A young couple from Derby has shared how they purchased a three-bedroom home for £170,000 at the age of 19 without relying on financial help from their parents. Paulina Gammon and her husband Stanley, now both 21, saved £20,000 in just seven months by living with their parents and drastically cutting back on non-essential spending.
How They Saved
Paulina, a cabin crew member, paid only £100 per month in rent to her parents, while Stanley, an aircraft engineer, paid £170. Both earned £1,800 monthly and managed to save between £1,000 and £1,500 each month. Their disciplined approach included eliminating nights out, reducing eating out, avoiding new clothes, and forgoing holidays.
Key Sacrifices
- Nights out: They stopped going out drinking, saving around £200 per month.
- Eating out: They brought packed lunches to work and cut down on ready meals, saving £60 each monthly.
- Clothes shopping: Paulina stopped buying clothes entirely.
- Holidays: They postponed any travel until after the deposit was paid.
Overcoming Skepticism
Paulina said, "Nobody believed us at the start and assumed our parents must have helped us. Even the estate agents and solicitors were in shock." The couple put down a £16,900 deposit, with the remaining savings covering solicitor fees and mortgage advisor costs. In June 2024, at age 19, they made an offer on a three-bedroom, three-bathroom home and moved in that September.
Managing Mortgage Payments
The couple now pays £1,100 per month on their mortgage. Paulina was three months pregnant when they moved in, and she took maternity leave with reduced pay. She supplements their income through her TikTok account @paulina.gammon, which has helped them keep up with repayments. "If I knew I was pregnant, we would have accepted a longer term with lower payments," she explained.
Advice for Young Savers
Paulina advised, "If you're still living at home, save as much money as you can, because once you move out, the older you get, the more bills you have." The couple avoided renting, noting that mortgage costs were similar. Their story highlights the power of aggressive saving and minimal living expenses.
