Guest Blog: Post University Blogger (P.U.B.) is …a Smart and Savvy Saver

Welcome back to Annie to tell us more about how she manages her money as a creative 20-something. Once again it’s fantastic to hear from her. Now over to Annie….

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Hope you’ve all been well since my last blog post. Did you implement any of the techniques I told you about? Let me know if you did and whether they worked for you!

 So, you fancy yourself a new laptop? I know I do. Perhaps, even, you’d like a new wardrobe of lovely clothes? You look deep in the depths of your bank account and pfft. Nothing. It’s time to save up, and today I’ll share with you how I’ve recently been saving up for both my short-term and long-term expenditures.

 SHORT TERM

 Recently, I’ve lost a fair amount of weight – see the story [here] and have needed to buy a lot of new clothes, pretty fast. I’m also reaching the age where I fancy well-made things that may cost more but will last longer, as opposed to buying a whole new wardrobe in Primarché for £100, only to have it fall apart in the wash a week later.

 For this, I’ve put aside a small amount of cash every week. From time to time, it’s been spare change in a pot (just as simple as that) but mostly I’ve been putting about a tenner a week into the ‘kitty’, which is a kitsch name for the savings account that comes with my current account. Sometimes I even reward myself for bringing a packed (cheap!) lunch to the office, and put the money I’d have spent on a lunch from town, which is usually around £5-6, into the kitty. This not only helps me to save money but helps me to keep track of what I’m eating and keeps my waistline in check. Two birds with one stone.

 I allow myself a treat once a month from the kitty. Just lately, it’s mostly been clothes! As long as you’re disciplined, this method is simple and effective.

 LONG TERM

 I’m also desperately in need of a new laptop. I was uncomfortable with the idea of getting my first credit card or getting a finance plan to pay for such a big expenditure (in my humble opinion) and instead decided to go back to my waitressing experience and picked up some extra bar shifts with the company I worked for whilst at university. An extra couple of hundred quid a month for a few nights a week of my time – easy.

 I’ve put this aside into a separate account that I don’t use very often – and one that has a good rate of interest. I know that the interest won’t be rolling down the hill in great big sacks labelled ‘GOLD’, because hopefully, I won’t be needing to save up for very long, but as they say, every little really does help.

 I wish I could offer my pearls of wisdom on saving up for something like a house, a wedding or a child (something a bit more substantial and rather long term!) but I’m 23, and not had any experience with paying for any of those things yet, so I found a lovely article [here] for some advice on how to save for those big, scary, grown-up things.

 I hope this quickie blog has helped you. I may not have all the answers or a secret magic trick (I wish I did, believe me!) but sometimes it’s good to get a fresh perspective or a new pair of eyes on something. Hope this helps – and don’t forget to message me in the box below if you have any questions. I love to hear from you!

 Have a good one!

Writer Biography

Annie is a 23-year-old actress and writer based in North London.

After spending the first 18 years of her life in South Wales, Annie graduated from the London College of Music in 2011 with a 2:1 in Musical Theatre.

Annie now works as a freelance actress and writer in London, blogs under the pseudonym [Ubermagee], and has recently become a [Youtube Partner].

You can find Annie on Twitter [here], on Facebook [here], check out her Pinterest [here], or email her directly [here]

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Thanks Annie! I’m impressed with the maturity you have around your finances – I certainly didn’t have that at your age. I also admire your caution in getting  a credit card. I got into big credit card debt in my early 20’s that took me a long time to sort out, so you are right to exercise caution.

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