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Money Diaries Are you all set for the spending season? Would you like to keep a diary for us?

This week, we’re on the hunt for fresh contributions to this segment – are you in need of a check of your finances? Keep a diary…

WELL, THE BUDGET has passed without any great fanfare and we’re looking at that time of year again… Christmas. It’s a nice break to the dark winter days but also brings with it some major financial strain. Whether it’s presents, travel or just getting that turkey on the table, everyone feels the pinch. 

So, we thought you’d like to consider keeping one of our money diaries ahead of that spending spree, just for a look at how your finances are looking.

Readers here at The Journal will be familiar with our popular How I Spend My Money series, which looks at how people in Ireland really handle their income and outgoings. Over the years, the series has chronicled the lives and financial ups and downs of hundreds of readers.

We are asking you to get in touch and write a Money Diary to help us build a picture of financial lives in Ireland right now…

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Would my diary be of interest?

Absolutely. Everyone is in a different place when it comes to money and will have different incomes and outgoings.

Everyone also has different approaches to finances. For instance, are you a good saver, or does money burn a hole in your pocket? Can you afford a pension? What about mortgages, are you confident you could qualify for one, are you meeting your mortgage payments?

If none of the above even seems remotely possible right now, then we also want to hear from you. It’s not an easy time and we get that, so you might just feel like saying ‘I can’t make ends meet’ and that’s ok too.

How does it work?

Over the course of a week, we ask you, our readers, to keep a record of how much you earn, what you save if anything, and what you spend your money on.

Send a message of interest to money@thejournal.ie and we will send back a diary template.

Our Money Diaries readers also love to hear about your day, what kind of routine you have, what you had for dinner – all of it. Woven into that is a note through the day about how much you spent on groceries, incidentals and other expenses.

Readers often get helpful information and tips from reading the diaries, so include details about Revolut vaults or other handy savings tips you might have.

What next?

If you’re interested in keeping a diary for a week, send an email to money@thejournal.ie and we’ll get in touch. We would love to hear from you.

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23 Comments
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    Mute Ollie Fitzpatrick
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    Nov 12th 2023, 8:40 PM

    Contributors should remember that it is a money diary and not an actual minute by minute account of your day. For instance no need for things like I took the dog for a walk, I milked the cows, I went to the gym etc etc. They are long and boring enough with no need to pad it out.

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    Mute Emer Daly
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    Nov 12th 2023, 8:57 PM

    @Ollie Fitzpatrick: I like hearing about people’s day to day though aswell as what they spend on.

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    Mute Ollie Fitzpatrick
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    Nov 12th 2023, 9:23 PM

    @Emer Daly: but it’s a daily money diary , not a daily blog! We have enough to worry about or gloat over in our own daily lives. Also how many are actually factual?

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    Mute Jason Memail
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    Nov 12th 2023, 9:56 PM

    @Ollie Fitzpatrick: “everything I don’t like is fake”

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    Mute Emer Daly
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    Nov 12th 2023, 10:30 PM

    @Ollie Fitzpatrick: I know but it’d be very short if it was only about money spent. I dunno but I look forward to these diaries.

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    Mute Maniac 2000
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    Nov 12th 2023, 11:13 PM

    @Ollie Fitzpatrick: the journal want information on what you do during the day. Makes it interesting and relatable

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    Mute
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    Nov 13th 2023, 12:11 AM

    @Ollie Fitzpatrick: Boring!

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    Mute Ryan O'Rourke'Glynn
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    Nov 13th 2023, 12:54 AM

    @Ollie Fitzpatrick: don’t read them then?

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    Mute offside again
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    Nov 12th 2023, 8:28 PM

    I spend as little as possible. I’m not mean, it’s just the way it was back when I was young. So it wouldn’t be an interesting diary ..
    There wasn’t such a variety of stuff to spend money on either.

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    Mute Ron Burgundy
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    Nov 13th 2023, 12:45 AM

    @offside again: there’s a lad on boards.ie that was due a free bottle of honey, cheap sh.te less that €2 and he drove to six different Lidls until he found one that had it in stock. Guy is all over freebies on every bargain alert thread, like a cheap suit. He got laughed out of it over there but I’d love to see his money diary here for the cringe factor laugh.

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    Mute
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    Nov 13th 2023, 1:59 AM

    @Ron Burgundy: there’s a big overlap of the r@tards from boards and the mong0s on the journal

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    Mute Antóin Ó Cumamothóin
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    Nov 12th 2023, 9:43 PM

    I was hoping to save up a few grand by next spring, but it’s looking uncertain now that my usual clientele have outsourced most escorting jobs to the Ukrainians.

    37
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    Mute ubeenfamed
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    Nov 12th 2023, 8:22 PM

    Comment test . Comment test

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    Mute
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    Nov 12th 2023, 10:15 PM

    @ubeenfamed: One.. Two… One.. Two… I think we’re good Jim.

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    Mute Tommy Haze
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    Nov 12th 2023, 11:18 PM

    Make a budget at the start of the year then stick as close to it as you can.
    And remember..
    Every copper a prisoner.

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    Mute
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    Nov 13th 2023, 12:10 AM

    @Tommy Haze: Mind the pennies, and the pounds will take care of themselves, Tommy lad!

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    Mute S Badger
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    Nov 13th 2023, 8:04 AM

    I hope to go away this “spending season”. Don’t care where though, but wish to get away from this force fed spending atmosphere. I can barely keep the lights on, yet I work hard, full time. Call me a grinch, I can’t stand this time of year.

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    Mute
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    Nov 12th 2023, 10:27 PM

    There does be some right miserable feckers on this money diary thing wouldn’t spent a penny never see them buying drink or smokes or a big loan of scratch cards

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    Mute P.J. Nolan
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    Nov 13th 2023, 9:19 AM

    Ha ha but only someone who is tight with money would keep a money diary in the first place.
    Do you think someone who throws money around on drink, smokes and scratch cards would actually have the discipline to keep one?

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    Mute Rob Cahill
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    Nov 13th 2023, 10:59 AM

    I would honestly be too scared to do this.. I have no idea how much I spend a week and I don’t want to know either.

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    Mute
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    Nov 13th 2023, 8:03 PM

    I’m buying nothing. There you go. You’re welcome

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    Mute
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    Nov 13th 2023, 8:06 PM

    Is Jesus Birthday not spending season. Ssshh don’t mention religion lads

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