WELCOME TO HOW I Spend My Money, a series on The Journal that looks at how people in Ireland really handle their finances.

Are you a spender, a saver or a splurger? We’re looking for readers who will keep a money diary for a week. If you’re interested send a mail to money@thejournal.ie. We would love to hear from you.

Each money diary is submitted by readers just like you. When reading and commenting, bear in mind that their situation will not be relatable for everyone, it is simply an account of a week in their shoes, so let’s be kind.

Last time around, we heard from a marketing manager on €63K living in Dublin. This week, an accountant on €88K living in the Midlands. 

I am a 28-year-old accountant working in Dublin. I bought a house outside of the city about a year ago and my commute into the office now takes about an hour and a half in total, usually about two days a week. I used to be a good spender, but now that I have my home, any extra money I have goes towards renovations and home improvements and paying off my Revolut loan (€30k).

Occupation: Accountant

Age: 28

Location: Working in Dublin, living in the Midlands

Salary: €88,000 including bonus

Monthly pay (net): €4,326 net for a standard month, €100 into pension monthly

Monthly expenses

Transport: €50 (I get the train to work and don’t own a car as I live close to the train station)

Rent: Mortgage is €1,000 each (my partner pays the other half)

Household bills: We both put in about €600 each month to cover all other bills including food

Phone bill: €7.99 with 48

Health insurance: Don’t have health insurance

Groceries: Covered in household bills above

Loan: I had to take out a €30,000 Revolut loan last year which I am trying to pay off as soon as possible. I pay €630 monthly, but have about €16,000 left at the moment. I am trying to pay this down as quick as possible as the interest is so high

Hair: €100 every six weeks

Nails: €50 every six weeks

***

Monday

6.30 am: I work from home on Monday’s so it’s a quiet start to the day. I let the puppy out first thing and go back to bed for a little while.

9.00 am: Log on to work – I have a busy day of meetings ahead! My day typically consists of lots of meetings and managing juniors below me. It can be long hours and stressful at times, but thankfully this month is not too busy!

1.00 pm: Time for my lunch break. I use this time to go to Specsavers for an eye test. The test and new glasses cost me €110 with €1 for parking.

5.30 pm: I finish work and go training. My boyfriend made dinner today which we enjoy afterwards.

8.00 pm: We watch some TV/YouTube before heading to bed at around 10.30pm. We are watching the Traitors at the moment which is brilliant.

Today’s total: €111.00

Tuesday

6.30 am: I drop the puppy into my mam’s before heading to get the train to Dublin. The train is so busy these days and I struggle to find a seat, but manage to get one in the end. It takes me an hour to get to Dublin and costs me €8.80 for both ways.

9.00 am: I have a busy day in work between meetings. I usually spend a lot when I work in Dublin as food/coffee is expensive around me. I picked up a pastry and a coffee for €7.95 before arriving. 

1.00 pm: At lunch, I get a salad for €12.50. It’s pricey, but I’m only in the office twice a week so I don’t mind spending a bit more on food/drink when I’m in Dublin.

5.00 pm: I leave the office to grab the train home. Thankfully managed to get a seat on the way back!

8.00 pm: I get a shower and enjoy some Netflix before bed.

Today’s total: €29.25

Wednesday

7.00 am: Wake up and, first thing’s first, I bring the dog out for a walk. I stop by at the local petrol station for a takeaway coffee and some milk which costs me €7.50. I have a bit of time this morning, so I give the kitchen a good clean before logging on to work around 9am.

1.00 pm: I made a sandwich at lunch and a smoothie and get out for a nice run.

5.30 pm: I log off and make some spaghetti bolognese for dinner. After dinner, I do a good clean- up of the house.

7.00 pm: I put my airpods in and go for a walk. It’s nice going for a walk on a nice, crisp evening when it’s slightly colder out!

10.00 pm: I head to bed after watching some YouTube videos.

Today’s total: €7.50

Thursday

6.00 am: I’m in the office today so I get up early and drop the dog into my mam’s. I make a coffee before I leave the house to save me buying one before I get to work. 

7.00 am: I get the train into Dublin.

9.00 am: Busy day in work with lots of meetings and things going on.

Related Reads

Money Diaries: A marketing manager on €63K living in Dublin

Money Diaries: An investment banker on £112K who moved to London last year

Money Diaries: A PR manager on €44K living in Co Cork

11.00 am: I head to the dentist and get a scale and polish. I usually get this done every six months so my PRSI didn’t cover it this time around. It sets me back €80 with €1 for parking.

8.00 pm: Bedtime routine done and I have a shower and lay my clothes out for tomorrow. We have a cup of tea and head for bed around 11pm. 

Today’s total: €81.00

Friday

6.00 am: Working from home today, but I still get up early. Same morning routine as usual, only I walk over to grab a coffee before work. (€3.70)

1.00 pm: Break for lunch and I make a nice omelette. 

5.30 pm: After work, me and my boyfriend head to Dunnes to do a food shop. Usually we shop between Lidl or Dunnes. The total today sets us back €140.

7.30 pm: We have a nice night in with a movie and takeaway (€35). We normally get a nice Chinese once or twice a month. We got Netflix free with our Sky package, which is useful on the weekends to find a good movie.

Today’s total: €175.00

Saturday

8.00 am: Later start to the day. I get out for a nice run before coming back to shower and dry my hair.

10.00 am: Decide to give the house a good clean before taking the dog out for a walk.

12.00 pm: I get out to have a look at some furniture. Don’t buy anything today, but I fill my partner’s car with petrol for €50.04 on the way back home. In terms of renovations, our house is not old but needs to be modernised. We are currently doing up the stairs, kitchen and bathroom – the costs are astronomical. 

6.00 pm: I head out for some food and drinks with my sister and her partner. I spent €45 on the food and another €16.90 for drinks.

Today’s total: €111.94

Sunday

8.30 am: I get out of bed and plan to have a lazy day.

11.00 am: We head over to my mam’s for lunch and bring the dog.

3.00 pm: We cook a nice dinner together which is chicken and pasta.

5.00 pm: I go to training at 5pm. My partner brings the dog out for a nice walk.

8.00 pm: Sundays are a nice rest day, so we potter around the house for the rest of the day.

Today’s total: €0.00

Weekly subtotal: €515.69

***

What I learned –

• I do spend a lot on coffee, but I find it enjoyable to walk to a coffee shop on my days working from home and it’s a nice treat.
• I had a lot of appointments this week which would be unusual and set me back a bit more, but I’m happy to invest in myself!
• I need to focus on paying off my loan so I can start to build a healthy saving pot.
• My plan is to buy a car in the next 12 months so I need to plan for that.