Money Diary: A Part-Time Accounts Assistant On 19k

This week: "I'm a 29-year-old part-time accounts assistant from Essex. Me and my partner, T, are currently in the process of selling our first home together and upsizing. We have two children: B, who is five, and G, who is one and a half. B was diagnosed with autism in March last year. It was a relatively long and pretty difficult process due to the pandemic. The first time he even saw a paediatrician was the day he was diagnosed; everything prior was done remotely. We very recently got accepted to receive DLA (disability living allowance) for B, which has been a huge help. We didn’t realise how much money we were spending on making our lifestyle better suited to B so we are extremely grateful to be receiving this. We receive £380 every four weeks and also £154 in child benefit. I work three days per week, two in the office and one at home. T works full-time, split between office and home. It’s quite a juggling act with the kids but my employer is very flexible and understanding, which is helpful. We have a rough 60/40 split with bills but T tends to pay for most of our fun stuff."

Occupation: Accounts assistant 
Industry: Accountancy 
Age: 29
Location: Essex
Salary: £19,200
Paycheque amount: £1,380
Number of housemates: Three: my partner, T, and kids, B and G.
Pronouns: She/her 

Housing costs: £270 mortgage (40% share).
Loan payments: None.
Savings? £10,000 joint.
Pension? I have a workplace pension where both me and my employer contribute the minimum amount. I contribute £43.20 per month. 
Utilities: £54 council tax, £52 gas and electricity, £11 water, £19 TV/internet.
All other monthly payments: £35 phone, £189 car finance, £15 parking at work. Subscriptions: £2.49 iCloud.

I didn’t go to university, I did a professional qualification at work that my employer funded. I am currently classed as part qualified. I had every intention of continuing once I started a family but life is just way too chaotic for me to study at the moment. My employer isn’t fussed whether I complete it or not, although I know they will be supportive if I choose to. Maybe one day when both kids are in full-time education I will carry on. 

It was never discussed growing up but I know money was always tight for my parents. My dad is self-employed and often went months without being paid anything. Me and my sister never went without, although looking back it must have been extremely hard for my parents. 

I moved out at 22 with T when we bought our first home together (which is the one we are currently selling). 

In one sense, I became financially independent when I moved out at 22. However, since going part-time at work, I wouldn't be able to sustain my lifestyle on just my income so I guess I am dependent on T now.  

I started work in a newsagent's at 15 alongside school to earn money to buy new clothes, shoes, magazines and go out with my friends. I worked there for almost four years and loved it (although I hated the 8am Saturday and Sunday morning starts!).

All the time. I check banking apps several times a day. Things are getting more expensive by the minute and now we are moving I am even more conscious of this. 

No.