If you’re between the ages of 18 and 24, I want you to know that you have an incredible advantage when it comes to building your financial future: time.

It might seem like financial freedom is something for later in life—something that happens when you’ve got the house, the job, the family—but the truth is, starting now can set you up for a life of wealth and financial independence. It doesn’t take being rich or having a massive income right away; it takes small habits, consistent actions, and most importantly, the willingness to start today.

The earlier you begin building good financial habits, the easier it will be to reach your financial goals. Trust me, I’ve seen it happen time and time again with young people who start small and stick with it. Consistency is key.

1. Pay Yourself First: Make Your Savings a Priority

One of the easiest ways to get ahead is to start saving before you do anything else. Every time you get paid, whether it’s from a part-time job or a full-time gig, make it a rule that you pay yourself first. This means setting aside a portion of your income for savings or investing before you spend on anything else. Start with 10%, and treat it like a bill you owe yourself.

This habit is powerful because it gets you into the mindset of putting your financial future first. And here’s the kicker: as your income rises, you won’t need to adjust your spending—because the savings will grow automatically with your increasing salary. The key is starting now, and doing it every month, no matter how small.

2. Think in Percentages, Not Fixed Amounts

Here’s the deal: you don’t need a huge income to start saving and investing. In fact, thinking in percentages makes it easy to keep building wealth as your salary grows. When you first start saving, it might only be £50 or £100 a month—but that’s okay! What matters is that you’re saving a percentage of your income, not a fixed amount.

For example, if you save 10% of everything you earn, when you get a pay rise, your savings naturally increase too. That way, as your income goes up, so do your savings, without having to drastically change your spending habits. It’s a smart way to make sure you always have money being put aside for your future, without the need to overthink it.

3. Start Investing Early: Let Compound Interest Work for You

Here’s the real magic: compound interest. If you start investing early, your money can actually earn money on itself. Even if you start small, investing consistently over time leads to massive returns in the long run. The earlier you start, the more powerful compound interest becomes.

For example, if you start investing just £100 per month at 10% annual return (which is pretty typical for long-term investments like stocks), after 20 years you could have over £50,000. If you keep it going for 30 years, that grows to £170,000. But the kicker? Start at 16, and you could see that number balloon to over a million pounds by the time you hit 56, just by investing 10% of your income every month.

You don’t need to be an expert to get started. The great thing is, there are apps and platforms today that allow you to invest with as little as a few pounds or dollars a month. You don’t have to wait for the “perfect time” to start—just begin now and let your money grow.

4. Build an Emergency Fund: Always Be Prepared

Life doesn’t always go to plan. Cars break down, phones get lost, or something unexpected happens. That’s why having an emergency fund in addition to paying yourself first is essential. Aim to save enough to cover three to six months’ worth of living expenses. You might not hit that target overnight, but starting small is better than nothing.

Building this fund gives you the peace of mind that if an emergency arises, you don’t have to turn to credit cards or loans. Instead, you can dip into your savings, knowing you’ve got a cushion to fall back on. The idea is to start with what you can afford, even if it’s just £50 or £100 a month, and gradually build it up as your income increases.

5. Keep Learning About Money: Knowledge is Power

The more you know about money, the better decisions you can make. Financial literacy isn’t something they teach in school (unfortunately!), but it’s one of the most important things you can learn to set yourself up for success. From budgeting to investing, debt management to credit scores, understanding how money works can help you take control of your future.

There are plenty of free resources out there—books, blogs, podcasts, and online courses—so don’t be afraid to seek knowledge. The more you learn, the more confident you’ll become in your financial decisions. And trust me, once you get a handle on how to manage your money, you’ll feel so much more in control.

6. Start Small, Dream Big

One of the best things about personal finance is that small, consistent steps can lead to big rewards. You don’t need to save a huge amount right away or have a massive income. Start small, stay consistent, and the results will add up over time. Even if you only start saving £50 a month, that’s still £50 more than you would have saved if you hadn’t started at all.

And over time, as your income increases and your investments grow, you’ll start to see the magic of compound interest and consistent saving. Before you know it, you could have hundreds of thousands or even millions saved up by the time you’re in your 40s or 50s, simply by sticking to these habits.

Why It Matters: You Can Build Wealth Even on a Modest Income

The key takeaway here is that it’s not about how much you earn, it’s about how much you save and invest. The sooner you start, the better. With time, consistency, and smart decisions, you can build serious wealth—even from humble beginnings.

Here’s an example of why starting young really pays off: Let’s say you’re 16, earning £1,000 a month in a part-time job. If you save 10% of your income (which is £100), and invest it with a 10% annual return, by the time you’re 56, you could have £1,000,000—just by investing 10% of your income consistently over the years.

That’s the power of starting early, saving a percentage of your income, and letting your investments compound over time. Start small, stay consistent, and the money will grow. Your future self will thank you!

Get Control of Your Finances and Build a Life You Love

If you’re ready to take charge of your financial future, there’s no better time than now. I’ve created the Where Did All My Money Go? Conscious Spending Starter Kit to help you do exactly that. For just £27, you’ll get a toolkit that helps you track your spending, set healthy financial boundaries, and build a spending plan tailored to your life.

But here’s where it gets even better: I’m giving away my £97 Purpose, Vision, and Goals audio series—for free—when you grab the Conscious Spending Starter Kit today.

This is an exclusive offer—only available to those who read this blog. I want to make sure you get the resources and support you need to build a strong financial foundation and align your money decisions with your bigger goals.

You see, financial literacy is something that many young people struggle with, and finding tools that truly help can be overwhelming. That’s why I’m offering this incredible value to help you get on the right track. The Purpose, Vision, and Goals audio series is designed to help you define your financial goals and create a clear vision for your future.

This offer gives you:

• The Where Did All My Money Go? Conscious Spending Starter Kit for just £27, so you can start taking control of your money today.

• The Purpose, Vision, and Goals audio series—worth £97—for free.

That’s a £124 value, but because you’ve read this blog, you can grab it for just £27. Real tools to help you start making better financial choices today.

If you’re ready to build a life you love, get started now and grab this exclusive offer. Click here to purchase.