We saved £35k for first home with NO HELP – it took 3 years, we had to give up nights out & people STILL slam our decor

A COUPLE spent three years saving up £35,000 for their first home had to give up night outs - yet people still slam their decorations.

Hannah Selvaratnam and Charlie Cook revealed the sacrifices they had to make to buy a home.

The couple, both 22, managed to put down a deposit after years of thrift.

They decided to buy a house together as they relish in quiet evenings at home rather than nights out, and so they bought a two bedroom semi semi-detached bungalow in October 2022 for £230K.

The property has two bedrooms, an open plan kitchen living room, one bathroom and a garage.

The couple spent between £40-45k on redesigning their home, turning the kitchen into a bedroom and two bedrooms into an open plan kitchen and living area.

They saved a £35K deposit for their home through their own earnings over three years, but were still required to make sacrifices.

“We put down a £35K deposit for our home, we were planning on putting down a bit less, however, this gave us a better interest rate”, said Hannah.

“It took us about three years to save.

“It really varied on how we managed to save the money, we both worked a lot of overtime, so we just put away different amounts throughout the month.

“We had to give up many things, the main ones that come to mind are new clothes, meals out, holidays and date nights.

“But we found a love for things that cost less money or that were free such as date nights at home and camping!”

Hannah shared her tips for saving money successfully.

She added: "The money used for the deposit and DIY costs were all from our own earnings."

“You need to be determined to ensure you will not dip into savings and understand it will all be worth it

“I would say there is no one-size-fits-all for guaranteed success. However, one common lesson that can help increase likelihood of success is to never give up.

“We’ve still got a few things to do, including finishing our bathroom (which is completely out of our hands) but we are so close to the end and already talking about 'the next house' although I’m not sure I will ever be able to part with the bungalow.”

Hannah initially gained interest for DIY home renovation due to her homebody nature which her friends joked about, but now her friends and family have seen their renovated house, she is regularly hosting.

“While my friends often jokingly refer to me as ‘old before my time’, due to my preference for quiet evenings at home over nights out, I find joy in simple pleasures.

“I relish spa days, leisurely walks, and dining out for a cosy meal, as well as indulging in a good book.”

Hannah explained the hardest thing about the DIY process in her home.

“Motivation is something we both struggled with during the course of the renovation”, said Hannah.

“Around eight months in, we started to feel the effects of committing every evening and weekend to the house and completely lost motivation.

“It took an amazing holiday to Barcelona, and some time away from renovating, to fall back in love with it.”

Hannah shared her favourite space in the house.

“The kitchen living room is undeniably our favourite area in the house. We both have a passion for cooking and cherish the time we spend together here”, she said.

“I also appreciate the fact that when we entertain guests, we can be in the same room as them while they watch us cook.

Hannah said that the couple have also received negative comments about their design choices.

“We do receive some negative comments, yes”, said Hannah.
“Mainly from people saying our home lacks a homely feel.

“We both love things organised and tidy, for example the only item we have on our kitchen sides is a kettle and some salt and pepper pinch pots.”

Hannah said that her friends and family both delight in their home too for hosting.

“They love it! It’s a nice feeling being the only person in your friendship group that owns a house”, said Hannah.

“We love hosting and there is just something special about doing that in a home that is truly yours and not your parents.

“We have received a lot of praise about our house, particularly regarding its exceptional craftsmanship. Charlie's skill as a joiner truly shines through in every detail of the home.”

Hannah said that she was most surprised by the amount of time and money it would take to renovate.

“The thing I was most surprised about was money and time”, said Hannah.

“I completely underestimated how much it would really cost and how long it would take.

“I was convinced we would be in within six months of receiving the keys.”