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 HR specialist on €78K living in Dublin. This week, a paralegal who moved to New York on a graduate visa last year. 

I relocated to New York on a graduate visa in November of last year. For the first three months, I was working in a bar whilst looking for paralegal work in the city and the money was fantastic (particularly over the Christmas season), which really helped to absorb a lot of the costs of moving over. But now I am into corporate life and certainly feeling the squeeze.

Occupation: Paralegal

Age: 25

Location: Brooklyn, New York

Salary: $26/hr

Monthly pay (net): $3,520

Transport:

Rent: $1,300

Household bills: $90

Phone bill: $40 ($120 charged every three months)

Health insurance: N/a

Groceries: $320

Subscriptions: $135 for gym membership, €10 Spotify subscription

Savings: $800

***

7.00 am: I wake up and hop in the shower. Go make my breakfast, and it’s a run out the door to be in work on time.

7.45 am: I’m very lucky to be right on the subway line, which makes the commute significantly easier ($2.90).

8.15 am: I am on Wall Street and straight into the office to get a jump on the day and assess the large number of emails I unfortunately have to open in my inbox every Monday morning.

2.15 pm: I enjoy my salmon fillets and a yoghurt for lunch. I’ve never been one for buying lunch, and it’s only on rare occasions that I would, given the price.

5.15 pm: I leave the office and make my way home on the subway. ($2.90)

Advertisement

6.00 pm: I make a bagel and have a........

© TheJournal