Welcome toMoney Diaries , where we're tackling what might be the last taboo facing modern working women: money. We're asking millennials how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we're tracking every last dollar. (Thanks,New York mag , for the inspiration.)
Today, in honor of our Beauty Innovator Awards, a founder of a tech startup tracks her spending for a week.
Industry: Tech
Age: 38
Location: NY
Salary: $300K
Paycheck Amount (2x a month): ~$6,000
# of roommates: 4: my husband, two kids, and an au pair
Monthly Expenses
Rent: $4,500 total (for both my husband and me)
Loan Payments: $1,000
Utilities: $300
Transportation: $500 (Car and subway pass)
Phone Bill: $200
Health Insurance: $300
Savings: $3,000 (On a good month, give or take)
*All meals, unless otherwise stated, were eaten at home from groceries.
Day 1
10 a.m. — I buy some exercise equipment as a gift for a family member who needs this to stay healthy. $846.94
10:15 a.m. — I also buy some construction equipment as a gift for a family member’s business: $650.56
10:30 a.m. — I go on Amazon to buy some household goods in bulk. $96.05
12 p.m. — Bring my kids to a trampoline activity. $86.25
12:30 p.m. — Also buy some gluten-free baked goods for my kid who is on a special diet. $43.27
2 p.m. — Our subscription for ABCMouse, an educational site for my kid, is renewed. $7.95
4 p.m. — Afternoon tea/coffee. $3.21
6 p.m. — We take a taxi home. $5.44
9 p.m. — Amazon Prime, again. $12
Daily Total: $1,751.67
Day 2
9 a.m. — There are crazy days when I have to Uber to meetings and sometimes to the kids' school if I'm needed. Uber #1. $9.66
11 a.m. — Uber #2: $15.45
3 p.m. — Buy groceries for the family via Instacart. A lot of these are bulk items. $356.76
5 p.m. — Uber #3. $7.58
7 p.m. — Yet another Uber. $18.46
Daily Total: $407.91
Day 3
6 a.m. — I go to a SoulCycle class before work and take a taxi there. I pre-paid for these classes. $9.66
9 a.m. — Another Instacart grocery run. $97.97
6 p.m. — I take a Via home. $25
Daily Total: $132.63
Day 4
We didn’t spend money today! Just cooked with the groceries we bought earlier this week.
Daily Total: $0
Day 5
10 a.m. — We get groceries from Whole Foods. $276.17
4 p.m. — I put some money onto my MTA subway card. $20
6 p.m. — I pay the au pair for the week, plus the wire-transfer fee. $425
Daily Total: $721.17
Day 6
12 p.m. — I have a work lunch at a restaurant. $120.17
6 p.m. — A dinner treat for the kids. $100
8 p.m. — Snacks for the kids. $12.50
8:30 p.m. — Taxi home. $8.16
Daily Total: $240.83
Day 7
7 a.m. — I pay for my kids’ day care for the week. $315
10 a.m. — Buy some new workout gear. $53.27
11 a.m. — A quick snack ($20.71). Then, go pick up some groceries ($135.35) Total: $156.06
11:30 a.m. — I take the kids to the dentist. $54
12:30 p.m. — We get lunch. $13.07
3 p.m. — I buy some software for work. $148.40
Daily Total: $739.80
Money Diaries are meant to reflect individual diarists' experiences and do not necessarily reflect Refinery29’s point of view. Refinery29 in no way encourages illegal activity or harmful behavior.
The first step to getting your financial life in order is tracking what you spend — to try on your own, check out our guide to managing your money every day.
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