A social media user has shared how she organised her finances in order to reach her savings goal on a low income
A savvy saver has revealed the three rules that helped her to hit her savings goal on a low income. Laura Ann Moore, who describes herself as a money mindset expert and financial wellbeing speaker, shared her success in a post on TikTok.
The blogger, who regularly shares content as @lauraannmoore, explained that she saved £15,000 in three years by using the rules to organise her finances. Introducing her video, Laura told viewers: “I saved £15,000 on a low income and here is how.”
She also acknowledged she was using an example from 2012, adding that she’s “well aware how much more expensive life is nowadays.” Nonetheless, she was proud of what she accomplished.
Recalling her experience, Laura explained she was able to save £15,000 between the ages of 19 and 22. “I was living at home, so I had low bills and rent, but I did pay something,” she said.
Laura added that she started her first full-time job aged 19, earning a salary of £12,000 per year, which rose to £18,000 by the end of the three years. Keen to attend drama school, she saved £15,000 from her salary and a couple of side hustles.
She said: “Here are the three things I did to make sure I saved £15,000. Number one, I tracked every single penny manually in a spreadsheet and that was to hold myself accountable for how I was spending my money.
“So the lesson there is it is important to have an overview and an understanding of exactly where your money is going.”
Laura continued: “Number two. I held my vision. The emotions were so strong that I felt like nothing could sway me—that is what kept me motivated. (….) Number three is my savings were a priority over everything else.
“I learned how to spend what was left over, so I would save first, and then I would spend what was left over. I learned to live within – well, below – my means. So the lesson is your dreams are the priority, not the things in the shop window.”
Barclays recommends recording your monthly outgoings. A page on the bank’s website dedicated to budgeting basics says: “Now admittedly, it’s not the most thrilling way to spend a few hours. But discovering where every bit of your money goes can bring huge benefits.
“It can help you feel more in control, give you peace of mind and even encourage you to save for the future. If you haven’t tried it before, there’s usually more than a few financial surprises – and often an eye-opener or two.”
It’s also recommended to see if you can set a savings goal. Barclays says: “A well-known rule called ‘50/30/20’ means you put 50% of your income towards essentials, such as housing and bills. Then you can spend 30% on the fun stuff, like meals out and holidays. And 20% goes straight into your savings.
“As a basic formula, it covers off your must-haves, your nice-to-haves and what you hope to have in future. It won’t suit everyone, of course, but you could always tweak the percentages and see if that fits your finances better. Whatever you decide, it’s your budget, so it’s got to work for you. And if you need a little more help, there’s a great budget planner on the Government’s Money Helper website.”