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 compliance officer on €45K living in the Midlands. This week, an apprentice mechanic on €22K living in the Midlands. 

My boyfriend and I live at home in my parent’s house with them and my younger brother. We give €200 per month between us to my mam for rent/bills. She wants me to save as much as I can for my own house and I want to contribute, so we settled on €50 per week. We do our own food shop for the most part. I am extremely lucky I can live at home and save as much as I can, especially being on apprentice wages.

I’m in a better position than some apprentices in this trade, as with my age and experience, my employer offered me a bit better than the going rate. I’m two years into my apprenticeship, and for my first year, I earned only €310 before tax per week, working 38 hours. Now I earn €470 before tax, but I work 45 hours per week, plus every second Saturday, which pays overtime.

My weekends usually involve working on my cars or other projects. Myself and my boyfriend rent a shed space, which costs us €530 per month. The problem is it’s over an hour away from home, but we can’t find anything closer. We use it for storage and working. We’re slowly building up our equipment, buying things when we need/can afford them. Someday, we’d like to have a fully functioning garage.

When I’m closer to getting qualified, we want to buy a house in the Midlands. We’d be happy with a cottage, a small bit of land and shed space. He gets paid well, and we are in the same trade. Hopefully someday I will be paid well too!

We don’t really get to go on holidays, but we do go camping over the summer, which usually only costs €20/€30 per night in a campsite, and we love that. We sometimes go for dinner at the weekends, or get a takeaway with our friends, and we go to a few car shows a year. I don’t spend money on hair/beauty treatments/makeup as I just don’t have the interest. I don’t buy many clothes, and when I do, it’s usually secondhand. Most of my clothes are years old. I always buy my phone secondhand, and it only gets replaced if it’s broken. I had my last phone for seven years, and I’ve had this one for three so far.

Before I started my apprenticeship in 2024, I obviously made better money. I often worked two jobs, and have been saving for many years now. I took the leap and a massive hit in wages, knowing that eventually I’ll be qualified and on better money than if I had never done it. I wish I had started younger. When I was turned away at the age of 22 for the same apprenticeship, I didn’t think it would ever be possible and I parked the idea.

Occupation: Apprentice HGV mechanic

Monthly pay (net): €1,700 approx, plus overtime €100–€150

Subscriptions: €16.99 Spotify Premium

7.15 am: My boyfriend has just left for work, and my alarm goes off. It’s later than usual as we’re house-sitting for a friend. Usually, my alarm goes off at 6.45am, and I get up and walk my dogs. This week I’ll have a lie-in (but I miss the dogs). I make breakfast and pack my lunch. I feed the cat and let him out the window, then hang out some clothes. 

8.25 am: Make coffee, and I’m out the door.

9.00 am: I get to work and change into my work........

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