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 29-year-old living on the South Coast. I live alone in my two-bedroom flat which I bought almost three years ago. Before this, I lived in another property which I had bought with my sister in 2019. In 2022, she bought me out of my share, and I bought my lovely little place. I adore living alone but the single tax does sting sometimes. However, I’d rather pay a little extra and enjoy the luxury of my own space entirely.
I work in HR and have done since graduating in 2016. I’ve worked hard and invested in my career over the last nine years, getting to a good position and salary; however, my current role has left me feeling really burnt out and jaded, which has prompted me to think about taking a year off and doing some long-overdue travel. The loose plan is November, so I need to start planning! I am single and love spending my time with my friends and family who also live locally.
In terms of spending, I’m pretty good at saving and mostly spend my money on holidays/travel. Other than Vinted and charity shops (which I may have a slight addiction to), I tend to not spend much on clothes, rather investing in a few good pieces which will last me a long time. I do, however, fritter away my money on food and coffee.”
Occupation: HR business partner
Industry: Healthcare
Age: 29
Location: South Coast
Salary: £56,400
Paycheque Amount: £3,090
Number of housemates: None.
Pronouns: She/her
Monthly Expenses
Housing costs: £875 mortgage.
Loan payments: I pay my student loan directly out of my payslip and try to avoid thinking about it too much.
Pension? I pay 11% of my salary and my employer contributes 23% (NHS pension). I have about £50k in my pot currently. I also have a private pension from a previous workplace which is worth roughly £20k at the moment.
Savings?: Roughly £55k in cash. I also have about £100k in equity in my flat.
Utilities: £150 building maintenance charge which includes insurance and water, £75 electricity (no gas in my building), £90 council tax, £31 wifi.
All other monthly payments: £46 gym membership, £7 SIM-only contract. All car-related expenses are paid annually and I squirrel away a bit each month in preparation. Subscriptions: £6 Netflix, £4 Spotify (my share of a family plan).
Did you participate in any form of higher education? If yes, how did you pay for it? I went to university the first year of the £9k fees. Yippee! I paid for this through student loans. My parents very generously paid my accommodation costs for the three years I was studying. I worked part-time during term and full-time during holidays in retail to pay for everything else I needed.
Growing up, what kind of conversations did you have about money?
My parents never really discussed finances with us growing up but we had a very typical middle-class upbringing. My parents prioritised certain things such as travel and taking us on enriching holidays over a bigger house or private school (but also because my dad morally objects to a two-tier education). My dad was the main earner and worked mostly as a contractor; when he worked, he earned very well but he wasn’t always in steady employment. My parents are still comfortable and own their house outright but are pretty rubbish at saving for the future, so I suspect they will have to downsize and use that money to fund their retirement.
If you have, when did you move out of your parents/guardians house?
I moved out for uni and then lived in London for almost a year. I moved back in with my parents in 2018 and bought my first property with my sister at the end of 2019. I didn’t pay rent when I lived with my parents and saved most of my paycheque towards a deposit.
At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself? Does anyone else cover any aspects of your financial life?
I would say I became truly financially responsible when I moved out in 2019 but I had periods of it before this, i.e., when I was at uni and when I lived in London although my parents did help out a bit.
What was your first job and why did you get it?
I got my first job at 16, working in a clothes shop on my local high street. My parents have always instilled the value of work in us and even though I didn’t need to work for money, they pushed my sisters and me to get jobs as soon as we got our NI numbers. I used to mainly work a Sunday shift and would use the money to fund my clothes and trips out with friends.
Do you worry about money now?
Day to day; no. I earn a good wage, own my own property and have a decent amount of savings. However, I worry about the future as I don’t plan to marry or have kids, which means I will always have to rely on myself. I also worry about looking after my parents, physically and financially, as they age.
Do you or have you ever received passive or inherited income?
Over the years, my parents have gifted my siblings and me some money, which would equate to about £20k. I have never asked for this and often try to give it back to them, but they won’t accept it. I also received £2,000 from a very close family friend when he passed away, which I used to fund a road trip to South Africa.
8 a.m. — My alarm goes off and I snooze for 15 minutes. Reluctantly drag myself out of bed and sort myself out before logging on for work. Friday mornings are normally a bit quieter for me at work, so I spend the time replying to emails which have built up in my inbox.
1 p.m. — My dad messages to see if I want to go to the mosque with him for Friday prayers and offers to pick me up so I take a quick break from work to join him.
1:45 p.m. — Back home and log on for a few work calls. People that schedule meetings on Friday afternoons deserve jail.
3:30 p.m. — Meetings all done for the week. I’m planning on going for a swim this evening and realise my armpits aren’t looking too good. Quickly get the wax strips out. My legs are also not great but I can’t be bothered to do them today.
5:30 p.m. — I’m going to my parents’ place for dinner and will go swimming straight from there. It’s currently Ramadan so I’m going over most evenings for iftar (breaking the fast) but typically I go to theirs for dinner once or twice a week anyway. My dad is an amazing cook and family dinners are an integral part of our culture. Pack my swim bag and head over.
7:15 p.m. — Have a lovely dinner of stuffed onions and Lebanese meatloaf with my parents. Bother the cat whilst my mother tells me not to bother the cat.
8 p.m. — Head off to my swim session, which is included in my gym membership. I normally aim for 1km in the pool but I’m just getting over a cold so I only manage half of that. Treat myself to a few rounds of sauna and steam room (the real reason I go swimming). My gym facilities are very nice which does mean its often busy, even on a Friday evening.
8:30 p.m. — Finish my session and drive home. Unpack my bag and jump in the shower — does anyone else feel their hair isn’t properly clean when they wash it at the gym? Do a full hair wash routine and body scrub. Come out and lounge about in my towel for a bit. I recently saw you’re supposed to put your body lotion on first and then body oil on top to lock in moisture, so I (sceptically) give this a go. Will report back on success.
9 p.m. — Blow dry my hair. I hate to admit it, but the Dyson Airwrap is really great — even on my thick, curly hair.
10 p.m. — Bed. Read for a bit before falling asleep.
Total: £0
8:30 a.m. — I naturally wake up but decide to stay in bed until my alarm goes off.
9:30 a.m. — Alarm goes off and I get out of bed slowly. Have some cereal and take a cup of tea back up to bed to enjoy whilst reading for a bit. I’ve made a mental plan to go to the gym so I get up properly and get changed into my gym gear.
10:30 a.m. — It’s a nice day so I walk to the gym. The walk takes about 30 minutes each way so there’s no need to warm up when I get there. Do a good upper body session and relish the emptiness of the gym.
12:30 p.m. — I have some remnants of a smoked salmon packet so I make myself a focaccia sandwich using some capers from the fridge as well. Sit down with a coffee whilst listening to The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.
2:30 p.m. — This is the year me and all my friends turn 30 (culminating with mine in the summer) and it’s been non-stop with 30th birthday activities. This evening is no different and I message my two besties, H and E, on our group chat who are also going. We concoct a plan to meet on the way. We have already bought our friend a joint present from us three, so nothing to buy today.
4 p.m. — My sister pops over to borrow one of my spare chairs as she’s having some friends over for dinner this evening. Have a catch-up with her despite the fact we talk pretty much every day. My other sister, who lives in North America, calls so catch up with her as well.
5:30 p.m. — Start getting ready for birthday shenanigans. We are going over to my friends for some food and drinks but there has been some talk of going out after. Decide to dress in the universal millennial uniform of jeans and a nice top with some suede trainers. Although it’s mild, I hate being cold so I still wear my long wool coat on top.
6:30 p.m. — Meet my two besties, H and E, on the walk over and we all get to our friends together. I’ve known most of these girls since we were 11 and it’s been an absolute privilege to watch them all become women. Party ensues with lots of lovely food and cake. I’m not drinking so I enjoy some soft drinks.
10:30 p.m. — Some of us head off to a club for a little dance, £6 entry. As soon as we get inside, I spot a photo booth and drag the birthday girl in for a photo. It costs £6 which is daylight robbery, but I love having these photos to keep. It’s 00s throwbacks pretty much the whole night and we all have a great time dancing and belting the tunes out.
12:45 p.m. — Me, E and H decide to call it a night. Say our goodbyes and head outside to get a taxi. I pay for us three, £6.30. Get home and straight into bed without setting an alarm.
Total: £18.30
9:30 a.m. — Wake up but decide I don’t want to be awake just yet so spend another two hours in bed, snoozing and relaxing.
11:30 a.m. — Wake up properly and reply to the many messages from last night. Slowly get ready (wash face, moisturiser and SPF) and put on some comfy clothes. It’s a lovely and mild day so I open all the windows in the flat to get some fresh air flowing. Head out for a long walk along the beach, listening to Banks’ new album.
1 p.m. — It feels like the first real day of spring and there are so many people out along the beach path. I sit down for a bit and read my book. I’m currently reading Che Guvera’s The Motorcycle Diaries; I’m going on a hiking trip to South America next month and this is getting me excited for it! My parents share a cute picture of the cat in the family group chat and I message to say I’ll pop over to see her in a bit. My dad asks if I can bring a couple of onions, if I pass by a shop on the way.
2 p.m. — Walk over to my parents’ place via a shop to pick up onions, £0.52. Hang out with my mother and the cat for a bit before heading back to mine.
3 p.m. — Notice my nails are looking scruffy so sit down to sort them out. Paint them a buttery yellow for spring.
5 p.m. — I’m going out for dinner with a few friends this evening. We’re meeting some of my friend A’s uni friends so we’re going to a restaurant a 30min drive away. A has kindly offered to drive us so I walk over to my other friend, K’s house so she can pick us up together.
6 p.m. — Have a lovely Turkish dinner and a great time catching up with my friends as well as meeting some new people. I’m a massive extrovert so I love settings like this,£30 for my share. A drops me back and I offer her some petrol money. She graciously declines.
9 p.m. — Sort out my bits for work tomorrow. I normally go into the office one or twice a week but tomorrow I’m going to an event my trust is running. It’s being held local to me (my usual office is a 30-minute drive) so I’m planning to walk to it tomorrow.
10 p.m. — Bed. Read before falling asleep.
Total: £30.52
8 a.m. — Alarm goes off and I get up promptly. Turn my laptop on and check emails/keep an eye on things whilst I also get ready.
8:45 a.m. — Set off to get to today’s venue. My friend, H, is also attending as she works in healthcare in the local system. She texts me to say she has gotten there a bit early and bought me a coffee.
9:15 a.m. — Meet H and thank her for the coffee. I’ll send some money to her for it later, despite her insisting its her treat. We head into the venue together.
1:15 p.m. — Break for lunch. The morning session has been so interesting and insightful. I also feel lucky to be spending the day with H whilst getting paid! Lunch is provided — always a rare treat when you work in the public sector, so I polish off a few sandwiches.
4:30 p.m. — The event finishes and H and I walk back together. I pop into the shop to pick up a Vinted parcel on the way. Must admit I can’t remember what I’ve even ordered this time.
6 p.m. — Change into my gym clothes and head over to my parents’ place for dinner.
7:30 p.m. — Head over to the gym for a good lower body session. It’s surprisingly quiet but I do bump into my friend K (from dinner yesterday). We have a quick catch up but have made a pact that we only chat for five minutes when we see each other in the gym otherwise we end up yapping for ages.
10 p.m. — Home. Shower and into bed. Call my sister in Canada for a catch up on her day. Send H £18 which covers the morning coffee and a 1kg bag of Mini Eggs she managed to secure for me. This won’t be helping my sweet treat addiction.
Total: £18
8:30 a.m. — Alarm goes off and I get up. You know the usual routine by now. Log on to work and tackle the emails that piled up in my inbox yesterday. My biggest gripe is a workplace culture where people disregard ‘out of office’ messages.
12:30 p.m. — The morning flies by as I deal with emails and meetings. Stop for a quick break to do some chores around the flat. I receive an invoice for some boiler work I had done a few weeks ago. A part needed replacing which I had been putting off for almost a year. Pay the invoice of £399.
3 p.m. — Have to pop out for an appointment. Remember I need milk so swing by a shop. Come out with milk, crisps and a bouquet of flowers, £5.35. My supermarket rule for life is to always buy the bunch of reduced flowers — they normally only cost a few pounds but bring me so much joy in my home.
5:30 p.m. — Gym clothes on and head over to my parents’ place for dinner.
7 p.m. — Really not feeling the gym today but go anyway. End up having quite a good session.
10 p.m. — In bed after a quick shower and sorting out my work bits for tomorrow. My sister calls for a chat. Finish my book before falling asleep.
Total: £404.35
6:50 a.m. — Alarm goes off and I begrudgingly get up and get ready. I detest mornings so I mentally prepare an outfit the night before to make it a bit easier. Turn the dishwasher on just before I leave.
7:20 a.m. — My dad’s office is five minutes away from mine so we try to carshare if we’re both going in on the same days. And by carshare, I mean he always picks me up and does the drive. The journey should take 30 minutes but there is constant roadworks which means it can take up to 1.5 hours. Fall asleep on the drive in which doesn’t bode well for the rest of the day.
8:15 a.m. — Get into the office and there’s roughly four people around. Our trust is trying to mandate people back into the office at least three days a week, but we don’t have the space to accommodate everyone so not sure how successful it’ll be.
2:30 p.m. — Worked solidly until now, without a break. I had back-to-back Teams meetings which were both pointless to be in office for and annoying as it meant I didn’t get a break. Have a moan about it to one of my colleagues who was the main culprit for the meetings. Pop out for 15 minutes for a bit of fresh air.
3:30 p.m. — My dad is heading off now so comes to pick me up. I would normally work in the car and finish off when I get home but I’m so tired today and resentful about coming in to sit on Teams meetings, I decide to just call it a day early.
4 p.m. — Dad needs to pop to the shops as do I. I’m having some friends over for dinner on Friday and want to go to the Middle Eastern shop for some meat and other ingredients. We stop off on our way home. My total comes to £27.54 despite dad trying to buy it as part of his shopping. I offer to cook dinner at my parents’ place tonight.
5 p.m. — Get home and quickly change, unload the dishwasher and sort a few bits out. Head over to my parents’ place to cook dinner. Make a Turkish pasta dish which everyone enjoys.
7 p.m. — Too tired for the gym today so end up staying a bit later at my parents. Me, my sister and my mum chat about my sister’s upcoming wedding, which is in September.
8 p.m. — Get ready for bed and put on a film. Sister calls during for a catch up.
10 p.m. — Sleep!
Total: £27.54
8:30 a.m. — Wake up a bit later today but feel so well rested. Really needed a good sleep. Get logged on to work.
11:30 a.m. — Receive some big news about the future of the NHS which will have an impact on my trust (and potentially my job). This sends everyone into a frenzy which HR obviously have to pick up. Work through lunch.
3:30 p.m. — Decide to take a late lunch and head out for a run. Do some intervals today. I used to be a long-distance runner but have taken a step back in the last year as I found my body wasn’t handling the stress of it very well. I still enjoy running but have given myself the permission to listen to my body a bit more.
5 p.m. — Finish work and jump in the shower. Head over to my parents’ place for dinner. Fish and chips tonight.
7 p.m. — I need to pop to Waitrose to get a few bits for tomorrow evening. Pick up mascarpone, toilet roll, some drinks and tinned cherries for a chocolate cherry meringue I plan to make, £10.57.
8:30 p.m. — Get into bed for an early night. Watch the documentary, No Other Land, which I would highly recommend.
10 p.m. — Sleep.
Total: £10.57
Food & Drink: £91.98
Clothes & Beauty: £0
Home & Health: £399
Entertainment: £12
Travel: £6.30
Other: £0
Total: £509.28
Conclusion
“Other than the boiler expense, this was a typical (if not quiet) week. I promise I’m not normally so boring as I tend to do something during the week as well! This exercise did help me look at some of the smaller costs which I could try to eliminate but it’s no surprise that I mostly spend on food. I have no plans to cut any money I spend on food as I love eating and it brings me so much joy. My travel costs are also usually low as I hardly use my car in town and maybe drive myself into the office once a week, meaning I usually fill up my car once a month. This week was also a bit atypical as I went over to my parents’ place for dinner so frequently. That being said, I only really do a big shop once a month and then top up on smaller bit during the week.”
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