In 2005, I was given a 110% mortgage by a mainstream lender. For a feckless 29 year old with a history of bad debt, it was like pushing crack on a cocaine addict. Perhaps that’s a bit strong – but that “free” money can be financially lethal, if not literally so. To this day, I see it as one…
Tag: home
Saving the planet really *doesn’t* cost the Earth
As citizens of the world, it’s fast becoming apparent that in order to preserve this blue planet, we must each make personal choices to mitigate the harm that we do to it. This doesn’t have to be expensive, and being a responsible Earthling can, in fact, save you money. Here’s a small incomprehensive list of…
Introducing our writers
They are students, mothers, artists, job-seekers, office workers, political activists – everyday people facing everyday money challenges. Meet Mouthy Money’s new writers – they tell stories about their financial lives, dreams, successes and failures. And their words won’t just twang your heartstrings or make you clutch your sides with laughter – though they’ll certainly do…
Still renting? It’s okay to be okay with not owning a property!
I was asked recently, for about the millionth time, why I haven’t bought a place of my own yet. I’m 42 and my husband is knocking on the door of 50, so it’s a fair – if frustratingly repetitive – question. Unfortunately, there isn’t a straightforward answer to this seemingly iniquitous inquiry. In simple terms,…
Embracing lagom – the biggest Scandi trend since hygge
Forget hygge, ignore ikigai – 2019 is all about lagom (yay, another Scandinavian word we can’t pronounce). Roughly translating as ‘not too much, not too little, just right’, lagom is the art of living frugally, which is a pretty essential life skill if, like me, you’ve still got a £9,000 student loan to repay. Lagom…
What I’ve learned about money by living overseas
Sometimes, a little perspective is a powerful thing, especially when it comes to your money mindset and your spending habits. I had to go a long way to acquire my own perspective – 6000 miles, to be more precise. I spent six happy years in the Middle East, where gold-dusted cappuccinos and gold bar vending…
First Time Buyer Schemes: Are they really any good?
It’s no secret that getting a foot on the property ladder is harder than ever. With rising house prices and average monthly rents at £937, it can often be incredibly hard to raise the £20,000+ now needed for some deposits. As tough as the situation is, it’s important to remain positive and keep trying. There…
2018 – the year I gave up public transport in London
In January this year, I moved for the fourth time in two years. Not through choice – I was happy where I was – but because my lovely landlord needed his flat back, and my other two flatmates were buying their first flats. Given how much I hate moving house, I decided to live in…
The hidden costs of buying your first home
Buying your first home is one of the most exciting times of your life, but it can also be one of the most stressful. There are endless delays, reams of paperwork to fill in and a load offees and charges you never knew existed. Thankfully, though, if you know they are coming, you can plan…
Self-employed and trying to buy: what they don’t tell you
It feels slightly ironic writing this right now. As I am waiting to hear if an offer I’ve made on a flat has been accepted. I’ve checked my emails six times while writing this post in case one has come in from the estate agent. This is the first time I have got to this…