Meathman's Diary: ‘We’ve been living way beyond our means’

I did an audit of my personal accounts as was surprised what the results showed up. In terms of pound for pound spending my extravagance is up there with that of the old FAI, with a significant amount of my hardly earned income being splurged on rarely used niceties that I’ve convinced myself that I deserve as I stumble towards middle age.

A cursory glance through my mobile banking app reveals typical monthly outgoings such as:

€30 spent on music streaming platforms and podcast subscriptions.

Given that I only listen to music in my car, where my Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen and Shania Twain CDs (all paid for in one instalment on the day) provide all the musical accompaniment I need and podcasts are generally nothing more than strangers talking nonsense about even more nonsense, then that’s €360 a year down the swanny.

€50 a week on the aforementioned car, for fuel, tax, NCT and maintenance.

A necessary expense you might argue but could it be done without?

In the 80s and early 90s my parents and paternal grandparents shared one car between the four of them. In 2022 each of the seven members of my family have their own vehicle.

The travails of modern life and the non-existent public transport in rural Ireland mean a car is required but as I’ve outlined it can be done without. Something to think about.

€30 a month on coffee.

The new black gold. Currently being sold out the back of every horsebox, shed and street facing window in the country.

For years the person I’ve admired most was whoever it was that convinced others to buy bottled water even though it flows for free from taps, but they’ve competition from today’s baristas.

With a single cup of almond milk cocoa macchiato with caramel drizzle and toffee nut syrup costing the same as a month’s supply of the red jar of good ol’ Maxwell house, perhaps that €4.75 a cup could be put to better use.

Yoga class app €5/ month.

I almost dislocated my shoulder taking off my jumper. Does that sound like the suppleness of someone who is making full use of their unlimited yoga classes?

The items listed add up to €115 a month and that doesn’t include socialising, meals out, holidays etc.

With the western world currently beset by an explosion in inflation which is showing no signs of slowing anytime soon, it could be time to consider if we “are living away beyond our means” and if it is time once more “to tighten our belts” to quote a former Taoiseach.

Going cold turkey on all of life’s small pleasures may be a step too far but perhaps it’s time for some moderation and reassess what’s important in life.