As if owning a used entry level BMW is some kind of accomplishment when you live with your parents.

You sound level headed and like you have a plan for your future. I respect that.

One day I hope to be in a position to raise a family properly and give my child the same opportunity you had. I guess I was just venting a little.

Some people raised how you've been with a full family (I could already tell you how by your posts) just don't understand the struggle of coming from a broken household. People from a broken household aren't raised properly and aren't taught how to save - I wasn't but I've quickly learned. The moment you have some money when you've never had it, you feel the need to treat yourself. Why not? You've been broke all your life, no luxuries, you've worked hard and what for? To do exactly that! That's the mindset. It's a constant battle and there's a lot of habits to break. Some people never learn how to get out of it. more:http://www.cracked.com/blog/the-5-st...owing-up-poor/

My first goal is to save up for a mortgage, which at my current salary and situation is going to take 48-60 months of saving whilst living frugally. I'm going to be honest there - Thinking that far ahead and living such a poverty lifestyle wasting away my 20s is depressing as ****. It took my friend 3 years at a part time job (living with parents) and he has a very active social life, girlfriend and a decent car, didn't have to sacrifice anything and lives completely stress free. I know you're not supposed to compare yourselves to others but it's damn hard not to.

Starting to feel like I'm getting old and bitter lmao

This sounds like the only true post in this thread -- mirin' that 850 for rent, utilities & electric though.

You really need to re-fi that car though. We'll all make it man, I know these feels.

Did I miss something or did you not include rent/mortgage in your weekly spending?

You paid off your house already?

I understand where you're coming from, coming from a broken upbringing myself.People that lived priviledged lives can **** up monumentally and still do okay in the end, because their family is a net that will deal with their dumb moves. People like us walk on a tight rope where when we fall there is no one to pick us up but ourselves, and we have to put out an effort that far exceeds theirs just to be remotely competitive.I know OP is well aware of where he's coming from, even though i make fun of his autist moves.

My word of advice is, don't live this life playing through the rules of the priviledged. You have to do things outside the box to keep up. Saving all your money frugally for 6 years could work for sure, but so can other unconventional ways.

lol @ spending $13,000 on a car. More than 1/3 of your salary. Just lol.

Car hold its value well?

Your colleague is an idiot. How comes you don't pay rent?

Didn't even bother reading the entire thread as soon as I read that op lives with his parents lol.. but hey, if you have that option good for you.

I'm living on 24k a year (before tax) paying rent, food, council tax, utility bills, all on my own and still manage to save 300/400 every month.

Sh*t gets real when you start having real responsibilities and you're on your own.

What proportion of your meals each week are cooked for you by your parents?

So you live with your parents just so you can drive a cool car? Doesnt seem like a good deal to me

Too much real life in bold man... I know a few people who've just been able to do whatever the **** they want to do without any consequences. Ah well, we can't help where we come from lol.

I keep thinking of side businesses, but then you've got the startup costs. I'm all for unconventional and taking risks but nothing illegal, all it takes is one mess up and it's game over boyo.

I've attempted many. For the ones I picked, less than $2000 is enough to know whether or not it will work. So yeah you'll have to set aside money to try these with the risk of it not working, but when you do find one, feelsoodman

So you live with your parents just so you can drive a cool car? Doesnt seem like a good deal to me

Example(s)?

You don't make that much and you're trying to give financial advice with that car? lol just lol

Because I'm min-maxing my life. I'll pay it off, continue saving at 75% until I'm around 35 and retire with roughly 400k. Might cut it to 32-33ish if I find a 2nd job.

So, at age 35 you're going to live probably another 50 years. With $400K saved by that time, you're going to retire. $400,000/50 = $8000/year for 50 years. Math. Not even once. Good luck with that.