What I Spent This Week as an Account Manager Making $57K

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): £2,850 ($3,791)

Do you share expenses with someone: Yes  

What is your overall monthly budget?

• Rent: £0 ($0) (I don't pay rent; I live in my husband's flat)  
• Bills, subscriptions, groceries & utilities (joint account): £400 ($532)  
• Transportation: £360 ($479)  
• Mobile bills: £17 ($23)  
• French insurance (paid quarterly at £180): £60 ($80) per month equivalent (I usually go to France 2 to 4 times a year to see my family and see my GP, dentist, gynaecologist, etc.)  
• Language classes: £105 ($140)  
• Gym: £81 ($108)  
• Vitality insurance: £43.95 ($58)  
• Disney Plus: £5.99 ($8)  
• Personal groceries (such as lunch for office days, individual snacks): £60 ($80)  
• Vanguard automated investments: min £700 ($931) per month (some months I might increase this to £1,000 ($1,330) when I don't have many expenses like Eurostar tickets or medical bills in France, or I may send ~€100 [$335] help my mom finish the month)  
• Sinking funds / savings:
  • Holidays (2027): £170 ($226)  
  • Joint savings account (unplanned household expenses, car fines, repairs, furniture): £50 ($67)  
  • Christmas gifts (2026): £40 ($53)
  
  

Amount left each month after essentials (to spend, save or invest): To spend: £200 ($266), save: £210 ($279), invest: min £700 ($931) per month. I may increase the amount to £1,000 ($1,330) some months when I don't have many expenses such as Eurostar tickets, or medical bills in France as I'm going through fertility issues and doing tests in France.

Dependents (if any): 0  

My Relationship with Money

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

No, just my dad saying you need to save, but without specific guidance.  

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

Admin assistant at the Paris town hall. I was 17. I got it through my dad's girlfriend.  

Did you worry about money growing up?

Yes, especially for my mom as my parents were separated.  

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

I became financially responsible as soon as I had to pay my mobile bill at 19. I guess my financial safety net is my emergency funds.  

Do you worry about money now?

Yes, all the time, as I'm also trying to conceive with my husband.  

What is your biggest money regret?

Spending too much money on clothing in my 20s and not saving it more towards building an emergency fund. Six years ago I barely had £50 ($67) as an emergency fund.  

What financial goals are you working towards?

First a house deposit, to save as much as I can. I thought about planning a separate one for potential pregnancy/baby, but since it is a challenge if needed, I'd rather take part of it from my house deposit when I get pregnant.  

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

• My friend Ulyana that randomly talked about investing and how she's doing it on our morning weekly walk. Today she's about to purchase her dream house in London — love that for her!  
• Founders of Female Invest, knowing that this is helping a lot of women (I wish my mom would have had that younger) on their journey to financial literacy; I can only admire their work.  
• The YouTuber Nischa; her videos are clear and well explained.  

Reflections on My Spending Habits:

I did save pretty good on my coffee expenses as I make sure to check I have some coupons or discounts, but I do get some occasional unexpected spending on personal care that are quite high. Sometimes I carry that as debt for the next month, because I didn't plan for running out of foundation and face care products that I urgently need, as I still have acne as an adult.

What I Spent in a Week

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Day 1: Monday – £84.00 ($112)

• £70.00 ($93) — Discounted Eurostar train ticket  
• £11.50 ($15) — TfL travel  
• £2.50 ($3) — Cookie   ‍

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Day 2: Tuesday – £18.40 ($24)

• £9.60 ($13) — TfL travel  
• £5.00 ($7) — Passport photo  
• £3.80 ($5) — Eating out (snacks)   ‍

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Day 3: Wednesday – £60.00 ($80)

• £42.00 ($56) — Clothes tailoring  
• £9.60 ($13) — Personal groceries  
• £8.40 ($11) — TfL travel   ‍

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Day 4: Thursday – £6.80 ($9)

• £4.80 ($6) — TfL travel  
• £2.00 ($3) — Matcha latte  

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Day 5: Friday – £81.90 ($109)

• £50.00 ($67) — Jewelry shop to resize my engagement ring  
• £16.75 ($22) — Eating out  
• £12.80 ($17) — TfL travel  
• £2.35 ($3) — Flat white   ‍

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Day 6: Saturday – £0.00 ($0)

• £0.00 ($0) — No-spend day — I stayed at home.   ‍

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Day 7: Sunday – £193.13 ($257)

• £157.98 ($210) — Make up / beauty products  
• £12.00 ($16) — Nail salon to take off gel polish  
• £11.50 ($15) — Bakery  
• £7.80 ($10) — TfL travel  
• £3.85 ($5) — Coffee  

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Total Weekly Spend: £444.23 ($591)

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