Money Diary: A School Recruitment Officer On £30,500

This week: “I’m 27 and I work in the recruitment department at a university. I was born and bred in Brighton, where I lived for my whole life up until two months ago when I moved to Manchester. This is the first time living away from my family and it’s the first time my boyfriend and I — we’ve been together for two years – have lived together. We live with our son, a chihuahua poodle mix. I work from home most days and I feel like I spend most of my money on small little ‘treats’ to perk up my days. Currently, I’m really enjoying renting and living in a fun apartment block — mine has a gym which I love! I’m very creative: I studied musical theatre and I’m always doing something creative on the side of my day-to-day job, whether that’s a podcast, singing at a bottomless brunch or making TikToks.”

Occupation: School Recruitment Officer
Industry: Higher education 
Age: 27
Location: Manchester
Salary: £30,500 
Paycheque Amount: £1,965
Number of housemates: One, my boyfriend L. 
Pronouns: She/her

Housing costs: £545 for my half of the rent plus £15 for my half of my dog’s rent (they charge £30 a month for him to be here).
Loan payments: My student loan comes off my paycheque and I barely notice it. Last month I paid £12.
Savings?: I have £13k in an ISA to buy a house eventually but it’s not a priority at all. I also have around £2k in a Monzo pot for bills and emergencies. 
Pension?: It comes out of my paycheque; around £127 a month.
Utilities: £50 each on electric; £50 each on water. Wifi is included in the rent and we haven’t got to council tax yet as we’ve just moved in but I’m dreading it. 
All other monthly payments: £10 for my phone; £5 for Monzo Plus. Subscriptions: £10 Spotify; £13 YouTube Premium.

Did you participate in any form of higher education? If yes, how did you pay for it? Yes, I went to uni a few years after I left college. I got a full student loan, plus the maximum maintenance loan.

Growing up, what kind of conversations did you have about money?
I was bought up by a single mum who taught me how to work hard for my money and how to respect it. The motto is “If you can’t afford it, don’t buy it”, which is why I remain debt free. I’ve only just got my first credit card and I pay it off in full every month. My mum definitely taught me how to hustle when it comes to jobs. I’m always looking for a new way to make or save money and even If I become a billionaire one day, I don’t think that mentality will stop — I’ll always love a bargain.

If you have, when did you move out of your parents’/guardians’ house?
I moved out when I moved to uni at age 20. Since then, I have lived at Mum’s for stints of six to eight months in between leases as I always stayed near our home in Brighton. A month ago, I moved to Manchester and it’s the first time in years I’ve been away from my family for so long!

At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself? Does anyone else cover any aspects of your financial life?
I’ve been working full time since I was 18 (even during uni, I had a few jobs on the go). I’m very lucky that my parents bought my first car but apart from that, I’ve paid for everything myself. During uni, I may have borrowed from Mum but I always paid it back. Now I’m an adult, I don’t rely on anyone at all. 

What was your first job and why did you get it?
When I was 16, I had a Saturday job at a sunbed shop (which I think is illegal?). I did four hours a week for £5 an hour and I was chuffed. I got it because my best friend was in the job before me. 

Do you worry about money now?
I’m very lucky to say, no I don’t. I would LOVE more money, of course, but I realised worrying about it really does make everything worse. I’m a big believer in manifesting and if you act desperate around money, it won’t flow to you. I can afford to keep the roof over my head and go for nice dinners every now and then and that’s all I can ever ask for. 

Do you or have you ever received passive or inherited income?
No, never.