What I Spent This Week as a Project Engineer: Part 2!

Ever wondered how others really manage their money?

In the A Week in My Wallet series, we share it all, because talking about money shouldn't be off-limits.

Every week, an anonymous member shares a week of their spending: no names, no filters, just honest stories about life's everyday financial choices.

Ready to join the conversation and help make money talk less taboo? Share your own story via our form here.

Monthly Take-Home Pay (after tax): £3,200 ($4,320)

‍Do you share expenses with someone? Yes

‍Household Income (if shared): £100,000 ($135,000)

What is your overall monthly budget?

• Rent: £0 ($0)
• Bills: The only bills I have are for my car insurance and DVLA, totalling £70 ($95)
• Groceries: £200 ($270)
• Subscriptions: £50 ($68)
• Transport: £80 ($108)
• Entertainment + shopping: £180 ($243) (keeping this super low)
• Fitness + personal care: £120 ($162)

Amount left each month after essentials (to spend, save or invest): £2,500 ($3,375). I put £400 ($540) into my Stocks & Shares ISA and the remainder goes straight into my house deposit fund.

Dependents (if any): None

My Relationship with Money

Growing up, did your parents or guardians educate you around money?

Honestly, no. Well, not about what one needs to know about money. I grew up with the understanding that money = things, not money = freedom. Growing up, it wasn't that money wasn't spoken about—it just wasn't explained. I often heard, “Money doesn't grow on trees,” and appreciated everything I was given because hard-earned money was used to buy those things, but I was never taught that buying fewer things could mean buying freedom for your future self. 90% of my financial education has come from Female Invest. I can't thank you all enough.

What was your first job and why did you get it?‍

During university I started baby sitting and au pairing. I like the idea of having my own money. This was all used to buy extra things I needed but I wish I had started investing with it.

Did you worry about money growing up?‍

A little. I grew up quite well off. Always got what I needed, always got high quality items. There was a point in high school where we had some money issues, we really had to cut back and some of my school fees had to be paid late.

I didn't like how things were more than fine and next thing we were struggling. That was a short period but it really stayed with me. Why were we living well and large and not rather buying middle range items and saving for a rainy day.

I never understood that and wish I grew up shopping at average shops and taught to keep the surplus for rocky times.

At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself and do you have a financial safety net?‍

I would say 25. But I only started building my safety net a year and a half ago all thanks to FI. I want to build more of an emergency fund, after depleting it to pay off the car. I enjoy investing money and thinking about my retired self more than you could ever imagine.

Do you worry about money now?

I don't worry about money for day-to-day expenses, but I do worry about how hard it is to build up a house deposit. I've gone completely rent-free because I got fed up with so much of my money going towards rent and bills. I've been doing a mix of housesitting and staying with friends. I still live as frugally as I did before, so I don't feel like I have any surplus cash, as it all goes straight to savings. After this period, I worry about how I'd ever be able to save this much while paying rent or a mortgage.

What is your biggest money regret?

I wish I'd lived at home for longer to save on rent. Unfortunately, I live two hours away from my family, so moving back home isn't an option. Yes, living with your parents in your late 20s or 30s sucks, but it is so worth it to build up savings.

What financial goals are you working towards?

Buying my first home!

Who is your financial role model (if any), and why?

Anyone who is able to save or invest more than 40% of their salary—whether you need to live at home to do it or live very minimally—you're my role model.

‍Reflections on My Spending Habits:‍

There's always extra costs! So having wiggle room in budgets is essential, otherwise you'll throw in the towel when things don't go to plan. I'm so glad I can pay for rainy day expenses without needing to put them on a credit card. I'll continue to always pay myself first rather than saving what's left over, because I'll always find extra things to pay for!

‍What I Spent in a Week

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Day 1: Monday - £88.16 ($119)

• £3.16 ($4) — Monzo 1p savings challenge (saves 2p more each day. I'm at £350.47 ($473) and will reach £1,335.90 ($1,803) at the end of the year)

• £85 ($115) — Homeopath‍‍

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‍Day 2: Tuesday - £3.18 ($4)

• £3.18 ($4) — Monzo 1p savings challenge‍‍

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‍Day 3: Wednesday - £296.97 ($401)

• £3.20 ($4) — Monzo 1p savings challenge

• £11.77 ($16) — Lidl ingredients for dinner

• £282 ($381) — Kwik Fit (a very unexpected car bill)

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Day 4: Thursday - £13.71 ($19)

• £3.22 ($4) — Monzo 1p savings challenge

• £7.50 ($10) — Lunch at work

• £2.99 ($4) — Apple subscription‍‍

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‍Day 5: Friday - £84.55 ($114)

• £3.24 ($4) — Monzo 1p savings challenge

• £30 ($41) — Charity donation

• £51.31 ($69) — Lidl shop for the week and extra bulk items‍‍

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‍Day 6: Saturday - £26.90 ($36)

• £3.26 ($4) — Monzo 1p savings challenge

• £1.50 ($2) — Parking

• £9.50 ($13) — Bakery

• £12.64 ($17) — Sainsbury's for picnic snacks‍‍

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‍Day 7: Sunday - £3.28 ($4)

• £3.28 ($4) — Monzo 1p savings challenge

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Total Weekly Spend: £516.75 ($698)

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