To ask - what were you doing with your money when you were younger and do you wish you’d done things differently?

[ByGreenGuide]

When I was younger, I didn’t think much about saving or planning for the future. Money was just something to spend - whether on nights out, clothes or things I didn’t really need. I wasn’t reckless but I definitely didn’t have a financial strategy.

Looking back, I wonder if I should have been smarter with it. Maybe saved more, invested or just thought beyond the short term. But then again, isn’t that part of being young - enjoying life without worrying too much?

So, what were you like with money when you were younger? Were you careful or did you just spend as it came? And do you wish you’d done things differently?

Yeah I have days of regret like this. I think of the comparatively cheap rent and stupid amounts of clothes I've bought, and the amount I smoked/spent in bars! I wish I'd saved more.

But then I also had a cracking time popping to European cities for the weekend at random, or music festivals, and they're experiences, so there are silver linings.

Mu next door neighbours are in their 20s and own their house and have steady jobs and grow their own veg. I'm mildly envious 😂 (compared to us in our 40s!)

I was cautious with money. After a year working, my salary increased. I allowed myself an extra £20 per month spending money and saved the rest

Started paying into a pension aged 23

Took in a lodger and used the rent to help make small overpayments on the mortgage

Sometimes i think it might have been fun to splash out a bit more, but overall, no regrets

I don’t think I even thought about it much and there wasn’t much of it to think about to be honest 😂 I do wish I’d started saving properly for a pension earlier though!

It depends on age as to whether this is really a problem. From the ages of 18-25/26 I basically spent every last penny and “saved” for larger purchases or holidays. At about 26 I began saving for a property and knuckled down and saved hard for 2 years.
I don’t regret not saving or investing in my 20s, to me that’s a time to enjoy yourself and have fun. I enjoyed the money that I spent.