This week: “I’m a 24-year-old marketing advisor, living in Essex. After saving throughout the pandemic, my boyfriend M and I bought our first house in 2021. We did this together, without any help from our families. Apart from our mortgage, neither of us have any debt, so after we have paid our utilities and mortgage, our disposable income is left to do whatever we would like with. We both work from home, so often head to coffee shops to get out of the house.
I’m trying to build a better attitude towards my finances, and I’m researching ways to invest, like better saving account options, and on decreasing my impulsive spending.”
Occupation: Digital marketing advisor
Industry: Local government
Age: 24
Location: Essex
Salary: £33,236
Paycheque Amount: £2,769
Number of housemates: One, my boyfriend M (and our cat P).
Pronouns: She/her
Monthly Expenses
Housing costs: £880 mortgage
Loan payments: None
Savings: £7,000
Pension? £180
Utilities: £133 council tax; £60 energy; £45 water; £50 broadband.
All other monthly payments: £13 pet insurance; £11 phone. Subscriptions: £10.99 Spotify; £8.99 Netflix; £8.99 Kindle Unlimited; £2.99 Google drive.
Did you participate in any form of higher education? If yes, how did you pay for it? No, I left school straight after A levels.
Growing up, what conversations did you have about money?
My parents were teenagers when they had me, so we often relied on family loans, credit cards and frugal living. Working in retail, they didn’t have huge incomes, but we got by. Growing up, we didn’t discuss managing finances at all.
If you have, when did you move out of your parents’/guardians’ house? I moved out at 21.
At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself? Does anyone else cover any aspects of your financial life? I started working at 15, but I would say I became completely financially independent when I bought my house at 21. Now, my boyfriend and I split our home finances, including utilities, our mortgage and most weekly food shop costs.
What was your first job and why did you get it? My first job was waitressing when I was 15. Finding a job as soon as possible was important for me, so I had my own money and relied less on my parents. I wanted to buy gig tickets without needing to ask!
Do you worry about money now? More than I used to. I’m noticing items becoming more expensive, and disposable income isn’t going as far as it would a few months ago.
Do you or have you ever received passive or inherited income? No.
9 a.m. — I have the day off today, so I’m taking myself on a shopping spree to stock up on empties and practical items I need. It’s also a test — I’m prone to impulse purchases and am trying to break the habit. Let’s see how it goes.
11 a.m. — I drive 30 minutes to an outlet mall. I know what I need, so, if I buy it in an outlet mall, I’ll be saving money. Is that girl math? Or just budgeting?
11:30 a.m. — First stop is TK Maxx. I buy a hair detangler spray plus a new takeaway coffee mug. Mine is starting to have that weird washing-up smell, £16.
12 p.m. — I need a new backpack; I love a tote but unfortunately, my shoulders do not. I spot one for £12, which, considering I was about to buy an identical one online for £37, leaves me feeling a bit smug. Then I stop for a coffee and croissant, £6.
12:30 p.m. — I carry on, reaching the beauty outlet store, my favourite spot. I grab an eyeshadow, a couple of lip masks, lip gloss, mascara and a few nail varnishes for £20. Finally, I pop into M&S to grab some lunch to take home, plus some fresh tulips, my favourite. £11.
1:30 p.m. — I get home and have lunch with M, who’s working from home today. We watch an episode of The Bear on my recommendation. Come for JAW, stay for the plot.
2:30 p.m. — M heads back to work, and I chill for the afternoon, watching a couple of episodes of my favourite true crime show and tidying up.
6 p.m. — M finishes work and we head to grab some groceries. We also get a coffee, but both have stamps on a loyalty card, so it’s a free trip. We spend £36 on groceries for a few days (including cat litter, which is nearly £10), so it doesn’t feel too bad. We use our joint card for this, so my half is £18.
7:30 p.m. — We get home, I make some quick pesto pasta and use up some veggies in the fridge, too. We watch some TV, chat and scroll for the rest of the evening.
10 p.m. — Head to bed.
Total: £83
7 a.m. — I have to be in the office today for a department away day. I’m not sure how it’s an “away day” when I can see my desk from the window, but hey. M drops me off at the train station; I pay £12 for a ticket.
8 a.m. — I reach the office and catch up on emails and admin before my colleagues arrive. When they do, a few of us grab coffee before joining the session. Tell me something which feels illegal but isn’t? Asking people to pay extra for alternative milk, £3.80.
12:30 p.m. — I brought lunch with me, as the catered lunches are usually a bit rubbish. Caterers, please note — vegetarians don’t want cheese and onion sandwiches at a work event. I chat with a colleague while eating a fruit salad.
2 p.m. — The away day is over; I have a headache so I do an Irish exit. I grab a sausage roll to try and perk myself up on the way back, £1.20. M can’t pick me up from the train station, so I get the bus home. £2.
5 p.m. — M and I wrap up our work afternoons and need to pop to B&Q. I’ve had a sudden hyper-focus on home renovation and I think M is taking advantage to get things done while I have the motivation. We get some flower hanging baskets, a new lamp and some paint, £33.50 for my half on the joint card.
6 p.m. — We bump into some friends in B&Q and pop into a Nando’s across the road for some food and a catchup. I pay £18 for my meal.
8:30 p.m. — We’re home and I’m feeling so full. We watch some TV and I’m pretty sure I fall asleep on the sofa.
10 p.m. — Bedtime!
Total: £70.50
8 a.m. — Today is a work from home day for me, I feel a little burned out. I shower and get dressed; it’s a no-makeup day for me!
11:30 a.m. — I’ve been in back-to-back meetings since 9 a.m., so I haven’t had time for breakfast. Or any kind of thought unrelated to work. M makes us Marmite on toast, my favourite.
1:30 p.m. — I roast some sweet potatoes and chickpeas to put with some leaves, cucumber and hummus we need to use. It’s a bit of scrappy cooking, but absolutely delicious. After lunch, I have a clear afternoon, so I want to get my head down and plough through some work, powered by chickpeas.
5:30 p.m. — After work, we head for a walk to get some air. Working from home is definitely more convenient, but also blurs boundaries between work/yourself. We need to get some household items like kitchen tissue. Why is kitchen tissue so expensive? M pays, as he’s also picked up some snacks.
7:30 p.m. — We get home, I cook, and M puts a load of washing on. I then head for a shower — there’s something magical about being freshly showered, moisturised and laying in fresh bedsheets.
8 p.m. — M plays guitar while I read my book. It’s a lovely evening of just being around each other while doing our own thing.
10:30 p.m. — Head to bed!
Total: £0
8 a.m. — I wish I had a cooler morning routine, but mornings have always been a struggle for me. I wake up, shower and head to work. I’m working from home today, and have a few meetings, so I make a coffee and try and perk myself up.
11 a.m. — M comes downstairs to the kitchen to make a coffee and I make myself a granola bowl. Berries, yoghurt, honey and granola has become my Roman Empire. It has been my go-to breakfast and dessert for months.
1 p.m. — We take a lunch break together; I make a “chicken” salad sandwich. This is M’s favourite lunch — some lightly toasted bread, mayo, mustard, lettuce, tomato and Quorn chicken pieces. Super tasty.
7 p.m. — Not much else happens today. I have a tricky client at work at the moment, so I log off later than usual.
8 p.m. — I make dinner, we chill on the sofa and head to bed around 10 p.m.
Total: £0
6:23 a.m. — I’m feeling motivated this morning! I’m going to work from a coffee shop as I have a lot of writing to do for work. I get ready and hop on the bus to the town centre, £2.
7:30 a.m. — I reach the coffee shop; I buy a chai latte and a bottle of water, too, £6.50.
11 a.m. — I have remote worker’s guilt that I’m taking up a table, and I am hungry, so I buy a yoghurt and granola, £3.50. I told you — I can’t stop thinking about granola.
12:30 p.m. — I leave and head to a clothes shop. Often, I have *visions* of outfits and will not think about anything else until the outfit is in my wardrobe. I’m searching for a very specific skirt, but I find exactly what I’m looking for. I snap it up for £20.
1 p.m. — I head home on the bus, £2.
1:30 p.m. — M and I have lunch together. I make a red cabbage, apple and carrot coleslaw to eat with some flatbreads and hummus.
5:30 p.m. — After dragging myself to the end of my inbox, I log off for the day. M and I head for a walk around our local park before dinner, it’s such a treat it’s staying light outside for longer.
7:30 p.m. — I make dinner — the Gigi Hadid pasta. It’s an absolute fave.
10 p.m. — Head to bed.
Total: £34
8 a.m. — I’m heading into the city today to catch up with my sister. I wake up to have breakfast and coffee with M before getting ready.
12 p.m. — M drops me off at the train station; my train ticket is £21. It’s about an hour into London. I used to live a lot closer, so the expensive tickets and longer journey are still taking some getting used to.
1:30 p.m. — I reach London and realise my new shoes are giving me blisters. I pop into a Boots to buy some blister plasters, then head to a bathroom to pop them on. I feel so glamorous, £6.
2 p.m. — There’s an art show I would like to see before meeting my sister, L. It’s in walking distance and it’s a nice day, so I walk instead of taking the tube. In my mind, I’m breaking even after buying the unexpected blister plasters!
3 p.m. — L and I are heading to an author Q&A, which I’ve been excited about for months. L is running late, so we agree to meet at the venue; I jump on the tube and head over. This is a bit of a personality trait for L, so I’m not stressed; £2.70 for the tube journey.
3:30 p.m. — I take a seat in a coffee shop. I used to work around the corner, so I know it’s a safe space. I order an oat latte and a chocolate muffin, £7. I read my Kindle while waiting for L.
4:30 p.m. — Only an hour late, L arrives. We walk across the road to a bar and order a drink and snacks (L pays to make up for being late).
6:30 p.m. — We head to the venue and I hunt down some signed books for sale. I buy two books as I figure this is my favourite author and I’m not sure where else I would get these, £20. L and I then grab a bottle of water each and head to our seats, £3.75
9 p.m. —– The event is over, and it didn’t disappoint! It’s been quite a long day, so L and I head to the train station to head home in our separate directions. I jump on the train home, M picks me up and I fall asleep as soon as I get home.
Total: £60.45
7 a.m. — While I was out yesterday, M started painting our kitchen. I’m very grateful as we both hate painting; I find it incredibly tedious. It’s only a small room, so I’ll be helping with the touch-ups today.
12:30 p.m. — We have both gone into hyper-focus, and haven’t stopped for breakfast. I order a Greggs for lunch to tide us over, £14.60.
4 p.m. — We’re nearly there! I’m so pleased with how it looks. M and I agree to go for dinner, as our kitchen is out of use and we both have aches and pains. We begin packing away, and I find somewhere to book a table.
6 p.m. — After tidying up, showering and scrubbing my skin raw to remove any traces of blue paint, I start to get ready to head out.
7:30 p.m. — We’re at the restaurant — M and I both wanted to try new places this year, so I’ve booked a pub we haven’t been to before. It’s fancier than I thought! M orders a steak, I order a camembert tart. We notice tables around us ordering dessert and it looks incredible.
8:30 p.m. — I order a brownie and M orders a cheesecake for dessert. As expected, it’s delicious. M kindly pays (I offer but he reasons his steak was twice the price of my meal).
10:30 p.m. — We get home and head straight to bed. The contents of our kitchen — our table, chairs, stacks of cookbooks and picture frames — are piled in our living room, so both rooms are out of use. That’s a problem for tomorrow!
Total: £14.60
Food & Drink: £82.35
Clothes & Beauty: £43
Home & Health: £39.50
Entertainment: £20
Travel: £41.70
Other: £36
Total: £262.55
Conclusion
“Usually I budget about £200 a week, so for a pretty busy week, I’m pleased I’m only slightly over budget. I don’t often go on shopping trips, and I’ve dialled down online shopping, so I feel pleased. I have realised that I am grateful that my boyfriend and I are able to split our home expenses. I realise it is a type of dependency, as I couldn’t afford my lifestyle if we didn’t.”
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