You might already be familiar with Refinery29’s Money Diaries… well, this is the Vestpod version! We’ve put together a few questions to help us understand what women are doing with their money, and they've answered! Always fun, always succinct, and always anonymous.

phd student. london. 24. in a relationship.

💭 Financial goals:

Short term (1-5 years): Trip to Australia when I finish my PhD, also have enough for a deposit for a shared ownership flat.

Medium term (5-10 years): Sell my first flat and move to a more comfortable one, have enough for a party wedding (and kids?).

Long term (10 years +): Be financially free and work because I want to, not because I need to.

🌟 Best buy ever: £19 cabin suitcase from Tesco - it’s light, it’s stylish, and it holds a lot more than it seems. I take it almost everywhere.

😳 Worst buy ever: A pair of classy suede emerald flats, I love the look of them, but I get terrible blisters every time I wear them (even if its a 10 minute walk to the shops) - around £30

👀Things you spend the most money on: My rent, eating out and events (festivals and travels).

😌 Pension: No... students don't get perks like this.

🔮 Insurances: I think my parents bought me one, but I personally don't have any... is that bad?

💸 Salary / Income: £16,800 (tax-free).

💰 Net worth (what you own vs what you owe, or your assets minus your debts): Minus student loan around £60,000.

💻 Any side hustles: I do lab demonstrations and get around £13 per hour, but they are not regular.

👛 Savings: Approx £23,00 in a lifetime ISA and £1,200 in a traditional high street bank saving account.

🏠 Home: Not yet, hoping to buy one through shared ownership in 2023.

🔦 Debt: Never been in credit card debt, and I've been lucky to get my education covered with different scholarships.

📈 Investing: Started a Stocks and Shares ISA just under two months ago, it’s gone up by 2.8% already. I wonder why I didn't start this sooner.

⚡What is money for you? Independence.

🚀 What is financial independence for you? Have a few investments that generate enough money for everyday spending, not having to count pennies to live a decent life.

THANK YOU!

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