‘I’m 39, I’m a northern citizen and I earn £40,000. This is how I spent my money – while I was stag do’

I have always been quite frugal. I was born in humble beginnings in a big northern town, I was raised to live within means and not spend extra money on things that can be bought cheaply. This hasn’t really changed since moving to London 12 years ago.

When I came here, I earned £15,000 a year and was in debt. The low-budget life that had led me to this point came in handy – restaurant prices were checked in advance, take-out places were prioritized and I rarely went to expensive nightclubs or bars.

But since then, my salary has increased and the pressure on my finances has almost disappeared.

I recently inherited a good amount of money from a grandparent, which meant I could finally pay off my student loan. This added to my net take home pay, which adds up significantly every month.

It also means that even the need to save is a little less pressing these days, but the joy of a bargain is still there. The discount section in the supermarket is still the first place I check, I can never bring myself to splurge on hotels and I have a reputation among friends for getting the cheapest train tickets.

I cycle to work and still live with three other people in a basic shared house. Like many people my age, I’m into football, socializing and travelling. A real highlight is when I can put all three together – in relation to the stag I’ve got going on this week.

• Age: 39

• Annual salary before tax: £40,000

• Monthly salary after tax: £2,693

• Rent: £785

• Household bills: £80, shared between housemates

• Subscriptions (Netflix, mobile): £36

Day 1

Paying for breakfast is a thing of the past in my new job, because fruit is free. We all benefit from this, despite the strict signs that say you should only take one piece.

At lunchtime, I go for a £3.50 Sainsbury’s lunch, plus a Coca Cola, crisps and a wrap. I have five-a-side football on Monday afternoon, which means I need the energy.

The story continues

There is usually a visit to the pub afterwards, but after a frustrating 4-4 ​​draw many of the boys go home.

Thanks to a train strike, I’m left with a six-hour Tube and £5.55 bus round-trip. I’m hungry, so I opt for a KFC burger while out, adding another £1.99 to my day.

When I finally get home before midnight, I grab some leftover pasta from the fridge.

Total: £11.04

Day 2:

I’m living cheap and staying in every night because I’m flying out on stag mate’s for Thursday.

I’ve made food in advance, so I take sandwiches to work and eat hearty spaghetti bolognese out of the freezer when I get home.

The bike takes me to and from work for free. But then I lose £10 on football bets trying to raise money for an expensive weekend ahead. Math girl, probably.

Total: £10

Day 3:

One day from the big trip, I’m back in Sainsbury’s at lunchtime for a meal (what a lunch).

I cycle home at the end of the day, but visit Sainsbury’s again for a £3 stir fry meal to increase my veg intake before the inevitable slaughter begins in 24 hours.

Total: £6.50

Day 4:

I’m on the train today, so my spend starts with a £3.70 fare. A client takes me out for lunch, so that’s a significant saving, which comes in handy after being charged £18.40 one way to Gatwick. So much for being the Trainline wizard.

I get two bottles of Peroni for the train journey at £3.99 each for a quick sharpener before I get to the airport, then remember to buy travel insurance at £23.94.

For this weekend, I’m feeling better safe than sorry.

I walk into Wetherspoons and buy a pint for a friend and one for myself for £13.40, before investing £5.99 in a Pret sandwich for the plane and two beers (£10) on board. We are going to Munich for a few days.

My contribution to the Uber from the airport is £7.50 before we check in and head to a bar. Withdrawal of €50 from the ATM incurs a €6 euro sting charge, totaling up to £48.52, but the money lasts the rest of the night and funds a halloumi wrap to boot. We will go back in the early hours of the morning away.

Total: £129.45

Day 5:

The rest of the team goes to a museum, so our splinter group goes for a walk around the city before ending up at a waterfront cafe.

I choose the schnitzel and a beer to start the day for €28 (£24), before we go to another bar to check its suitability for a meal for all.

I buy four steins and a bottle of water, before considering calling the German police when the bill totals €55 (£47). When the laughter subsides, I’m told I can skip a round with my three companions.

By the time my turn rolls around again, €27.50 (£23.63) for four pints during a very competitive game of beer pong makes a lot more sense.

The next leg of the journey ends at the fun fair, where I buy two beers for €10 (£8.60) and a hot dog for €8 (£6.88) with my remaining money. Again we are going home free.

Total: £110.33

Day 6:

We get up late and try to track down the rest of the group. If we don’t make it, we park up for a nice lunch of spare ribs, chips and more beer. Another €50 (£43) later, I’m ready for the biggest day of the year.

I buy four beers – two for me, two for the man of the hour, the groom – over the course of an hour for €22 (£18.96), before I go to a restaurant.

I order a huge pork knuckle and stein, which really hits the spot. It also hits the wallet, to the tune of €60 (£51.60), but it’s worth every penny.

As most people go home, I spend €17 (£14.66) on another round and raid the ATM for an extra €50 (£43) in cash. We decide to continue the night, meeting the locals who take us to a karaoke bar. The gin and tonics flow until 5am and my money lasts the whole time.

Since the sun is barely up, I don’t buy a metro ticket and travel home for free.

Total: £171.22

Day 7:

The hangover and the fatigue come together and the struggle is real. Another £7.50 Uber gets me to the airport, before I invest €9 (£7.74) in a sandwich for the flight. I put up my free water bottle.

Back in London, I am greeted by the two words no one wants to hear: rail replacement. My journey home costs £12, but more than double the duration it should take.

I’m in no mood to cook, so I decide to invest £18 in a below-par Indian takeaway before a much-needed early night.

Total: £45.24

Weekly Total: £483.78

As told to Madeleine Ross.