What I Spent This Week as a Finance Project Manager Making $65k

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): £2,800 ($3,654) ‍

Do you share expenses with someone? Yes‍

Household Income: Not shared‍

Dependents: None‍‍‍

Fixed monthly costs (your share only):

• Rent: £375 ($490) (all expenses included)
• Transport: £13 ($17) as I cycle a lot
• Groceries: £132 ($173)
• Gym subscription: £26 ($35)
• Phone subscription: £7 ($9)
• Psychologist: £88 ($115)
• Investment contributions: £1,322 ($1,730) in 1 ETF
  I invest all my savings monthly (>50% of my salary) as I already have a high liquidity and emergency fund aside.‍

Amount left each month after essentials: £812 ($1088) that I use for travels, gifts, social activities.

My relationship with money

Did your parents or guardians educate you around money?
Yes, I grew up in a wealthy family which didn’t spend much money for non-essential goods. I never got latest models of phones, clothes etc. But they always encouraged to invest in myself, in my education, practice sports etc. They gifted me a few travel experiences and helped with university costs.

What was your first job and why did you get it?
I worked part time during my Bachelor’s in a bookstore in Milan. I started because I loved books of course, I wanted to cover part of my non-essential expenses and learn the basics of the job market.

Did you worry about money growing up?
I had a sum set aside while growing up due to an unfortunate circumstance in my life. I got access to it when I was 18 and thanks to the education of my parents I used it to pay my studies, move abroad, travel. I tried to spend little for material goods and more for investments in my education and experiences.

At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself and do you have a financial safety net?
I started my first full time job at 22 years old, while finishing the last year of master. I was earning a salary as an intern plus Erasmus+ fund. In case of emergency I knew I could ask my family but I always wanted to be independent.

Do you worry about money now?
I worry more of values people might attach to money. It saddens me the idea that money can interfere in relationships. But money per se are a wonderful opportunity for independence, for taking care of dreams and for future me.

What is your biggest money regret?
Trusting financial advisors connected to banks and that were not independent. I was only 18 back then but I could have made much better choices if I would have self-studied earlier.

What financial goals are you working towards?
FIRE movement, quit my job and work on side projects if I need a change, travel for some months at 30 years old and eventually buying a house.

Who is your financial role model (if any), and why?
My grandfather, he was an entrepreneur, a big risk taker, a visionary.

What I Spent in a Week

Day 1 – Monday: £60.80 ($79.50)

‍• Psychologist: £43.20 ($56.50) (I go twice a month)
• Weekly groceries: £17.60 ($23)

Day 2 – Tuesday: £96 ($126) ‍

• Dental cleaning: £96 ($126)

(I tend to book all the health checks and visits toward year end)

No other expenses as I ate in the canteen ($5.50 per meal deducted from salary) and went to the office by bike.

Day 3 – Wednesday: £92.50 ($120.80)‍

• Dentist appointment: £70.50 ($92) (part of it was covered by the insurance)
• Dinner at restaurant (1 glass of wine + main dish): £22 ($28.80)

Day 4 – Thursday: £0 ($0)‍

• No costs as I ate at the canteen, went to the office by bike, and brought my dinner from home at the evening German classes (I paid them all upfront when I started).

Day 5 – Friday: £4.60 ($6)‍

• Coffee with friends: £4.60 ($6)

Day 6 – Saturday: £26.40 ($34.50)‍

• Groceries for a couple of days: £8.80 ($11.50)
• Opera ticket (under 27 discount): £17.60 ($23)

Day 7 – Sunday: £9.40 ($12.50)‍

• Mulled wine at the Christmas markets: £5.20 ($7)
• Return metro ticket: £4.20 ($5.50)

Total Weekly Spend: £309.70 ($379.30)

Reflections on my spending

‍I am happy of how this week went. I had to spend a bit more than usual for dentist visits, but other than that no big expenses.

I tend to spend more at the beginning of the month when I pay the rent, phone and gym subscription.

‍