You may already know Refinery29’s Money Diaries… this is our own version of it! We’ve put together a few questions to understand what women are doing with their money. Let’s break the taboo and talk more about finances!

It’s short, snappy, fun and anonymous.

Co-owner of a design studio. London. 36. Married with dog.

💭 Financial goals:

Short term (1-5 years): Build up investments portfolio, pay off more of the mortgage, a trip abroad with my girlfriends for our collective 40th birthday. Hopefully a kid will be a part of the picture too (perhaps scuppering my plans to go away with friends!)

Medium term (5-10 years): Continue building the investments portfolio, hopefully sell up to move out of London to go somewhere coastal. Nail some passive income!

Long term (10 years +): Build on investments portfolio, wind up the business and retire early!

🌟 Best buy ever: Our wedding a few years ago. I didn't want to spend a lot but felt like I had to because we had so many visitors from abroad. It came to a lot but in the end, was the best day ever with the people we loved. Well worth it.

😳 Worst buy ever: White t-shirts. I stain them as soon as I buy them.

👀 Things you spend the most money on: The mortgage and car.

💸 Salary / Income: Around £40,000

💰 Net worth (what you own vs what you owe, or your assets minus your debts): £106,000 split between my husband and I

💻 Any side hustles: No. Must get on to this!

👛 Savings: yes, about £20k split across ISA, a savings account and my current account. Saving for some renovations, along with a 3-month emergency fund

🏠 Home: A small house in Zone 3 London worth about £560,000.

🔦 Debt: None! Cleared our debt to mum and dad this year though.

📈 Investing: Stocks & Shares ISA with a Vanguard fund, which I only started about 6 months ago. I only put a tiny bit away and my husband doesn't contribute but this is the next thing I want us to focus on.

😌 Pension: Yes, but not much. My husband only started on his this year, and mine was pretty measly. As of this year, we pay ourselves £500 each per month through the company, and looking to up this as our turnover gets bigger (we hope)

🔮 Insurances: Travel, home & contents, business, bike, pet. Need life insurance!

⚡ What is money for you? Freedom to do things on my own terms.

🚀 What is financial independence for you? I can do what I like! I can help out family financially if I need to, or go on a holiday on a whim. It'd be freedom.

THANK YOU!

🙋🙋 Please help us break the taboo and participate here - it’s anonymous too 🙋🙋