Money Diary Series

How a 35 Year-Old Single
Professional Spent Her Week

I have so many items in my closet I haven’t even worn yet.

I’m a 35 year-old CPA/ Consultant working in the city. My annual earnings are $135,000 plus bonuses.

I’m an independent single professional who currently rents, but I’m looking to buy a condo in the city. I don’t have a car and do have a sweet furry four-legged cutie named Violet.

Monday

Spent: $367.75

Refill on my Ventra card: $200

Coffee and veggie muffin at Prat: $8.50

Picked up dinner at Whole Foods: $14.25

Doggie daycare for Violet: $145 a week

Tuesday

Spent: $23.75

Coffee and veggie muffin at Prat: $8.50

Picked up dinner at Whole Foods: $15.25

Wednesday

Spent: $80

Coffee and veggie muffin at Prat: $8.50

Picked up dinner at Whole Foods: $13.50

Walgreens: shampoo, toiletries: $33

Dog walker (home later than expected): $25

Thursday

Spent: $80.5

Coffee and cheese muffin at Prat: $8.50

Out to dinner at Lyfe Kitchen with a friend: $16

Run through TJs for staples: $56

Friday

Spent: $197.75

Coffee and veggie muffin at Prat: $8.50

Shopped online for gifts for my niece and nephew to send for bdays: $150.

Pick up dinner at Whole Foods: $14.25

Dog walker (home later than expected): $25

Saturday

Spent: $524

Girl shopping!

Nordstrom jeans and a blouse: $225

Nordstrom shoes: $175

Lunch with girls at Cheesecake: $27

Uber to friends house: $11

Round of drinks: $44.50

Uber home: $16.50

Dog walker: $25

 
Sunday

Spent: $147.5

Mani / pedi: $80

Starbucks: $2.50

Dog food and treats, also winter sweater for Violet (couldn’t pass it up): $65

Spent: $1421.25

Reflections on keeping a money diary

When I look at what I spend on food I can see I have a daily eating routine. I don’t cook much so I grab easy food where I can. I love the muffins at Pret. I rarely eat lunch, mostly snacks at my desk, so when I am heading home I am hungry. It’s usually something ready made at the Whole Foods hot bar.

I do go out on the weekend to shop and eat with my girlfriends. I make a good income and I don’t spend a lot during the week. Perusing my credit card bill I see a lot of my spending comes in monthly-renewals like my Nextflix, Stich-fix, Yoga membership, gym membership (which I hardly use).

I don’t have a roommate so my rent in the city for my one-bedroom is $2800. My goal is to purchase a condo within the next year. I’ve been dating this guy for a while and not sure where it’s going, but I am still thinking of purchasing a condo anyway.

Oh ya – and let’s not forget my student loans which I am still paying. Those are $250 a month for a few more years. I do spend a lot on Violet but she is like a child to me and worth every penny!

I should try to plan for more meals instead of picking up all the time. And, I know my clothes shopping can get out of hand. I have so many items in my closet I haven’t even worn yet. This activity was helpful to evaluate where I should save money and put it towards a real estate investment.