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.

SCIENTIFIC DEVELOPER. HERTFORDSHIRE. 29. SINGLE.

💭 Financial goals:

Short term (1-5 years): Emergency fund.

Medium term (5-10 years): Maybe a house deposit, currently deciding if it's feasible.

Long term (10 years +): Build a retirement fund and savings to bridge the gap so I don't have to work until I'm 70, but can if I want to!

🌟 Best buy ever: My windows tablet with a removable keyboard (it was £200). It's got just enough functionality that I can use it when out and about at conferences, but I don't need to lug about my laptop, and has an infinitely better battery.

😳 Worst buy ever: Spiralizer. I thought it would make it easier to include veg, but it's such a pain to clean that now it just collects dust in the corner.

👀 Things you spend the most money on: Rent and food! I don't like eating out so our grocery bill tends to be higher.

😌 Pension: Yes, I contribute 10% to my workplace pension, my employer adds 5%. Trying to make up for not starting one until I was 28!

🔮 Insurances: Only car insurance.

💸 Salary / Income: £35k.

💰 Net worth (what you own vs what you owe, or your assets minus your debts): £750 in a regular saver account.

💻 Any side hustles: Nope.

👛 Savings: Only £750 so far. I've only been debt free post PhD for a couple of months. Save £250 into a 5% regular saver each month.

🏠 Home: No, trying to decide if house buying is feasible where we currently live.

🔦 Debt: £0. My UK plan 1 student loan means I get £98 taken from my pay each month.

📈 Investing: I have a Hargreaves Lansdowne fund and share account I was messing around with. But so far have only managed to lose money.

⚡ What is money for you? It's control of my future. A way to make sure I'm never settling just for a pay check.

🚀 What is financial independence for you? Being the one making the decision, not the finances.

THANK YOU!

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