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.

FINANCE ASSISTANT. BRISTOL. 24. SINGLE.

💭 Financial goals:

Short term (1-5 years): Ideally to ditch the job and become self employed - realistically to be more savvy/knowledgeable with money.

Medium term (5-10 years): To increase income in other ways that gives an overall income where I can be more comfortable and save for the kids.

Long term (10 years +): To be comfortable in retirement, to ensure the kids have a healthy boost too in their finances.

🌟 Best buy ever: My car - I buy new upfront and keep it for 10 plus years while saving along the way for the next new one.

😳 Worst buy ever: I've countless clothes and shoes and bags which I purchase online and never return but don't wear

👀 Things you spend the most money on: Food - we overspend as a family on food. Also household items. Third would be holidays - one large family one a year and several girls trips I do with friends.

😌 Pension: I did have a private pension my mother invested in - I don't know what has happened to that since she passed away, currently have group work pension.

🔮 Insurances: No.

💸 Salary / Income: c. £30,000 tax in Belgium is high - so on average 1,700 euros/month.

💰 Net worth (what you own vs what you owe, or your assets minus your debts): No property, no loans, credit card currently at £1,500. I don't know the values of my assets (hence the need to be more savvy), unknown number of shares in 3 companies, 3 savings accounts, unknown total, current savings account 800 euros. One child savings account - also unknown total (pity the other child who doesn't have one - oops).

💻 Any side hustles: None - but looking !

👛 Savings: I really don't know as to date I've paid little attention to what I have set up in the past.

🏠 Home: No - I could never afford one in the UK (I think) and the current one is owned by my partner.

🔦 Debt: Credit card at £1,500.

📈 Investing: Pension.

⚡ What is money for you? Ease, freedom, but also would mean I can stop working for others and only have to answer to myself.

🚀 What is financial independence for you? Being able to finance myself to the level I wish - be that through several investments, self employed work etc... but to stop working for other people!

THANK YOU!

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