Ok, my plan (code name ‘route to riches’) basically involves working like crazy and saving like crazy (at least for now). I don’t have a degree and can’t afford one, but I’m reasonably intelligent and have bags of energy, so I can take the 2 or 3 jobs route. I don’t want kids and I have very few overheads right now, so I’m planning on making the most of it. I earned £1200 this month and saved £1000 of that. I put all my paper money savings into an ISA and now have £4k in the bank earning £12 a month interest. Not amazing, but it’s not too bad for my first month considering I started out with nothing! I’m going to keep you guys posted on my progress a) because I’ll feel like hell if I fail and b) because if a skint person who messed up school and has a crappy-paid job can do it, then you guys definately can!

Guess who got a raise? Oh yeah! I managed to convince my boss that I was worth another £2k and after some deliberation (and lots of sucking up on my part) he gave in! Yours truly is now a very happy bunny and moving at a slightly quicker pace towards the finishing line!

In other news, I had an interview for a weekend job to further boost my salary and I should hear the results in the next week or so. I think the coma-inducingly low cut top may have won them over (it’s a bar), so all in all a good month. £4700 in savings and I get my next pay cheque on Tuesday. I’m trying for £8k by Christmas.

Update: £7k and going! Extra interest from the bank is starting to make a difference now. Got the weekend bar job and the extra tips are great. December will be hard after I’ve bought xmas presents, but that’s ok. I will reach my �8k mini goal! I can do this! How is everyone else doing?

Well, I did it! I reached my £8k mini goal by the end of the year. It was hard work, but now I know that I can do it if I put in the effort and that’s given me the confidence to keep going. I’ve also realised just how little sleep I actually need and in the extra few hours I’ve reclaimed I’ve decided to devote my time to accomplishing another of my lifelong goals – to write a book for my nephew.

My next goal is a relatively easy £12k by June.

Recession is starting to hit in the UK now, but I’m still on track with savings. Had to cut back on partying and other non-essential rubbish I was wasting my money on, but I’m reaching the 9.5k mark now. Life is pretty grand. 10k may not seem much to some people, but to me it’s a big step forwards and I can’t believe I’ve managed to save so much in so little time. It’s a huge confidence boost to know I can do that on a relatively low salary.

How is everyone else getting on with this goal? I want to hear some other success stories! We can all do this!

p.s. I’ve also started to compile a folder/scrap book of what being really rich means to me. Basically, what I would do/buy if I had tons of money. I now realise a lot of the things I can obtain right now or in the very near future through other means. For example, I want a library full of antique books and artwork. So… I’m picking up gorgeous, but cheap, old books from antique fairs and I’ve asked a studying artist friend to paint something for me for my next birthday. I can’t afford a Michealangelo right now, but this guy is extremely talented and does specific commissions if asked nicely!

May has been a bad month!

I started out in a positive mood, but various events slapped me down a bit. I spent far too much money on junk – most of which I am returning for a refund – and added nothing to my savings. On top of that, my company seems to be heading towards administration within a couple of years and my parents have asked to borrow money from me (which obviously I have agreed to since they are family). After rent money at the end of the month, I will have about £20 to last me until pay day at the end of June!

I’m not going to give up though. June begins in a few days and that’s a whole new month. I have decided that £20 is going to last me, even if it means running out of food for the last few days. I am NOT touching the money I have saved already!

Ok, the £20 did last till pay day (and beyond) and I didn’t touch my savings, but I didn’t add anything to them either. All my extra money went towards my parents, presents for various birthdays and bills! I still have roughly 9.5k in the bank and very slowly scrapping my way towards that 10k through interest! I will do it though! I’m not giving up!

You can do it! If it were easy, everyone would have done it by now. But you show fortitude and have energy and a plan. You also have self-dicipline. Keep at it. Even if you just add a few bucks to your savings, try and put in a tiny bit each payday just to keep in the habbit. And let that interest keep compounding!

I know you don’t know me from anyone else on the planet, but I’m in your corner! Many blessings on your road to riches!