Money Diaries: Self-Employed Illustrator in Western Ireland

A self-employed illustrator based in the west of Ireland has detailed the financial challenges and cost-saving measures associated with freelance work.

The account was published on April 12, 2026, as part of a Money Diaries series by The Journal, which examines the spending and saving habits of individuals.

According to the report, the illustrator manages their finances by adopting several frugal living strategies. These include cooking meals from scratch and purchasing the majority of their items second-hand.

Despite these efforts to limit expenditures, the illustrator noted that certain costs remain prohibitively expensive. The individual specifically described dental costs as being sky-high.