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Savings– What would you do with it?

11 replies

Viewfromthewindowx · 30/04/2026 19:45

Six years ago I took a leap of faith that paid off. I was a SEN teaching assistant and single mother of one, who desperately wanted to do something else. I retrained and became self employed just one day a week to start, as an holistic therapist. I immediately felt better in myself and life had a bit of zest to it once more.

The following year, I added an extra therapy day and also trained as a yoga instructor, starting with just one night a week. This quickly grew to two, then three. I began working for an agency, working two days as a SEN TA, two days offering therapies and three yoga sessions a week. By this point, I exceeded support from universal credit and was able to start saving a good chunk of my money.

Fast forward to today. I offer therapies three days a week, yoga is up to four classes a week, and 1-1 yoga is currently offered to 4 clients a week. My leap has really taken off, and along with sensible spending and saving, I have managed to save almost £45,000. This is something I never thought I could do. I've clawed us out of the debt my ex left, paid off a decent car that should last us a fair few years, and put money into my CPD and business outgoings where necessary.

I don't own my house. I rent off a family member, as it didn't feel safe to me to purchase a home, mainly due to being self employed and still struggling to overcome my self doubt, (definitely imposter syndrome). It's been hard work and dedication but it's been worth it. I haven't told anyone close to me about our savings, in the past I have always been a person to help others to a fault.

I now have this money put aside that I don't know what to do with; what would you do with it? Invest it? Buy something with it? I honestly don't know, but it feels like I should be doing something with it. It feels strange having this little nest egg for us and I don't want to waste it. What would you invest in, or what are you investing in? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

OP posts:
Cupcakegirl13 · 30/04/2026 19:54

Could use it as a deposit for your own home ?

Viewfromthewindowx · 30/04/2026 19:59

@Cupcakegirl13 I do ponder this over and over. I think the worry that something will go wrong, especially given the current climate many of us are in with cost of living etc, just makes me think what if it all goes wrong. What if I'm left with a home I can't afford. Perhaps I should speak to a mortgage advisor, see if they can offer me some advice. Thank you for commenting.

OP posts:
SleepingisanArt · 30/04/2026 20:00

Deposit on a house, put it in a high interest savings account or a growth bond. I wouldn't invest now, the stock market is very high, very volatile and likely to crash in the not too distant future (always does if it gets too high and the orange one isn't helping). Well done by the way, great achievement.

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ItaGonnaBeMay · 30/04/2026 20:02

Where is the money? I would max out my ISA allowance for one

MaybeThisTimeILlbeLucky · 30/04/2026 20:10

Open a stocks and shares ISA and put "some in" maybe 7 grand ? Drip feed it in over a time period so you don't buy when the market is high.

Make sure rest is in cash ISA and premium bonds to stay tax free.

catipuss · 30/04/2026 20:18

Cash ISA, high interest savings account, pension. You need it in case things don't go so well in the future, don't spend it. And if you can't guarantee future income I agree a mortgage might not be a great idea. It might work out and really everyone has that worry will something go wrong and make a mortgage a problem, how secure is anyone's job?

donotdespair · 30/04/2026 20:30

SEN TA as a single mum sounds rough! I was a teacher and the pay was so shit and since changing career I retrospectively feel like I was basically doing charity for that wage! I personally am planning on repaying my mortgage on my flat but that is subject to an offer on my primary home.
May I ask what you make now as a holistic therapist?

SENsupportplease · 30/04/2026 20:35

Would definitely buy yourself a home - much safer than renting I would have thought even from a family member. You may need a good broker as you are self employed but no reason you can’t get a decent mortgage.

well done x

MeetMeOnTheCorner · 30/04/2026 20:36

You don’t mention a pension!! It’s vital. You certainly should start one to get the tax advantages. Bonds provide a year or two years with guaranteed interest rates and this could then be used for a house deposit when you are ready. I’d not discount having your own place.

Viewfromthewindowx · 30/04/2026 20:46

Thank you everyone for these pieces of advice. I will definitely look into each of them closely. It's really appreciated.

I have a self employed pension plan, as well as a self employed income cover. I do have pensions from previous jobs also. I worked for my local council for over 12 years, so there was a starting point that I've continued to add to.

OP posts:
MaybeThisTimeILlbeLucky · 30/04/2026 21:15

Put some into a stocks ISA op it should double every 5/6 years

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