You might already be familiar with Refinery29’s Money Diaries… well, this is the Vestpod version! We’ve put together a few questions to help us understand what women are doing with their money, and they've answered! Always fun, always succinct, and always anonymous.

UX Designer. London. 32. Single.

💭 Financial goals:

Short term (1-5 years): Building my emergency fund to cover 12 months of expenses, and I can take a sabbatical from work in 3 years so I'm saving for a blowout trip.

Medium term (5-10 years): Sort of saving a deposit on a house but don't know how viable buying something decent is while I'm still single.

Long term (10 years +): All my long term savings are geared towards a comfortable retirement. I'd like to be able to retire around 60 so pay about £1,000 into my company pension scheme each month.

🌟 Best buy ever: My cat! She cost £60 up front plus £££ in food, vet bills and toys over the last 2 years but she's worth every penny.

😳 Worst buy ever: I once spent £150 so me and my best friend could go to a One Direction concert (she loved them, I did not) and sorry, but it was rubbish.

👀Things you spend the most money on: Rent is a terrifying amount... beyond that, probably meals out.

😌 Pension: Yes - workplace pension. There's about £9,000 in there at the moment and I've just upped the contributions so it should start growing quite quickly.

🔮 Insurances: Only my cat is insured, for about £6 a month. I hope I never have to claim though! I'm also a member of a union which I suppose is a sort of insurance too.

💸 Salary / Income: £62,000.

💰 Net worth (what you own vs what you owe, or your assets minus your debts): £18500.

💻 Any side hustles: I'm trying to write a book which I suppose could be a side hustle if it ever sells!

👛 Savings: Yes, £7800 in cash savings, trying to build my emergency fund up to £20,000 (a year's expenses and essential spending), then I'll start on a stocks and shares ISA. I put away about £700-£1000 depending on my plans each month.

🏠 Home: No, no plans to buy but my mum's flat is in trust to me so I will have that one day (don't like to think about the circumstances).

🔦 Debt: Ignoring my student debt, none. I got into a lot of debt in my early/mid 20s and ended up with defaults and CCJs. I've worked hard to pay everything off, and the last black mark on my credit report should expire next year!

📈 Investing: Through my workplace pension. I'm invested in the ethical fund, which I think everyone should be.

⚡ What is money for you? Something that helps daily life go more smoothly, not the be all and end all.

🚀 What is financial independence for you? Not having to worry before making a (reasonable!) splurge purchase.

THANK YOU!

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