Money Diaries: A junior doctor on €44K living in Cork

WELCOME TO HOW I Spend My Money, a series on The Journal that looks at how people in Ireland really handle their finances. 

Are you a spender, a saver or a splurger? We’re asking readers to keep a record of how much they earn, what they save if anything, and what they’re spending their money on over the course of one week. If you’re interested, send a mail to money@thejournal.ie. We would love to hear from you.

Each money diary is submitted by readers just like you. When reading and commenting, bear in mind that their situation will not be relatable for everyone, it is simply an account of a week in their shoes, so let’s be kind.

Last time around, we heard from a self-employed engineering consultant on €120K living in Co Galway. This week, a junior doctor on €44K living in Co Cork.

I’m a 31-year-old junior doctor living and working in Cork City. I’ve been living here for the last five years.

When I’m not working, I enjoy rock climbing, exercise classes and sauna sessions with my friends. On weekends, I usually like to meet up with friends or head off somewhere with my partner in our converted van.

Occupation: Junior doctor

Age: 31

Location: Cork city

Salary: €44,000 basic, overtime can add 10-15k throughout year gross

Monthly pay (net): Between €3,000 and €5,000, depending on overtime (hours per week 60-80)

Monthly expenses 

Transport: €150 (diesel) for approx two to three fills per month, split with my partner. Neither of us are using vehicle for work at the moment.

Rent: €700 (€1,400 in total split with my partner)

Household bills: €200

Phone bill: €20

Student loan: €425

Health insurance: €0

Groceries: €400

Subscriptions: €20

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Gym/yoga/classes: €100

***

Monday

9.00am: I have a day off today, so I treat myself to a nice, quiet day.

11.00am: My mission today is to catch up on reading my book and sorting the apartment.

3.00pm: I head out for a walk to stretch the legs.

5.00pm: In proper chillout fashion, and ahead of a busy week, I watch TV for the evening.

Today’s total: €0.00

Tuesday

6.00am: Wake up and have some breakfast and coffee before getting ready for work.

7.00am: Cycle in to work. It only takes me 10 minutes at most. I buy a coffee on the way (€4.70). 

1.00pm: I’ve brought lunch from home today, so no cost to me. Always helps to be organised on the food front, or you end up forking out money left, right and centre. 

6.00pm: Finish work for the day. Afterwards, I go shopping to pick up some earrings that I need for a wedding I’m going to this weekend. They cost €24.00. I also pick up a face cream for €20.00. Shopping after work like this is not a weekly occurrence for me.

7.00pm: I go to my Pilates class. I have a monthly membership for this, which works out at around €16 per class.

8.00pm: Cycle home, eat dinner and wind down for the evening before going to bed.

Today’s total: €48.70

Wednesday

6.00am: Wake up and have my breakfast and coffee at home again, set me up for the day. It’s always easier getting up in the bright mornings. Shift work can be gruelling in winter.

6.45am: Head off again for work on my bike. Buy a coffee on the way again. (€4.70)

12.00pm: I have lunch that I brought from home again. You don’t get much time to sit and relax over meals in my work, so it pays to just have something quick to eat from home. Also prevents you from eating rubbish food.

5.00pm: After work, I cycle home, looking forward to my evening. 

6.00pm: My friends and I have made plans to go to the nearby sauna. My partner’s work perks mean I only have to pay €10.00, instead of the usual €15-20. I go to a sauna weekly and absolutely love it, the benefits are huge. It’s a nice way to spend an evening.

8.00pm: Stop in Aldi before heading home for dinner supplies and chocolate, which comes to a total of €12.00.

Today’s total: €26.70

Thursday

6.00am: I wake up and have breakfast and coffee at home.

Related Reads

Money Diaries: An engineering director on €75K living in Co Wicklow

Money Diaries: A self-employed engineering consultant on €120K living in Co Galway

Money Diaries: A student on €21K planning to emigrate for a better-paid job

6.45am: Hop on the bike to work. I get there and realise I’m still hungry, so I have a second breakfast in the hospital canteen for €2.20. This is a subsidised price for staff, but it doesn’t have as many healthy options as I’d like. I also grab a coffee (€4.70).

12.00pm: Ate my lunch out today and spent €13.00 on a Sprout salad. It was delicious and I have no regrets. I will be on call for the evening until 10pm tonight, and not prepared with food today, so these are the days that eating out is almost a must.

5.00pm: Cycle home after work.

Today’s total: €32.90

Friday

6.00am: I wake up and have breakfast and coffee at home, then cycle to work.

6.45am: Cycle to work and same routine, I nab another coffee (€3.70) because it’s too easy not to.

12.00pm: I’m back in the organised mode and have brought lunch from home. Sets me up for the afternoon.

5.00pm: After work, I cycled home and relaxed for the evening.

Today’s total: €3.70

Saturday

10.00am: I have one of my friends’ weddings today, so it’s a nice lie-in, then prep time for the big day out. 

2.00pm: Weddings can be expensive outings, for sure. You think you’re going to a party to be wined and dined, and of course you are, but I spent €50.00 on drinks and also gave the couple €250.00 as a wedding present. Guess that’s just the way it goes! It was a great day though, and so much fun, hanging out with all our friends.

11.00pm: After the wedding, I spend another €50.00 on a taxi to my parents’ house and stay there for the night, as it was closer to the wedding venue than my own place.

Today’s total: €350.00

Sunday

9.00am: So nice to wake up in my parents’ house and chill before Day 2 of the wedding.

10.00am: I have breakfast and lunch at home with the family before heading back for the second day, so in terms of spending, that helped ease the dent on the wallet. 

2.00pm: Off I go to the second day of the wedding to catch up on all the gossip and have some fun. I only spent €12.00 on drinks on Day 2, the couple really do spend a lot on the second day for their guests.

Today’s total: €12.00

Weekly subtotal: €474.00

***

What I learned –

• Definitely, eating out is a huge drain on funds, so I’m glad I’m getting into the habit of bringing lunch to work whenever I can.

• Weddings are expensive, even when you stay with your parents.

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