What I Spent This Week as a Marketing Executive Making £32K

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): €2,150 (£1,849)

Do you share expenses with someone? No

What is your overall monthly budget?

• Rent: 27%
• Groceries, essentials, bills, subscriptions & transport: 20%
• Emergency fund: 10–15% each month (depending on priorities)
• Investments: 25–35% each month (the amount invested in each changes from month to month).
  
  • Real Estate
  • Gold
  • ETFs

Amount left each month after essentials (to spend, save or invest): It varies month to month.

Dependents (if any): None

My Relationship with Money

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

No. There was no concept of investment, savings or importance of different funds. Until this day, even when it’s already more improved, my family’s spending habit is still very much short noticed and lack of planning.

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

This current job in hospitality marketing. I got it because it is something I enjoy enough and have a good instinct for, but the main goal is to move to Germany and work here long enough for a citizenship.

Did you worry about money growing up?

Yes, financial struggle was something my mom did not hide. In the house, we often discussed upcoming payments we could not afford (mainly payments for our family business). It created an imprint in my brain for constant urgency of money even in my adulthood, and with the current economy, this imprint is only deepened.

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

My parents are my financial safety net, but I started paying my own rent, food, spendings since the age of 17. Complete independence since age of 20.

Do you worry about money now?

Always, every hour and minute I feel frustrated that my income is too low for my goal.

What is your biggest money regret?

In general I don’t have money regrets. If I decide to spend on something, especially something big, it is to enjoy life. To me, at this stage of my life, there’s no point of living if I can’t have joy and enjoy the good things the world has to offer. I plan spendings such as travel meticulously, and often try to utilize my resources with company benefits to reduce costs. Although, I do have certain regrets on unnecessary clothing I spent on before my awareness clocked in last year, or when I was in my teens and had subscriptions I wasn’t using not cancelled.

What financial goals are you working towards?‍

Building my emergency fund, my FU fund, full owning my first property, €10,000 (£8,600) savings in gold. One goal at a time, with the emergency fund as priority.

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

I don't have one yet. I feel as though it is not so necessary because everyone’s journey is extremely different. Not only because of technicalities, but I think finance is greatly emotional as it ties to private experiences and childhood environment. For me, I usually need to relate well to someone to find them as role model, and so far, I have not found anyone.

Reflections on My Spending Habits:

I spend more towards the weekend and spend on meeting up with friends. More home cooked meals would have saved a lot, however, this was an extremely emotionally difficult week, so I allowed myself to not have to cook.

What I Spent in a Week

Day 1: Monday - €588.25 (£506)
€8.25 (£7) — Smoothies for a little pick-me-up for a long afternoon
€580 (£499) — Rent
€0 (£0) — Breakfast I had fruits from home, lunch free at work, dinner paid for by partner.‍

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Day 2: Tuesday - €17.97 (£15)
€0 (£0) — Free lunch from work
€17.97 (£15) — KFC for dinner‍

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Day 3: Wednesday - €10.27 (£9)
€59.68 (£51) — Groceries and cleaning supplies. Although, this will be split and 3 of my flatmates will be reimbursing the money back (my part will be only €10.27 [£9]).‍

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Day 4: Thursday - €11.40 (£10)
€11.40 (£10) — Groceries from Asian store‍

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Day 5: Friday - €42.25 (£36)
€0 (£0) — Free lunch at work, friend invited out for dinner
€20 (£17) — Phone bill for May and June
€18 (£15) — Medical masks preparation in case hantavirus outbreak
€4.25 (£4) — Uber home for missing the last bus‍

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Day 6: Saturday - €33 (£28)
€22.5 (£19) — Birthday cake for friend
€10.5 (£9) — Drink on friend’s birthday
€0 (£0) — Ate lunch at home and dinner was invited by friend.‍

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Day 7: Sunday - €15 (£13)
€15 (£13) — Dinner with friends

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Total Weekly Spend: €718.14 (£617)

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