It's a controversial opinion but I feel that everyone constantly young people that they'll never be able to afford a house is the main reason that coffee shops and takeaways are so popular. They're told that there's no point in trying to save their money because it won't be enough so instead they spend it on things for the here and now. We've got a lad at work who turns up each day with a sandwich from the local sarnie shop and a coffee plus a can of monster for later in the day. We've told him to save his money a d his reply is always basically "houses are too expensive so what is there to save for?" He spends about £12 a day on his coffee and sandwich which is £2750 a year plus on top of that he's a regular with takeaway food on a night. I reckon it's probably around £4.5k a year hes spending on takeout food. There are plenty of starter homes in Barnsley for around the 60k mark so in reality if he was to cut those out for 16 months he'd have a 10% deposit for a starter home round here but he doesnt listen because everyone else is telling him its impossible so he might as well get his coffee and sarnie. I personally think it's really important that we teach young people of the importance of saving money and reminding them what IS achievable if they save. I know it isn't the same down south but round here it absolutely is attainable
I think young people today are just not as good with there money in general. People don't want the house at 60k to start with they want the big house nice clothes etc from been young. I think coffee shops and fast food places are busier because most have fast paced lives or can't be bothered cooking.
I think it's a bit of both but if they're told they've got no chance of owning a home why would they bother to save for something that isn't going to happen? The message that starter homes are attainable at least round here needs to be the one we send out, not that they can't get one because let's be reyt if everyone tells you youll never afford something why would you even bother looking at prices of it? I don't think they particularly want the big perfect house, they just don't realise that starter homes are affordable because everyone tells them they're not. That's why they buy the nice clothes etc