Bold opening: A high-earning software engineering manager reveals a week of decisions, expenses, and daily juggling that challenge even the most disciplined savers—and it may surprise you how quickly a life in the east of the country can tilt toward spending sprees and big-ticket temptations.
Money Diaries
This week, our narrator balances a demanding job with family commitments while setting aside funds for an earlier retirement.
WELCOME TO HOW I Spend My Money, a series from The Journal that examines how people in Ireland actually manage their finances. Are you a saver, a spender, or somewhere in between? Readers are invited to document their earnings, savings (if any), and weekly spending over seven days. If you’d like to participate, please email money@thejournal.ie. We’d love to hear from you.
Each diary is a submission from a reader. When you read and comment, remember that not every situation will mirror your own; think of it as one week in someone else’s life, and be kind.
Last week featured a marketing freelancer earning €20K living in Co Wicklow. This week, a software engineering manager earning €140K living in the eastern part of the country.
I live in the east with my partner and two teenagers. My days are full because I manage a busy home and work life while also supporting an aging parent. I stay active by walking and cycling and go to the gym regularly.
I’m fortunate to have a strong salary. I hold €500,000 in pensions, €60,000 in savings at Bunq earmarked for my children’s college, and €85,000 in stock Investments. I aim to retire in ten years.
My partner works at minimum wage, which counts as her disposable income. We file taxes jointly. My income covers all our household living expenses.
Occupation: Software Engineering Manager
Age: 49
Location: East of the country
Salary: €140,000 with annual and quarterly performance bonuses
Net monthly take-home: about €5,500 after pension contributions (6%) and share plan (5%)
Monthly expenses
- Transport: €50 monthly for EV charging; €505 for a PCP loan on a 252-model car
- Mortgage: €1,188
- Household bills: TV and broadband €50 (recent provider switch); gas and electricity €400
- Phone bill: Covered by my employer
- Health insurance: Covered by my employer
- Car and home insurance: €145
- Life insurance: €35.50
- Groceries: €1,150
- Subscriptions: €42 (Spotify Family, Netflix, Prime)
- Supporting an elderly parent: €125
Journal entries by day
Monday
- 6:30 am: No alarm needed; I rise energized, prep lunches in ten minutes, pack my breakfast, and head out. I’m parked at work within 15 minutes.
- 9:00 am: Break time; free coffee and overnight oats prepared yesterday keep me fueled.
- 12:30 pm: Quick on-site gym session; lunch is a homemade chicken wrap and an apple.
- 5:30 pm: Home time after a day of meetings and problem solving that I genuinely enjoy.
- 6:00 pm: Dinner is reheated yesterday’s roast; enough for two days to feed my family of five.
- 7:30 pm: Household chores and laundry while others watch TV and scroll phones.
- 8:00 pm: Begin tomorrow’s dinner and prep ahead.
- 9:30 pm: Laundry done, wind-down in progress.
- 10:30 pm: Light scrolling and a short meditation before sleep.
Today’s total: €0.00
Tuesday
- 6:30 am: Routine morning; lunches for teens prepared, breakfast and lunch packed for the day, off to work.
- 8:30 am: A minor crisis at work; we manage it as a team, embracing the chaos.
- 9:00 am: Breakfast again—overnight oats, banana, and free coffee.
- 11:00 am: Planning for a family summer holiday; book a ten-night all-inclusive trip for €7,250 in June.
- 12:20 pm: Lunch—a homemade salad and brown bread.
- 1:00 pm: One child has a school trip to Italy; €525 due.
- 2:00 pm: EV is charging at work; €11.65.
- 6:00 pm: Dinner is a simple homemade stew, quick and nutritious.
- 7:30 pm: Soccer training; I walk during the session and rack up 7,000 steps.
- 9:20 pm: Home, tea, bed by 10 pm.
Today’s total: €7,786.65
Wednesday
- 6:30 am: Warm but under the weather with a flu-like bug; still up, showered, lunches prepared.
- 9:00 am: Breakfast skipped; grab hash browns, eggs, toast, and coffee from the canteen (€2.25).
- 12:20 pm: Lunch not appealing; coffee and pastry instead (€1.05).
- 2:15 pm: Teen needs a haircut after school; I Revolut him €25.
- 3:00 pm: My mom is struggling; I transfer €125 to her.
- 5:00 pm: Home, quick dinner plan—meatballs and pasta (30 minutes).
- 6:00 pm: Dinner done; dishes and chores are waiting.
- 8:00 pm: Lights out with a medicinal drink.
Today’s total: €153.30
Thursday
- 6:30 am: Feeling better; a crisp morning routine, lunch prep, and a protein shake for myself on the go.
- 9:00 am: Breakfast with colleagues; yogurt, banana, protein drink, and free coffee.
- 12:00 pm: Gym session; quickly book flights to the UK and a three-night hotel for €975.
- 2:00 pm: Work is hectic; I’m naturally introverted, but I’ve managed this dynamic for years.
- 4:00 pm: Stop for fajita ingredients on the way home (€22.60).
- 6:00 pm: Dinner is served; a quick, easy evening.
- 7:30 pm: Soccer training again; I opt for lighter tunes from my daughter’s Spotify playlist; 6,800 steps.
- 10:30 pm: Wind-down meditation before sleep.
Today’s total: €1,034.60
Friday
- 7:45 am: Working from home; hair-raisingly late so quick lunches and a morning sync, then the house is quiet with the kids at school.
- 9:30 am: Breakfast treat—a coffee and a breakfast roll from the garage (€9.20).
- 10:30 am: Domestic deep clean; a rare chance to tidy and fantasize about hiring a cleaner.
- 12:00 pm: Quick work tasks before the weekend; organized and energized.
- 1:30 pm: Kids return from school; their mood is mixed.
- 3:30 pm: A long walk; cold but refreshing classical playlist in my ears.
- 5:30 pm: Orthodontist appointment for my teen (€370).
- 7:30 pm: Friday-night takeout feast—pizza, burgers, fries, and fish and chips (€58.40 delivered).
- 9:00 pm: Movie night; bedtime around 11:30 pm.
Today’s total: €437.60
Saturday
- 7:30 am: Gym session; strength and cardio, then grocery shopping with no list but clear plan. The bill comes to €261 after discounts.
- 11:30 am: Quiet home as the family sleeps in.
- 1:30 pm: Social time in the city with friends; some beers are on the agenda.
- 2:30 pm: Pub hopping begins: rounds of pints total around €22.50 each, culminating in multiple rounds and a larger whiskey tab of €80.
- Evening: Food out with friends and a kebab on the way home; bus fare and spontaneous purchases add up.
- 11:00 pm: Bedtime finally, with a total weekend spend of €485.90.
Today’s total: €485.90
Sunday
- 8:30 am: A busy day ahead; a city visit for a soccer match at the Aviva with my teen and brother. Breakfast with mom (€24.50) and teen wings (€20.50). Train to the Aviva (€5.20).
- 2:00 pm: Two pints for me and my brother (€15), then two pints each for us again (€30) as the match progresses.
- 4:30 pm: Post-match pub dinner with two beers; my brother covers the costs.
- 7:00 pm: Bus home; lights out by 9 pm after a full weekend.
Today’s total: €279.74
Weekly subtotal: €10,117.75
What I learned
- I’m not great with money and spend without much forethought.
- I’ve done some good long-term financial planning, including investments and pensions, but the savings may or may not cover college costs.
- I do not maintain a weekly budget.
- I have little clarity on my wife’s spending.
- Even though €23.90 for two pints seems excessive, I prioritize entertainment over strict financial discipline.
- I’m disciplined about my daily meals and coffee habits; I value convenience and free perks.
- I spent roughly €7,000 on a family holiday in a moment’s decision.
- I am the primary money decision-maker; I don’t have active support from my spouse on expenditures.
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