Where were you financially at 18?

[Cherrychops100]

What did your life look life financially and generally at 18?

I was in uni and working as a manager at KFC part time (for seriously decent money as our store performed well and therefore we got good bonuses). Then I left uni at 22 and become instantly poor for a few years training to become a solicitor.

First year of university, living at home, part time job.

Had a nice lifestyle, parents funded university and living costs, I funded nights out and clothes.

Breaking even. Paying for uni fees through weekend job, no rent to pay as I lived with my parents throughout uni, no social life so no other outgoings.

Still dependent on parents, at school then uni.

Moved to London on a whim and got a min wage job, before I was paid at the end of the week, I was living on a toffee a day plus cups of tea. One day I got so desperate I went to buy a street hot dog and only had half the money. A homeless guy gave me the rest. So. I can't believe the energy I had then!

I started uni at 18 and moved out into halls away from home, it was financially covered mostly by my student loan. I had worked the summer beforehand in a government admin job in Westminster and made a decent wage which helped, the idea was to save it all for uni but of course I ended up spunking loads on nights out and clothes!

I then worked part time at a nightclub to help with my outgoings, but rent took up a large chunk of my money so I lived pretty frugally. I was happy though, still managed to find beer money for nights out even if it meant eating instant noodles or beans on toast for dinner..

Still in education so totally dependant on mother and grandparents.
Those were the days....

I was at college full time. I worked evenings at job 1. Weekends at job 2. I was exhausted. I would also get a study grant a few times a year. I was still living at home. Home wasn't a loving place. It was just a place to sleep. I left home asap after I finished my studies. I learnt to work hard and manage my money. I have never been in debt. If I didn't have the money I went without.

Spending a full time minimum wage on fags, booze and clothes. Oh to live the life.

Living by myself in a bed sit while at college, claiming benefits. I was homeless at 16. I wasn't allowed to work as in full time education and getting my rent paid. I applied to Uni and managed to get off benefits and be 'equal' with my peers from there on in.

At uni the year it turned expensive. Student loan for fees and maintenance grant,, no savings from parents or family. Part time job and full on course at red brick uni. Had the time of my life in house share.

At 18 - at 17 I got the best exam results in the school and took university scholarship exams 3 x 3 hours and won one of those. I went to university at 17 to read law so when I turned 18 I had already completed my first term., I also did 2 weeks of law work experience when I was 18 in the summer holidays in a law firm. I also went into year 2 at university - and was top of first year so won another scholarship for that.

My parents were kind enough to make the minimum grant (wich was tiny ) up to the full grant so I was financially okay and didn't spent much ( I graduated a tee total virgin), I had a great time and auditioned and won a place in the chamber choir and we toured abroad etc. I began 2 years of volunteering in the local law centre at 18 in year 2 which was very good experience and hopefully helped those people who came for free advice. I was 19 when I was applying for law firm jobs in London so not quite up to that point at 18. I had just turned 20 in year 3 of my degree when I secured a law firm training contract in London at a commercial law firm after 139 applications and about 25 interviews over five months - really difficult in that recession to get a job for after law school but eventually in the 3rd year of my degree I did for about 18 months' hence after post grad law school.

I was in my last year at FE college and worked part time at Gap. I’d worked for 6 months full time in retail before starting college (dropped out part way through a levels). I had enough money to go out and to pay for my own driving lessons, clothes etc. I got no money from parents.

1986, I was at a Scottish technical college doing a computer studies HND. I had a small bursery to pay buses and train to Glasgow each day, books and living expenses, worked on the Presto deli counter on a Sunday and in a local pub on a Friday night for 6 hours.

Paid mum and dad £20/week dig money, was left with

I was living with my parents doing an apprentice on around £500 a month but also had money my grandmother kindly gifted me for my 18th, I spent it all on at least 2 nights out a week, clothes, makeup and girls holidays. I don't regret it at all though as I was very happy then, sometimes wish I could go back to being 18-20 and re live some of them nights out! I would of hated to of been tied down then and having to be financially responsible at that age. There's plenty time for that.

18? I was doing A levels, living at home with Mum ( single parent) and younger brother. I had worked in a cafe, then got a job in the local pub the day after my 18th, I think I did 3 or 4 shifts a week, enabled me to run a car. I also babysat quite a lot, never turned down any work going, so I was quite well off comparatively speaking. In the holidays I used to work more, temping in offices etc.

Living in the Nurses Home with 3 Irish girls for flatmates. Having the time of my life living on digestive biscuits and alcohol. No money and no family contact. Best time ever. Met DH on a blind date doing a favour for one of my flatmates who fancied his best mate. They got married and so did we. Best thing I ever did.

Working 16 hours a week while I did my ALevels, earning about £2 an hour. Then I got a god awful Insurance job when school ended and was on £6.k a year. Mum wanted £250 a month rent, so after her and tax I had about £150 left. So broke in answer to your question.

Full time job, living on my own (though bf was there A LOT) drinking and smoking too much but a great social life. Really was one of the best times in my life. Free, solvent and easy in every sense of the word

Just finished school, about to start college. I had no finances, only what my parents paid for! Is that not normal? I wouldn't imagine most people have any financial situation at that age?

BTW this was early 90s

Was just about to sit a levels, was still at home with mum & dad paying the bills. Had a holiday job that summer and saved up enough to buy clothes and stuff to go to university in the autumn. I got a full grant, and with that and jobs every holiday, was self sufficient from time I went to university, and didn’t go back to parents in the holidays to stay , apart from Christmas and short visits.

Skint because any money I earned, I spent it at the pub with friends. Best time of my life

Doing my A levels, working weekends, engaged and had my first mortgage.

@voddiekeepsmesane