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THE COST OF living is going up. Everywhere you turn there is talk of rising energy costs and warnings of a tough winter ahead. We’re advised to watch how much energy we use, but how do we manage our money through all of this?
Readers here at The Journal will be familiar with our popular How I Spend My Money series that 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. More recently, the Money Diaries also reflected how life (and often incomes) had changed for everyone during the pandemic.
Ahead of this winter of financial challenges, we are asking readers to get in touch and write a Money Diary to help us build a picture of life in the coming months.
Would my diary be of interest?
Absolutely. Everyone is in a different place when it comes to money. Incomes differ, outgoings too. Those on low incomes will be hoping that Budget 2023 next week offers something for them.
People have 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 seem 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.
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?
I’m saving lots of time – by shopping in M&S which is much quieter now since all the povs have had to go back to Aldi.
Most days, I can actually park the Bentley close to the door – even when the disabled spaces are in use…
@Lee King Buckett: I was wondering whose car that was, across the two mother and child spaces!
@Joe Kennedy: well considering that it’s my taxes which pay for their monthly mickey money then it’s only fair…
@Lee King Buckett: hahaha……mickey money?! Brilliant!
@Joe Kennedy:
I know someone who calls child benefit ‘stud fees’!
I buy what I need, not what I want.
Any discount codes or vouchers available if we should partake, Journal?
I wanted to buy but I didn’t so I saved.. is my motto going forward with the energy bills going up.
Or some Candles for heat?
Here’s my money diary for the last four years :
Work when I get any work.
( I’m sub existing on about 10% of what once was my career )
If I don’t get any work
Don’t get any food nor can pay bills .
( that is , may- June-July -August )
When I can get some work I pay first the mortgage then fuel to work ( don’t go anywhere expect work , any other things need be pinned on the same trip which cost €50 fuel and €15 tolls)
Then see who gets paid
Car insurance /tax -because no transport no work
Phone – because I work on call
Esb – eternally in huge arrears throw something in it.
Anything else has to wait .
Eating- if I can
Heating – zero
Appliances – have a fridge and a kettle . Nothing else
Gadgets – zero
Tv radio – zero
Health – no I don’t even think about nor can afford be sick
Shopping like clothes and stuff – zero
Leisure – zero
Savings – are you kidding me ?
Emergency- panic !
Benefits- no none .
That’s about it
That’s the way this government wants .
I keep an eye on electricity usage and try to save where possible but don’t care about food. I’ll buy what I always bought. weekly shopping less than 30€ anyway.
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