“What’s the point of buying a £189 health tracker if you’re a smoker?”
Rachel and Kojo, Northampton
Rachel, 38, met Kojo, 41, in 2020, a year after divorcing the father of her two children, Amanda and Miles. Rachel works for the NHS, earning £27,000 a year. Kojo earns £32,000 as a school caretaker. They live in a three-bedroom home they bought in 2024 for £325,000. Their son, Marcus, and Rachel’s 13-year-old daughter, Amanda, live with them, while Miles, 17, splits his time between them and Rachel’s ex. The couple split their £1,750 monthly mortgage and household bills. They each put £500 into a joint account for shared expenses, keeping the rest of their finances separate. Rachel gets £150 a week in child maintenance from her ex-husband.
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Rachel
Monday
I work three days a week at a local hospital and have to pay to park – a complete joke (£8.50). No lunch cost as I’m microdosing [weight-loss drug] Mounjaro. On my break, I ordered another Mounjaro pen (£220). I also paid the weekly carpool fee for Miles and Amanda as they need transport after school (£60). Total: £288.50
Tuesday
I bought a gym set online before my shift (£50), drove to work (£8.50) and bought some fruit and a wrap from the canteen (£7.20). Total: £65.70
Wednesday
I went to work (£8.50) and afterwards headed to a bar to meet a school friend for a wine and some chicken wings (£11.50). My appetite is coming back. Stopped at Asda for crisps, salad and chicken nuggets for the kids’ snacks (£11.23), and bought an eyelash-perming set online (£12.50). Total: £43.73
Thursday
A self-care morning. I had some skin treatments: a polynucleotide injection (£350), Botox, which I get every three months (£150), and 1ml filler in my cheeks and chin (£175). I feel great. Total: £675
Friday
I picked up Marcus, Amanda and Miles from school and took them to Nando’s as a treat (£65.32). It used to be cheap! Later, tidied the house and went shopping with Marcus and Kojo. Total £65.32
Saturday
Kojo, Marcus, Amanda and I went to a safari park. It was £130 for four, which is a lot, but Marcus loves the lions. I paid half from our joint account (£65). Kojo paid the other half plus lunch. Total: £65
Sunday
Ordered some face serums online (£45) and a phone case for Amanda after hers broke (£12). Did a family shop at Tesco, which Kojo paid for. Total: £57
Weekly total: £1,260.25
Kojo
Monday
I walk to work and I get my food covered, so I generally don’t spend much in the week. I bought a packet of 20 Benson & Hedges (£18.50), which I smoke on the way to and from work. Total: £18.50
Tuesday
Ordered new headphones (£75.50) and a Hume health watch (£189) as my birthday is coming up. I like tracking my sleep and hormone stats. Total: £264.50
Wednesday
They served shepherd’s pie in the school canteen, which I hate, so I bought a cheese and ham baguette at a nearby cafe (£4.89). Total: £4.89
Thursday
I bought some cigarillos, which I don’t tend to smoke as fast as cigarettes, as I’ve been smoking a bit more lately. Only a 10-pack this time. (£6.89). Total: £6.89
Friday
I went to a department store with Rachel and bought Marcus a new pencil-case for school (£5.55), trainers (£32.50) and socks (£3.20), as well as a top Rachel wanted (£22.50). Total: £63.75
Saturday
We went to the safari park and I paid half (£65) plus parking (£9). I also covered lunch for the four of us. We got burgers, chips and colas (£54.88). It was a fun, but expensive, day. Total: £128.88
Sunday
The Tesco shop cost £135.30, which is about normal. I usually split it with Rachel, but I got it this week. Total: £135.30
Weekly total: £622.71
The big reveal …
Rachel describes herself as “highly strung” when it comes to talking about money after separating from her former partner: “I ended up with nothing in my divorce.” When she and Kojo got together, she expecHe might be more careful about spending money on her children. Instead, she says: “He treats them as his own.”
She feels nervous about showing him her diary. Over the past few years, she has spent more on beauty treatments to deal with low body confidence after having three kids. Last month, she flew to Turkey for a breast augmentation that cost £5,000. Kojo was surprised, but told Rachel to do what felt right. “I helped her research the clinic, but it was all her savings,” he said. Rachel puts bigger purchases, like her monthly Mounjaro injections and Botox treatments, on her personal Amex card, and only pays the minimum amount each month. “I’ve got a debt of around £2,500,” she says during the diary reveal. “I didn’t know it was that high,” Kojo replies.
Kojo is shocked by how much Rachel’s treatments cost during the week: “I had no idea how expensive all this was,” he says. “We could put some of that money towards a kitchen extension.” He thinks about how quickly these treatments have become normal: “When we met, Rachel wasn’t doing any of this.” Rachel says a kitchen extension is out of their budget anyway, and defends her spending as important for her mental health. “I’m a mum. My treats make me look and feel better, unlike Kojo’s smoking.” His £25-a-week cigarette habit, which he keeps hidden from the family, costs more than she thought. She also finds his health tech purchases contradictory. “What’s the point in buying a £189 health watch if you’re a smoker?” she asks.
Kojo was fine with sharing the diary, except for the smoking reveal. “I’d like to give up. I’m a bit ashamed of how much I spent. Rachel has been on at me for years to quit.” He says the task helped clear up their finances and showed them where they could work better together. “I see where we can plug a few holes,” he says. “Rachel spending £1,260 a week is a lot.”
The task also showed Kojo how insecure Rachel feels about her body. “Maybe it’s my fault: I need to tell her how beautiful she is more often,” he says. “She doesn’t need to spend all that on beauty treatments, but I won’t try to control her choices.”
‘I like buying food in bulk, but Jasper buys stuff as and when, which annoys me as it’s less economical’
Caitlin and Jasper, Bristol
Caitlin, an accountant earning £94,000, and Jasper, a tax adviser earning £103,000, both 34, met on Tinder 10 years ago. They got married in 2024, and Caitlin is six months pregnant with their first child, conceived through IVF. They live with their six-year-old chihuahua, Beanie (“a diva”), in a five-bed Victorian house they are renovating. The cost of that, £20,000, is split between them, with Jasper also adding his work bonus. Each month, the couple puts £3,500 into a joint account to cover bills, holidays, house expenses, and their two cars, but they also keep separate bank accounts.
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Caitlin
Monday
I ordered a cute baby outfit online from a sustainable brand (£19.20) while I worked from home. I also bought some new cushion covers for our spare room sofa (£28). Total: £47.20
Tuesday
Our food shop from Tesco arrived. It was £83.45; we split it (£41.72). I like buying food in bulk, but Jasper buys stuff as and when, which annoys me as it’s less economical. I got some milk before the shop arrived (75p) and a dog treat for Beanie (£2.20). Total: £44.67
Wednesday
I paid for the wood (£295) for new skirting boards at B&Q and a sander from Argos (£25), as Jasper said he didn’t want to spend from the joint account. The measuring and calculating was easy, but the sanding is much more laborious. Jasper says he will help, as my mobility isn’t great. Total: £320
Thursday
We are going to London next weekend to see friends and booked a fancy hotel on the Elizabeth line at £200 per night for tThree nights. I paid half (£300). Total: £300.
Friday I went to the office in Bristol city centre. I got just under half a tank of petrol on the way (£32). For lunch, I bought an egg sandwich, a Diet Coke and Quavers (£5.99). On the way home, I stopped to get ginger and Thai curry paste for dinner (£4.34). Total: £42.33.
Saturday We went to the pub after walking Beanie. Jasper paid, as he’s drinking beers and I’m only on Diet Cokes. Total: £0.
Sunday No spending today. The baby is really active at the moment. I stayed in and relaxed.
Weekly total: £754.20.
Jasper
Monday I drove to my office in the city. Parking is £10 a day. Petrol is about £7 there and back. I spent £10 on lunch – a chicken and bacon baguette and crisps – from a little independent place near me. Total: £27.
Tuesday Headed to work again, but I got a duck wrap instead of the chicken and bacon (£27 total). In the evening, I bought a garden strimmer and tools (£43). I’m not good with plants, but I like pottering in summer. Total: £70.
Wednesday Rinse and repeat at work (£27), but I went back to the chicken for lunch. Very exciting. I also ordered some picture frames for things we need to hang up (£44). Total: £71.
Thursday Commuting and lunch costs were the same (£27). Later, I paid for my half of the hotel in London (£300). I also bought some football tickets for a match next week in London with a mate (£75). Caitlin isn’t coming. She hates football. Total: £402.
Friday I got the train to London for a last-minute meeting, but can expense that. I got a bento box, edamame and Diet Coke at lunch (£13.99) and stopped at Boots for razors (£1.27). Total: £15.26.
Saturday We had a nice walk and went to the pub. I got a few beers and Caitlin’s Diet Cokes (£32.54). I also ordered calamari for us (£7). Total: £39.54.
Sunday I did a little late-night clothes splurge that I didn’t tell Caitlin about: shirts and shorts from Zara and Asos (£354.32). Justified, though, as we have a holiday coming up. Total: £354.32.
Weekly total: £979.12.
The big reveal …
The task diary wasn’t too revealing for Caitlin and Jasper. “I’m an accountant, so love all this,” Caitlin says. “We spend on the big things in life: house, IVF treatment. It’s good to see how far we’ve come. I’ve wanted kids for so long and I’ve dreamed of a house like the one we have now.” By Caitlin’s admission, Jasper grew up “more middle class” than her, with parents who own a property business, so is more casual with money. She sees herself as more frugal – something she puts down to her heritage. “My family is from Yorkshire. My grandmother lived on a farm while her father worked in the mines.”
After the diary reveal, Caitlin was surprised at Jasper’s clothing splurge. “£300 in one online shop is insane to me. He could go on Vinted.” Jasper is unrepentant. “I work hard for my money, so I don’t care,” he says.
They’ve found they bicker over money sometimes, such as during the IVF. “We spent £8,000 on fertility treatments in Portugal, which worked. But Jasper didn’t like me spending an extra £400 a month on supplements during that time. That caused a divide. But I was so desperate for a baby, I wanted to maximise our chances. It wasn’t a waste of money as I got pregnant. Who’s to say they didn’t work?” Now it’s the renovation that causes friction, as costs rise.
Recently, Caitlin wanted to splurge £500 on a vintage coffee table, but Jasper said no. “It was too much – we didn’t need it.” When Caitlin suggested redoing all the skirting boards with a professional, he also put his foot down, deeming it “an unnecessary hole in the budget”. Caitlin took it upon herself to buy the wood and a sander. He says Caitlin was a bit annoyed that the cost came from her own personal expense. “She wanted to do it,” he says.I was surprised by how much the wood cost (£295). I admit it’s an expense I’ll benefit from too, and it does look really nice. Jasper has since helped with the sanding.
I should have dealt with my £250 speeding ticket earlier. It’s gone up a lot.
Martha and Gary, Brighton
Martha, 64, and Gary, 70, have been together for five years and have an 11-year-old whippet called Peggy, who originally belonged to Gary’s adult son. Gary is a semi-retired electrician earning about £45,000 a year from part-time work and his pension, while Martha is retired and lives on her pension plus the pension from her late husband Dave, who passed away in 2016 — that gives her £2,200 a month. They put £350 a week into a shared account to cover household bills, groceries, and alcohol, but keep the rest of their spending separate. Martha set up all the bills and expenses, which come out of the joint account. Their house was bought by Martha in 2024 for £425,000.
Gary
Monday
I drive to work three days a week for a large electric company. They cover parking, but I pay for lunch. I brought a sandwich from home and later bought a coffee (£3.48) and a sausage roll (£2.72). Total: £6.20
Tuesday
I had three coffees at work (£10.45), which is a lot for me (I usually have one or two). Later, I paid 20% of Peggy’s vet fees (£1,200), with insurance covering the rest. I was happy to do it because she needed her stomach pumped and I would never let her suffer, but it’s a lot of money. Total: £1,210.45
Wednesday
I bought a Bluetooth speaker from a shop after work because ours broke (£12.50). I had two coffees but got one free with my loyalty card (£3.48). Total: £15.98
Thursday
I had the day off and Martha made me sort out my speeding ticket (£250). I should have done it earlier because it’s really increased. Total: £250
Friday
I paid for fish and chips for us on the pier (£24.50) and we walked Peggy (she’s recovering slowly). Later, we went to the pub (£43.84). Total: £68.34
Saturday
I got a small top-up shop from our local Co-op (£38.99), but we usually go to Asda. Later, we went to our regular social club and had a few drinks (£45.21). Total: £84.20
Sunday
I paid £350 into our joint account to cover next week’s expenses but didn’t spend anything else. Total: £0
Weekly total: £1,635.17
Martha
Monday
I usually walk Peggy while Gary is at work. We didn’t go far because she’s recovering from her operation. I bought some chocolate, poo bags, and wine from the newsagents on the way home (£11.40). Later, I bought a Dorothy Perkins dress on Vinted (£12.40). Total: £23.80
Tuesday
I walked Peggy a bit further today and had breakfast at a cafe on the pier (£17.50). I ordered two more items on Vinted (£39.34) but also sold a top for £11, so I was happy with that. Total: £56.84
Wednesday
I walked Peggy, then went to a pilates class that’s prepaid at my local gym. On the way back, I stopped at our florist to get some peonies since they’re in season right now (£16). Total: £16
Thursday
I bought some trousers on Vinted (£6.34), a new lamp for our bedroom from La Redoute (£40), and some more flowers from the garage (£8) when I got petrol (£23.96). I helped Gary sort out his speeding ticket, which I was cross about. Total: £78.30
Friday
I bought a designer bag from Gucci on Vinted that I’ve had my eye on for ages and was very pleased with it (£250). On the way back from the fish and chip shop with Gary, I stopped at my local vape shop to get some liquid and a new vape. I didn’t tell him the cost (£33). Total: £283
Saturday
I bought us a rFound at the social club (£21.41), Gary covered the rest. Total: £21.41
Sunday: We stayed in and I cooked a roast. I won an eBay auction for a pair of heels (£19.50) and also transferred £350 to our joint account for the next week. Total: £19.50
Weekly total: £498.85
The big reveal…
Martha admits she doesn’t keep track of her money and has a weakness for browsing Vinted, typically spending about £100 a week on secondhand clothes while only making back about £50 a week from sales. “It doesn’t really balance out,” she sighs. During the week’s diary, this gap was much bigger after she spotted a bag she couldn’t resist for £250, which Gary thought was “crazy”. She also spends about £30 a week on flowers, which Gary didn’t know about: “They just die in a few days – it’s pointless.” His worst spending habit is hiding driving tickets from her. “I plan to deal with my fines right away, but then I panic and forget, and they pile up.”
During the reveal, Martha scolded him for ignoring the speeding ticket. “It was about to go to court,” she says. “It’s already £250. I don’t know why he does this; it always gets worse.” Meanwhile, Gary was surprised by how much Martha spent on vaping: “It’s a lot for flavoured air.” Martha suggests Gary should bring coffee in a flask to work to cut down on his £15-a-week habit, but he refuses because he enjoys the routine.
Keeping a money diary was tough for Gary since he “has never been good with maths or admin”. His biggest expense is usually his beloved whippet. After the dog became seriously ill last month, insurance covered 80% of the £6,000 vet bill, leaving Gary to pay the remaining 20%, plus a £250 excess, some of which fell during the diary week. During the reveal, Martha says she’s disappointed he doesn’t have better insurance, but Gary corrects her: “She’s an old dog and I only insured her last year. All the insurance options were expensive.”
The two would do the task again if needed. “Looking at what I spend has helped me feel more on track,” Gary says. “I’m going to be better with the parking tickets and fines.” He describes his attitude to money as “anxious” by his own account. He says it’s because when he divorced the mother of his two children, she ended up with half of his pension. “I was very cautious when I met Martha, but now I’m more open,” he says.
‘I don’t feel bad buying nice things. I’m someone who spends all the time’
Jake and Ryan, London
Jake, 45, met Ryan, 36, on a dating app in 2024. Jake works as a creative director earning £75,000 a year, while Ryan earns £52,000 as a graphic designer. The couple bought a three-bedroom home in 2024 for £625,000 with a deposit largely from Jake’s family. They split their £2,250 monthly mortgage and bills equally and each pay £800 into a joint account for shared expenses, including a cat named Mariah. Ryan is careful with money and likes to build up savings; Jake, on the other hand, loves luxury watches and has spent more than £15,000 on his collection over the last three years. They’re looking to adopt soon.
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Jake
Monday: Up at 5.30am for the gym in our building before work. I commute to east London but we live in the west, so it’s a nightmare time-wise, even if it only costs £4.60 a day on Transport for London. Grabbed a coffee at the station (£3.90) and my weekly protein meal prep delivery arrived at home while I was at work (£58). It’s expensive, but stops us buying takeaway or eating out, which Ryan, especially, loves. Total: £66.50
Tuesday: Another early start and another commute (£4.60). Picked up a protein shake after the gym (£4.20) and paid my annual Headspace [mental health app] membership (£49.99). I was tempted to grab lunch from a local bistroNo, but I ate one of my meal prep boxes instead. Total: £58.79
Wednesday: Worked another long day and commuted by train (£4.60). After work, I met Ryan for drinks and nibbles at our local pub. We split the bill (£28.50). On the way home, I bought some toiletries from Boots (£14.20) for an upcoming work trip to Milan. Total: £47.30
Thursday: Did the commute (£4.60). During my break, I ordered some new gym clothes and supplements online (£57). I know I already have enough, but I like feeling good when I train. I used another protein meal prep for lunch. Total: £61.60
Friday: Back to work. Another commute (£4.60) and I picked up coffees for my team because we’d had a big client win (£19.40). Used another meal prep for lunch, then stopped at Sainsbury’s for cat food, nuts, and protein bagels (£8.30). Met Ryan for a drink in Soho (he paid). Total: £32.30
Saturday: Ryan went to meet his brother and I had a lie-in browsing watches in bed. I ended up buying the Omega I’d been looking at for months. It cost £5,800 on a 0% finance deal. Ryan went mad. Total: £5,800
Sunday: Treated us both to pastries on a walk to a park near our house (£9.20) and ordered next week’s protein meal prep boxes (£58). In the evening, Ryan and I ordered Vietnamese because neither of us wanted to cook (£35). Total: £102.20
Weekly total: £6,168.69
Ryan
Monday: Office day in central London. The commute from west London isn’t cheap – my tube fare was £7.20. I bought a croissant at the station (£3.50) and spent the evening working from home on some personal design projects. I also bought a couple of house plants online (£32) because I’m slowly turning the flat into a jungle. Total: £42.70
Tuesday: Working from home today, so no commuting costs. I made lunch from leftover salad bits in the fridge and spent most of the day designing. I bought a new ceramic plant pot (£18) and some bits for the house (£12.50). I’m never done decorating and adding. Total: £30.50
Wednesday: Back into the office. Tube fare was £7.20. I forgot my lunch, so bought a soup, baguette, and coffee near work (£12.45). On the way home, I picked up some soil and fertiliser for my plants (£14.99). I met Jake for drinks (£28.50) then cooked Thai for us at home. Total: £63.14
Thursday: Working from home again. I spent most of the day designing and had a quiet evening. I ordered some new sketchbooks and art supplies for my personal projects (£22.50). I like making art for friends. Total: £22.50
Friday: Office day again. Tube fare was £7.20. After work, I met a friend for drinks in Soho (£48) and Jake came for one. I ordered some socks on Amazon before bed (£9.80). Total: £65
Saturday: I met my brother for lunch. We went to a small Italian restaurant and my share came to £32. Afterwards, I bought a big snake plant (£25) from a market, which I definitely didn’t need. Total: £57
Sunday: Quiet day at home. I did the Lidl food shop (£65) and went to the gym. Later, we discussed the watch thing over a takeaway and I calmed down a bit. Total: £65
Weekly total: £345.84
The big reveal …
When Jake revealed his watch buy, Ryan was upset. “I can’t understand spending £5,800 on a piece of jewellery, especially without talking to me first,” he says. Ryan describes the purchase as “disappointing”, because the couple had agreed to prioritise saving for a future adoption. “I really want kids, but sometimes I feel like Jake isn’t as serious about it as I am,” Ryan says. “He bought a £2,000 secondhand Rolex in February. It’s not really about the watch itself. It’s what it represents. We’re supposed to be putting money towards a kids’ fund.” Jake disagrees. “I don’t think that buying myself something I’ve worked hard for means I’m not interested in parenthood. I’m still contributing to the house, the bills, and our savings. I don’t feel every spare penny has to go towards that.”…a future plan.” The couple have very different attitudes toward money. Ryan grew up in a rural Irish home where money was tight and treats were rare. “If I ever bought something for myself, my friends back home would say: ‘You’re very good to yourself.’ It’s a sarcastic Irish thing. You’re not supposed to be seen treating yourself. Jake is the opposite. He’s also vainer than I am and spends a lot on clothes and protein supplements, whereas I don’t care.”
Jake says the watches are partly about celebrating his success after years of hard work. “I don’t feel bad buying nice things. I’m someone who spends all the time. I save, I work long hours and I wanted something that felt like mine.” He was raised in London by finance-savvy parents who taught him the importance of investing. They helped him with £50,000 towards his share of their house deposit. He admits this may influence his spending. “My parents talked about money openly,” Jake says. “They taught me to only buy expensive things if everything else – bills, mortgage – was under control. We are in the prime of our lives, so why not? I’ve had support that Ryan hasn’t had, but I also think it’s made me more conscious of long-term goals.”
Ryan feels this overlooks the fact that Jake has had a leg up. “Jake’s parents gave him a huge advantage, which I’m grateful for because it helped us buy our home. But these big splurges seem so indulgent.” The task was tricky as it highlighted what Ryan perceives as a different attitude towards future plans. “Maybe we aren’t as aligned as I thought. Maybe kids need to go on hold, because we can’t afford to have them and spend like this,” he says.
‘I just hate being showy with cash’
Lara and Max, Barcelona
Lara and Max, both 30, began dating last year. Max moved into Lara’s city centre apartment after just two months. Max earns £62,000 as a freelance advertising copywriter. Lara earns £89,000 working in tech, taking a pay cut from £149,000 when she moved to Barcelona from the US. She receives an extra £149,000 a year in stock compensation from her job, which she will cash out when she leaves. They pay €1,950/£1,664.15 in rent and bills, which they split. Lara covered the majority of a recent £20,000 car cost, while Max contributed £5,000.
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Lara
Monday
First of the month, so the rent was due: €900 plus bills at €75, each (€975/£827). The landlord put the cost up last year; Barcelona is in high demand. I bought some coffee, sheep’s cheese and lentil chips from our local deli after work as I worked from home (€8.50/£7.22). Total: €983.50/£834.22
Tuesday
I visited my office in the city centre, which I do around twice a week. Petrol is probably €5 (£4.24) there and back. I went to my favourite little cafeteria and ate swordfish and croquettes (€15/£12.73). On the way home, I had a massage and acupuncture appointment (€70/£59.42). Total: €90/£76.39
Wednesday
I worked from home so asked Max to go to his co-working space – our apartment isn’t huge. Jeans I had ordered for him arrived (€120/£101.86). He tried them on when he got back and liked them. He’s got better at accepting my gifts. Total: €120/£101.86
Thursday
I commuted on the train today (€2.60/£2.21) because I had a meeting in a co-working space and couldn’t park there. I ordered some tapas and a fizzy water (€22/£18.67). In the evening, I went for a mani-pedi (€55/£46.49) and bought a dress for a friend’s wedding and a new bikini from a Spanish designer I like (€250/£212.21). Total: €329.60/£279.58
Friday
Started an organic meal subscription so we don’t have to cook as much (€45/£38.20). Went to a pilates class at lunch (€15/£12.73). Bought a new painting for our apartment and relaxed at home as Max went out (€150/£127.33). Total: €210/£178.26
Saturday: Max and I walked to a market and grabbed brunch with friends. He paid.
Sunday: I booked a second acupuncture appointment since the first one was so helpful (€70/£59.42).
Weekly total: €1,803.10/£1,538
Max
Monday: I transferred my half of the rent to Lara (€975/£827.63). It still feels like her apartment sometimes, because everything is in her name, but I’m keen to make it my own. Today, I bought a mid-century chair she approved beforehand (€250/£212.21). Total: €1,225/£1,039.84
Tuesday: I worked from home alone. I popped out to get some avocados and yoghurt for lunch (€4.40/£3.73). Total: €4.40/£3.73
Wednesday: I walked to the co-working space Lara made me join, which costs €75/£64 a month, so we can have some space since we both work from home a lot. I go about three times a week, so it works out to good value, about €6.25/£5.31 per visit. I brought my own lunch. I liked the jeans Lara bought me, but I’d never spend that much on myself. Ordered some Thai food for us both (€26.22/£22.26). Total: €32.47/£27.57
Thursday: I headed to my co-working space and then met some mates at a bar (€29.73/£25.24). We watched a World Cup game. Total: €29.73/£25.24
Friday: A friend was playing in a band. I went to support them while Lara stayed in. Of course, I bought a few rounds. Total: €38.41/£32.26
Saturday: Lara and I went to a food market. I got pancakes, coffee, and eggs for us. Total: €38.50/£32.65
Sunday: I went to the gym. My membership is paid monthly (€50/£42.44), but I visit once a week, so each trip costs about €12.50/£10.61. Splurged on new trainers online (€75/£63.66). Total: €87.50/£74.27
Weekly total: €1,456.01/£1,235.56
The big reveal …
The task feels odd to Max and Lara, neither of whom usually tracks their spending. “There was a time as a student, or right after university, when I had to watch what I spent,” Max says, “but I haven’t kept track for a long time. The task was laborious, but it also reminded me how lucky I am not to have to worry about money usually.” Post-task, Max is shocked at how much Lara spent on beauty treatments: two massage and acupuncture sessions, plus a manicure and pedicure, seems excessive to him. Then there’s the organic meal delivery subscription Lara started without running it past him: “We don’t need it.” But Lara is unrepentant and points out that, actually, Max was the week’s big spender after splurging on furniture and designer shoes. “I don’t deserve that title if the furniture is for both of us,” he says.
Money has always been a loaded topic of conversation for the couple because of the disparity between their incomes. “Max wasn’t used to being with someone on my salary. Maybe he found it emasculating.” This is vehemently denied by Max: “I just hate being showy with cash.”
Lara says she likes to buy Max gifts, such as the jeans she gave him during the task – it’s something he used to struggle with. She recalls a toe-curling reaction from him after purchasing him a designer shirt for £100 early on in their relationship. “Now I think he loves being a kept man,” she smiles. In general, Lara splurges more – last month, she bought their flights for a weekend trip to Athens – but she admits feeling anxious that her personal spending would appear outrageous to her partner. “It’s taken me a while to adjust to her earnings,” Max says, “but not because of some outdated gender norms. I appreciate her gifts.” Max says his bashful attitude toward money is linked to his upbringing. He describes growing up “fairly well off” in Scotland. His father is titled and inherited land from his father. However, Max feels uncomfortable about extravagant displays of wealth. “My parents tried to keep up with the Joneses by making out they had more thanThey did sometimes. In Barcelona, he feels awkward because his salary is much higher than the local average. He dislikes the term “digital nomad,” and Lara agrees. She learned Spanish after moving to the capital and joins local housing protests to try to lessen her impact on gentrification. Living there has helped her save money, which she appreciates. She says her $200,000 (about £149,000) salary didn’t stretch as far in the US. She’s barely noticed the pay cut in Spain, and since her stock has risen so much, she’s actually better off now. “The States is hyper-capitalist—I felt pressured to buy more, get a bigger apartment. It was nonstop.” Names have been changed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs based on the articles premise written in a natural conversational tone
General Concept FAQs
Q What is this article actually about
A Its about a social experiment where five couples tracked every penny they spent for a period of time The twist is that they had to share their money diaries with each otherrevealing their income spending habits and debtsto see what they could learn from each others financial lives
Q Why would anyone want to share their finances with another couple
A Money is usually a private topic but this experiment was about radical transparency The idea is that by seeing how others spend you can get a fresh perspective on your own choices learn new tips and feel less alone in your financial struggles
Q Is this a get rich quick scheme
A No not at all Its a psychological and social experiment about behavior It focuses on the why behind spending rather than giving specific investment advice
Q I dont have a partner Is this still relevant to me
A Yes While it focuses on couples the core lessons are about selfawareness and peer pressure You can apply the same money diary concept with a friend or sibling to get the same benefit of accountability
The 5800 Watch Specifics
Q Who bought the 5800 watch
A The article highlights one specific couple who made this large luxury purchase during the diary period It serves as the main example of a splurge purchase that sparked debate among the other couples
Q Was buying the watch a bad decision
A Not necessarily The point wasnt to judge the purchase but to see how it fit into that couples overall financial picture If they have a high income and no debt it might be a fine reward If they have credit card debt it looks very different The article uses it to ask Is this a treat or a problem
Q Did the other couples judge them for the watch
