This week: “I’m a 30-year-old senior graphic designer living in Glasgow and working in the financial services industry. I’ve been in the same job since I graduated and seem to have really found my niche, which I’m super grateful for. I bought my flat completely independently six years ago after hard saving for two years, despite my salary being around £22-24k at that point. It’s probably still one of the things I’m proudest of. Despite being able to save when things really matter, I’m hyperaware of lifestyle creep and even though my salary has grown a lot since I started full-time employment, so have my monthly outgoings. I’m a lover of a budgeting spreadsheet and yet impulsive spending always seems to win! I’m super into fashion, gaming, food and just general wee treats (who isn’t?) so trying to curb the spending on these is so difficult. I’ve been single for a while and so I’m very used to paying for everything myself. I’ve recently started dating again and I’ve found the monetary aspect an interesting change as I’ve realised I struggle with other people paying for things for me. I don’t think this is bad but I seem to be harbouring a lot of guilt around letting people pay for stuff!”
Occupation: Senior graphic designer
Industry: Financial services
Age: 30
Location: Glasgow
Salary: £35,500
Paycheque amount: £2,257
Number of housemates: None
Pronouns: She/her
Monthly Expenses
Housing costs: £380 mortgage (this will be going up by around £30 after a mortgage renewal later in the year).
Loan payments: £150 on a £6k personal loan which I used to cover a final car payment/home renovations. I have never looked at my student loan and just accepted whatever it took off my pay every month.
Savings? Only around £1,000 at the moment. I would love this to be higher but I haven’t been the most savvy with my money and keep dipping into it despite putting £150 into it every month.
Utilities: £96 electric and gas, £40 internet, £104 council tax.
Pension? I pay in 5% and my employer pays 10%.
All other monthly payments: £23 boiler insurance, £17 home insurance, £14 contact lens direct debit, £50 phone. Subscriptions: £25 gym, £12 Spotify, £10 Netflix, £11 Disney+, £10 Kindle Unlimited, £12 YouTube Premium, £7 Playstation+, £12 Final Fantasy XIV game subscription, £10 Discord Nitro, £1.50 Google cloud storage.
Did you participate in any form of higher education? If yes, how did you pay for it?
Yes, I attended university and did an undergraduate degree. I took the full loan amount and also worked in a supermarket part-time. I only moved out for one year of university so living at home for most of it did help with costs.
Growing up, what kind of conversations did you have about money?
My parents had vastly different attitudes to money. My mum is meticulous about her finances and never really splurged on things for herself but always made sure I had lovely clothes and was very well looked after. She’s talked about how she would budget to the last penny when it came to food shops and that it was very hard sometimes. I felt very shielded from this as a child and didn’t appreciate it until I was an adult. My dad was more of a “splurge and deal with the consequences later” person. As a child you just see the fun aspect of getting new toys, clothes etc. so I never saw the negatives of this until I was an adult, even though I remember the word “skint” being thrown around a lot when I was wee. Now as an adult, I feel I have aspects of both my parents’ financial decisions in me but definitely lean more towards splurging on the daily.
If you have, when did you move out of your parents’/guardians’ house?
For one year of uni and then properly at 24.
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 completely financially responsible at 24 as there were still benefits to living at home before I moved out.
What was your first job and why did you get it?
I was 16. It was in retail, working at the weekends. I was always highly encouraged to get a job but remember feeling quite overwhelmed as it was quite far away and I was also studying for exams. I did very much enjoy the money at the time though, despite earning just £4.21 an hour.
Do you worry about money now?
Yes and no. I technically shouldn’t as I don’t have a huge amount of outgoings and recently got a large wage rise. However, I worry I will not see the benefits of this if I cannot get my silly spending under control. Lifestyle creep is so real! I would really love to put more money into savings/learn about investing my money better.
Do you or have you ever received passive or inherited income?
When I turned 18 my gran gave me an account that she had been saving £5 into for years. I think there was around £1,800 in it. I remember feeling so grateful for this and although I dipped into it slightly, it became the basis of my future savings. I received £5,000 for a home renovation from one set of parents after they downsized, which was incredibly generous of them and something I’ve struggled with accepting.
9:30 a.m. — Wake up at D’s and feel like I’ve actually had a decent sleep. We’ve been dating for a couple of months now and I stayed at his last night as we’ve been taking turns. We laze about in bed for another hour or so. D then orders breakfast and kindly pays.
10 a.m. — We eat and then chill some more on the sofa watching YouTube videos. Very lazy Sunday vibes!
11 a.m. — We play video games for a couple of hours before D makes us coffee and then we play some more.
2 p.m. — I’m absolutely wired from the coffee and end up clearing out some of D’s kitchen cupboards. It’s something I love doing with my own stuff but there’s something even more satisfying about clearing out someone else’s.
4:30 p.m. — Organising done and I’m very pleased with my work. Feel gross from all the cleaning so jump in the shower.
6:30 p.m. — Debate what to do for dinner and agree on a Chinese takeaway. I offer to pay as D’s already paid for a couple of things this weekend. He orders and I transfer him the money, £28.
8 p.m. — Food arrives and we eat in bed watching Star Wars. I had never seen any of the films before I met D and we’ve been working our way through the series. I cry (lol).
10 p.m. — Absolute food coma. Finish Star Wars and then have a cuddle for an hour before I have to leave.
11 p.m. — Leave to go back to my place. Thankfully the roads are clear so I’m able to zoom home.
11:30 p.m. — Home, wash face, apply retinol. I have it on prescription and it’s been an absolute game-changer. My skin has never looked better. Follow with Nivea Soft moisturiser (the GOAT). Calm sleep story on (best app ever) and bed.
Total: £28
8:30 a.m. — Wake up naturally and do the obligatory phone scroll for 10 minutes. I’m working from home today so don’t need to log on for about 45-50 minutes. I put my PlayStation on for 20 minutes to get some quick daily tasks done on a game before getting breakfast.
8:40 a.m. — Make a cup of tea and when I go to pour the milk it’s basically cheese that comes out. Lovely start. Realise the chicken in the fridge, which I needed for tonight’s dinner and this week’s office lunches, is also out of date. Run to Sainsbury’s round the corner and get fresh milk and chicken, £5.90.
9 a.m. — Sit at my desk with tea and breakfast. Having a banana, nectarine and yoghurt as I ate quite badly over the weekend and desperately need something that looks and tastes of health. Reply to emails, check job lists and attend one meeting. Mondays are generally quite relaxed and allow me to catch up on stuff.
12:30 p.m. — Throw washing into the machine and immediately feel more productive. Ignore the fact my bag from the weekend remains unpacked and half littered all over the hall. Make eggs and ham on toast for lunch as well as a packet of Wotsits. Watch YouTube while I eat. I love cooking and food YouTubers and I watch so much YouTube that it feels worthwhile to pay for Premium.
1:30 p.m. — Back to work. I crack on with my job list and also catch up with a colleague to make sure all jobs that have come in have been logged and handed out to the other designers in our team. Our manager is off this week so it’s up to me and my colleague, W, to keep the jobs ticking over.
4 p.m. — Flagging a bit. Make a cup of tea and scoff some leftover truffles from last month’s birthday chocolates. Scroll TikTok for a bit for a bit of brain rot time.
5 p.m. — Switch off laptop for the day and immediately pack it in my bag. I also pack snacks as well as my gym bag so I’m organised for tomorrow.
6:30 p.m. — Prep enough chicken and vegetables for four meals. Daydream that I’m in an episode of The Bear while I do it, which helps (yes, chef!). I then cook satay stir fry with rice for my lunches in the office this week and spicy chicken tomato pasta for tonight and tomorrow’s dinner. Eat while watching YouTube.
7:30 p.m. — Shower time.
8:30 p.m. — Hop on Discord and play some video games with D.
11:30 p.m. — Sleep story on the Calm app and bed.
Total: £5.90
7 a.m. — Office day today so it’s an early wake-up. Fight with my eyelids for a while and then force my brain to wake up by scrolling on TikTok. Healthy.
7:30 a.m. — Brush teeth and do makeup. I’m a makeup girlie and always wear a full face to the office. I love it though! Decide against curling my hair as it’s actually sitting nicely. I might regret this later.
8 a.m. — Pack lunch in bag and buy my train ticket on the ScotRail app, £2.50. Go to grab my work pass and realise it’s missing. After much sleuthing I find it in the pocket of the jeans I wore last to the office. She’s cracked the case.
8:35 a.m. — Arrive at the office. Get my desk set up with laptop and then make a cup of tea. Raid the free fruit bowl in the kitchen and get settled at my desk. Eat Belvita biscuits and an apple for breakfast. Check job list and make a to-do list for the day, then answer emails.
12:30 p.m. — I am RAVENOUS. Super busy mornings of meetings, working through my job list and filming a video that will later be edited for social media. Heat up my stir fry and eat it in the work social area. Read my Kindle as my work bestie, B, is off today so no lunch together. Download a new book that comes with Kindle Unlimited. Pretty good, even just a chapter or two in!
1 p.m. — Head out for a quick walk around the block. Fight with myself to not get an iced coffee.
1:30 p.m. — Back at my desk after visiting the work vending machine. Get a Coke Zero, £1.
5 p.m. — An afternoon of meetings and video editing. I’ve found now that I’ve moved into a more senior role, I do more strategy-related work, which has been challenging yet rewarding in its own way. Log off and get changed for my gym class afterwards.
6:15 p.m. — Class done, knackered and roasting. Speed-walk to the train looking like an heirloom tomato. Why do I get so red when I exercise?! Make train with a minute to spare.
6:30 p.m. — Home and immediately wash face. I’ve been double cleansing for six months now and the difference it has made is so noticeable. Simple micellar water, Simple oil cleanser and then L’Oréal rose cream cleanser to finish. Jump in shower afterwards.
7 p.m. — Eat yesterday’s leftover pasta and add an aggressive amount of cheese on top.
7:30 p.m. — Some solo gaming time.
8:30 p.m. — Play some games with D. A game I play has released a new in-game cosmetic I like; it’s also for charity so I buy it. Nothing like buying pixels on a screen to make you question your monetary choices but at least it’s for charity, eh? £16.79
10:30 p.m. — I’m so tired tonight so get off PlayStation and get into bed. Skip the retinol and just slap on Nivea Soft. Catch up on my daily journal, which I’m a few days behind on, then it’s Calm sleep story and sleep.
Total: £20.29
7:30 a.m. — Wake up naturally after some weird dreams. Immediately scroll TikTok to remove the weird feeling and force my brain to wake up.
8 a.m. — Up and get dressed in comfy clothes as it’s a working from home day. Make tea and put PlayStation on. I also put away the dishes that are sitting out on the draining board.
8:15 a.m. — Sit on the sofa to have breakfast. Nectarine, banana, yoghurt and cereal bar. Have 30 minutes of gaming before logging on for the day.
8:45 a.m. — Get cracking through emails and my job list. Also sort out a problem that was flagged with a few jobs yesterday. Thankfully no meetings or big calls this morning so I have time to work through everything.
12 p.m. — The problem-sorting has taken all morning and I’m peckish. Have a packet of Squares. Elite crisp.
12:30 p.m. — Work crisis averted and it’s lunchtime. I have a final portion of my pasta so heat that up and top with a less aggressive amount of cheese. Watch food videos on YouTube and scroll TikTok. Have a salted caramel Fibre One bar.
1:30 p.m. — Back at my desk. Continue working through the jobs on my job list but get distracted by online shopping. Obsessed with the clothing brand Disturbia at the moment. Remain strong and don’t get anything.
5 p.m. — Finish work for the day and quickly get changed for my online yoga class at 5.15 p.m. It’s a very basic class but it is nice to get a stretch in and I really enjoy it.
6:20 p.m. — Class done. Prep homemade chips for dinner with a paprika, onion and garlic seasoning and stick them in the oven. Will have with chicken kiev. Pack my work and gym bags for tomorrow.
7 p.m. — Eat while watching YouTube. Scroll TikTok after and get my two-hour limit screen. Ignore this, obviously.
7:30 p.m. — Video games online with D.
10:45 p.m. — Get off PlayStation and get ready for bed. Single cleanse as I didn’t wear makeup today, retinol, Nivea Soft. Brush teeth then get into bed and do my quick daily journal.
11:30 p.m. — Watch ASMR on TikTok until I’m nearly asleep.
Total: £0
6:40 a.m. — Alarm goes off. I contemplate my life choices then get out of bed. No time for early morning phone time as I have a gym class at 7.30 a.m. so I need to be out the door in 20 minutes. Throw on gym clothes, pack lunch, grab bags and get out the door. Buy train ticket on the way, £2.50.
8 a.m. — Class done and walk the three minutes to work from the gym. My work has nice shower blocks with towels, which is a great perk I’ve been utilising with these early gym classes. Have a shower and get ready. The hair is staying slicked back with a claw clip today.
8:55 a.m. — At my desk. Get set up, make tea, raid work fruit bowl, have breakfast. Belvita breakfast biscuits and an apple. Eat while doing the usual job list check.
12:15 p.m. — Office is freezing so I go out for a walk around the block to warm up. As I’m halfway through it starts pouring with rain so now I’m freezing and soaked. Lovely.
12:30 p.m. — Heat up my stir fry for lunch and grab my snacks. Realise I brought Squares crisps and a Kellogg’s Squares bar. Squares squared?! Read my Kindle while eating as B is working from home today.
1:15 p.m. — Back at my desk to absolutely power through my job list. I text my best friend, A, as she’s been struggling with a lot of things as well as juggling her first baby. We chat for a bit and I hope things get easier for her soon. I think she’s absolutely nailing new motherhood and the struggles of a young family so I try and offer what support I can. Make a mental note to see her soon.
4:45 p.m. — What a bloody day. I felt like I was chasing my tail all afternoon and had a bit of a difficult conversation with a colleague but a chat with W gives me some perspective. I really value his professional insight. Write up my handover and pass a small job to B as I’m off tomorrow and Monday. Yay!
5 p.m. — Head to my nail appointment, so excited to have fresh nails. Have a good laugh with my nail tech about anything and everything. The nail salon is such a sisterhood. I get a pink tip French plus chrome on top. She slays, as per. I’ve started budgeting for nails, hair and my yoga classes into a monthly Monzo pot so move money out of this pot into my account to pay, £40 including tip.
6:05 p.m. — I took chicken out the freezer last night for dinner but feeling so uninspired. Grab a pack of bell peppers from the little M&S in the station before my train, £1.95. I am in the absolute dregs of my bank account as it’s the day before payday.
6:25 p.m. — Home and immediately wash face. Double cleanse day. Sad to actually do it because my makeup popped off today but oh well. Check the cupboards and forgot I bought a curry sauce and naan in the big shop last week. Love previous me for being prepared. Quickly chop veggies and chicken and add other seasonings to give the jarred sauce a bit of life. Heat naan in oven.
7 p.m. — Eat watching YouTube.
7:25 p.m. — Gaming time!
10:30 p.m. — Stop playing but spend another hour just chatting with D on Discord.
11:30 p.m. — Teeth, Nivea Soft, TikTok, then sleep story on Calm and sleep.
Total: £44.45
6:30 a.m. — Wake up but absolutely not getting up at this time on a day off. Back to zzz.
8:30 a.m. — Wake up again and spend half an hour on my phone. I got paid today, yay! I check if all my standing orders have gone through. £150 moves to a savings account (hopefully it actually stays in that account this month) and £600 to my Monzo account for my monthly “fun” money; £165 of this goes into my monthly regulars Monzo pot and £30 goes into another Monzo pot specifically for gifts like birthdays.
9 a.m. — Have a shower, wash my hair, put on comfy clothes and blast my hair dry. I’m so excited to have a day to myself indoors!
9:30 a.m. — Make tea, have a yoghurt and a cereal bar.
10:30 a.m. — It’s gaming time. There’s a new expansion for Final Fantasy XIV releasing today so I’m happy I can spend all day playing. I love days like this.
12:30 p.m. — As a celebration of payday and my day off I order KFC for lunch. I get a Zinger box meal, extra hot wings and popcorn chicken, £23.60. I put a wash in the machine while I wait for it to arrive. I also text A to see how she’s doing. She’s doing a lot better today and sends me a pic of her and baby C. She’s looking fab and baby C is too cute. I’m happy she’s doing a bit better today.
3 p.m. — Still gaming but take a break to make tea and hang up the washing.
8:30 p.m. — I’ve had such a nice, relaxing day. Heat up my leftover curry and naan for dinner. Hop on Discord with D afterwards and we play our separate games while chit-chatting. Cute.
9:30 p.m. — Back to the games.
11:45 p.m. — Get off PlayStation, feeling so tired after a day of relaxing. Usual, isn’t it? Single cleanse, retinol, moisturise, Calm sleep story.
12:15 a.m. — Zzz.
Total: £23.60
7:45 a.m. — Awake quite early for a weekend but not surprising after my day of doing nothing yesterday. A bit of phone scroll time, then up.
8 a.m. — Wash up the dishes I neglected yesterday. Put washing in the machine, my basket is now empty! Apart from one sock… Make tea.
9 a.m. — Eat breakfast (yoghurt and Belvita biscuits) and phone scroll. Pop PlayStation on.
10:30 a.m. — Time to be productive. Hang up washing, put clean dishes away. Do a general tidy up of all rooms and strip the bed.
12 p.m. — Pack my bag for the week as I’m going to my mum’s to cat-sit as she’s away on holiday. Pack up the child (PlayStation).
2 p.m. — Drive to my mum’s. They’re already away so it’s just me and the cat, P. Feed her and give her some attention while I get unpacked and myself sorted.
2:30 p.m. — Raid the cupboard and fridge because what else do you do when you’re back at your childhood home? Eat an alarming amount of snacks.
6:30 p.m. — Cook dinner. My mum kindly ordered a HelloFresh box for me to cook throughout the week but it’s a weekend and I can’t be bothered so chuck a Tesco Finest ready meal in the oven. It’s decent!
8 p.m. — Make plans to have lunch with my cousin, J, tomorrow as I’m in the area.
9 p.m. — Online games with D.
11:30 p.m. — Make sure P has enough food in her bowl. Wash face, brush teeth and bed with Calm sleep story.
Total: £0
Food & Drink: £60.45
Clothes & Beauty: £40
Home & Health: £0
Entertainment: £16.79
Travel: £5
Other: £0
Total: £122.24
Conclusion
“As this was the week before payday I think it’s a pretty accurate reflection of my spending. I’d done a big food shop the week before and had a few big splurges on clothes and games earlier in the month. I can definitely see the benefits of being organised and prepping lunches for days in the office as I never did this and it used to be quite a large expense. Doing the diary did make me hyperaware of my purchases and how much I wanted to spend despite not having much money left for the month. Overall, I really enjoyed keeping a Money Diary as I think being conscious of where my money is going is healthy. I’m going to continue to be more aware of my spending while trying to balance my fun money a bit better.”
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