A young homeowner has revealed how she managed to buy her first house on a £12,000 ($16,000) salary, having furiously saved since she was 15.
It’s no secret that saving up for a property is not a milestone easily reached, especially given that house prices continue to soar in the UK.
Kirstie Allsopp recently came under fire for saying she feels 'enraged' when young people complain about their struggles with affording a house, suggesting they're simply not disciplined enough.
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The 50-year-old – who bought her first house aged 21 when the average house price was £51,000 ($69,000), having had some help from family – told the Sunday Times: "When I bought my first property, going abroad, the EasyJet, coffee, gym, Netflix lifestyle didn't exist."
She added: "I used to walk to work with a sandwich. And on payday I'd go for a pizza, and to a movie, and buy a lipstick."
Allsopp also argued that people just have to be willing to ‘move’ to areas they can afford.
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Isabella Hunter is someone who managed to buy a £107,000 ($145,000) two-bed semi-detached house when she was just 19.
But it didn’t come easily, as Hunter, from Dearham in Cumbria, was training to become a nurse and working weekends in a takeaway at the time - and also saved money wherever she could.
Speaking last year, she said: "I started working when I was 15 and I opened the account with my £1,000 savings.
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“The maximum I could pay in was £200 per month, so that was my target."
Hunter continued: "I went on less nights out and I would always take a packed lunch to work rather than buying food out every day.
"I saved any money I was gifted for birthdays or Christmas.
"Lockdown really helped me to work more and save more. I stayed motivated because I knew what I wanted and knew smaller sacrifices would be worth it once I got a place of my own.
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"I am a saver at heart. When I get paid before I spend anything I move a set amount into a separate savings account.
"When I went to college, I had two days with no lessons, so I got a job in a GP surgery to gain experience and then I worked weekends as well."
Hunter’s basic salary was just £12,000 per year when she was interviewed in 2021, but she spoke about how she would take on regular overtime to add to her rainy day fund.
At the time, she was paying just £210 ($280) per month after being offered a mortgage on a 40-year term.
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Hunter has been happy to do all the painting and decorating herself, and has also saved the pennies by buying second-hand.
She said: "It needed a new kitchen but the rest of the house just needed redecorating.
“I got my sofa and armchair on Facebook Marketplace and I love to shop in charity shops.
"I wanted to get on the property ladder as it gives me independence and makes financial sense. It's an asset and my mortgage is much cheaper than renting."
Hunter added: "I don't need or want the latest phone or designer clothes.
"I do love a deal and will always shop around, I get a student discount and I have a blue light discount so I make sure that I am getting the best price possible."
Her mum Kerri Hunter said her daughter is ‘driven’ and had understood the concept of saving since she was younger.
She said: "When Izzie got pocket money from us and her grandparents she would save up to buy something she wanted, so she understood that you have to save if you want something from a young age.
"Izzie has always been very driven and when she sets herself a goal she does everything she can to achieve it.
"She works hard to get what she wants and it's been quiet without her at home, but the treat cupboard seems to stay full longer these days."
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