Solicitor dines out on meal deals and Clubcard specials

I have been working as a solicitor at a leading City law firm since graduating from university nearly a decade ago. I attended private school and went on to university, which my parents funded so I wouldn’t be saddled with student debt.

I recognise that I have had a very fortunate upbringing. That said, I have a strong puritanical streak and enjoy saving money and investing.

I think my partner and I may have to leave Britain in the future. I disagree with the political direction in which the country is headed and I’m concerned the tax burden will continue to increase. I am simply not willing to hand over any inheritance tax on my wealth when I pass away.

Day 1

Today is the day when a number of my personal subscriptions, including Spotify (£10.99) and Audible (£7.99), go out by direct debit. I prefer running outdoors to lifting weights inside, but I am a gym member (£44.95).

I am working from home, but have an interview at another law firm across town. Although I feel well paid, I am looking to up the ante and I have been interviewing with other firms. I would like to take home an extra £1,000 a month post tax. Tube fares came to £5.60, and I spent £3 at Pret on a double espresso. I took advantage of weekend leftovers for lunch and dinner.

Total: £72.53 Day 2

A cycle to work on my Brompton bike kicked off a frugal day at the office. My only expenditure was £ 3.40 on my Tesco meal deal, Clubcard price. Total: £3.40

Day 3

Working in the office again, I resort to my trusty Tesco meal deal and tackle the dairy aisle. I have a Cheesestring addiction and need to eat two a day before breakfast, so I stock up on these alongside my chicken wrap (£ 7.80). After work, I do a major food shop. Organic chicken wings and some fish are this week’s specials. (£38.42).

Total: £46.22 Day 4

Working from home, I prepare a lunch of soup and avocado, both purchased as part of the midweek Tesco haul. My only frivolous expenditure is a tooth cleaning kit (£5.99) from Amazon. Total: £5.99

Day 5

Back in the office. As it’s the end of the week, I treat myself to a chicken wrap from Pret and quinoa crisps (£6.98).

I met up with my girlfriend back in Clapham after work. We head to, you guessed it, Tesco, and I buy more food for the weekend, including her favourite biscuits and rump steak (£35.98).

We recently rescued a ragdoll cat and she’s started scratching up my new carpets so I ordered a heavy doormat (£9). Total: £51.96

Day 6

My girlfriend kindly booked cinema tickets to see The Creator. I repaid the favour with a couple of hot-dogs, a large Coke to share and a packet of Milky Way chocolates (£22). A bus there and back came to £3.50. We buy pain au chocolats at Sainsbury’s on the way home and a bottle of full fat, filtered milk (£5.40). Total: £30.90

Day 7

Out for lunch at one of my favourite pubs in Clapham Old Town. We share a starter of calamari and splash out on a roast each. I’m happy to take on the full £78.38, as my girlfriend bought me dinner the other week.

In the evening, I settled the outstanding bill for the split air conditioning system I recently installed in the master bedroom. I consider the £628.25 cost a capital expenditure on the property, so I pull the cash from my instant-access savings account. Thankfully, air conditioning is zero rated for VAT for residential properties so the deal does not leave me feeling too hot under the collar. Total: £706.63

Weekly total: £917.63

Madeleine Ross and Samuel Montgomery