The parent was a bit OTT. The general point is that when you were 22 and earnt bugger all you could still live, now you're 32 and earn a lot more, you live a l

The parent was a bit OTT. The general point is that when you were 22 and earnt bugger all you could still live, now you're 32 and earn a lot more, you live a lot better but never started saving. You should be saving money but you're not. So force yourself to revert some of your positive life-style changes as you actually can't afford them yet. Do it at source, set up a standing order to automatically take the money out just after pay day. Start small, say 1%, and increase it every 3 months maybe? To be honest, the first statement you get of your savings where you earn interest instead of paying it is quite refreshing. And you feel a little smug and a little more mind-at-rest because you know you can deal with disasters.