This week: “I’m a 33-year-old accountant living in Essex. I’ve lived here for the last three years, having moved from a big city, and live with my husband (F). We both have worked hard to get to where we are today, and have plans to have children in the future and overpay on our mortgage. Since both of these are costly, savings are really important and a goal we work towards.
A lot of my spending goes on food and travel (to work and see friends/family), and while my mind is always on savings I have definitely become more relaxed over the last year and a half.”
Occupation: Accountant
Industry: Financial services
Age: 33
Location: Essex
Salary: £80,000
Paycheque Amount: £4,069
Number of housemates: One, my husband F.
Pronouns: She/her
Monthly Expenses
Housing costs: £1,250 for my half of the mortgage.
Loan payments: £52 for my share of interest-free monthly repayments on sofas we purchased when we first moved into the house.
Pension?: I have a work one which I pay £183 into. I’m actually unsure how much my employer contributes. I’m not really sure how much I have in all my other pension pots from previous employers.
Savings? My partner and I do not combine our savings. I have £40,000 in two ISAs,£12,000 in an easy access savings account,
£7,000 in a LISA, £12,000 Save As You Earn scheme at work. This is something work offers and gives you the option to purchase company shares at a discounted price.
Utilities: £150 for gas and electric, £21.50 for water, £43 for council tax (all split equally, the values shared here are my half of the cost). We have the 123 Santander account so get 1-3% cashback on the utilities we pay, but this isn’t accounted for in the above.
All other monthly payments: £300 joint credit card bill, £32.50 for internet and TV,
£32 car insurance, £12.50 home insurance,
£6.50 TV licence, £5 Camelot Lottery, £1 joint account fee. Personally, I also pay for: £32 private medical insurance, £25 MOT,
£21 to various charities, £20.76 income protection, £18.95 life insurance, £12.50
car tax, £10 direct debit for a toll crossing,
£7 SIMO phone contract and £5 for my mum’s SIMO. Subscriptions: £7.99 Gympass £7.99 Netflix.
Did you participate in any form of higher education? If yes, how did you pay for it?
Yes, I attended university. During my undergraduate degree I got the maximum loans, plus if I needed extra I would be able to ask my parents (£1,000 every few terms). At the time, I had no idea how incredible this support was and avidly remember the grilling I would get from my parents every time I needed this money. By lockdown I was free of my student loan as I had paid it off.
Growing up, what kind of conversations did you have about money?
While my parents are not extremely well off, my brother and I were never made to feel like money was tight at home. We would go abroad every year and once every two years going back to where my parents’ family live in India. I realise this is an incredibly lucky position and very thankful to my parents for that. My mum is a saver and any money we were given from family and friends during religious holidays was put straight into the bank. My dad, on the other hand, is a bit more carefree with his money. He was the main breadwinner so no doubt would have contributed to our holidays, which I realise my sibling and I are incredibly fortunate to have experienced.
If you have, when did you move out of your parents’/guardians’ house?
I moved out to go to university at 18 and moved back for two and a half years after I graduated. During those times, I was lucky enough not to have to contribute financially towards household expenses. I haven’t lived at home since I was 24 years old, renting in various places until the house purchase.
At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself? Does anyone else cover any aspects of your financial life?
I would say financially independent from 24.
What was your first job and why did you get it?
During year 12 and 13 summer holidays I worked at a shoe warehouse, sorting out shoes. I think I was paid minimum wage and, apart from lunches, I think it went all to the bank!
Do you worry about money now?
I do worry but I have become more relaxed over the last few years. My biggest fear is caring for elderly parents and while we have the space in the home, if this is not practical or something they don’t want, a care home may mean something we would need to consider. I haven’t discussed this with my parents and while they have savings I am aware care homes are wildly expensive.
I am definitely more of a saver, and since my husband and I really want children my goal in life is to provide for them and make sure they don’t go without (this definitely doesn’t mean saying yes to everything they want). Nursery fees I know are extortionate and we would also like to do our house up and go away with any future children which all costs.
Do you or have you ever received passive or inherited income?
No.
8:30 a.m. — My bladder wakes me up, which happens most days. Force myself out of bed as there’s no point trying to hold it in. Get back into bed and read The Paris Library, (great book!) then fall back asleep. I worked late last night so I need the lie in.
9:15 a.m. — I wake up and do Charlie Follows’ 20 minute yoga routine on YouTube. I found her page through another Money Diary I read on here (thank you) and I always feel good after I do this.
12 p.m. — The in-laws and husband’s siblings come round for a religious festival. The weather is amazing and we have a BBQ. We exchanged gifts and got a card game called Quiddler (a real laugh, I do recommend).
3 p.m. — Back in the house for some quiet time with our nephew who wanted to watch Wish on Disney+ (SIL pays for that). I know it didn’t do well, but I enjoyed the film and so did my four-year-old nephew.
4 p.m. — Family go home and time for me to do some work. I haven’t done weekend working in maybe one and a half years, so this is a one-off, but deadlines at the moment are incredibly tight (even though it has been raised multiple times with the team who set the deadline). I’m not stressed about the work as it’s straightforward so I don’t let it stress me out I have to work the weekend.
6 p.m. — Laptop off, time for Nando’s. There’s a big wait at the restaurant so I kill some time and pop into H&M to buy two pairs of work trousers. I am a serial returner because I am torn between “I don’t need it” and just buying it, since finding trousers for me is hard (I am 5’2). Both pairs come to £25.
6:45 p.m. — We get a table and I order the halloumi and mushroom pitta and a side, £13.50.
9 p.m. — Someone says dessert? Okay, if we must. I have two small choc white tarts which cost £4.25. I am completely aware this is overpriced but I am proud I didn’t get a big dessert (I have a sweet tooth). I am at times conscious about how much sweet food I eat since I am South Asian and diabetes is our best friend.
11:30 p.m. — Back home and I make lunch as I have a hike tomorrow. Lunch is cucumber and cream cheese sandwich, almonds and banana.
12 a.m. — Skincare routine time which is Body Shop Edelweiss Cleansing Concentrate, Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Serum and Body Shop Edelweiss Bouncy Sleeping Mask. I normally read my Kindle before bed but today I am too tired.
Total: £42.75
6:45 a.m. — My bladder wakes me up — this is a recurring theme. Back to bed.
8:30 a.m. — Get out of bed, brush my teeth and eat Branflakes. Most cereals I eat are own brand because they’re all made in the same factory anyway, right?
10 a.m. — Weekly shop time for F. We split all chores and this is his. We do a main shop once a week at Sainsbury’s and we plan ahead by listing out what we will eat each day on a Google Sheet (nerd alert) and add the items onto a list. This is paid on the joint credit card and my half is £26. This covers fruit and veg for the week, milk, bread, fish for F and toiletries.
10:15 a.m. — I jump in the car and leave for the hike. There is already enough petrol in the car so one less thing to do. I arrive near to where the hike starts and look for free parking. It’s a Sunday so this doesn’t take too long to locate.
11 a.m. — I arrive at the start point of the hike. I don’t know anyone, but everyone is nice so any nerves quickly go away.
2 p.m. — Break time on the hike and time for my homemade lunch.
5 p.m. — Leg it to the tube station since we started at a different point from the endpoint and I need to get back to the car. The Tube to my car is £2. Ten miles walked with lovely views out in Hertfordshire. Grateful for the day.
8 p.m. — Home. The M25 as always providing the most fun (aka traffic) but nothing Cowboy Carter cannot get me through (incredible album, genius).
9 p.m. — Dinner time. This is filled pasta which was purchased as part of the weekly shop F did. I always feel knackered after a hike and crave carbs. I also have a side of veggies because I am ageing and need to make myself feel better.
9:30 p.m. — I’ve been testing a body lotion for the past four weeks so I spend 15 minutes doing the last questionnaire. I do these sort of research/user studies on an ad hoc basis and will receive an Amazon voucher in ten days once I am done. I tend to use body lotion everyday and this one smells good and is light.
10 p.m. — Date night picked! F and I have just started prioritising date nights. Although we spend most evenings and weekends together it’s not always focused on quality time. We list out date ideas on pieces of paper and once a week pick one at random. It’s a whole thing for us and this week it is reading the same book! We’re going to read Ultra-Processed People: Why Do We All Eat Stuff That Isn’t Food… And Why Can’t We Stop? by Chris Van Tulleken, so we will start that from next Sunday.
11 p.m. — Bed after skincare and reading.
Total: £28
6:28 a.m. — Monday. Woo. Get up for work, drink some water (it helps me wake up and ensure I don’t have a headache during the day) shower and pack lunch. I try to wake up with excitement for work as I understand it is a privilege to work. I don’t feel so stressed at work or dislike it and it’s taken me a long time to get here.
7:15 a.m. — Leave the house and F drops me to the station. I use a National Rail flexi ticket to get into London which I pre-paid for. Grab a salt and pepper cracker before I leave the house as my stomach is rumbling!
8:30 a.m. — Get into work. Meh, work pass issues. I broke my old one so I head to facilities to get a new one. They give me a rock solid pass so that no breakages can occur.
9:10 a.m. — There are heavy deadlines at work but H&M have a discount code which is too good to pass up. I buy the same trousers I purchased over the weekend but in different colours, £47.02. I need new work trousers as I’m currently feeling my work wardrobe doesn’t make me feel confident. Paid on my own credit card.
1 p.m. — Work was busy but time for lunch! I use my lunch break to sort out an ISA as it is maturing but failed. I’ll call the bank later in the week and understand the rules.
3 p.m. — F has just send me a WhatsApp to tell me some trainers I ordered last week have been delivered. I ordered some Nike Blazer ’77 NN mid trainers last week which F bought for me as a present. I can’t wait to try them on when I get in.
6 p.m. — I leave the office and catch the tube to the train station. The tube costs me £8.80 a day (return) which is separate to the flexi pass I use for the train.
7:30 p.m. — Home and physio time. I’m experiencing some very mild lower back pain at night so do exercises for 10 minutes.
7:45 p.m. — Time for dinner and it’s F’s turn to cook. South Asian omelette with boiled rice.
9 p.m. — Log back on to do some work since the deadline is fast approaching. I normally work in front of the TV and eat many crackers and biscuits to get me through. When work is busy, working out and eating well take a back seat. This is one of those days.
12 a.m. — I’ve finally finished work and it’s time for bed. I do my normal skincare and brush teeth. I had originally planned to go to the gym tomorrow morning, but since I finished working late I’d rather have the lie in. These days I have been prioritising my sleep over working out.
Total: £55.82
6 a.m. — Wake up. I’m working from home today and normally would be up an hour later but since it is deadline day I’d rather not rush. I wake up feeling very full, must be all the crap I ate last night.
7:15 a.m. — Showered, skincare, and dropped F to the station as he is going into the office.
7:35 a.m. — I come back and make myself a protein shake (clear whey isolate). Since I am veggie I’m making more effort to drink one every day Monday to Friday to up my protein intake. It’s mango flavour and while it is super sweet it is the best flavour so far.
8 a.m. — Laundry time. This is my chore so I dash in bed sheets, towels, et cetera and make some brekkie. Chai and fried South Asian snacks. They’re all fried so it just tastes so good and it’s bit of a treat when I work from home.
12:30 a.m. — Lunchtime and that means food. I’m eating leftover South Asian omelette and rice from the night before.
4:30 p.m. — The deadline has been met mostly. I’m exhausted but happy. I’m sure there will be mistakes but I’ll check tomorrow as I’ve done as much as I can now.
5:30 p.m. — Log off and head for a walk. I eat an apple and a plum along the way which was purchased as part of the weekly shop. This is also the perfect time to take the new trainers out for a test run.
6 p.m. — Arrive at Tesco Express. I always need a destination on short solo walks and use this time to check out the reduced section. There’s nothing inspiring but I feel like I need a relaxing evening so I purchase a frozen pizza, garlic bread and a choux bun, £9.95.
8 p.m. — Eaten dinner and feeling happy. F is out with friends tonight so solo dinner for me.
8:25 p.m. — I make myself two boiled eggs to take into work tomorrow to eat for brekkie.
10 p.m. — Time for bed so do my skincare, brush teeth and bit of reading.
11 p.m. — F is back so quick cuddle and back to la la land.
Total: £9.95
6:50 a.m. — Time to wake up for work so shower and skincare.
9 a.m. — Get into work and eat my brekkie of eggs and protein shake.
12:30 p.m. — I convinced my colleagues to head to the local street food market near the office, which is excellent value for money and has a banging falafel. We get there and it’s super busy and the falafel isn’t as good, sad times, £5.50.
5:30 p.m. — Home time, £8.80 for TfL travel for the day. On the way home I read an instagram post from a page called How I Fund This. Today it is a 33-year-old on £520k, incredible. Kudos to her/him.
7 p.m. — Home and dinner at the in-laws. F and I go round once a week and I’m very grateful that they cook for us. South Asian curry and rice for tonight.
8:30 p.m. — Back home and this means TV time. F bought back free treats from the office so I indulge in sweet and salty popcorn.
10:30 p.m. — Bedtime so brush teeth, skincare and reading.
Total: £14.30
6:25 a.m. — Wake up, shower, skincare and pack bag as I’m heading into the office.
7 a.m. — Ten-minute physio before heading out the door.
7:15 a.m. — F drops me to the station which I am very grateful for as parking at the station is £8 a day.
3 p.m. — Pop out from work and head into WHSmith to browse the book section and get some inspiration. I don’t buy anything as I have some library books to get through but I do purchase four Lola’s mini cakes, £8. I have last-minute plans tonight to see my mum and sister after work. They live in London so I’m really lucky I can see them like this.
6 p.m. — Dinner at an Indian place in London, £18 for my share. The food was… Okay!
8 p.m. — I take TfL back to the train station, £10.70. I didn’t tap out so I add a reminder on my phone to apply for an incomplete journey. The train back to Essex was arriving as my tube pulled in, so I didn’t have time to tap out. I make the train feeling very warm after that little sprint. It’s always a battle deciding how many layers I wear versus then needing to carry it in my hand when it gets hot/packed on the tube and train.
10 p.m. — Bedtime so skincare, brush teeth and read.
Total: £36.70
7 a.m. — Wake up later as I am working from home today.
8 a.m. — Head to the gym. I should have walked as it would take only 15 minutes but I am on a half day so I need to get stuff done at work before I leave for the day. Exercises today are glute kickback, tricep curl, pull downs, physio and stretch.
9:15 a.m. — Log onto work and see that I made a huge error with some work I did yesterday. I feel awful as I had built a check in my spreadsheet which ironically I didn’t check for some odd reason. Not good. In the past I really would have beaten up myself over this, but over time with the help of F, I have managed to get to a place where I can manage such situations better.
12:30 p.m. — Log off and start cleaning the bathrooms. This is my weekly chore and since work has been busy these last three weeks, they haven’t been cleaned properly.
1:45 p.m. — Jump in the shower and wash my hair. I’ve had an itchy scalp for a while now and so have been using ginger anti-dandruff shampoo as it was recommended by my GP. It definitely has soothed the symptoms but it’s still not 100% better. I’ve tried various other things including tar shampoo but nothing has cured it. I have a dermatology appointment booked so I’m hoping they have an answer.
2:30 p.m. — I have a waxing appointment and I need to get my eyebrows done. This costs me £35 and I go once every two/three weeks. PCOS and being South Asian = body hair everywhere. I prefer to go often since it is less painful that way and I feel better about myself. I did get laser hair removal around two years ago on my legs. It definitely has reduced the rate at which hair grows but not as much as I would like so I’m thinking I may need to go back for some sessions.
3 p.m. — I quickly log onto work just to check nothing is o/s due to the error I made. Answer a few emails and then head on the road in my car to head to see a friend in Birmingham. I fuel up the on the way, £50. The toll crossing crossing is busy as always.
5:45 p.m. — Stop off near my friend’s house to buy some caramel brownies, flowers and strawberries from Co-op. It’s my friend’s birthday but she didn’t want anything specific so I go for this, £35.
6 p.m. — Arrive at friend’s house and we head to a Keralan restaurant for dinner. I pay for the both of us since it is her birthday and we order one main, two starters and a snack, £36.
9 p.m. — Back at hers and we watch an Indian film on Amazon Prime in the background, while I scroll through her dating apps on her behalf. I message a few people and someone asked her for coffee the next day! Win.
11 p.m. — Skincare, reading and bed.
Total: £156
Food & Drink: £121.20
Clothes & Beauty: £107.02
Home & Health: £0
Entertainment: £0
Travel: £80.30
Other: £35
Total: £343.52
Conclusion
“This week is fairly reflective of my spending in that I go into work three days a week and end up eating out at least one day after work. I’m not so surprised that travel and food and drink are what I spend most of my money on as I enjoy them and I get to see friends and family and that makes me super happy! It was really fun to track my spending but as ever I am always mindful of my total spend.”
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