'I save more than my friends combined': How a 21-year-old overcame a 'toxic' mindset about money to put aside $50,000 in two years - with NO financial advice
- Sofia Rose Bernardi, from Adelaide, has saved $50,000 in the past two years
- The 21-year-old has done it with zero financial help and while living out of home
- Sofia revealed how she repaired a 'toxic' money mindset to put away $50,000
- She did it by selling items online, working three jobs and tracking expenses
A 21-year-old who worked three jobs in order to save extra money has revealed how she put away $50,000 in two short years.
Sofia Rose Bernardi, from Adelaide, had a toxic relationship with money throughout her teens, after a relative's gambling addiction meant the rest of the family was left with next to nothing.
However, over the past two years Sofia has repaired her attitude towards her finances - and saved $50,000 with nearly zero financial help from friends and family.
'I save more money than my friends combined,' Sofia told FEMAIL. 'Now, I'm looking towards saving for my own housing deposit.'
As well as working multiple jobs, Sofia sells unneeded belongings online, tracks her spending to the cent with spreadsheets, makes monthly cutbacks, and sets regular goals. She has also cut back on buying coffees, fashion items and jewellery.
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21-year-old Sofia Rose Bernardi (pictured) has revealed how she worked three jobs in order to save extra money and put away $50,000 in just two years
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Sofia had a toxic relationship with money throughout her teens, after a relative's gambling addiction meant the rest of the family was left with nearly nothing
Sofia moved to Denmark with the rest of her family at age 16 after the relative's gambling addiction came to a head.
'Suddenly, I had a really bad attitude towards money,' Sofia recalled.
'I always thought everyone else had it so easy compared to me. I felt as though money would just disappear.'
And so, she decided to take matters into her own hands and began watching YouTube videos about saving and taking control of your cash.
'I had always been pretty good at saving,' Sofia said. 'My grandparents told me to spend half of my money and save half.
'But moving to Denmark and losing money meant I shift my entire mindset. I searched out videos, including savings tips from Australian financial guru, Canna Campbell, and began to put away money.'
Sofia's saving really kicked off in the past two years when she moved back to Australia.
In this time, the savvy 21-year-old has saved an impressive $50,000 through her own hard work and graft.
Sofia's thrifty saving habits have meant she has been able to buy her own car (pictured), as well as enjoy frequent travel while saving money
'I took three jobs working in babysitting, retail and hospitality,' Sofia said.
'I've sold some of my things and I do all those little tiny things to try and save money like track my expenses down to every single cent.'
Sofia said she also makes cutbacks each month, depending on which area she has overspent in the month before.
'If I see I've spent lots on coffees in January, I'll try and spend less in February,' she explained.
'I have been living out of home paying rent for about a year now.
'But even beforehand, I was living with my grandparents and paying them board of $100 a week.
'I am completely independent financially.'
'I had always been pretty good at saving,' Sofia (pictured) said. 'My grandparents told me to spend half of my money and save half'
So what are the 21-year-old's top saving tips?
'Budget a lot and track everything you earn and spend on an Excel spreadsheet,' she said.
'I set lots of little goals with saving to keep me motivated in saving my money.'
Sofia also said she hasn't deprived herself. In fact, in the last two years she has enjoyed foreign holidays back to Denmark from South Australia and New Zealand, as well as buying herself her own car.
'I put all coins/cash in one of those Australian tin money boxes that can't be opened so I don't spend the cash on pointless things for the sake of emptying my wallet,' Sofia added.
'You'd be surprised at how much the little things add up.'
Elsewhere, the 21-year-old has continued to watch videos on YouTube about creating a 'positive money mindset'.
'I sell things on Facebook Marketplace to not only earn some extra cash, but send my unused belongings to a better home,' she added.
She has cut back on spending, refraining from buying coffees out and fashion items she might not wear in a season or two.
'I sit on it for a long time before I make a purchase,' Sofia said. 'Most of the time when I wait a few weeks on something, I no longer have a desire to have it.'
Finally, she has achieved a sense of balance in her saving and spending:
'There was a stage where I wouldn't do anything as I saw that as losing money,' Sofia said.
'But I've changed my mindset now. Because I work hard, I deserve to treat myself with holidays every now and again. I'm all about balance.'
Speaking about her tips, Sofia said: 'I set lots of little goals with saving to keep me motivated in saving my money'
Sofia's ultimate goal is to save for her very own property.
'I would be so proud and happy to own my own home,' Sofia said.
'Luckily, I am a minimalist - so I don't buy things too much. I'd rather put my money towards experiences.'
Sofia has even set up her own YouTube channel, where she documents her experiences, her money saving, her travels and her zero-waste lifestyle.
'My attitude towards money has really changed in the past five years,' Sofia said. 'I love saving now and wouldn't have it any other way.'
To follow Sofia's YouTube channel, please click here.
She also sells items she no longer uses on Facebook Marketplace and makes sure she's achieving balance with her saving and spending, by allowing herself some treats
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