Tell me how you got the first step on the housing ladder .

[Mollymarvelous70]

The pressure to get on the housing market has just been getting me down recently and I’m losing motivation.

DH and I have reasonable paying jobs but we just can’t seem to save enough to get on the housing ladder in the south east whilst living comfortably. In the past 2 years we’ve saved about 8k sat in Lisa’s but it just feels like such a slog to get anywhere near what we need. I did make the mistake of posting on Money Saving Expert a while ago for budgeting advice but got ripped apart for our level of earnings and lack of ability to save which made me feel a bit embarrassed tbh. Some people are really struggling and I realised that i didn’t want to penny pinch to the extremes and receive the critical judgement lots of people on their face But equally I do want to move forward.

We earn about 45k ish each but outgoings are high due to area mans student loans.

I wondered how many had to save for their deposit and how long it took them. Did you have any crafty or innovative ways you got the money together so you could just get going ?

Just interested to hear others experience really for some motivation.

@OhioOhioOhio thanks for your support and top tips.

New month , new me ... ish

We’ve budgeted all our salaries this month out to bills /savings and credit card payments . I worked out last night that even with saving for maternity more than some said is required I can get all the credit cards paid off within my maternity leave! It will feel like a huge weight lifted.

Husbands credit card is cut up and wfh has stopped him using it for his travel expenses which he didn’t always pay back .

I’m also going to map out a longer saving plan aiming for 3-5 years with the childcare costs plus have another look at help to buy and other schemes . Over time more people will have the experience on whether it worked out as a good decision

I didn’t expect so many responses so many thanks to all of you . I am feeling more motivated and confident with the money.

I bought a one bed flat in a crap area of zone 5 In early 2006. And lived in it through negative equity in 2007. Eventually had enough to money to move out in 2012, only due to having got married and saved our backsides off to scrape together a 10% deposit on a run down house in a cheap area (z6). Of course that same house is now worth 2x what we paid for it so it’s harder now.

@OneKeyAtATime just seen this question . Yes there are equivalent jobs paying a bit less in cheaper areas up north . And nothing against the north in general although always been a southerner ! But for me it’s about the longer term progression options in London, it is the epicentre for my industry . I’m very career focused so having better career opportunities over 5–10 years trumps the need to buy a house right now.

Yeah but if you make good choices with your money then you will be able to decide. Honestly not being smug. Further to my bastard xh I'm skint. For now.

Glad to see your updates and that you have a plan - that always makes you feel better, although you do need to stick to it. I probably spent about £40/50 a week last year on mat leave, including things like a few classes at £8 a time then meeting up with friends afterwards. We usually went to each others houses or the park as there aren't many cafes where you can fit 6+ buggies in, and people get annoyed if you take up loads of room.

We've just had to start buying shoes and have found eBay to be really good - you can get a measuring gauge from Clarks etc and measure yourself. We were primarily forced into doing this as he started walking during lockdown when the shops were shut but having started this way, I don't really think we will be paying for "new" shoes any time soon! His latest were 99p plus £3 postage...!

I lived in a studio through most of my 20s and saved like mad firstly to get out of my student overdraft (£1800) and then to save for a deposit/ moving costs. I got no family help - actually got accidentally disinherited during that time period after losing my dad - and bought a 2 bed flat in a lovely area. I could have just about afforded a house but decided the trade off I’m area was worth it.

I’m privately educated so a LOT of my friends had deposits given and some even had houses bought for them. Yes, it was difficult watching and there were many nights I wished my dad had made better choices, but absolutely nothing will ever feel as good as when I got those keys and knew I’d done it all by myself. It didn’t come easy, but nothing worthwhile ever did.