To take part in How I Spend It, please email money@telegraph.co.uk. All our subjects are genuine but anonymous.

I’ve been a degree apprentice data analyst at a large mobile phone operator for almost two years, joining straight from college. Since I first discovered apprenticeships, they were the only route I wanted to take.

I am a driven, highly-motivated individual that never rests on my laurels. Though I enjoyed school and achieved academic success, I was keen to start putting my skills into practice. 

I have high career aspirations, and in earning valuable commercial experience and a competitive salary straight from school, while studying for a degree paid for by the company part-time, I’m in a great position compared to friends taking the university route.

While university offered a potentially unique and entertaining social experience, I could not justify the obvious financial issues that a student loan presents versus an apprenticeship opportunity, no matter how much alcohol I was offered to conceal such thoughts. 

I live at home with my parents, as I always have. If I avoid getting used to overspending now, it will not feel like I have lost it when my money turns towards bills and the like in the years to come. 

I received windfall from a trust fund when I turned 18 which went towards my first car and an initial comfort blanket in my savings. 

Largely thanks to the wise advice and upbringing by my parents, I would consider myself mature beyond my years and I typically adopt a very rational approach to spending. 

I live a very sensible life in the light of day, yet I allow myself to let the shackles loose in my free time. 

Vital statistics:

  • Age: 20
  • Job: Data analyst
  • Pre-tax annual income: £25,500, with 10pc a month into a pension and £300 into the company sharesave scheme via salary sacrifice
  • Post-tax annual income: £15,600
  • Rent: £135 a month living with parents
  • Annual subscriptions: golf club membership (£300), gym (£320), Ipswich Town season ticket (£212), social club membership (£20)

Day 1

I start the day with a catch-up with my manager, who pays for my hot chocolate. I normally bring a packed lunch, but since we’re in the office today, I plump for a steak slice and Mexican loaded fries for £6 in the canteen.

After work, I go to the local social club with a colleague. Entry and a game of darts are free, but I spend £2.35 on pool, £1.50 on pork scratchings and £4.30 on a pint. 

Afterwards we were aiming for a restaurant, but end up in KFC, where I spend another £8. I end the evening with £13 on golf bets – I like to analyse the stats and I enjoy watching and playing golf.

Total: £35.15

Day 2

I’m in the London office today, but work pays for the train and I get a lift to the station. I call at Gregg’s for lunch, spending £4 on a steak bake and some wedges.

We head out for post-work drinks as the weather is nice. As we’re in an outdoor seating area, I buy a four-pack of beer from the shop as it’s cheaper. I pay, but my friend will get them next time.

When I get the train home, I go for drinks with a friend who’s home from uni. I spend £14 at the local Wetherspoons, which is money-saving for them.

Total: £18

Day 3

I usually work from home on Fridays, but I wanted some quiet focus time out of the house as my parents are both off work on Fridays. I take a packed lunch and get home just in time for dinner. 

There’s football on TV, so I spend £2 betting on the match. I’ve made around 20pc profit in the last two years of sports betting.

Total: £2

Day 4

I start the day watching TV while working on a sports analysis spreadsheet ready for the new American Football season. I have lunch at home, hit the gym and play my PS4 during the day.

At night, I watch the football, have dinner at home and watch a film with the family. My only expense is spending £97 on a festival ticket. The music isn’t quite to my taste and it’s my birthday weekend, but I want to enjoy lots of great experiences this summer.

Total: £97

Day 5

I spend the day indoors, watching football and golf. I would normally play golf, but I am nursing an ankle injury and begrudgingly taking a break from playing sport just as the weather has become nicer.

As part of a wardrobe clear out, I spend £52 on new T-shirts online.

Total: £52

Day 6

I drive into the office as I’m much more productive when not 2ft from my bed, and when I am in a formal setting I feel obligated to remain focused.

I pop into town on my lunch break for a £25 haircut and resist the temptation of grabbing lunch given I have a packed one in my bag. 

After returning home for dinner, I put £20 of petrol in the car and head to watch my 6-a-side team play our final match of the season and clinch promotion. Injury prevents me from taking part, but I get a free pint as it’s not my turn to buy the round.

Total: £45

Day 7

I start the day with the news that I’ve won £637 on a football bet I placed back in August, so I offer to take the family out for dinner next week.

I’m in the London office again via another expensed train. I spend £6.50 on a pork chow mein for lunch. While I’m there, I discover our smaller London office has a monthly networking event with an open bar, which drives me to an extra-productive afternoon to finish my work in good time. 

I meet a colleague and spend £11 on drinks before it starts and it costs me £5.50 in travel, but it was worth it to enjoy a night socialising with lots of colleagues and making the money back in free alcohol.

I spend the train journey home researching some golf bets and invest £8.80 in my latest prediction.

Total: £31.80

Weekly total: £280.95

As told to Rob White.

Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.