This week: “I’m 29 and live in Cornwall with my partner D. I work as a teaching assistant in SEN education, which I love. I’ve been on a bit of a money journey since the last Diary I wrote a couple of years ago. I’m finally feeling in control of my finances having educated myself on everything properly and I’m being kinder to myself about where I am right now, while still having goals to work towards. I’ve found this has really reduced my stress and made my relationship with money much better. I am working on getting my old debts down, which will happen this year. I’m also in a better position to be able to save each month now my rent and bills are less than they were.”
Occupation: Teaching assistant
Industry: SEN education
Age: 29
Location Cornwall
Salary £20,114
Paycheque Amount: £1,487
Number of housemates: One, my partner D.
Pronouns: She/her
Monthly Expenses
Housing costs: £500 for my half of the rent.
Loan payments: £50 for a loan I took out for my car a couple of years ago which is nearly at the end, £45 for a loan I took out with my bank a while ago which will be paid off this year.
Pension?: Yes, I pay in approximately £55 a month.
Savings?: Currently only £690.
Utilities: I pay a bit less than D as he earns slightly more than me — £75 for gas, water and electric.
All other monthly payments: £65 phone bill, £45 car insurance, £60 credit card, £10 for my half of broadband, £11 car tax (I chose to pay monthly at the time as didn’t have the money upfront). Subscriptions: £4.99 for Hayu (and worth every penny because reality TV is my guilty pleasure), £9.99 Spotify.
Did you participate in any form of higher education? If yes, how did you pay for it? I went away to university and studied education studies. Looking back now, I probably would have chosen to go into an apprenticeship or a learn-on-the-job type role after leaving school instead. We weren’t really exposed to many other options at school apart from going to uni. I had maintenance loans and grants, as well as working part time at a supermarket, to help with food and going out costs.
Growing up, what kind of conversations did you have about money?
I don’t remember having any conversations about money growing up, apart from being told to never get a credit card. I’ve only felt like I’m properly getting the hang of things in the past couple of years through educating myself and chatting to friends, et cetera. I think it’s really important, whatever your financial situation is, to be able to talk openly about it without judgment. Looking back now, we were fairly comfortable growing up. Me and my sister were able to attend clubs and extra curricular activities and we went abroad most years. We were always taught to work hard and I never took it for granted.
If you have, when did you move out of your parents’/guardians’ house?
I moved out to go to university at 18 then I moved back for a couple of years after graduating and have lived either in house shares or on my own ever since. A few months ago my partner and I moved into a rented house together.
At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself? Does anyone else cover any aspects of your financial life?
When I moved back home after graduating, my parents didn’t expect me to pay rent, which I’m very grateful for. I was working throughout and straight after uni so I contributed by helping out with food shops or treating us to a takeaway. Ever since then I’ve been financially responsible for myself, although my parents always insist on paying for food/any activities we do together.
What was your first job and why did you get it? I worked as a waitress in a restaurant in town as soon as I turned 16, earning a grand sum of £3.39 an hour! I was desperate to have a job and experience a little taste of adulthood.
Do you worry about money now?
I do worry about money now, especially approaching 30 and having minimal savings, getting on the property ladder, et cetera. Up until a few months ago I was living on my own which, although I loved it, was a drain on my finances, so saving was really hard. I’d get to the stage of having a decent amount saved up and then needing to use it for things like repairs on my car. I have had to use a loan and credit card in the past which I’m nearly finished paying off and am much more educated and savvy now. I’ve lived with my partner for a few months and he earns slightly more than me so we split utilities according to income and pay half each of rent and food shops. I was able to pay more towards my loan and credit card payments when I moved out, too. It’s much cheaper to live with someone else, so I’m in a better position to be able to start saving more.
Do you or have you ever received passive or inherited income?
No I have not.
6:30 a.m. — My alarm goes off and I reluctantly get up. I’m just recovering from being really ill and wake up feeling a bit groggy but much better than previous days — result! Make a coffee with my Nespresso pod machine which has honestly been one of the best purchases I’ve ever made. Nothing quite like waking up to a good coffee and it means I buy coffee out a lot less which is also a bonus.
6:50 a.m. — After enjoying my slow morning coffee ritual, I start getting dressed and ready for work and eat a banana at the same time.
7:30 a.m. — Say goodbye to D and get a chilli con carne out of the freezer for dinner later. I tend to do a big batch cook once or twice a month and freeze portions of various meals, which is a lifesaver to come home to after a busy day at work. Have a good chug of water and then leave for work myself.
8:30 a.m. — Chat with a few friends in the staff room while making a cup of tea then check my emails.
12 p.m. — Each day at work is so varied which I love. This morning has been mainly supporting students with lessons and any issues that come up during the day. We’re lucky that we have free lunches provided at work. I really haven’t got much of an appetite still so I eat a Nature Valley bar and an orange that I packed from home.
3 p.m. — Students have left for the day so we’re straight onto replying to emails, getting in touch with a couple of parents and then into a meeting. I make another cup of tea to see me through the afternoon along with a couple of biscuits a friend brought in. A lovely bonus of working in a school is there’s always some biscuits or cake floating around!
5 p.m. — My afternoon was a busy one in the end so I’m glad to be home. Message my friend J to chat about our days. I really do love my job and work with some great people, but I’m quite introverted at heart so I really appreciate relaxed evenings decompressing after a busy day.
5:30 p.m. — Jump in the shower then have a proper chat with D about his day. He makes me a cup of tea while I make a start on dinner. Reheat the chilli and have it with rice, tortilla chips and some guacamole that we needed to use up. This meal always hits the spot!
9 p.m. — After a few of hours of reading and watching the latest Below Deck episode, we put Friends on to wind down with and fall asleep after two episodes.
Total: £0
6:25 a.m. — Wake up and I finally feel like my appetite is coming back. I love food so this makes me very happy. Have a coffee and immediately put two slices of toast in the toaster then slather them with crunchy peanut butter.
7:30 a.m. — Finish getting ready for work then leave the house. Make a mental note to pop to the shops later on.
11 a.m. — Another busy morning. Grab a banana to see me through until lunch.
5 p.m. — Go to the supermarket on the way home and pick up milk, eggs, cheese, deodorant, broccoli and washing up tabs. D pays for this as I got the last mini shop. When I batch cook at the start of the month I tend to buy all the store cupboard bits, too, so top up shops are needed less often and are just for the fresh things usually.
7 p.m. — Showered, into PJs and dinner started. D put a wash on when he got home so fresh sheets for us tonight. We make breakfast for dinner, an elite meal of bagels with scrambled eggs, beans and bacon.
8 p.m. — I can’t resist getting into bed already to appreciate the fresh bedding. Is there really a better feeling?! Message back and forth with my friend E to discuss our plans for the weekend. We’re hoping that the weather will be nice so we can go for a long walk.
9 p.m. — Get some salmon and sweet potato fries out of the freezer ready to cook tomorrow.
10 p.m. — We watch some telly and fall asleep just after 10 p.m.
Total: £0
6 a.m. — Wake up before my alarm today and make a coffee. So nice to see the sun out this morning! I read a little bit in between getting ready for the day. Have a slice of toast with peanut butter and a banana.
7:25 a.m. — Leave the house and get a coffee on the way to work, £3.80. I do this a lot less than I used to so when I do I really enjoy it. Driving to work with sun shining and listening to Off Menu podcast — it really is the little things in life. If you like food and comedians this is a great listen.
12:30 p.m. — Lunch at work. The sun is still out which is so nice. This was very much needed after what felt like months of constant rain!
5 p.m. — Home and straight away make a start on dinner as we’re both starving. Reheat the sweet potato fries and cook the salmon along with some spinach and frozen veg, all of which we already had in the freezer. Got into a good groove with batch cooking and stashing away any bargains in the freezer for a rainy day.
6 p.m. — Have a shower and spend a bit of time doing some life admin with a cup of tea.
9 p.m. — After a couple of hours of D playing his game and me watching some old episodes of The Real Housewives of New York, we settle in for the night and watch Two Doors Down, another one of our favourite comfort shows.
10:10 p.m. — Out like a light!
Total: £3.80
6:35 a.m. — Usual morning routine. Fill up the coffee pod drawer and make a note on my phone to buy some more next week as I will definitely forget otherwise. I love a good list!
7 a.m. — I sold a bundle of a couple of jumpers on Vinted that I sorted through recently which hadn’t seen the light of day for a long time. Pay the £3.10 shipping label cost ready to drop off after work later.
12:30 p.m. — Have lunch. Students never fail to make me laugh and I quite enjoy hearing about all the latest trends and games they’re into, god I feel old sometimes.
3:30 p.m. — Chat with some work friends about arranging a get-together in half term.
4:50 p.m. — Drop the parcel off at a locker near home.
6 p.m. — Lazy dinner tonight of spicy instant ramen. I make a couple of jammy soft boiled eggs to slice in half and go on top and sprinkle on some sesame seeds and chilli flakes. Feels even more satisfying with those added extras.
7 p.m. — Browse Instagram for a bit. I don’t use it anywhere near as much as I used to and feel so much better for it. I set up a daily timer a while ago to limit the time spent. I mainly follow funny accounts, travel and foodie-based bits. Make a note of a few nice recipes to try out soon.
7:45 p.m. — I do a bit of stretching as I’ve been feeling a bit tight and tense this week.
9:45 p.m. — Definitely feeling that end-of-the-week feeling. Watch Friends in bed with D and fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow.
Total: £3.10
6:40 a.m. — Treat myself to a later alarm as it’s Friday. Have a coffee then get ready for work and head out the door with a banana.
9 a.m. — Make a cup of tea and chat briefly with a couple of work friends. Having done various other jobs in the past, I always feel so grateful to be in a job I really enjoy and work alongside some brilliant people. This job has given me such good experience and although I’m happy here now, I look forward to using these skills in another field in the future.
11 a.m. — Busy morning supporting with lessons and dealing with a few pastoral issues.
2 p.m. — Lunch eaten and getting the steps in today! My role is quite active and I easily do upwards of 10,000 steps a day at work. I really enjoy walking so I’m happy to get my exercise in this way rather than going to the gym.
5 p.m. — Get petrol on the way home, £40. Why does filling up two half tanks separately feel so much better than a full tank in one go?
6:30 p.m. — After catching up with D on our days we put an easy frozen pizza in the oven and pour a glass of wine each. D picked up the wine on his way home from work.
8 p.m. — Confirm plans with E for tomorrow and chat to my mum and dad about our weeks. Make a cup of tea for me and D.
9 p.m. —Watch some telly with D and fall asleep around 10:20 p.m. So glad it’s the weekend!
Total: £40
7 a.m. — Enjoy this little lie in and we have coffee in bed to start the weekend.
10 a.m. — D hoovers while I do the washing up then I jump in the shower and get dressed ready to meet my friend E. Have a bowl of porridge with a spoonful of Nutella for breakfast.
12 p.m. — The weather is on our side today so the sunglasses are out. We go for a lovely long walk around the coast. Walking and talking is one of my favourite past times.
2 p.m. —We stop for coffee and a snack at a little cafe. I get a latte and a slice of lemon drizzle cake. E kindly pays as I paid for the last time we met.
4 p.m. — Get home and me and D sit in the garden for a bit with a cider each. We talk about booking a night away somewhere in Devon soon. Even just going away for the weekend feels like a great reset and we always have a nice time wherever we go.
6:45 p.m. —Reheat a Thai chicken curry I got out of the freezer this morning and have it with rice and naan bread.
7:30 p.m. — I do some research into knitting as I’ve been thinking about starting a new hobby recently. It seems like a really relaxing pastime and fairly cheap to get started up. I’m 29 going on 59 and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
8:30 p.m. — After spending way too long deliberating on a film to watch, we watch a few episodes of Hunted for the first time. Can’t handle the suspense but I love it!
11 p.m. — Fall asleep.
Total: £0
7:20 a.m. — Another nice lie on for us. Make a cafetière with some fancy coffee I was gifted recently.
10:25 a.m. — Spend a couple of hours pottering around the house and garden then go to the shop to pick up some cauliflower cheese for a roast later, as well as some peanut butter, face wipes and bananas, £12.29. Manage to resist the array of lovely candles as I’ve got a couple on the go at home already.
11 a.m. — Home and put the gammon joint that we brought last week in the slow cooker with spices, honey and mustard. Can’t wait for that goodness to be ready!
12 p.m. — We go for local stroll and make omelettes when we’re back home.
2:40 p.m. — Speak with my friend S who’s sorting out a birthday gift with a couple of us for our friend C. We decide on a spa voucher so she can have a nice pamper session as she’s been going through a bit of a tough time in the last few months. Transfer S the £15 and she orders it.
4 p.m. — Have an everything shower after a few hours reading and watching telly. Follow up with a cup of tea and a couple of Hobnobs.
5 p.m. — Lay my clothes out and get my bag packed ready for work in the morning. Tomorrow me always thanks past me for doing this, especially on a Monday.
6 p.m. — Put Aunt Bessie’s finest into the oven along with the cauliflower cheese. I’ll finish it off with some frozen veg at the end. I’m all for shortcuts like this sometimes.
7:30 p.m. — Absolutely stuffed from dinner. Nothing like being in a Sunday roast coma to round off the weekend. We manage to choose a film in record time tonight and go for Hereditary after hearing good things about it in the past.
9:30 p.m. — It was a brilliant film with great acting and lots of twists and turns. Recommend for any horror fans out there.
10 p.m. — Fall asleep not long after finishing the film.
Total: £27.29
Food & Drink: £16.09
Clothes & Beauty: £0
Home & Health: £0
Entertainment: £15
Travel: £40
Other: £3.10
Total: £74.19
Conclusion
“I’d say this was a pretty average week, spending wise. I had more no-spend days than I realised which was a pleasant surprise! We tend to do a big shop and stock the freezer with batch-cooked meals at the start of the month which saves us a huge amount of unnecessary trips to the shops. I’m fortunate to have lunches provided at work which also helps to cut down food costs. I get petrol every 10 days or so. We don’t have a huge amount of disposable income but we’re very content with life and how we spend our free time. Aside from the obvious bills and life costs, I don’t think you need to spend loads of money to enjoy yourself. My priority this year is to build up my savings for emergencies and the future.”
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