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

Are you a spender, a saver or a splurger? 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. 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 an assistant lecturer on €46K living in the Midwest of the country. This week, a family support worker on €26K living in Dublin.

I’m a young man in my 20s currently living at home with my mam, her partner and my siblings. I work as a family support worker in Dublin four days a week, mostly working with those experiencing homelessness. In my spare time, I do boxing and go to the gym. Most months, I try to put between €400 and €500 into my savings, but this varies depending on costs that crop up. I try not to save less than €300 a month.

I had moved out about a year-and-a-half ago, renting a studio apartment with HAP, but after about seven months the landlord went to put it up for sale and I was not able to find anywhere else in my price range, so I moved back home. I really love my job and all of the people I work with, but I feel it is impossible to start a life of your own these days without a really high wage, especially if you’re single. I pay my mam’s partner €500 a month, not because he is scabby but because they find it really difficult to cover bills and the mortgage. I would love to move out again and have my own room. I am currently on a pull-out bed in the living room.

Occupation: Family support worker

Age: 20s

Location: Dublin

Salary: €26,500

Monthly pay (net): €1,764

Transport: €240 (diesel)

Rent: €400

Household bills: €100

Phone bill: €15

Health insurance: N/a

Groceries: €200

Subscriptions: Gym – €35, boxing – €60, Spotify – €10

Credit union loan: €80

Car insurance: €65

***

7.15 am: My alarm goes off for work. I scroll mindlessly on my phone for 15 minutes and get up to have a shower. Every morning I have two Weetabix and I bring my dog out for a walk. I aim to leave the house by 8.30am every day. I live in the same town I work in, which is handy. With traffic, it takes me about 20 minutes to get to work but only five to get home.

8.50 am: Arrive at work. I get in before 9am every day to have a coffee with my manager and talk about the day ahead. I usually start off the day with some admin for the first hour, and then service users drop in to the office to see me. I could be doing anything from helping fill out forms, contacting electricity companies when someone has fallen into arrears and their electric is cut off (I hate doing this, as you usually are on hold for at least half an hour) or writing letters for service users to send to different organisations depending on their needs.

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11.00 am: I head out........

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