't know how long it will take to reach a mortgage deposit, if at all...

turbo.jet - great name! Great to hear you have just cleared your debt, how good is that?! And I hope you enjoy your trip to Oz. Well done on your decision to stop smoking aswell, not easily achieved, but do-able. I didn't use Champix, but everyone has their own way of stopping. Mine was to read 'The Only Way To Stop Smoking' by Allen Carr. I'd highly recommend you read this book.
I'm going on what is basically an all day drinking session tomorrow, which totally goes against the money saving theme, but it's within budget and I've already made my saving from this pay cheque at the top of the month. So that should be good, so long as I don't end up in hospital or prison (joke)

jjjenny - thanks and if I can get to 14k I will be a very happy man! But would still need more for a deposit.

So to help things along, I've listed 2 pairs of Levi's on eBay - every little helps :cool:

turbo.jet

MoneyWaster2007 wrote: »

I'm going on what is basically an all day drinking session tomorrow, which totally goes against the money saving theme, but it's within budget and I've already made my saving from this pay cheque at the top of the month. So that should be good, so long as I don't end up in hospital or prison (joke)

Mate... what the h3ll good is living so disciplined like you do if you don't EVER get to reward yourself with a day drinking with your mates, a car, Sky etc. As long as you're not in debt and over all your savings are increasing, I say you have well and truly earned some fun time.

In my experience of quitting smoking, of which I've had several attempts (longest time off cigs was 18 happy months!), these drinking sessions usually lead to a relapse. My advice on this. Don't have the first puff. You will tell youself its only a puff but its not, its the gateway to smoking again. If you don't have that one puff, you can never start again.

Have fun matey.

jjjenny

Hi MW (I can't call you MoneyWaster because YOU'RE NOT!!)

What I do is have a standing order every month as soon as my wages go in then I have to live within my means as I can't spend it. Sounds daft, everyone's got thier own way of doing it. By the way... I have a single female friend who lives in Harrogate (I hope I remembered the town correctly), wink wink, nod nod!

MoneyWaster2007

Thanks for the advice turbo, one thing I will definitely not be doing is having a drag off any cigarrette unless someone has me at gun/knife point

So jjjenny, you have me interested...who is she?

jjjenny

She is teacher, aged 24, has a stunning penthouse flat in town (renting) and is very shy and looking for Mr Right, wow I didn't realise MSE was also a dating site!!! Hahahaha!!

MoneyWaster2007

She sounds nice, who needs match.com when you have mse?! What does she teach?

jjjenny

She teaches Primary School (I think, I'm a bad friend) but she is a savvy saver, solvent, HATES SMOKERS, loves nature, good meals out and not a massive party animal tbh.. Wow, I think I've made her sound really boring, woops...