Money diary: A week in the life of a London chiropractor with smart spending habits

A former make-up artist turned chiropractor shares her weekly spending habits showing how life changed after moving outside the capital. Matilda spent her twenties juggling multiple jobs - from retail to pandemic-era care work while pursuing education

After finishing her first degree she worked various jobs but didnt find her calling. At age 27 she made a life-changing decision: starting a 5-year chiropractic program (which needed some inheritance money and lots of part-time work to complete)

Living with her partner in a family-owned property near London helped cut expenses - they pay just £400 each for rent and bills. Now she works at a clinic earning both salary and per-patient commission which lets her tackle past debts

Her cost-saving approach includes:
* Charging hybrid car during cheap-rate hours
* Using annual gym membership
* Getting discounted meal-kits
* Sharing pet expenses with ex-partner
* Taking advantage of sales and offers

Daily expenses show a mix of careful planning and occasional treats. Most work-days include home-made meals but sometimes theres quick cafe stops or takeaways. Weekly spending includes regular visits to her nanʼs house which helps save on food costs

A significant portion of expenses goes to personal development - shes currently paying installments for dental aligners. The week ended with holiday preparation shopping at Costco where she spent £450 on Christmas gifts and hosting supplies

The total weekly spending reached £924.13 but included many one-time purchases and seasonal expenses. Her focus remains on maintaining financial stability without too much penny-pinching: a balance between smart spending and living comfortably