You may already know Refinery29’s Money Diaries… this is our own version of it! We’ve put together a few questions to understand what women are doing with their money. Let’s break the taboo and talk more about finances!

It’s short, snappy, fun and anonymous.

Executive Search Researcher. London. 22. Single.

💭 Financial goals:

Short term (1-5 years): Get a good buffer savings account - I think I got very bogged down when I started my job out of university because I initially had no savings. I prioritised saving for a house, but all that money is locked up and I definitely need to have an emergency fund outside of that! I'd also love to save more for travel because it's something I've always found difficult to spend money on.

Medium term (5-10 years): Buy a house on my own! It feels very far away and potentially unrealistic but I'm very set on getting onto the property ladder solo - when my parents split my mum had to remortgage to buy my dad out of the house and it really stuck with me as a point of financial independence.

Long term (10 years +): Be able to retire early, and help support my family financially. My mum only started contributing to her pension a few years ago, and it's quite a worry given how unstable the future feels! Thankfully she works for the NHS so her contributions are better than most.

🌟 Best buy ever: My record player! I spent around £500 on the full set, so the most expensive purchase I've ever personally made bar my car. I ummed and ahhed over it for an age, as I couldn't quite justify spending that much on a 'want' rather than a 'need' with basically no practical application. SO glad I bought it, it brings me so much happiness, and trawling through charity shops to add to my collection is so enjoyable.

😳 Worst buy ever: Every single-use outfit I've ever bought. Why do I need a new outfit for every event?! Why do I buy things I don't even like in 6 months time?!

👀 Things you spend the most money on: Rent definitely, of non-essential spending I probably spend the most on eating out and drinks (but I'm young and it's fun so I try not to beat myself up over it!)

💸 Salary / Income: £37,500 base salary, with a bonus of c. £15,000

💰 Net worth (what you own vs what you owe, or your assets minus your debts): £(29,238.31) student loans - any real assets is not a good combination!

💻 Any side hustles: Nope! and I don't think I'd look to have one, side hustles seem to really promote burn out culture (plus I have no talents!)

👛 Savings: £4,000 in a lifetime ISA, £1,500 for my annual travel expenses, £500 in general savings. I try to save £300 every month, although some of this gets eaten away by holidays and larger purchases

🏠 Home: Nope! but will hopefully buy in the next 6-7 years

🔦 Debt: Student loan - £29,238.31, no credit card debt - it makes me nervous!

📈 Investing: Stocks and shares ISA through a robo-advisor £3,500. I contribute £100 a month currently (to take advantage of pound-cost averaging), but will hopefully increase this over time.

😌 Pension: Yes, we have a basic employee pension, I'm not sure what the exact contribution is, but I don't think it's brilliant.

🔮 Insurances: Nothing at the moment, we really need to get contents insurance in our flat, and my travel insurance comes with my work's health insurance.

⚡ What is money for you? It is absolutely freedom to me. Growing up we really struggled so having the ability to be totally independent is great. Added to that money means I can support and treat my friends and family. I would be nowhere without the sacrifices my mum made so being able to give back so early in my career is incredibly gratifying.

🚀 What is financial independence for you? Being able to live comfortably myself and help others around me.

THANK YOU!

🙋🙋 Please help us break the taboo and participate here - it’s anonymous too 🙋🙋