WELL YOU MIGHT not know this, but it’s springtime, technically, and even though it’s bitterly cold still, there are little signs that brighter evenings are coming.

And that often means more movement, more socialising, travelling and more spending. Have you prepared financially for this foray back into the real world? Have you been busy saving through the winter? Surely you saved a wad of cash over Christmas and January at least?

With this in mind, we thought you’d like to consider keeping one of our money diaries to keep track of how your finances are looking. In honour of the seasons changing, why not take a snapshot of your spending and saving habits?

Readers 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 income and outgoings. Over the years, the series has chronicled the lives and financial ups and downs of hundreds of readers.

We are asking you to get in touch and write a Money Diary to help us build a picture of your financial lives in Ireland right now…

Would my diary be of interest?

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.

How does it work?

Over the course of a week, we ask you, our readers, to keep a record of how much you earn, what you save if anything, and what you spend your money on.

Related Reads

Money Diaries: A stay-at-home mother in the South East who has left work after maternity leave

Money Diaries: A 27-year-old advertising account manager planning a move to Australia

Money Diaries: A production manager on €78K living and working in Co Meath

Send a message of interest to money@thejournal.ie and we will send back a diary template.

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 Revolut vaults or other handy savings tips you might have.

What next?

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.