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 factory worker on €38K living in the west of the country. This week, an assistant lecturer on €46K living in the Midwest. 

I currently live in a small town in the mid-west and just changed jobs recently which is now an hour and a half away from my home. Alongside my current role as an assistant lecturer, I am studying for a PhD and taking a night class in garment design as a hobby until mid-December. I love to travel and have been away a lot in the past few years with my work, visiting small towns across Europe and it’s great to have that experience away from the big cities. I live with my son (23) who is an apprentice and we have a small dog who is a pure dote.

I am fortunate to own my home through an inheritance, so I don’t have rent/mortgage to pay. I used to save up to €600 a month, but with taking the new job and the added cost in travel and other expenses, I have reduced it to €300 a month on top of putting money away for travel and house maintenance.

Occupation: Assistant lecturer

Age: 40s

Location: The Midwest

Salary: €46,000

Monthly pay (net): €2,855, which includes my AVC payments of roughly €150

I also get a house contribution from my son of €250 per month and I put this away for him into a savings account that he doesn’t know about. I am hoping that this will come in helpful in the purchase of his first car/insurance.

I have calculated my bills and general expenses based on the yearly average and I have set up auto payments to put away money monthly into my Revolut pockets. I count these as outgoings once the payments go into Revolut, rather than when I use them. Even though most payments go out automatically every month, there are some payments annually, so I have them going into a pocket every month throughout the year to avoid any nasty surprises.

Transport: €500 (between the new commute and my son is learning to drive, so my petrol costs have increased)

Tolls: €70

Broadband and phone (for two mobiles): €75

Groceries: €240

Subscriptions: €18 (Spotify and Prime)

Car/Home insurance: €230

Heating oil: €150

Electric: €110

Holiday fund: €120

House costs: (boiler servicing and LPT, TV etc.): €115

Misc fund: €100

Savings: €300

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Total:........

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