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.

COMPANY OWNER. WILTSHIRE. 36. MARRIED WITH TWO CATS.

💭 Financial goals:

Short term (1-5 years): Travelling more often, finishing our house renovation and growing our business.

Medium term (5-10 years): Sell the business and pay off the mortgage and/or buy an investment property. I'd also like to top up my pension as I was late to the party on that one!

Long term (10 years +): Financial freedom

🌟 Best buy ever: Probably my BMW Z4. Not a wise investment but a lot of fun and a lovely reward for building my own business. I do like nice cars but had always had second hand ones that needing fixing all the time. I felt proud to be in a position to treat myself.

😳 Worst buy ever: I must have spent thousands on coffee over the years!

👀 Things you spend the most money on: Mortgage, cars, debt repayments, house renovations, holidays & clothes.

😌 Pension: Yes, a personal pension that my company pays in to.

🔮 Insurances: Yes, income protection and life insurance. Once the business grows further I'll restart my health insurance.

💸 Salary / Income: £50,000 in dividend income.

💰 Net worth (what you own vs what you owe, or your assets minus your debts): £200,000.

💻 Any side hustles: Wedding decor hire business.

👛 Savings: I currently put a little in a stocks and shares ISA. After two house renovations I've managed to build up a decent amount of equity in property, so now my focus is on saving.

🏠 Home: Yes, a detached house. The next step will be our forever home or an investment property (or maybe both!).

🔦 Debt: £12,000 credit card (thanks, wedding!), £10,000 loan (thanks, house!), £490,000 mortgage.

📈 Investing: In addition to my pension, I have a stocks and shares ISA with a robo-advisor.

⚡ What is money for you? A balancing act between enjoying life now and making the right choices to hopefully be comfortable later in life.

🚀 What is financial independence for you? Paying off my mortgage and having the freedom to a) not having to exchange hours for money and b) travel where and when I like.

THANK YOU!

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