Trying to save for a deposit but I'm crap with money :(

sabretoothtigger

That is USA, fairly different

donkingkong

sabretoothtigger wrote: »

That is USA, fairly different

You'd accept that many of the principles would apply here too though?

ecdub

Yes, the main difference being the home owner culture we live in.. Look at Europe, they rent hassle free all their lives.

Having said that I am going to be a first time buyer this summer :T

margaretclare

My sympathies. I'm a lot older than you, old enough to be your granny but... I used to be like that. The good news is, it's possible to learn, and I am living proof that it's possible to learn at any age, wherever you start from. I've got far more in savings now than I ever had during a full working life and earning good money, which seemed to vanish as soon as it had arrived.

Coming on to Martin's site is an excellent place to start. Look at the main site and read the articles.

What helped with me was discovering a personal accounting system called Quicken. This is now obsolete, but I'm sure there are others. Check your bank account frequently - I check mine daily - but you need to be aware of what is due to go out and that's not money which is available to spend. It is already 'spent', if you like.

The other thing is, don't envy other people or look at them and think you should be doing what they're doing. We all have choices to make in life. They've made theirs. Don't envy them or try to copy them. They may not be as *happy* as they make out. And as for people who seem to be getting it all without paying for it - well. There is absolutely no pleasure or satisfaction in the world to compare with the feeling that comes with 'I did that. I bought it myself, paid for it with hard graft, it's mine, no one gave it to me free of charge'. Nothing like it at all.

Best wishes to you.

*mudangel*

Sounds like you're doing just great! If you're looking for inspiration and support, there's a few threads here which might help: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=53

You could start your own thread there. It's amazing how you can turn yourself from spender to saver when you put your mind to it - it's worked for me!

Happy saving

CLAPTON

ecdub wrote: »

Yes, the main difference being the home owner culture we live in.. Look at Europe, they rent hassle free all their lives.

Having said that I am going to be a first time buyer this summer :T

wrong

the average home ownership level in the EU(about 70%) is higher than the UK (about 68%)

plenty of statistics available on the internet if you wish to check the facts

even Germany where it is often said they all rent, in fact have about 53% level of home ownership.