--- title: Money Stories - I used to live pay check to pay check. description: We hope that by sharing stories we can help break the taboo around talking about money, inspire others to share their stories and ultimately, encourage people to take control of their personal finances. image: https://blog.joinstepladder.com/hubfs/Blog%20Cover%20(9).png --- [![StepLadder Logo](https://blog.joinstepladder.com/hs-fs/hubfs/StepLadder%20Logo.png?width=1118&name=StepLadder%20Logo.png "StepLadder Logo")](https://www.joinstepladder.com) - [Apply](https://www.members.joinstepladder.com/) - [Find Out More](https://www.joinstepladder.com) - [Blog](https://blog.joinstepladder.com) - [Access Exclusive Content](https://www.members.joinstepladder.com/) Latest ## [Take two minutes to learn more](https://blog.joinstepladder.com/kickstarting-start-ups-with-the-uks-only-digital-group-saving-platform-0) by [Bella Percy-Hughes](https://blog.joinstepladder.com/author/bella-percy-hughes) on January 03, 2023 [Read more](https://blog.joinstepladder.com/kickstarting-start-ups-with-the-uks-only-digital-group-saving-platform-0) - CATEGORIES [Money Stories](https://blog.joinstepladder.com/topic/money-stories) | 1 min read # Money Stories - I used to live pay check to pay check. Written by [Money Stories Contributor](https://blog.joinstepladder.com/author/money-stories-contributor) - - - - I used to live pay check to pay check every month. I had a decent income so I was not necessarily struggling to get by, but at the end of each month my account balance would basically be on £0. Whether it was Christmas shopping, weddings or September (where 3 of my siblings have birthdays), there was always an opportunity to spend my money, leaving me with nothing at the end. My savings remaining non-existent.  **What is your biggest struggle with money?** Planning and budgeting; I used to just go with the flow and see how I ended up each month. **What is your tip to help others save?** Pay yourself first! Get into a habit of putting money away as soon as you get paid and you kind of forget about whilst it builds, before you know it you're making progress. *This money story was written by Osei Downes. *   **Do you have your own money story to share? [Share your story here. ](https://share.hsforms.com/1jtwIRjRkTGS2-lFxfCcpjA1gcbd)**  ### Related Categories [Money Stories](https://blog.joinstepladder.com/topic/money-stories) ### [Money Stories Contributor](https://blog.joinstepladder.com/author/money-stories-contributor) We hope that by sharing stories we can help break the taboo around talking about money, inspire others to share their stories, and ultimately encourage people to take control of their personal finances. ### You may also like: [Financial Wellbeing](https://blog.joinstepladder.com/topic/financial-wellbeing) [Money Stories](https://blog.joinstepladder.com/topic/money-stories) ## [The history behind collaborative finance](https://blog.joinstepladder.com/collaborative-finance-goals) How to use collaborative finance to achieve your goals [Money Stories](https://blog.joinstepladder.com/topic/money-stories) ## [Money Stories - I didn't realise how heavily the government tax.](https://blog.joinstepladder.com/i-didnt-realise-how-heavily-the-government-tax) I got my first job and it is the first time that I have started earning a stable income and one thing I didn't realise w... 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