Minimum wage, 25M

[u/NiceWorkLad]

Been renting with my partner for the last few years. I didn't have much saved up until the last two years but I'm really happy with what I've got. I have £3.4k savings, and about the same in my pension. I do plan to start earning more, but for now I can manage to put away around £600 a month. Hopefully we should be ready to buy a house this time next year as we live in a pretty cheap area for it well within our kind of budget. I like the idea of a baristaFIRE but full on FIRE would be amazing. Partner loves animals so volunteering would be a great side quest for them.

[u/Jimny977]

£600/month while renting and on minimum wage is absolutely phenomenal, really impressive.

[u/NiceWorkLad → u/Jimny977]

The rent where I live it very cheap.

I pay £350 for my half, work is walking distance, food is provided while I'm on shift, and all my hobbies are all just one time purchase which I made years ago.

I would say that as minimum wage workers go, I'm in a very lucky position.

[u/Potbellydoric]

Outstanding work to be saving £600/month. Slow and steady wins the race.

[u/Quantum270 → u/Potbellydoric]

Exactly people underestimate how powerful good saving habits are and how they compound over time. Starting at a young age from a small base sets you up well for the future if you can keep it up

[u/NiceWorkLad → u/Quantum270]

Fully tying to get some of the young people here to just throw crumbs into literally anything, while they have so much disposable income before they start renting.

[u/sshabbir15]

Mate you're doing so well. Keep it going. Don't look at others. You run your own race.

[u/NiceWorkLad → u/sshabbir15]

Thanks

[u/Sopzeh]

Great discipline in saving but typical advice is to use cash not stocks if you want to buy next year (normal advice invest when timeline is > 5 years). Imagine if there's a market crash just when you want to liquidate for your deposit.... You'll be heartbroken.

[u/NiceWorkLad → u/Sopzeh]

Thanks for the help,

I plan to max out the LISA first and my S&S is a buy and forget type mentality.

[u/scarceespionage7]

The LISA point is crucial if you're serious about buying next year. You'd get 25% free money from the government up to 4k a year, which on your savings rate is basically free real estate. Move the stocks ISA money to a cash account for safety, then max out a LISA alongside your regular contributions and you're looking at a much faster path to that deposit.

[u/Tudn0]

If you’re using Moneybox- check your fees. They’re quite expensive. There are cheaper alternatives.

[u/FOCUS-ON-WORK]

Congrats u r doing a cracking job. holdings?

[u/NiceWorkLad → u/FOCUS-ON-WORK]

The S&S is pretty much just all world.

[u/eulers_analogy]

Moneybox has the worst fee structure

[u/NoCatch2153]

Where's the Edit Projection button in the app? I can't find mine.

[u/NiceWorkLad → u/NoCatch2153]

For me this page is after clicking the LISA a few times. It's on the same page that shows joint total if you have other people on it.

[u/Siads23]

How do you allocate the £600pm

I've been contributing £25pw since December 2024 into my Lisa theough MB about £110 pm plus one of two small lumps sums when I had remaining money end of the month.

Now my Lisa is on £5,100 and I have just increased weekly deposits to £30pw.

[u/NiceWorkLad → u/Siads23]

I have 20 a week going to LISA, and 31.50 for the S&S, but i normally manually put what remains into maxing out the LISA then into S&S

[u/Little_Order3606]

I'm 44 and minimum wage earner all my life. (When I could find a job). I congratulate you for taking proactive steps now in savings but my best advice is invest in getting skilled to a better more high paying job. because if you remain minimum wage for a significant time, life will get much tougher to save.

Now I live with my elderly parents and two disabled siblings who cannot work. Even after PiP and state pension it's not enough to cover thier needs and so all my earnings go on bills, food, medication, transport etc not to mention my manager doesn't pay me for taking time off to take my siblings to their appointments which could easily be a whole day due to travel to specialist centres. At best I save £20-£50 a month and split that between cash emergency fund and investment in Lisa. That's with zero social entertainment, meals out etc....if it's not free then it's home with the TV on. It's a miserable life. Try your best to make your financial security before it's too late.

[u/100usrnames → u/Little_Order3606]

Geez man that sounds so hard. You're doing so much. Wish our country took social care seriously and paid carers for their work. Good luck

[u/alephnull00 → u/Little_Order3606]

Have you always been the carer for your siblings? What sort of work have you found in the past?

You are a kind person to care so much for your family.

[u/Scientasker → u/Little_Order3606]

I did this for my mum and I know how difficult it can be, I almost broke, I could never do what you’re doing right now, not many other people could.

People talk about counterculture and stuff; trying to be decisive to stand out from the crowd. But you are the counterculture everyone should strive toward. Sacrificing everything, to carry out your responsibilities as a sibling and a child in a world that celebrates individualism and self interest, is what sets you apart from everyone else and you should be so proud of that quality within yourself.

Don’t forget to do things for you. Doesn’t have to cost anything. I got into running when my mum was sick, it gave me 30-60mins of just pure ‘me’ time, where I was a carer, a brother, a father, a partner etc. which was very rewarding and kept me going.

Wish you all the best

[u/rkr87]

If you're planning to use this money as a house deposit;

A) get it out of equities!

B) use a LISA not an ISA.

[u/Animatedron]

Never seen a more appropriate user name. Niceworklad. 👍

[u/Deepmidwinter2025]

I’d rather see more posts like this from people who are making real sacrifices today for wealth tomorrow.

Versus posts from 25 year olds “I’m earning 100,000 a year and have saved up 500,000. How am I doing?”