{"id":5233,"date":"2025-09-07T07:13:18","date_gmt":"2025-09-07T07:13:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/5233\/"},"modified":"2025-09-07T07:13:18","modified_gmt":"2025-09-07T07:13:18","slug":"im-21-and-work-in-mcdonalds-but-have-54000-in-savings-these-are-my-top-spending-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/5233\/","title":{"rendered":"I’m 21 and work in McDonald’s but have \u00a354,000 in savings – these are my top spending tips"},"content":{"rendered":"

By ELLEN COUGHLAN, ENTERTAINMENT AND LIFESTYLE JOURNALIST<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 05:36 EDT, 2 September 2025 | Updated: 05:48 EDT, 2 September 2025 <\/p>\n

A 21-year-old revealed how she has managed to save \u00a354,000<\/a> while working in McDonald’s.<\/p>\n

Preston-based Stella McCormick is a manager at the fast food chain, and shared how some clever spending hacks are helping her save for her ‘forever home’.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Taking to her TikTok<\/a> @stellamccormick6<\/a>, the influencer said she sticks to a few simple rules when it comes to money, including making a ‘wishlist’ of things she wants to buy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In a clip, which racked up more than 41,000 views, Stella claimed\u00a0planning days out, making financial goals and\u00a0investing were great ways to make sure you are in control of your finances.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The savvy saver\u00a0drives a 2008 Corsa and admitted she is ‘very lucky’ and ‘privileged’ because she lived with her mother until she was 19-years-old and was paying just \u00a3150 a month in rent.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Her first tip was to keep track of ‘essential outgoings’ which she said was the key place to start.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘This is a non-negotiable – if you don’t know exactly what you spend on bills etc, your personal finances need organising,’ she stressed.<\/p>\n

Stella also urged people to write down every payment they make each month, to ensure they are aware of their outgoings.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Stella <\/p>\n

Stella McCormick, who is from the UK,\u00a0revealed she has managed to save \u00a354,000 while working in McDonald’s and sticking to some clever hacks<\/p>\n

Her next tip was to plan out your weekly meals ahead of your food shop so you don’t overspend.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘Make a meal plan or at least a list of dinners for the week,’ she advised, ‘and curate a shopping list based on those meals.’<\/p>\n

The third hack was to make a ‘wish list’ of things you want to buy and come back to it at a later date to see if it’s still important.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘If you see something you’d like to buy, add it to a wishlist in your notes – go back to it in a months’ time and you will realise you didn’t actually want it,’ Stella shared.<\/p>\n

‘For example, new trainers, new phone etc. I’ve done this since I was 16 and I have hardly ever bought the items I wanted because I didn’t even want them anymore.’\u00a0<\/p>\n

Another piece of advice was to set ‘financial goals’ – no matter how small.<\/p>\n

‘If I have a goal to spend less than \u00a3100 in a week for example – I will without fail do this even if I had to walk an hour to work if my car broke down instead of paying for an Uber,’ she shared.<\/p>\n

‘Make sure these are achievable for you so you get some little wins.’\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Stella <\/p>\n

Stella is a manager at the fast food chain and is saving for her ‘forever home’<\/p>\n

\"She <\/p>\n

She revealed that her mother and stepfather taught her the importance of this and how best to utilise money<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\" \"\" \"Social <\/p>\n

Social media users were impressed by Stella\u2019s savings hacks and many rushed to the comments with their own thoughts<\/p>\n

Finally, Stella revealed the importance of investing. As well as keeping money in an ISA\u00a0and\u00a0Premium Bonds she also has ‘a lot’ of money in Columbia – an investment company.<\/p>\n

‘Do your research before investing,’ she warned. ‘I learnt this from my parents but I have money in numerous places that just sit there and earn me money every year.<\/p>\n

‘A couple of good ones are MoneyBox for all the ISA’s,\u00a0Premium Bonds is good for 100 percent financial safety if you are worried about losing money and I also keep a lot in Columbia but they charge a lot.’\u00a0<\/p>\n

Social media users were impressed by Stella\u2019s saving hacks\u00a0and many rushed to the comments with their own thoughts.\u00a0<\/p>\n

One person said: ‘Ahah great tips !! I do exactly the same things and have 110k saved at 28.’<\/p>\n

Another added: ‘Budgeting is like gym\u2026 hard to start, but the gains are worth it.’<\/p>\n

‘Finally seeing someone else my age actually have savings!’ another penned. ‘I\u2019m also saving for a house, slow process but will be worth it in the long run.’<\/p>\n

‘The wish list thing is genius!’ a fourth praised. ‘Most of us would wait a month but actually not want it by then!’\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\n I’m 21 and work in McDonald’s but have \u00a354,000 in savings – these are my top spending tips<\/p>\n