She Strengthens

Rebuilding and Refocusing: A Year of Self-Discovery

This year, my family and I faced a series of emotionally draining challenges that forced us to re-evaluate our lives. After completing my contract abroad, I returned home to live with my family, and we decided to support each other through this difficult period. I accelerated my plans to switch careers, and amidst all the changes, I thought it was an ideal time to examine my spending habits.

Non-Essential Expenses: A Breakdown

I calculated my non-essential expenses, excluding rent, utilities, and food, since I’m living with my family this year. From January to September, here’s a summary of my spending:

Health and Wellness

• Medication and medical care: £153 (including medication for my chronic pituitary adenoma condition and an MRI scan)
• Personal care: £131.35 (skincare routine, zinc supplements, and hair care)

Beauty and Grooming

• Makeup: £115 (limited purchases during a self-imposed spending freeze)
• Beauty treatments: £606 (haircuts, highlights, eyebrow wax, eyelash tint, and Shellac manicures)

Fashion and Style

• Clothing, lingerie, and hosiery: £762 (winter clothing, dresses, trousers, and accessories)

Electronics and Entertainment

• Electronics: £1,115 (MacBook Air laptop and iPhone charger)
• Entertainment and hobbies: £995 (coffee and cake outings, bikeshare system, London trips, book purchases, and arts lab group attendance)

Travel and Exploration

• Travel: £1,500 (three two-week holidays in Paris, Portugal, and London)

Accessories and Gifts

• Jewelry: £75 (watch repair)
• Gifts: £120 (presents for friends and family, including a DNA ancestry test and a Paddington bear)

Predicted Expenses for the Rest of the Year

• Dental work: £400 (crown replacement)
• Driving: £800-900 (driving lessons and rental car costs)
• Birthday: £100 (massage, cake, and coffee)
• Christmas: £250-£500 (gifts for 6-10 people)

Lessons Learned and Future Plans

This exercise has been incredibly helpful in two ways. Firstly, it’s allowed me to stop comparing myself to others and focus on my own needs. Secondly, knowing my expenses will enable me to maintain a good standard of living on a higher salary, without feeling pinched. I’m excited to see how my new career will impact my spending habits and what opportunities it will bring in the next 5-10 years.