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.

Digital Designer. London. 30. Single.

💭 Financial goals:

Short term (1-5 years): Build up an emergency fund first, top up my monthly investments with more money and then focus on saving for a trip to Australia.

Medium term (5-10 years): Continue building up on my savings so that I can make the jump to freelancer or start my own business.

Long term (10 years +): Saving enough for retirement while investing (compound interest for the win!) so that I'll have peace of mind that I did something for my future.

🌟 Best buy ever: All the flights I've taken to visit my family (living in a different country) ever since I've moved to the UK. Each flight costs me around £200 depending on the season I'm flying.

😳 Worst buy ever: Cheap shoes that look amazing but don't last more than an year so I keep buying more.

👀Things you spend the most money on: Definitely my astronomical rent, bills and travel (within London and the overseas flights).

😌 Pension: Yes, through my workplace. I'm contributing with as much as I can per month and it's great watching the number grown even though it's still a very small amount.

🔮 Insurances: Unfortunately no, what I can save from my salary after bills goes to my emergency fund, investment ISA and flights to visit my family.

💸 Salary / Income: £37,000.

💰 Net worth (what you own vs what you owe, or your assets minus your debts): Around £10,000.

💻 Any side hustles: None.

👛 Savings: Yes, a savings account with an emergency fund.

🏠 Home: Not planning to buy in the near future. I'll probably keep renting as it provides me more flexibility to move around due to unforeseen circumstances.

🔦 Debt: No debt ever. I've learned to manage my money on my own and live within my means by taking my parents' lives as an example.

📈 Investing: I was really afraid of starting investing due to a lack of knowledge on that sector but overcame that irrational fear about an year ago when I finally decided to take the plunge and open a Stocks & Shares ISA to which I contribute monthly. It was the best decision I've taken for my future self and makes me feel more savvy and in-control of my own money.

⚡ What is money for you? Absolute freedom and most importantly independence. The ability to live my life the way I want within my own means without having to rely on anyone other than myself. Nothing beats the feeling of having responsibility over your own money.

🚀 What is financial independence for you? Not having to rely on anyone so I can be my own person but most importantly being able to live a life worth living, even if doesn't include aspirational adventures and experiences, for me it will be a rich life if I can cover my bills while finding happiness in the little things I can afford throughout.

THANK YOU!

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