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 a family support worker on €26K living in Dublin. This week, an accounting manager on €60K living in Dublin.

I am currently living in Dublin with my Irish husband. I first came to Ireland when I was 20 to study and was able to snag an accounting traineeship after graduation. I also met my husband while at uni. I moved back to my birth country in 2018 because of the housing crisis, but my heart has always belonged to Ireland. The Covid-19 pandemic delayed me from returning, but I did in late 2022 and married my husband. We are trying hard to save for a deposit, although several health emergencies have had us start from scratch a few times.

We both cannot drive for medical reasons and I am lucky that I’m in a new job where I can work from home three days a week. My husband works for the civil service and cannot WFH, so our options of where to live have always been restricted to Dublin. We are extremely lucky to have snagged an apartment for €900 per month. Technically our landlord lives with us, but he lives down the country and only comes up to Dublin for a week every other month.

I am lucky that I am able to save €1,000 per month as we live quite frugally, despite both of us having quite expensive hobbies like gaming, Lego and trading card games. December is usually the time of the year we finally relax and treat ourselves for surviving another year. As I earn more, I pay the rent solely and split utilities, but he will make up for it when we finally have saved enough for a mortgage!

I also received a €1,500 gift card from work which I did not expect at all. I was raised in a culture that believes in tithing to ‘cleanse’ your income, so I decide to treat a few close friends as my way of doing it.

Occupation: Accounting manager

Age: 33

Location: Dublin

Salary: €60,000

Monthly pay (net): €4,190

Savings: €1,000

Transport: Circa €150 (I take taxis to work in winter mornings)

Rent: €900

Internet (my share): €35

Electricity (my share): Circa €50

Gas (my share): Circa €20

Phone bill: €27.99

Health insurance: €184.37

Groceries: Circa €250

Bank charges: €8

Uber One: €5

Student loan: Circa €75 depending on FX rates

Netflix: Circa €15 (birth country account)

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Spotify Duo: Circa €5 (birth country account)

Illumicrate (book box subscription): £42.36

Medication: €50

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9.00 am: I wake up, even though I can lie in as I am now off for two whole weeks for Christmas. I don’t want to mess up my sleeping schedule. I shower and get ready as I am meeting a friend in town today for lunch and chats.

10.00 am: I have a Teams meeting with an Irish Life financial consultant to discuss starting my own pension ahead of auto-enrolment starting in 2026. As an accountant, I understand the jargon and options quickly. I’m not too happy about their charges so I will continue to shop around with other pension providers/investment managers.

11.00 am: I check my inbox to see if my GP has gotten back to me with the........

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