What I Spent This Week as a Part-Time Admin & HR Support Making £20K

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): £1,460

Do you share expenses with someone? My husband

Household Income (if shared): Around £80,000 per annum, my husband's income is flexible

What is your overall monthly budget?

• Mortgage: £700
• Bills: £150
• Transport: £50
• Groceries: £200
• Investments: £260

Amount left each month after essentials (to spend, save or invest): £100 or thereabouts

Dependents (if any): 2 kids

My Relationship with Money

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

Not enough, though I learned some lessons around not borrowing too much. They did a few years of credit card hopping to clear their debt.

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

Sports shop part-time to support my education through uni.

Did you worry about money growing up?

Yes and no. I was aware we didn't have loads but I felt safe, I knew my parents were capable.

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

I bought my first flat at 23 but had paid my parents a keep during my gap year when I was trying to work out what to do with myself.

Do you worry about money now?

Yes and no. I worry that my kids won't learn the lessons I should have learned earlier. I talk about money a lot to try and make it a common topic in our house but they are still very young. I'm aware that I'm plenty employable so I will always get work, just not for high-paid roles and I can't be totally flexible because my husband's job takes priority, purely due to it earning us more.

What is your biggest money regret?

Not understanding anything about investing until very recently and not paying more into my pension when I had the chance. I am having to play catch-up now and there is less money to go around due to the kids' needs and the current cost of living, but we are making solid plans.

What financial goals are you working towards?

I want to have an additional £10,000 invested over the next seven years, in a mixture of pensions and investments. My kids are growing quickly so I can start to look at my career prospects and my earning power too. I also intend to use the rent from our flat to pay off some of our mortgage on the house we live in to reduce our outgoings.

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

I wish I had one. If I did it would be someone who had been clever with money rather than simply having had lots of money. I actually don't like money and don't particularly enjoy working but I understand how the life we want is bound to it so I want to also be more clever with how I manage money.

Reflections on My Spending Habits

I tend to be frugal until I've had enough of that and buy a few unnecessary things on the credit card. It's quite a push and pull relationship. In the past I have had a much higher disposable income so I miss that freedom at the moment.

What I Spent In A Week

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Day 1: Monday - £82.48

• £50.00 — Into the kids' savings accounts

• £9.50 — School clubs

• £22.98 — Compost for the allotment

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Day 2: Tuesday - £4.00

• £4.00 — Takeaway lunch on the way to work

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Day 3: Wednesday - £61.55

• £11.55 — Chips and coffee at the beach

• £50.00 — Christmas fund

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Day 4: Thursday - £106.20

• £6.15 — Vitamins

• £1.10 — Parking

• £98.95 — Groceries

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Day 5: Friday - £19.28

• £6.00 — Meds

• £13.28 — Groceries

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Day 6: Saturday - £60.00

• £35.00 — Gift of pyjamas for mum

• £25.00 — Overnight bag for me

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Day 7: Sunday - £0

£0 — Spent it at the allotment and chilling in the garden with friends watching the ducklings.

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Total Weekly Spend: £333.51

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