WELCOME TO HOW I Spend My Money, a series on The Journal that looks at how people in Ireland really handle their finances. 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.

Are you a spender, a saver or a splurger? We’re looking for readers who will keep a money diary for a 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 an interior designer on €45K living in Leinster. This week, a lab specialist on €70K living in Dublin.

I live and work in Dublin. I’ve been in my current job for just over three years and I bought a two-bed apartment last year. I was saving since I started working seven years ago (that feels crazy to say, I still feel like a child!) so I thankfully, I have a smaller mortgage.

I adore my home, and I feel really lucky and grateful to have bought it. However, buying and furnishing has wiped my bank account clean so I am trying (it’s going very slowly) to build my savings back up.

I live alone. It’s just me and my dog here – she’s great company! I work about 30 minutes away from where I live, and usually work from home once or twice a week. I go to the gym quite often to keep healthy. I love to cook, read and play video games in my spare time.

Occupation: Laboratory specialist

Age: 32

Location: Dublin

Salary: €70,000

Monthly pay (net): €3,955 (after pension contributions)

Transport: Approx. €150 on petrol – this goes into a vault on payday so I have it handy

Rent: Mortgage is €1,070

Household bills: Electricity is between €45 to €50, internet is €35 and gas is usually around €50

Phone bill: €20 (Still PAYG, don’t fix what’s not broken)

Health insurance: Paid by employer

Groceries: €250. Goes into a vault the same way the petrol money does. I usually end up spending €50 a week between two food shops, and this includes dog food and packets of ham/chicken for her treats

Credit Union: €120 (€30 comes out of my bank each Friday for car, home insurance and gym membership as they are all due the same time of year. I find this way really works for me as I don’t notice it comes out and when it’s all due, I’m not out of pocket)

Subscriptions:

Vet plan: €24

Doggy medicine: €45

Mortgage protection: €11.11

Therapy: €140 (two sessions per month)

Service fee: €150 – this goes into a vault each month so I can pay it off in full at the start of each year

***

5.00 am: I get up at 5 am most mornings to go to the gym. It’s not as awful as it sounds – after a few days of it, your body is used to waking up. I have to get to bed early though, which is actually the hard part. It’s nice to have an empty gym as well and not have to wait for equipment. It’s leg day today.

6.30 am: I head home, and walk the dog. She gets a quick half hour in the morning before I start work and then a longer walk in the evening. The walks tire her out, so she is normally snoozing all morning. I shower when I get home. 

7.30 am: Start work. I’m working from home today. I have a report due next week so try to get a start on that. It reminds me of my college days where I would never start work until the deadline is right on front of me. I have a homemade oat bar while I’m tipping away.

9.00 am: I use the time I’d normally take for breakfast to fly down to the vets and pick up a month’s supply of her medicines........

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