Young London engineer shares real-life money diary - see where cash actually goes

A twenty-something civil engineer (lets call her Matilda) shares her money-managing story in London: working hard but finding it hard to save in the big-city life-style

Her monthly take-home pay of £2‚040 goes quick with £940 for a zone-3 flat-share (including bills). Before moving to London last spring she lived at her parents house; the long commute wasnt worth the rent-free life though

Since her teen years Matilda has shown a self-sufficient mind-set: working part-time jobs to fund her social life. Her parents helped with uni housing costs but sheʼs been mostly independent since then. Currently she puts away £50 monthly in a Help-to-Buy ISA and tries to save extra £100-200 (which often gets used up anyway)

Her weekly spending shows real-life money choices:

• £15.35 on a work-trip day up north
• £25.39 for work-from-home and evening out
• £80.80 visiting family and night-out with boyfriend
• £16.00 for Sunday activities
• £20.33 for groceries and quick lunch
• £11.52 for transport and post-gym snacks
• £88.15 including concert tickets

Sheʼs got big plans – booked a one-way ticket to Sydney for next summer (£800 from savings). The daily transport costs eat up her budget but its better than her previous mega-commute. Her gym membership with pool access helps save on entertainment; while her boyfriendʼs coffee-shop deals help cut daily costs

Between work-friend meetups and trying to keep expenses low Matilda manages her money careful-like: cooking at home meal-prepping lunches and using discount shops. Still the London life-style means she dont always stay in budget despite her best efforts