Welcome to Money Diaries where we are tackling the ever-present taboo that is money. We’re asking real people how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we’re tracking every last penny.
This week: “I’m a 26-year-old working in tech. I really love my current job but I feel behind as I’m three to five years older than other juniors at my company. Because of a gap year, a four-year bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree, I only have two years of full-time experience, but I’m doing my best to catch up. I live with my long-term boyfriend, C, who I met at uni. We live in outer London but are trying to buy somewhere more central to stop wasting hours on commuting. Getting on the property ladder has been my dream for ages — I opened a Help To Buy ISA in 2019 and have been saving since. I manage to save a lot by routinely putting away 80-90% of my salary but I am also extremely lucky to have received a massive gift from my parents towards the property purchase. C and I briefly experimented with a joint account for shared expenses but abandoned it in favour of better-value personal accounts. We don’t really keep track of how much we spend; when it comes to holidays, eating out and treats, whoever has a better cashback offer pays.”
Occupation: Data scientist
Industry: Technology
Age: 26
Location: London
Salary: £48,000 base + 10-20% discretionary bonus if I do well enough.
Paycheque amount: £2,750
Number of housemates: One: my boyfriend, C.
Pronouns: She/her
Monthly Expenses
Housing costs: £0. I live with my boyfriend, C., in a property owned by a family member.
Loan payments: £0. The student loan comes out of my pay.
Savings? £480,000 total savings of any kind, including pensions, ISAs (cash and S&S) and savings accounts. Most of this is in cash (easy access savings) since I’m in the process of buying a property.
Pension? Yes, I contribute 6% and my employer contributes 12% of my base salary.
Utilities: £0. In our arrangement, C pays for utilities (electricity, water, gas and internet) and I pay for groceries. The family pays for council tax, service charge, etc.
All other monthly payments: £10 phone plan. Subscriptions: £25 PureGym, £48 yearly Amazon Prime.
Did you participate in any form of higher education? If yes, how did you pay for it?
Yes, I have a bachelor’s degree (covered by Plan 2 student loans) and a master’s (which I paid for with money saved from working in my first real job). My parents covered all my living costs throughout both degrees. I was not eligible for any maintenance loans because I was not a UK resident prior to starting my undergrad.
Growing up, what kind of conversations did you have about money?
My parents were very clear about the importance of living within one’s means and how money doesn’t grow on trees. They encouraged me to save and be financially responsible. However, they are not especially financially literate and did not teach me much beyond the basics. I used to think that my parents live quite frugally but over the past couple of years I realised that my mum frequently overspends/buys completely unnecessary items that never get used. I definitely internalised those patterns and am actively trying to unlearn them.
If you have, when did you move out of your parents’/guardians’ house?
I moved out for university.
At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself? Does anyone else cover any aspects of your financial life?
I think I became responsible for myself when I got my first real job after my undergrad. However my parents still gave me money for living expenses (which I diligently saved!) and recently gave me a massive gift towards my property purchase. My boyfriend and family cover most of my living costs, including housing, utilities and food, so maybe that means I’m not (and never have been) actually financially responsible for myself.
What was your first job and why did you get it?
The first paycheque I got was at 18. I applied for a random data entry job because I felt so adult after finishing my secondary school exams and I was curious about the nine-to-five office lifestyle. It turned out to be painfully boring and emotionally draining so I ended up quitting within two weeks. I got my first real job after graduating at 23. It was a grad position in my industry and I got it because it was the expected next step after finishing uni.
Do you worry about money now?
Constantly. Although I am in a very privileged position, I feel precarious and extremely self-conscious about how little I am paid compared to my peers in similar roles, who all earn more than me. Sometimes I feel like this reflects poorly on my skills and knowledge. I worry I will not have enough money to provide for my parents when they are older, or to start my own family. If I were to have kids, I would want them to grow up in better material conditions than I did and I am not sure if I can achieve that.
Do you or have you ever received passive or inherited income?
I am lucky that my immediate family is still alive and well and so I have not received any inheritance besides the gift mentioned above. I am not industrious enough for a side hustle/setting up a passive income stream.
6:45 a.m. — I wake up uncharacteristically early. I’m WFH today so my alarm was set for 8.30 a.m. However, I’m feeling weirdly refreshed and the weather is perfect so I consider going on a jog as I make my usual morning green tea.
7:15 a.m. — I put on my running kit and I quickly log on to check on the jobs I was running overnight. I discover some issues so I end up working for three hours with my running vest on.
11 a.m. — Come back from my jog. I only did 7k (6:25 min/km average pace) but I’m happy with it because I’m just trying to get into running. I make a blueberry matcha smoothie bowl and an iced latte, and pop a big feta pastry in the air fryer. I scoff it all down with some homemade sauerkraut (fibre and probiotics!) while on a work call. Thank god I’m not the only one with their camera off.
2 p.m. — I take a break to unpack a Sainsbury’s order that’s arrived, which was covered by a prepaid gift card. My work has a scheme for discounted grocery gift cards, where you pay 95% of the loaded cash value. Five percent off doesn’t seem like much but it really adds up!
5:30 p.m. — I get changed for the gym and browse the cabinets for a pre-workout snack. I don’t feel like making anything so I have a quarter of a cheddar block, an apple and an iced coffee. That’s basically a charcuterie board, right?
8 p.m. — C and I come back from the gym and heat up leftover roast chicken for dinner. I insist that we need some fresh veg so C graciously makes a Greek salad. The hot gravy and cold salad combination is a bit weird but my daily fibre goal is met.
8:30 p.m. — We like to have our meal in front of the TV and finish watching Search Party on iPlayer. As a fan of Alia Shawkat’s role on Arrested Development, I was surprised I had never heard of this show before but all five seasons are a fantastic mix of comedy and drama. After finishing the last episode, we discuss our thoughts and head to bed as it’s now midnight.
Total: £0
9:40 a.m. — I wake up feeling great. It’s Saturday, I slept well and the sun is out, which immediately puts me in a fantastic mood. I have my usual green tea while C has a slice of his homemade sourdough. We watch a couple of YouTube videos, then get ready to head out for a stroll in a nearby park.
12 p.m. — We pop into Gail’s and get a San Francisco sourdough loaf. It’s not as good as the homemade sourdough but I collected enough stamps for a loyalty reward so it’s free and we can freeze it for a rainy day. Then we head over to a local Vietnamese takeaway and get two bánh mì, £17.40. C gets the traditional cold cuts, I get the kimchi beef. Both are delicious and I am already thinking of going there again.
1 p.m. — We wander into a local history museum and hyperfixate on a Victorian era exhibit. I wonder how my life would have been if I’d lived in those times? I’d probably be a servant but maybe I’d grind my way to a head housemaid? C cares more about some Roman artefacts than my hypotheticals but I don’t blame him. Maybe I’ve watched too much Downton Abbey…
3 p.m. — We go home and I make an iced matcha latte for myself and an iced Americano for C. We relax for a bit while sipping our drinks, then I insist we head out again so that I can hit my step goal. I add £50 credit to my M&S gift card (also part of my work’s discounted gift card scheme), £46.50.
4:30 p.m. — We head over to the park and then go by the shops. I get some Rana tortellini (my weekday lunch staple) and a reduced sourdough loaf at Waitrose, £4.39. We realise we have collected a lot of bread so we decide to have a charcuterie board for dinner. We pick up a selection of cured meats, grapes, strawberries and some herbs from M&S, using my prepaid grocery gift card.
6 p.m. — I start making a feta mint dip only to discover that we’re out of feta. I could have sworn that I added it to the Sainsbury’s order that came yesterday! I try not to get too annoyed with myself as I head to Co-op. Thankfully, it’s not too far and I’m back home within 15 minutes, £1.85.
8 p.m. — I remember I have an Amazon voucher so C and I browse the Amazon Video selection for at least half an hour, trying to pick a title that’s not already included in our subscription. We finally decide on Minari (a thoughtful story about Korean immigrants trying to build a life in the American countryside in the ‘80s). After finishing our charcuterie, I curl up on the couch with a massive dessert bowl of ice cream, mixed nuts, medjool dates and fresh berries.
Total: £70.14
12:15 p.m. — C. and I have a Sunday lie-in, followed by a couple of hours playing Mario Kart on our Switch. I’m really bad at video games and have to play in 50CC to stand a fighting chance.
3 p.m. — Yesterday’s feast has finally been digested and we’re feeling a bit peckish so we make a quick feta and watermelon salad. Following this, it’s time to do some chores. I tidy up and vacuum, while C cleans the bathrooms and mops the floors. Afterwards, we sort out the laundry and the ironing together.
5:30 p.m. — As C gets started on dinner, I pack up a small Vinted order (a funky vintage top). It’s embarrassing how many unused clothes I have, especially considering I’ve been trying to sell, swap or donate them for months.
7:30 p.m. — We eat chicken alfredo in front of the TV, have some berries and pastries for dessert, then rot on the couch until it’s time for bed.
10 p.m. — I’ve been trying to improve my nighttime routine to get better quality sleep so I deliberately skip my usual doomscrolling.
Total: £0
8:30 a.m. — It’s Monday so we’re back to the grind. I have my morning green tea while C has his bread. We chat before he heads out to work and I head up to my desk.
1 p.m. — Grab a girl dinner-type lunch (four soft-boiled eggs, an apple, two nectarines, a handful of salami slices and a yoghurt). I write a follow-up email to my solicitor — I am trying to buy a property and it has taken almost a year now (long story…).
7 p.m. — TV dinner with C! We watch Nora From Queens and eat yellow sticker (75% off!) Fish Said Fred cheesy smoked haddock ready meals with some steamed veg. Whoever labelled this tray as two portions is lying to themselves… This is a tray-each household.
8 p.m. — We round off the meal with a fruit bowl (two golden kiwis, peach, nectarine, raspberries) each for dessert.
8:20 p.m. — It’s C.’s week to bring in pastries for his colleagues so I pre-order two Pastry Hero boxes from Gail’s as I have the loyalty card, £29.50.
9 p.m. — Looking at pastries made me a bit snacky but there are no snacks in the house. I end up filling a Gü ramekin (aka my snack bowl) with crunchy ManiLife peanut butter and eat it with a spoon. Don’t knock it ‘til you try it!
Total: £29.50
10 a.m. — Drink my green tea, then log on and work. I tend to go into the office on Tuesdays but I’m going on holiday soon so I stay home to be more productive.
2:30 p.m. — Quick lunch of Rana spinach and ricotta tortellini (again, I consider the whole bag a single serving) and some kimchi on the side. Then a pastry and milky tea for dessert before heading back to my desk. I’ve been trying to curb my sweet-treat-after-every-meal habit but it’s not working out well.
7 p.m. — Scarf down a girl dinner (a whole tub of Skyr and about a quarter of the big Crunchy Nut carton) before heading out to the gym.
8 p.m. — I like exercise but I’ve been a bit discouraged lately because I’m not progressing at all. I’ve been contemplating getting a PT for ages but also I’ve been “about to” move for months now. Waiting until I’ve moved and settled in seems to make more sense so no gains until then, I guess.
9:30 p.m. — Fire off another follow-up email to our solicitor on the way home, and complain with C about our home purchase situation. We feel so lost and drained by how long it’s taking but we don’t have time to start property-hunting again and we’ve already paid thousands in search, survey and conveyancing fees so we decide against any ultimatums (for now).
Total: £0
9:30 a.m. — I wake up feeling a bit under the weather but it’s C’s birthday and we have lots on today so I pop a paracetamol and three Strepsils.
10 a.m. — Make green tea, log on in time for my morning meetings, then work until it’s time to head out for lunch.
11 a.m. — I have an Oyster card with my railcard loaded on it so I get a third off off-peak fares. I loaded £20 onto it last week so this week’s travel is covered.
12:30 p.m. — Birthday lunch at Chishuru, a West African, Michelin-starred restaurant. We get two lunch sets, an extra side and C. also gets a cocktail, £135.56. This is our first Michelin-star experience and it does not disappoint; the yassa (charcoal-grilled guinea fowl breast) is the highlight for me. If you’re in London, definitely give it a go!
2:30 p.m. — My nose is sooo stuffy so I pop into Boots on my way to the office and get a pack of decongestant tablets, £4.
3:30 p.m. — Thank the lord for the free barista-made drinks at work. I order a large double shot latte to get me through the next few hours of work.
8 p.m. — Birthday dinner at Fallow, a modern European Michelin-guide (no stars though, not in the budget!) restaurant, famous for its behind-the-scenes videos on social media. I’m shocked at how busy it is on a random Wednesday!
9 p.m. — We end up having to wait a ridiculously long time (about an hour!) for our mains. The food is nice but apart from the cod’s head, it doesn’t live up to the hype. Maybe it’s actually my fault because I’m terribly congested so all the flavour complexity is absolutely lost on me? Two starters, two mains, two sides and two cocktails comes out to £151.65, and we’re both stuffed to the gills.
10:30 p.m. — Head back home. I have two slices of C’s birthday cake as a late-night snack, then immediately hit the hay.
Total: £291.21
10 a.m. — I’m so glad I woke up feeling slightly better today. Green tea, log on and work straight through to lunch. My life is so boring.
1 p.m. — I notice we are running low on face wash and sunscreen so I place a Superdrug order, £65.41. I probably ordered way more than we needed but £60 was the order minimum for free delivery.
5 p.m. — I’m going on a weekend trip with some friends tomorrow so I pre-book an Uber to the airport, £57.60. Feels a bit silly since the ride is almost the same price as a one-way easyJet flight but I bite the bullet. The public transport connection would take three times longer than the drive and would have been an order of magnitude more stressful.
8 p.m. — C makes fresh pesto for our mozzarella pesto ciabattas, which, as usual, we devour in front of the TV. I prefer watching something light after a cognitively straining day so we opt for a couple of episodes of Nora From Queens. It’s a fairly low-stakes comedy so it’s an easy comfort watch, especially when I don’t want to risk staying up late watching the entire series.
9 p.m. — No meal is complete without dessert so I fetch us some fruit and a Halo Top tub each. I might be developing a cookie dough addiction.
Total: £123.01
Food & Drink: £386.85
Clothes & Beauty: £69.41
Home & Health: £0
Entertainment: £0
Travel: £57.60
Other: £0
Total: £513.86
Conclusion
“I think I did well! Other than overstocking on face wash, I did not buy anything unnecessary. Spending mindfully and not buying stuff just because it’s on sale is my primary goal now. My total came out a bit higher than usual but it’s not something I would change. Over 50% of this week’s spend was birthday meals out, which is definitely not typical. Similarly, I only take airport Ubers or do a big top-up toiletry order every couple of months. On the other hand, I tend to spend ~£100/week on groceries and ~£25/week on TfL, which was not fully reflected this week. Recording my spending felt quite natural since I was already in the habit of checking my banking apps frequently.”
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