‘I'm 26 and earn £41k, but still live like a stingy student'

Telegraph

7 hours ago

To take part in How I Spend It, please use the form below or email [e-mail]. As a thank you, published diarists will receive a £50 Amazon voucher. All our subjects are genuine but anonymous.
I'm happy to hold my hands up and admit I'm a bit of a cheapskate. I earn £41,000 as a journalist in London, which isn't a bad salary. But rent and bills wipe out half my monthly take-home pay, meaning I am always living hand to mouth.
My double room in a flat in south west London costs £1,150 a month. It's a lot of money, but the flat is lovely and you struggle to find rent for less than £1,000 these days.
Because of this, I have to make savings elsewhere. I walk to and from work as often as I can, which takes 90 minutes. It's a long walk, but I like the fresh air when I spend all day in the office, and it's good exercise.
I always take breakfast and lunch to work with me, as buying food out in London is too pricey. The reality is the cost of living is so expensive that I don't feel I have a choice.
Sometimes I even sneak vodka into a pub so I can just order lime and sodas all night. I know it's awful, and I feel bad about it, but I can't bring myself to pay £7.50 for a pint.
I hate that I still have to be so stingy. I thought I'd leave that behind when I left university, but sometimes it feels like I haven't got any more cash than I did as a student, even though I'm earning now.
Last September, I moved to a new publication and had a considerable pay rise of £7,000. This has really helped, but I still barely make it from month to month.
Day 1
I walked to and from work, which was glorious in the heatwave we've been having. It also means I don't need to worry about doing any exercise after work.
My employer doesn't have a hybrid working policy, so I'm in the office every day. I don't mind too much, as I wouldn't be productive at home – but it means I do need to be conscious of travel costs and avoid buying lunch, as it all adds up quickly.
Speaking of lunch, I've brought in a Tupperware of food I meal-prepped at the weekend.
In the evening, I watch Made In Chelsea with my three flatmates, and dinner is food I already have in the house, making it a zero cost day.
Total: £0
Day 2
I start work at 11am today, so I have time to do a gym class in the morning. I treat myself to a Barry's Bootcamp class, which I get for £9 because I was given a voucher. It's usually a lot more expensive, and I wish I could afford to do the classes all the time. I must admit, they're a bit of a cult, though.
I walked to work (£0), but got the Tube home (£2.10), as I had to rush back in time for netball, which I pay for in bulk at the start of the season.
Total: £11.10
Day 3
I walk to and from work again today – this time it's not just the appeal of saving money, but I also can't bear to get the Tube in this heat.
It means I get a lot of time to listen to podcasts. My favourite at the moment is one called The Girls Bathroom, which is essentially just fun chats about relationships and dating.
I've got the same meal prep lunch all week – chorizo orzo. Some people get bored of eating the same thing every day, but I don't at all, luckily.
After work, I go to a CrossFit class for free, as a friend could bring a guest. It's good to see friends for wholesome activities during the week, as I'm knackered after a day of work.
Total: £0
Day 4
It's another cost-free day today. I walk to work again, and take in my pre-made lunch.
After work, a friend and I go for a short run (a slow one, so we can chat). Afterwards, we have dinner at mine – I make a big salad with ingredients I already have in – and we spend the evening catching up.
Total: £0
Day 5
It's a Friday, so after work (I walked in again), I meet my university friends for a much-needed drink at the pub.
I end up staying longer than expected, and for once I treat myself to buying actual drinks – four cost me £32. I can walk home afterwards as we live nearby.
Total: £32
Day 6
Last night wasn't a late one, so I'm relieved to wake up hangover-free. This is lucky because I have plans to meet a friend for a run around Battersea Park at 10:30am. The Tube there and back costs £5.10.
The rest of the afternoon is filled with boring life admin, including laundry and tidying the house. I like the place to be tidy, and luckily my flatmates do too.
In the evening, we each buy a bottle of prosecco to drink in the sun. At £12.40 a bottle, it's so much cheaper than going to the pub.
Total: £17.50
Day 7
I try to do a food shop every Sunday so I can make food to last me for the following week – it feels more efficient. I spend £18.95 at Aldi, where I stock up on bits for my overnight oats for breakfast, as well as lunches to take to work.
The weekends go so fast, and I don't like to spend the whole of Sunday preparing for the week ahead, so my flatmates and I take a coffee (from home, of course) and go for a sunny walk around Battersea Park.
Later on, we book flights to Greece for a holiday in August, which I am so excited about. It'll be boiling hot, although more expensive as we're going during the school holidays.
The flights cost £314.50 each, so I'm glad I've scrimped and saved this week. It means it hits the bank account a little less hard.