Managing living costs like utilities and council tax becomes a harsh reality as young adults transition from student life to the working world. According to research, the number of young people making regular payments significantly increases among those aged 25-34, compared to those aged 18-24.
The Unexpected Price of Financial Independence
You’ve entered your mid-twenties. Long gone are the heady days of pocket money and student loans. Financial independence has been well and truly dropped on your lap and there is no way out. Our condolences.
The same data highlights that many young workers may find their first salaries barely cover the necessities. Again, our condolences.
Beyond winning the lottery or mastering time travel, you’ll need to tackle this head on. Luckily, we have some tricks up our sleeve to get you out of the trenches.
Does everything get more expensive after 25?
Sadly, yes. All data suggests that financial responsibilities increase significantly after 25. Amongst the excitement of newfound independence, those in their mid-twenties are usually met with added living costs like utilities and council tax.
No need to despair. It’s possible to ease the transition from carefree student life to financial independence with a few lifestyle changes.
Tips for managing regular living costs
By taking control of your living costs now, you can set yourself up for a more secure financial future.
Create or review your budget
A household budget can help you cover living costs and identify potential savings. It can give you peace of mind about affording essential expenses, and shed a light on whether you have cash left over for non-essentials.
Already have a budget? It’s worth checking to see if it’s still working for you – particularly as many costs have risen dramatically over the last year.
By taking a closer look at your spending habits, you may find ways to cut costs in the future. This could help to free up some cash to put elsewhere. Budgeting apps are a handy tool for analysing your spending, categorising your expenses and identifying ways to cut costs.
Check for savings and deals
Shopping around and switching providers is one of the best (and easiest) ways to cut costs. From utility bills to phone contracts, finding better deals could shave precious pounds off your monthly outgoings. You should also check for potential benefits or discounts on offer.
Save for a rainy day
No, we don’t mean this literally. As all UK dwellers know, we have more rainy days than not. We’re talking about days where unexpected expenses pop up that can tip monthly budgets over the edge. Think a broken boiler or a cracked car windscreen.
Establishing clear saving goals and exploring options to manage your finances will put you in a better position overall – even if you don’t currently have money set aside. Savings are the key to successful financial independence.
Consider your long term savings and retirement planning
If you’re still in your twenties, this probably feels premature. We’re sorry to inform you that it’s not.
Saving into a pension plan offers relief on payments. Employers often contribute to pension schemes – usually making a minimum payment of 3% of your earnings. In some cases, employers will match employee payments up to a certain amount. This is a great way to boost your pension savings and impact your total retirement fund. You can even think strategically and once your employer contributions are maxed out, free up some of your own cash for other things, like saving for a deposit for a house . You will thank us later
Do you have a clear vision of your financial goals?
Understanding your priorities is essential for getting a handle on your financial goals. We understand that everyone has unique objectives and aims – and we’re committed to guiding you through each stage of your wealth journey.
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