A 26-year-old Gen Z woman shares her ultra-cheap spending strategy that helped her buy three homes and plan for more.
A 26-year-old from Manchester, UK, has become a sensation for her unique approach to saving money.
Charlie Sanderson, a content creator known for her budgeting skills, has successfully purchased three homes on a modest salary of $52,000.
Now, she is setting her sights on a fourth house.
26-year-old Gen Z shares budget hack that helped her buy three homes before 30
Budgeting on a tight allowance
Unlike many of her peers, Charlie lives frugally. She only allows herself a monthly budget of $63 for non-essential expenses.
This means spending on things like dining out or going to the movies is very limited.
By sticking to this strict budget, she manages to save a significant amount of money each month.
Side hustles make a difference
Charlie doesn’t rely solely on her salary. She takes on multiple side jobs, working nights and weekends.
These jobs include taking surveys, conducting market research, and secret shopping. This extra work allows her to boost her income and reach her savings goals more quickly.
In just one year, Charlie aimed to save $12,700. Thanks to her hard work and careful planning, she has managed to save over $25,000 so far.
This impressive amount has allowed her to invest in properties.
How does she spend her money to buy homes?
In a recent viral TikTok video, Charlie shared her spending habits. In January, she spent just over $10, as she had enjoyed plenty of holiday treats and socializing during Christmas.
February was slightly more relaxed, allowing for a movie date and a meal at Wagamama, yet she still stayed within her budget.
By March, her total spending was only $54.36. She maintained her budget but treated herself to a few pizza and wine nights.
Charlie finds it essential to balance saving money with enjoying life, even if it means making sacrifices sometimes.
“I’ve done a little bit of everything that’s important to me and spread it out over different months,” Sanderson wrote in the last slide of her video.
In her videos, Charlie explains how she organizes her finances. Each month, she allocates $1,402 into a joint account.
This amount covers essential expenses like mortgages, taxes, insurance, and groceries. By having a clear plan, she ensures that her necessary bills are paid first.
In addition to her joint account, Charlie sets aside money for her savings.
She typically contributes around $254 to her stocks and shares ISA, which is similar to an IRA account in the UK. This investment helps her grow her savings over time.
Charlie also saves for her next property. She puts away $1,402 into a separate cash ISA account specifically for her fourth house deposit.
This strategic saving method allows her to stay focused on her long-term goals.
“If it’s a shared bill, it comes out of the joint account and it’s covered by the $1,402 she puts aside each month.”
Social media reactions
Not everyone agrees with Charlie’s extreme budgeting. Some commenters on her videos have expressed concern that she is missing out on life experiences.
However, many others commend her for her discipline and self-control. They admire her ability to save money and reach her financial goals.
One user said: No one’s paying for 4 houses with that economic plan.
The fourth user added: Great! But on $52K a year she will never be able to afford maintenance on 3 or 4 houses!
Another user said: She probably ate everything at the movie theater concession stand if the date paid for it.