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 asking readers to keep a record of how much they earn, what they save if anything, and what they’re spending their money on over the course of one 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 digital journalist on €35K living and working in South Dublin. This week, a student on €21K in their final year of college who is planning to emigrate.
I’m a horticulture student in my final year of college. I’m still living at home with my parents, which is great for me as I can save a lot of money on rent, but I contribute to the household bills and I do my own food shop every week. I only have to attend college classes a couple of days a week this year which has allowed me to get a part-time job in a local garden centre. After I graduate from college, I’m hoping to emigrate so I can find a better paid position in my career choice.
I try to put away as much as I can each month, but unexpected expenses arise quite regularly, mostly due to car maintenance. I also have quite a big family so it’s always someone’s birthday or some other milestone, which can add up quite quickly.
At the moment, I don’t have too much spare time between college and work, but when I do I like to work on my garden or on my allotment where I grow some vegetables and herbs.
Occupation: Student
Age: 20s
Location: Dublin
Salary: €21,400
Monthly pay (net): €1,783
Monthly expenses
Transport: €300
Rent: €400
Household bills: €200
Phone bill: €20
Health insurance: €0
Groceries: €250
Subscriptions: €30
Food delivery: €100
Entertainment: €100
Savings: €100-€400 (this changes on a monthly basis)
***
Monday
7.30am: I wake up, take a shower and sit at my desk to do some college work. It’s coming up to the end of term, so I have a lot of final assignments to get through.
11.30am: Drive to the supermarket to do my weekly food shop. I tend to do one biggish shop at the start of the week and supplement it through the week if necessary. I spend €45.70 on today’s shop.
12.30pm: Make myself some lunch and get back to studying for the next few hours.
5.00pm: Finally close the books and make myself some dinner.
6.00pm: I head out to play some pool with a few friends. It costs €18 for a table for an hour.
8.00pm: Get back home. I get in a yoga session on YouTube and watch Netflix for the remainder of the night before heading to bed.
Today’s total: €63.70
Tuesday
6.30am: Alarm goes off a bit earlier this morning as I have a lecture at 9am. Have a shower and get ready before jumping in the car. The drive to college takes approximately 40 minutes each way.
8.45am: Arrive for my lecture.
12.00pm: I didn’t make any lunch this morning, so I buy myself something. It comes to €7.50, plus €2.50 for a drink. I have another lecture after lunch and then get a bit of studying done.
5.00pm: On my way home. I stop at a garage to put diesel in the car (€50) and pick up a soft drink as well (€2.20). I usually put €50 in the car every week unless I’m going on a road trip, which isn’t very often.
6.00pm: Make myself a stir-fry for dinner from the groceries I bought on Monday.
7.00pm: I planned to do a bit more studying this evening, but I get distracted by my phone and these plans are abandoned. Chat with some friends in between doomscrolling before calling it a night.
Today’s total: €72.20
Wednesday
6.30am: I hear the alarm and it’s the same as yesterday morning: have a shower, get ready and drive to college for 9am.
12.00pm: I end up buying lunch in college again because I didn’t make any this morning (€10). I usually make my own lunches, but it just didn’t happen this week. I’ll have to get back into it though, because the smaller costs on lunches really do add up.
5.00pm: Head home after a busy day and get an hour of studying in while my head is still on college.
6.00pm: Make my own dinner again and sit down to watch something easy on Netflix.
8.00pm: I head out for a walk with my mam. The nice weather makes such a difference, especially in the bright evenings. Sunshine until after 9pm every day is something I could really get used to!
9.00pm: Back home. I do a quick wash and hang it up before heading to bed.
Today’s total: €10.00
Thursday
7.30am: No college today, so an extra hour of sleep is had. Hop in the shower and make myself sit down and start on the college work early.
12.00pm: Make some lunch and go for a walk afterwards to get some fresh air and a break from the computer screen.
2.00pm: Back home, and back at my desk to do some more college work. Not very exciting, I know, but it has to be done.
6.00pm: Brain feeling slightly fried, I finally step away from the desk for the day. I’m very much not in the humour of cooking, so I decide to order in food for dinner. I spend €20. It doesn’t take long to arrive and I settle down in front of the telly with it. Don’t budge for the rest of the evening before heading to bed.
Today’s total: €20.00
Friday
7.30am: Wake up and shower. I usually only work two days a week during the college term, but I was asked to work today to cover a colleague who’s out sick. Get ready and jump in the car to get there for 9am.
1.00pm: Lunchtime. Work is getting busier now with the nicer weather and summer on the way, so I was kept busy for the morning. Grab lunch from the deli which sets me back €8, plus a drink for €2.30. I also have to top up my mobile. My monthly offer costs me €20.
2.00pm: Back to work.
5.00pm: Drive home, make some dinner for myself and unwind for a couple of hours.
6.00pm: Head out for a walk and a catch-up with a friend.
7.30pm: I contemplate getting a bit of college work done when I get home, but I’m too tired.
Today’s total: €30.30
Saturday
7.30am: You know the drill. Up, showered and into the car to head to work.
1.00pm: As usual, it’s even busier on Saturdays with more deliveries and more customers, so I’m thankful when it’s time for my break. I made my own lunch today, so no spending!
5.00pm: It’s safe to say I’m shattered. Drive home, make some dinner and chill out for the rest of the evening.
Today’s total: €0.00
Sunday
7.30am: It’s that time again.
9.00am: Arrive at work and decided to treat myself to a nice coffee. I’m not a big coffee drinker, but was feeling like one today. Costs €4.60.
6.00pm: Time to clock out. It’s been a long week and I’m feeling tired and drained, so I decide to go to the local sauna with my friend to relax. It costs €16.95.
7.00pm: I arrive home and thankfully, my mam has made dinner for everyone. I wasn’t going to cook, so it prevents me from ordering another takeaway this week.
8.00pm: We sit down for a film and I head to bed once it’s over.
Today’s total: €21.55
Weekly subtotal: €217.75
***
What I learned –
- Keeping this diary this week made me realise that not preparing food in advance can really contribute to your expenses. I did alright with dinner, but skipping making myself lunches cost me an additional €57 this week. That could be an extra €200 in my pocket at the end of each month which could go in my savings. It’s definitely something I’m going to try and cut down on going forward.
- This week was actually a good one in general. There were no unexpected expenses incurred due to car problems or other issues, so I was able to put a little money by. I think it’s important to save up your money when you have some leftover because you never know when something could crop up.