‘I’m 39, a thrifty northerner and earn £40,000. This is how I spent my money – while on a stag do’

To take part in How I Spend My Money, please email money@telegraph.co.uk. All our subjects are genuine but anonymous. I’ve always been quite frugal. Born in humble beginnings in a large northern town, I was raised to live within your means and not spend extra on things that can be bought cheaply. This hasn’t really changed since moving to London 12 years ago. When I got here, I earned £15,000 a year and was steeped in debt. The low-budget life I’d led up to this point came in handy – restaurant prices were checked in advance, “bring your own booze” places took priority and I rarely went to nightclubs or expensive bars. But since then, my salary has increased and the pressure on my finances has all but disappeared. I inherited a decent sum of money from a grandparent recently, which meant I could finally pay off my student loan. This boosted my take home pay, which is a nice extra treat each month. It also means even the need to save is a little less pressing these days, but the joy of a bargain remains. The reduced section at the supermarket is still the first place I check, I...

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