Money Diary: New Job, MOT and A Typical Autumn Weekend
Something I’ve been enjoying reading recently is a good ol’ fashioned money diary.
Perhaps it’s the ongoing Cost of Living crisis, or maybe it’s a more focused desire to be the ‘best’ at my own finances, but I’m actually sort of enjoying having my money situation at the forefront of my mind. In the week that I logged, I had just gotten stuck into my new job and lots of life was coming at me. I don’t think I did too badly, but it was also a fresh-out-of-payday week!
Thursday
I’m working from home today, so thankfully impulse purchases are significantly trimmed down. However, I am looking for a couple of new-to-me pieces to add to my AW23 wardrobe, now that I’ve cleared out some past season clothing.
I find a pair of barely-worn & Other Stories low heel boots for £55 on Vinted and instantly snap them up – there’s a £3.85 shipping fee too. I don’t mind splashing out a little more on these as they’re leather and I’m no longer buying new leather for ethical reasons, BUT I know from experience that leather lasts far longer. Also snap up an ASOS Design black midi satin skirt, because that’s been all over my Pinterest recently (£8.66). I sell another four items on Vinted, making £36.50 in total.
Lunch and dinner have already been prepared by a Very Organised past me. Yay!
In: £36.50
Out: £67.51
Friday
Another WFH day, broken up by a midday MOT. The salesperson at the garage told me it’s their busiest month for MOTs because all the new cars are usually ready around this time of year too. Head down the road on foot for a café working session and spend £8.55 on a chai latte, vegan toastie and some crisps. Classic midweek British lunch. Gladly, my Nissan Leaf passes and I ‘only’ spend £49.95. Arrive home and my sister sends me half(ish) of the MOT fee, since we share a car.
It’s date night with my boyfriend. We don’t live together yet and have some pretty polar opposite schedules, so Friday night always feels extra special. This week, we go to wagamama for a simple date night dinner and he pays for us. We tend to take it in turns to pay whenever we’re out.
We head home via a supermarket to pick up groceries for tomorrow’s dinner. My boyfriend pays again, as he has a discount to use.
In: £25
Out: £58.50
Saturday
I always try to squeeze in a ‘time-no-constraint’ weekend gym session, and I just love it. My boyfriend head down together as we’re both PureGym members – cheap, fuss-free and they have fairly decent kit. My monthly membership fee has already come out: I go to the gym 16 or so times a month, making it around £1.35 a visit – bargain!
Our weekend gym sessions are always followed by brunch, to refuel and start getting that protein in. We have a new favourite local independent and head down there for a big ol’ breakfast and smoothie each – it’s my turn to pay, so I tap £31.70 via contactless.
It’s a family-oriented weekend, so we actually spend minimal cash elsewhere for once! Head home after running riot with his niece and nephews, and we make a little stir-fry for dinner.
Out: £31.70
Sunday
Next on my Sunday reset: groceries. I always do an in-person weekly big shop, focusing on vegetables and legumes. £17.28, thanks to Tesco’s Clubcard Prices. I head home via the car wash, because owning a white car is a commitment I was not ready for. It’s £7.50 for the programme I choose.
Home for a quick shower and to hop into a fresh autumnal outfit(!!). I have plans with my sister to go for our first roast of the season at one of my favourite country pubs – can’t wait to show her this place! My sister treats us to lunch.
Once home (again), I think I’m safe from more expenses, but I realise it’s 1st October and there are new Kindle deals to explore. I settle in for some scrolling and spend £2.98 on three books: Babel by R.F. Huang, The Road by Cormac McCarthy and Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree, all of which were on my TBR list.
Settle down for a family dinner to belatedly celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival.
Out: £27.76
Monday
I pop to the gym, as always, to start my week strong. There’s a few bits I need to pick up, but I also start work at 9am, so I decide to run errands after work instead.
After work, I make dinner using ingredients I picked up yesterday. Then, it’s straight out to meet my friend Sian at Starbucks for our monthly accountability meeting. I grab a coconut milk hot chocolate, which sets me back £4.05. (Daylight robbery!) Run to Tesco to pick up some tofu (Mum used the pack I bought yesterday), and some more shampoo and conditioner: £10.85.
Out: £14.90
Tuesday
I’m up early to start work in-office at 8am today. It’s really flexible at my new place, and I like finishing early too because it feels like I get a proper evening in.
A rare no-spend day!
Wednesday
I’m working from home today, as I have an appointment in the afternoon. Up early for a gym session, and then back at my desk for 9am. Lunch is a cosy soup-and-roll situation, perfect for these autumn days.
After work, I head off to my nail appointment. It’s a 15-minute drive down and I realise I’ll probably have to charge my car once home, as I’m in the office tomorrow. £30 for my usual gel overlays with nail art and I LOVE them! I head home, and pop my car on charge at our domestic charger.
Out: £30
Weekly total: £168.87
This feels like a really reasonable week of spending to me. We stayed in a bit over the weekend and I’m no longer commuting to London, so I sort of feel like I’ve won the lottery or something. I’d ideally like to get more no-spend days in, but I’m often scatter-brained and no matter how well I plan, I somehow always need to pop to the shops!
