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WELCOME TO HOW I Spend My Money, a series on TheJournal.ie that runs on Wednesdays and Sundays and looks at what people in Ireland really do with their cash.
We’ve asked readers to keep a record of how much they earn, how much they save, if anything, and what they spend their money on over the course of one week.
Each money diary is submitted by readers just like you. When reading and commenting, bear in mind that their situation will not be relatable for everyone, it is simply an account of a week in their shoes.
Last time, a 30-year-old software developer on €77,000 wrote how he balanced an active social life with saving and investments. Today, a 32-year-old HR manager in Sligo walks us through his week which involves saving for Christmas.
I’m 32 and live in Sligo where I work for a large manufacturer as a HR business partner.
I used to work in Dublin but I made the move back home to Sligo two years ago. The cost of living and property is much more expensive in Dublin, but I spend more on transport in Sligo because I need a car to get around.
I own an apartment in Sligo, which would never have been possible in Dublin. My mortgage comes to €540 per month which I know is much cheaper than Dublin rent.
Most of my financial goals are long-term. I would like to buy health insurance but other priorities just keep coming up. I want to continue saving for a pension in the hope that I may be able to retire before 70! The idea of buying a second property is also appealing although a very long way away.
Outside of work I enjoy eating out, going for drinks, spending time with family and friends, reading and going to the gym.
Occupation: HR Business Partner
Age: 32
Location: Sligo
Salary: €45,000
Monthly pay (net): €2,850
Mortgage: €540
Mortgage protection: €15
House insurance: €10
Management fees: €85
Pension: €270
Car loan: €255
Petrol: €170
Car insurance: €60
Car tax: €23
Electricity: €100
Phone bill: €55
TV and broadband: €85
TV licence: €13
Medical expenses: €200
Groceries: €200
Subscriptions: €10.99 Netflix, €9.99 Spotify, Gym €19
Savings for Christmas: €42
Savings for holidays: €200
General savings: €200
This week my expenses were relatively high, so my extra spending came out of savings.
***
7:30am: My alarm goes off and I struggle to get out of bed - no matter how much you love your job, Monday is Monday! By 8:10am I’m showered, changed and fuelled by coffee, ready for the day ahead (or at least the drive to work).
8:30am: I arrive at work and spend the morning with my head down.
11:00am: Time for a cup of tea and something to eat. I’ve never been good at eating in the morning so I’m trying to make sure I get something into me before noon. Today it’s a bowl of porridge.
1:30pm: Lunch time. Our canteen in work offers free food which is a great perk. Today there is a carbonara on the menu which I can’t pass up.
3:30pm: The day is nearly over, but I’m flagging so I skip out of the office and grab a takeaway coffee in the local shop (€2.50). I could grab a cup of the instant coffee in work but in all honesty it tastes like muck!
5:30pm: I leave the office and drive into town. I need to grab a few bits of clothes for work. I pick up a few bits in Penneys (€45.60) and pay for parking (€3).
7:00pm: I get home and make myself a chicken curry. There’s plenty left over so I’ll get tomorrow out of it as well. I’m wrecked after all of today’s excitement and settle in for a quiet night of TV.
10:00pm: Lights out
Today's total: €51.10
7:30am: My alarm goes off and I get up for and get ready for work. I leave the apartment at 8:10am and arrive in the office by 8:30am. It’s amazing how much of your life you get back when you are not commuting in and out of a city centre.
10:30am: It's break time so I grab some tea and porridge again. To mix things up I put a spoonful of honey in it!
1:30pm: Lunch time. On the menu today is chilli con carne which I grab with some salad.
5:00pm: I leave the office after a busy day and head to the gym for a swim to dust off the cobwebs.
6:30pm: I grab a few bits in Tesco on my way home from the gym (€4.40). Once I’m home I eat the rest of yesterday’s leftover curry and do some laundry and ironing – who says I don’t lead a rock and roll lifestyle?
9:00pm: I catch up on some TV and head for bed around 10:30pm.
Today's total: €4.40
7:30am: I get up and get ready for work and I'm in the office by 8:30am.
10:30am: I have a quick bowl of cornflakes to keep me going for the morning.
1:00pm: It's lunch time and today the canteen has poached salmon and garden vegetables – when I think about how much money I used to spend grabbing a sandwich it sends shivers down my spine.
3:30pm: Looks like this afternoon is going to need a jolt of energy so I pop out for another one of those cheeky coffees from the local shop (€2.50).
5:00pm: I leave the office and head home. I’m having a friend over for dinner this evening. We're both decent cooks so we take it in turns to have each other over for dinner.
6:30pm: I cobbled together a caprese salad and chicken alfredo - not the most complex thing in the world but decent, hearty food. My friend brings a bottle of wine with her which is more than welcome.
9:30pm: My friend leaves and I do a spot of clean-up and catch a bit of TV before bed at 10:30pm.
Today's total: €2.50
7:00am: I get up, shower and get ready for work. I’m a bit earlier than usual as I want to be in the office by 8:00am to get stuck into something quite heavy while the office is fairly quiet.
10:30am: The morning has flown in! Time for a little break with a cup of tea and my trusted old friend - a bowl of porridge.
1:30pm: Lunch time! I have chicken korma today which is lovely as always and cost me nothing!
5:00pm: I leave work and head to the gym. I’ve been really lazy this week, so I make up for lost time by doing an hour of cardio. I’ll be back tomorrow to do some weights, I promise…
6:30pm: After finishing in the gym I head to Dunnes Stores to do my weekly grocery shop. I know I might be crucified for admitting to doing my shopping somewhere that’s not Aldi or Lidl, but it suits me well and their €10 off when you spend €50 makes it worth my while. This week I need to buy laundry detergent and cleaning supplies as well as my weekly shop, so I spend €61.12 where I would normally spend €45.
7:30pm: I'm back home and I put the shopping away and make a stir-fry with oyster sauce. I relax for the evening and watch some TV before bed.
Today's total: €61.12
7:30am: It’s Friday!!! Usual routine and arrive into work at 8:30am.
10:30am: I grab a quick break and have some tea and porridge.
1:00pm: It's lunch time. On Friday it’s usually something fun and a little unhealthy. Today it’s pizza – I am very happy.
4:00pm: I’ve worked extra time so I’m treating myself to an hour off today to catch up on some life admin.
4:30pm: I get a haircut (€13 plus €5 tip). Considering I would pay €20+ for a cut in Dublin this feels very reasonable.
5:15pm: I treat myself to a decent bottle of wine (€13.99) and a sharing bag of crisps (not for one I swear) for €2.50.
5:30pm: I arrive home and reheat yesterday’s stir-fry. I would normally go out on a Friday but it’s been a long week and I skip the after-work pints and chill out at home with my bottle of wine and some cheese before bed.
Today's total: €34.49
11:00am: I’m being really self-indulgent today and have a lie-in. When I eventually get up, I make myself a smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel – this is what weekends are made for!
12:00pm: I catch up on some reading. I love reading, but I’m terrible at making time for it so I’m challenging myself to read a book every two weeks.
3:00pm: I pop over to my friend’s house and stop for petrol on the way (€59.76). We catch up for a while and head out to dinner later. It’s my treat as it’s their birthday soon and I don’t see them nearly enough. Dinner and drinks for two comes to €90.40 – it seems expensive but we had three courses and a bottle of wine.
11:00pm: I head home and watch Netflix for a while before bed.
Today's total: €150.16
9:00am: I wake up and catch up on some housework. The stuff dreams are made of!
11:00am: I head to the gym and do some weights. I’ve been very bad this week – maybe I need a gym diary instead!!!
2:00pm: Mam and Dad come to visit. It’s been a while since I have seen them properly so it’s nice to catch-up. I nip out to the shop and pick up a bottle of wine (€10.49). I do a roast chicken which takes up a good chunk of the afternoon.
5:00pm: We eat and they leave shortly afterwards. I spend the rest of the evening getting ready for the week ahead and relaxing in front of the TV.
Today's total: €10.49
What I learned:
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The best moment, was big jack yelling at the Combat18 scmbags to f off and go home
@Niall O’Shea: Yer man fairly Sh&T himself when big Jack grabbed him by the scruff of the neck.
@Niall O’Shea: not even close..it was watching the Gardaí baton the she ite out of them and spilling a bit of claret in the process…priceless.
RTE need to replace that Rosie movie tonight with something more light hearted – talk about doom and gloom.
@wormtubes: havnt looked yea.but a could comedy is needed..
@wormtubes: Reruns of previous World Cup / Euro Games with the RTE panel of Bill and the lads from 88,90 etc …Cmon RTE
@wormtubes: a bit of nostalgia always works wonders at a time like this
@wormtubes: first thing I thought of when I seen the ads about two weeks was: that’s a miserable film for st Patrick’s day, never mind what’s gone on since, I’m sure it will be good but by Jesus we do do misery really well.what I wouldn’t give for the big labowski/ life of Brian/ blazing saddles or the blues brothers
@wormtubes: i agree.its a very good well acted movie but christ the timing is bad.
@Stan Kowalskis: 100%especially after miseryguts Claire Byrne last night. Turned it off after 10 mins, I appreciate its times serious but she is so depressing.
@wormtubes: they haven’t a clue
Packie saving the penalty was immense. Then up stepped big Dave!
@FrontSeatDriver:
I had the great Life’s fortune to be there in Genoa at the game that day. I was right behind the goal…I was in early 20s … but there was a elderly Man from Dublin beside us who was going to games since 1950s …he couldn’t bear to watch the penalty shoot-out and I kid you not he knelt down facing the opposite direction clutching a set of a Rosary beads …as the penalty shoot was in progress !
Needless say the delirium that followed Packie’s save & David O’Learys winning strike …well the rest is history !
My only small nit pick with the program .. was it never conveyed how close we came to beating the Italians ..while Schilacci scored the winning goal….Ireland had 2 or 3 great chances which were saved by Walter Zenga , one of the great all time goalkeepers !
Although we lost, the quarter final against Italy in Rome always fills me with immense pride ,it’s the night we arrived on the international stage,a few thousand Irish flags amongst a vast bank of Italians,fantastic atmosphere and occasion,they done us proud!!!
@David Devereaux: yes it was an incredible night .. in the 70,000 seater stadium …. I think the Irish managed to secure 15,000 tickets on the night ….. and the Paddys out sang the the majority almost 50,000 Italians for most of the game … it was a special night …
And afterwards the Irish crowd sang and chanted in the stadium for about 45 mins to 1 hr until Big Jack Charlton … appeared
Of course before Big Jack came out …. the one and only Charles J Haughey ( Taoiseach ) came down on to the pitch to salute the Irish Crowd .. from memory, I don’t think he got the welcome / adulation he was expecting …. And quickly exited stage left .. :()
Robbie Keane goal v Germany 2002
@Ron: you didn’t watch the documentary now did you?
@James Doherty: Correct James. My 14 day old baby might have stopped me.
@Ron: did or didn’t?
@Ron: haha….Zing!! Congrats Ron….enjoy every minute of it! You will have time to watch things again at some stage, don’t worry!
@Ron: Mick MC Carthy was manager for that one.
@James Doherty: in fairness the question doesnt mention Jack Charlton it just says boys in green so it’s ok if that is his favorite moment!!
@Mark O Brien: “Boys in green” was the title of the documentary
Congratulations on your new bundle of joy.
Was in Rome when the Italians beat us 1-nil.
When the final whistle blew ever Irish person in the stadium stood up and sang fir about 20 mins. The locals looked on in amazement and applauded the Irish fans, we swapped scarves, jerseys and hugged. Special memory.
Jack trying not to smile when timofte missed..
Houghtons lob vs Italy , still remember the commentary , “Baresi , onto it comes Houghton , Rrraayyyyy Houghton” . Class Moment
@Ríain HenC:
I met Ray in person, in 2006 the FAI had their AGM in Mayo, as part of the football week as part of the AGM where they traveled around all the Mayo League clubs. On the Tuesday night they were at our club Killala FC where they opened out new Astra turf pitch. At the endd of the evening he enquired what was out normel pub but alas before he could get away he was nabed by a FAI official to get on the bus and move on to Castlebar.
In the last game before they went to USA in 94, they played a friendly against Austria, our U12′s was ballboys, one of the lads was behind one of the goals, Casscarino came warming up at their end, his biro stopped working, Cassa ran back to the dugout and got im a new biro. Unlike another famous player at the time, he was not part of the squad for that game but was on the pitch afterwards, when the lads asked him for his autograph he walked past theem if they were not there
Roberto baggio still in Paul McGrath’s pocket
Packies save is the defining image of italia 90 really. I feel for dave o leary a bit! Tremendous times, Houghton in New Jersey was a great moment also
You’d have to be of a certain age for one of these to be your moment, you need to have lived the game as it happened to make it special, Mc Ateer against Holland in lansdowne was a great moment for me
Looking back both of Ray’s goals were amazing but there was a lot of game to be played so was so tense. With O’Learys penalty you knew it meant we were into the last 8
Niall Quinn scoring against Holland in Italia 90.
The sound of mahogany on stupid when the riot squad eventually arrived. It wasn’t in the programme exactly but I was on the south terrace that night and it was quite a thing.
Although we lost the game ,the quarter final against Italy in Rome always fills me with immense pride,it’s the night we arrived on the world stage,a few thousand Irish flags amongst a vast bank of Italians,a great atmosphere and occasion,The team done us proud on the night.
My favourite moment was in The Salmon Leap Bar with all the die hard fans in Leixlip on the Wed 11th Nov 87 when Scotland beating Bulgaria that kicked off the Adventure for the county. I remember having to leave the pub as no singing or music allowed and driving up the main st beeping our car horns and people looking at us in bewilderment not having a clue what we were celebrating. Ended up in the Hitchin Post and Gaa club of all places!!
I have to say the Ronnie Whelan goal v USSR, I was at the match in Hannover with a couple of pals, we all missed the goal as we were just going down before we jumped up before the Mexican wave.
Only saw it on TV after the match, was brilliant craic there
Although we lost,the quarter final in Rome against Italy always fills me with pride,it’s the night we arrived on the international stage and such a great event to be part of.The few thousand Irish flags amongst the vast bank of Italians ,a special night.They dome is proud!!!
@David Devereaux: alright Dave we got it….quarter final v Italy!!
@Joe Kennedy: did I mention Rome?
@David Devereaux: haha….think you did somewhere yeah.
@David Devereaux: Whenever it says
@Kevin Maughan: Whenever it says “There’s a problem posting your comment” don’t keep hitting post as it’ll keep repeating!
@Kevin Maughan: and be careful not to hit the post button in the middle of
@Kevin Maughan: I got that
Halcyon days
My Favorite moment was the police battering the shit out of the English.
Someone should reshow all the games from Euro 88 from first round to Final.
Even the middle aged among us only have vague memories of it.
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