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Money Diaries follow-up A student air traffic controller on €24K living in Shannon

This week, our reader revisits her spending habits in her second Money Diary and finds out she’s doing OK.

WELCOME TO HOW I Spend My Money, a series on The Journal that looks at how people in Ireland really handle their finances.

We’re asking readers to keep a record of how much they earn, what they save if anything, and what they’re spending their money on over the course of one week.

Are you a spender, a saver or a splurger? We’re looking for readers who will keep a money diary for a week. If you’re interested send a mail to money@thejournal.ie. We would love to hear from you. 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, so let’s be kind.

Last time around, we heard from a nurse on €40K living in Dublin and saving to buy a home. This week, a student air traffic controller on €24K living in Shannon does a second Money Diary, following up on one they kept for The Journal in 2021

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A lot has changed since I did my previous Money Diaries, which I wrote while living in my parents’ house while saving for a deposit for a home. In my previous diary, I worried that I would never be able to afford a home. The good news is that this dream became a reality (although I bought it in Galway City rather than Dublin City). I am now the proud owner of a two-bed apartment!

Previously I had been working remotely as a software developer, however, I was offered a place on a training course for my dream career: Air Traffic Controller.

I gave up a lot to take the job. The training from March this year until March 2024 is unpaid apart from a student stipend of €300 per week with no perks. The training is in Shannon and I tried to live in Galway and drive back and forth every day, but this proved too challenging. So I had to let out my apartment and rent another home in Shannon instead.

I am living on an extremely small budget in an apartment that isn’t as nice as I’d like, but it will be all worth it when I get my license and start working next year. I am currently spending my savings rather than adding to them.

Occupation: Student air traffic controller

Age: 34

Location: Shannon

Salary: €24,000, plus €22,000 in rental income

Monthly pay (net): €2,800

Monthly expenses

Transport: €200

Rent: €1,750

Household bills: €200

Phone bill: €20

Health insurance: n/a

Groceries: €150

Subscriptions: Disney+, Netflix, NowTv, Spotify, pole dance lessons = €120

***

Monday

8.00 am: I get up for work and have a banana for breakfast and make a coffee in my machine to take to work. The machine at work charges €0.50 per cup and it’s not even nice coffee! I walk to work, which takes 10 minutes.

12.30 pm: I have lunch in the canteen at work. My employer covers the cost of my lunch each day so I use this as my main meal and have a large salad.

5.00 pm: After work, I walk home and have cereal as a snack with a spoonful of Nutella. I then pay some bills and make some online purchases (laser hair removal – €111, Lotto – €20, portion of apartment management fee – €100).

6.30 pm: I drive from Shannon to Limerick for a pole dance lesson. I don’t take the toll road as it is only four minutes quicker to avoid it.

 

Today’s total: €231.00

Tuesday

8.00 am: I have a banana for breakfast before walking to work: I bring my own cafe-au-lait.

12.45 pm: I have my lunch free in the canteen.

6.15 pm: I drive to Claregalway as I have rehearsals for a show that I’m doing there in November.

9.15 pm: Despite being hungry in the car home, I resist the urge to get drive-thru McDonalds. I just can’t afford it!

10.30 pm: When I get home, I have some cereal and then have a beer from my fridge while video calling with the guy I’m dating. I go to bed afterwards. 

Today’s total: €0.00

Wednesday

8.00 am: After a quick shower I have Greek yoghurt and a banana for breakfast. I make a cafe au lait for the walk to work.

1.00 pm: I walk home during my lunch break as I have to take an antibiotic (that I had forgotten to take in the morning) but I had my free lunch in the canteen first!

5.00 pm: After work, I have a snack of cereal and some crackers.

6.15 pm: I drive to Claregalway in the evening as I have rehearsals there again. I stop at a petrol station for €20 petrol. I was feeling really tired and I also get two bars of Dairy Milk chocolate for €3. Sometimes you just need to treat yourself.

10.30 pm: Dinner at home is cereal as usual and an apple.

Today’s total: €23.00

Thursday

8.00 am: Work is as normal: I bring my own cappuccino and have lunch free in the canteen.

7.00 pm: After work, I have a dinner date so I pick up a bottle of Champagne in Lidl to bring (€20) to his house where we eat dinner and then watch France vs. Ireland on TV.

Today’s total: €20.00

Friday

8.00 am: Work is as normal: I bring my own cappuccino and have lunch free in the canteen.

3.30 pm: I finish work early on Fridays so I head home and try and get some chores done around the house (laundry, cleaning, changing sheets).

4.30 pm: I go for a 6k jog, but feel very tired during it.

6.00 pm: I have a beer from my fridge and cereal for dinner.

7.00 pm: Spend the rest of the evening chilling and watching Netflix.

Today’s total: €0.00

Saturday

8.30 am: I have a coffee and after waking up a bit, I drive (5 mins) to my local park run. After running my 5k I return home and have breakfast.

10.30 am: I attach my surfboard to my car and drive to Lahinch for a session. I previously was paying €30 to rent a surfboard and wetsuit each time, but my parents bought me a board, wetsuit and roof rack so I could surf for free while I’m a student. I’m aware of how lucky I am to have parents who are eager to help out like that.

2.30 pm: I have cereal for a snack when I get home from surfing.

7.00 pm: In the evening I contemplate going to the cinema as it’s National Cinema Day but there isn’t anything interesting on (I’ve already seen Barbie and Oppenheimer) so instead I get a takeaway (€20) and watch Queen Charlotte on Netflix.

Today’s total: €20.00

Sunday

9.30 am: I start the day with a 4k jog and then breakfast at home.

1.00 pm: I have to drive to rehearsal in Claregalway so I stop in Lidl on the way to pick up some bananas and energy drinks as snacks for today and throughout the week. I also get a pain-au-chocolat as it is free on the Lidl app (€3.54 altogether).

5.30 pm: I have to stop for petrol but I only put in €20. I think my car runs more efficiently when I don’t fill the tank up fully, it’s less heavy that way.

7.00 pm: Once I’m home, I have a video call with my sisters and then have the Chinese takeaway leftovers for dinner.

Today’s total: €23.54

Weekly subtotal: €317.54

***

What I learned –

  • Some people might comment on how boring my food choices are (mostly due to my budget) but I love having cereal for dinner every day. It’s a treat for me.
  • I didn’t realise how much I was spending on subscriptions. But after reviewing them now I haven’t cancelled any as I legitimately use them all! I’m trying to be frugal but at the same time, we have to retain some of life’s little luxuries.
  • My sister sent me a quote that said that if people switch from a long drive to work to walking to work their happiness increases as much as if they’d fallen in love. I definitely agree with this! (I’m also spending a lot less money on petrol.)

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35 Comments
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    Mute Fiona Liston
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    Sep 24th 2023, 8:11 PM

    €1750/month seems steep for Shannon

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    Mute Susan Cody
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    Sep 24th 2023, 10:00 PM

    @Fiona Liston: and a very mediocre one bedroom at that.

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    Mute
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    Sep 25th 2023, 5:28 AM

    @Susan Cody: yes it looks like there are some spoofing and lies going on her, big time. Can we report it?

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    Mute Shane Mc
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    Sep 25th 2023, 9:25 AM

    @: Obvs some of you can’t complete basic arithmetic, the 2800 net is a combination of rental income minus tax and net pay from her 24k/year job. Also people hating on her diet, wtf? Looks like she’s living an active lifestyle, better off directing the hate to the system that has made healthy food expensive and in-accessible to people on a tight budget. Only thing that I would say is if the weekly miles could be brought down would defo have a savings benefit longer term, if carpooling was an option or get himself to give you a lift!

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    Mute Ian Cryan
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    Sep 25th 2023, 11:28 AM

    @Shane Mc: you just don’t get it she says in 1 part all she gets from her training course is 300e a week now I’m no geneuis but that in salary only adds up to 15600 not as she then writes e24000 in salary .

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    Mute
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    Sep 25th 2023, 12:18 PM

    @Shane Mc: not so intelligent are you mr dumbo? Lol

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    Mute Gearoid MacEachaidh
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    Sep 24th 2023, 8:04 PM

    Jesus that’s not much Mon for that job even if you’re just training

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    Mute RC247
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    Oct 2nd 2023, 8:48 PM

    @Gearoid MacEachaidh: Has to be one of the most stressful jobs, and with so much responsibility

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    Mute Peter
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    Sep 24th 2023, 8:08 PM

    Fantastic career, when your qualified, consider euro control. Huge money for a person under 30,you won’t have a mortgage by 40.

    Spend more on your groceries, your health is your wealth and I believe your landlord should be paying management fees for the apartment, not you. Its their house, they are being cheeky.

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    Mute P.J. Nolan
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    Sep 24th 2023, 9:24 PM

    @Peter:
    Landlord paying the management fees is the norm

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    Mute Costigan Family
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    Sep 24th 2023, 9:58 PM

    @Peter:
    Maybe it’s the management fee for her own apartment in Galway?

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    Mute Peter Clancy
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    Sep 24th 2023, 8:32 PM

    Cereal for dinner most evenings and considers it a treat, miserable existence if you ask me.

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    Mute Costigan Family
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    Sep 24th 2023, 10:04 PM

    Your diet is appalling! Cereal should be a snack, not your dinner! You could have a couple of slices of toast and a half a tin of beans, which would be far more nutritious. Or how about making a pot of veg soup and have a cheese sandwich with it? All your food groups are there and would cost virtually nothing. Like a previous commenter said, your health is your wealth but you won’t remain healthy for long, eating like that. Frankly, I don’t know how you have the energy to walk, let alone run!

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    Mute HAC
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    Sep 25th 2023, 8:22 AM

    @Costigan Family: there is absolutely nothing healthy about a cheese sandwich or toast and beans! Fair enough beans are healthy and good for fibre but seriously don’t be giving out nutrition advice to people! Cereal is absolutely not healthy completely processed but so is bread.

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    Mute Costigan Family
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    Sep 25th 2023, 6:37 PM

    @HAC:
    I beg your pardon? A cheese sandwich on brown bread with maybe some salad added + a bowl of homemade vegetable soup is not nutritious? I’ve reared a family on limited means and had to be resourceful while not resorting to convenience food, to feed my children and keep them healthy.
    This person is apparently of limited means and I was merely suggesting foods that are healthy, easily and quickly prepared. What’s wrong with that?

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    Mute Ian Cryan
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    Sep 24th 2023, 8:14 PM

    Sorry if I’m wrong but am I missing something. The person says there on e300 a week with no perks that is e15600 a year not 28000 as they say above in salary

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    Mute Ian Cryan
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    Sep 24th 2023, 8:15 PM

    @Ian Cryan: sorry e24000

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    Mute
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    Sep 24th 2023, 9:02 PM

    @Ian Cryan: Says their net pay per month is €2800 that’s €33600 per year. That works out at roughly €650 per week. Clearly this story is made up and not proof read.

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    Mute Dave X
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    Sep 24th 2023, 10:07 PM

    @: the nett pay detailed includes the rent on the house in Galway which is taxable.

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    Mute Ich
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    Sep 25th 2023, 1:04 AM

    @Ian Cryan: I also would consider the free lunches as a perk.

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    Mute Ian Cryan
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    Sep 25th 2023, 5:50 AM

    @Dave X: I’m talking about the e24000 she said was her salary that is more than the e300 per week pay she also said. I wasn’t even mentioning about her income from her rental property as above she has that separate then she includes her total net pay

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    Mute Lesley
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    Sep 24th 2023, 9:15 PM

    Now I’m never one for saying these are fake but the maths just doesn’t add up. Rent on the Shannon place is €1750 and it isn’t as nice as she’d like. She net pay doesn’t add up. Her stipend adds up to €15,600 on €24,000

    Maybe I’m wrong I’d love to be proved wrong @thejournal

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    Mute Ian Cryan
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    Sep 24th 2023, 9:24 PM

    @Lesley: exactly my words as per comments above. Something doesn’t add up

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    Mute Allo Allo
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    Sep 24th 2023, 8:51 PM

    Keep it up, not complaining like the teachers because you are not on fully qualified/experienced wages when only in the door, good luck.

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    Mute Robert Bell
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    Sep 24th 2023, 9:09 PM

    Mad way to live, eating too many bananas too.

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    Mute sean weir
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    Sep 24th 2023, 8:19 PM

    Net pay is 2800 that’s 33600 per year NET

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    Mute Max Loy
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    Sep 28th 2023, 5:54 PM

    @sean weir: the 33600€ net perfectly make sense – if you see 24000€ from the job + 22000€ rental income would form a total gross of 46k – 33600€ net out of that sounds realistic.

    BUT : there is a mention of 24K for the job and then 300 a week salary – that’s the part where it does definitely not add up somehow

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    Mute
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    Sep 24th 2023, 10:59 PM

    Tax free stipend, and an obvious eating disorder.

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    Mute
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    Sep 24th 2023, 8:30 PM

    Well done to you. That property will be a fantastic asset for you in future years.

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    Mute Paddy C
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    Sep 24th 2023, 11:28 PM

    Sounds like the REAL average salary unlike the figures I hear of yet see loads homeless and struggling week to week with literally no life so they ain’t spending it

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    Mute Mannix Loganfxxx
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    Sep 25th 2023, 12:37 PM

    Good thinking if the air traffic control doesn’t work out you can fall back on the pole dancing

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    Mute Francesca Gubellini
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    Sep 25th 2023, 12:00 AM

    More than the way she spends her money all I see is her banoffee breakfast (banana and coffee) so there’s no point in saying what she eats lol, cereals for dinner, 4-5-6k runs. Not sure what to think. But, good luck with your course! I’m sure you’ll pass with…flying colours (no pun intended)

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    Mute Vinny Shaughnessy
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    Sep 26th 2023, 9:20 AM

    This person has to be malnourished with that diet. No excuse for not being able to eat healthier at age 34.

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    Mute James Brennan
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    Oct 16th 2023, 12:18 PM

    I’m no mathematics expert, but don’t landlord’s pay 50% of rental income in tax? If that true to get a 22000k rental income she is renting out her apartment for over 3.5k a month!!! Had a look at her last diary when she was earning 50k a year her net income was 2700 a month, but now its 2800 while earing less. Seems like the figures are all wrong with this one. In her last diary she was saying she couldn’t get a high enough mortgage approval, but no mention of a mortgage on the apartment? Just seems to be to vague to be correct , that or is was written by a politician who is a master of sketchy financial records

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