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LAST UPDATE | 16 hrs ago
IT’S 2026, AND at the start of a new year, it’s common for people to make money-related resolutions, like putting an extra few bob into their savings each month, being more mindful with their spending or drawing up a brand new budget.
But that’s easier said than done, particularly after an expensive Christmas period and the cost of energy and food prices still on the rise.
Readers here at The Journal will be familiar with our popular How I Spend My Money series, which looks at how people in Ireland really handle their finances. Over the years, the series has chronicled the lives and financial ups and downs of hundreds of readers.
With a new year upon us, we are asking readers to get in touch and write a Money Diary to help us understand how people are handling their finances right now and how they plan to in the months ahead.
Absolutely. Everyone is in a different place when it comes to money and will have different incomes and outgoings.
Everyone also has different approaches to finances. For instance, are you a good saver, or does money burn a hole in your pocket? Can you afford a pension? What about mortgages, are you confident you could qualify for one, are you meeting your mortgage payments?
If none of the above even seems remotely possible right now, then we also want to hear from you. It’s not an easy time and we get that, so you might just feel like saying ‘I can’t make ends meet’ and that’s ok too.
Over the course of a week, we ask you to keep a record of how much you earn, how much you save (if anything) and what you spend your money on.
Our Money Diaries readers also love to hear about your day, what kind of routine you have, what you had for dinner – all of it. Woven into that is a note through the day about how much you spent on groceries, incidentals and other expenses.
Readers often get helpful information and tips from reading the diaries, so include details about batch-cooking, Revolut vaults or any other handy savings tips you might have.
If you’re interested in keeping a diary for a week, send an email to money@thejournal.ie and we’ll get in touch. We would love to hear from you.
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