I’m 26, and I’m not saving for a house or planning to move out

[WeCouldBeNice]

And apparently that’s a very unpopular decision amongst certain family members.

I have grown up always listening to my mum and grandmother saying that they regretted not travelling more in their youth. So I’m doing it, before I can have any regrets.

i work a job that pays just under £25k. Moving out would be miserable. I’d exist to pay my bills and nothing more. I am unable to borrow enough to even purchase a flat in my local area. So I’m spending all my money on travelling instead. Short trips. Weekends away and longer European trips next year.

my older brothers are horrified by this (despite both doing it themselves). They think I should be moved out and renting by now.

my dad turned round to them yesterday and asked if they wanted to ever see their daughters struggling and unhappy. They obviously said no, so he asked why they expected that of me. They couldn’t really answer.

theoretically I could take the money I’m putting into my travel savings each month and use it to save for a house. But I’d never get a big enough deposit to allow me to buy anything even anywhere near decent to live in. And I’d then be bound to a mortgage and never be able to do anything other than sit at home.

is it really that bad to do this?

I don't think she wants to admit that she is relying on bank of mum and dad.

No, I haven't.
I'm telling you honestly how you're coming across.

OP this is why posters are confused.

I’m 26, and I’m not saving for a house or planning to move out

I don’t know how hard it is to read that I am saving, but I guess it’s just difficult for you (today 16.02)

I hope my kids live with me and enjoy travelling in their 20s (and help with housework - as you seem to).
I travelled extensively in my 20s. I took a year out, and a couple of shorter (but longish) trips between roles. And then I travelled more locally whenever I had the time.

Travel when you're single and also not tied to school holidays can be very affordable.

I bought a little flat in my mid 30s, once the travelling calmed down and I was doing well at work. I still travel - a little different now with the kids, but its something I'll always do.

The only thing I'd suggest to my kids if they were in your position, is any payrise to take that and save it (LISA/ISA/Investments - or a mix in different pots). Keep travelling and enjoying life, but have a little to fall back on.

I think it's fine. You are clearly happy, your parents OK, you are paying rent and helping out at home, I can't see any problem.

Travelling is very wise, it broadens your horizons and gives you a "world view" of life. Hopefully you will use your travels to understand how other countries operate, how others live, how valuable different cultures are etc.

I never had the opportunity to travel when younger so I did it as a much older adult instead. I have never regretted it, I have travelled across the world and lived in other countries too. It has really made a difference to my understanding about many things.

Now I am a pensioner myself. I could have saved up all my money to buy a house, but I didn't....I'm content renting and have a lovely place. Of course it's possible to have a happy retirement without owning your own home, I find it easier not to have such ties anyway. Now I'm older I no longer want to be trekking across the world so if I'd thought I would do it once I'd finished my working life, it would have been too late.

I would say your plan is fine; just make sure you think everything through carefully and do have a plan, one which suits you.

I’m saving. Just not for a house. I don’t know what is hard to understand?

Because I’m not and the fact that that’s your assumption is hilarious.

Not me.

You sure?

You’re not following the script OP! It makes some people very uncomfortable.

I remember showing a family member my make-shift sewing room years back. She almost turned inside out and said “But this is supposed to be a dining room!” and was visibly frazzled about it the whole visit.

(Some reading this will fall off their chairs and wonder where how on earth we “dined”.)

It doesn’t affect anyone here how you live but look at the amount of “concern for your future”.

Really?

Ha!

I think it's you OP or maybe your double!

Most people find spending a day or two with different generations at Christmas bad enough, imagine never being able to leave.

Sounds like you’ve got loads in common with that poster though! Perhaps you could go on a nice holiday together.

It sounds fun but not that radical to use a dining room as an alternative space.

The OP asked and personally if I could at 26, I would rather be independent, it isn't that young, I wouldn't want to be compromised in terms of romantic relations, social life, worry over my timings i.e. not being back on time, limited spontaneity etc.

That link does sound very much like you OP. Even down to the job and the minimum wage.

Younger brother
Off to see F1
Parents funding it all

Very much a coincidence?

Maybe! But I like my solo travels!

This is what I was thinking, like a perpetual Christmas.

This isn't meant to sound snidey but would you feel the same way if one/both of your parents needed you to be their carer (assuming you aren't already)? Genuinely curious.

I think its fine to live at home but there needs to be some sort of long term plan. People comparing with years ago when housing was affordable are not being fair. I moved home twice in my 20s which let me pay off debts and do a bit of travelling before having my son and buying a flat in my 30s

Did you miss the bit where I said my 22 & 25 year olds live in the city & we live in the country? They both moved out at 18 & have lived independently since.

We moved to thailand for a period when the kids were little for a bit. I was mid 30s. I reached out to some local womens groups and met a girl who had been travelling from age 25 and was mid 30s too.
I had two kids and mortgaged property and a good cv. She had her travelling.
Needless to say she was quite bitter and jealous. But I just thought, you chose to fuck around on a moped for ten years building nothing for yourself. Be happy with your own choices.
Imagine yourself at 40, what do you want to see. Becuase some of your friends will have built careers, have families and savings. If you dont want any of these things then make sure you are really happy with your decision.
If you are unsure, then at least go half way, travel for a little while then build up something or work in your industry while travelling, like go to Australia for example and work in healthcare there.
Aimless travelling leads nowhere in my experience. My uncle did this, he left for thailand when he was 25 and now hes 55, no career, no qualifications or experience, got kicked out of thailand years ago for overstaying his visa living in a council property with his health failing from catching TB in vietnam.

I think it’s sad you dislike your family so much!

That’s what I’m saying! A very slight deviation of the norm and they couldn’t cope.