If there’s one thing I’ve learned since moving out, it’s that money disappears faster than I expect. Between rent, bills, food, and a little leftover for fun, payday sometimes feels like a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment.
That’s why this month I’ve decided to really start looking at where my money goes — not in a boring, spreadsheet-heavy way (though I do love a good colour-coded tracker!), but in a way that feels manageable and gives me a sense of control.
Where I’m Starting From
My boyfriend and I recently moved from a one-bedroom flat into a rented two-bedroom house. We’ve got more space, which is amazing, but we’ve also had to juggle some extra costs. For example, we had to pay double rent for one month when we moved — not fun. On the bright side, the house has a driveway, which means we no longer pay £90 a month for parking like we did at the flat.
This month, I also did some overtime at work. My normal net income is £1,750, but with the extra hours I brought in £2,000. The extra helped me pay off a bit of my overdraft (and I treated myself to a new clothing item for £50 — because balance ✨).
My Budget for This month
Here’s how I’ve planned my spending for September.
| Category | Planned (£) |
|---|---|
| Rent | 685.00 |
| Groceries | 200.00 |
| Bills (utilities etc.) | 100.00 |
| Loan Repayment | 150.00 |
| Car Insurance | 77.50 |
| Cat Insurance | 12.00 |
| Gym Membership | 35.00 |
| Phone Bill | 55.00 |
| Cat Food & Litter | 20.00 |
| Self Care | 50.00 |
| Savings (auto) | 100.00 |
| Total Planned | 1,484.50 |
That leaves me with around £265.50 spare from my usual income, or more if I do overtime. This extra usually goes toward little treats, unexpected costs, or paying down my overdraft.
My Plan Going Forward
Here’s how I’m hoping to keep myself on track:
🌱 Budget each month — I’m using a tracker that compares my planned vs actual spending (it’s so satisfying to see it balance out).
👩❤️👨 Split costs fairly — My boyfriend and I share bills, but having clear numbers helps avoid those awkward “who’s paying what?” moments.
🍲 Cook more at home — Takeaways add up so fast. Plus, I love cooking cosy meals that feel special without costing much.
🥕 Grow more veggies — My garden is slowly becoming a little money-saver (and it makes me so happy).
💸 Savings & debts first — My savings go out automatically on the 15th, and I’m chipping away at my overdraft and loan.
Mindset Shift
One of the biggest lessons I’m learning is that managing money isn’t about cutting out everything fun. It’s about balance. I still want a little self-care budget, still want to buy the occasional new outfit, but I also want the peace of mind that comes with savings and paying off debt.
And honestly? It feels good knowing that even small habits — like keeping track of my cats’ costs or having my savings set up automatically — are steps toward a more secure future.
Managing money in your 20s is a huge learning curve, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. For me, it’s about the small things: cooking at home, setting realistic budgets, and remembering that progress is better than perfection.
I don’t have it all figured out yet (not even close), but this is my first step toward feeling confident with my finances — and my future self will thank me for it.
