Money Diary Series
How a 35 Year-Old Single
Professional Spent Her Week

Age: 35
Salary: $135000
Location: Chicago
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.
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