
Mamamia’s What My Salary Gets Me asks Australians to record a week in their financial lives. Kind of like a sex diary but with money. So not like a sex diary at all. We still find out the best kept secrets though. We discover what women are really spending their hard-earned cash on. Nothing is too outrageous or too sacred. This week, a 26-year-old producer from Brisbane, QLD shares her diary.
Age: 26
Job: Producer
Income: $62,000
Housing: I rent a two bedroom apartment with a housemate – $300 p/w
Regular expenses (monthly): Gym membership – $116 ($29 per week), Pilates – additional $150, electricity and gas is roughly $150 a month, split equally with my housemate (water is included in our rent).
Groceries: I try to keep this to a minimum, and I eat a plant-based diet which can much cheaper than people think. I shop at Harris Farm, which is more expensive but worth it to me. I get my fresh fruit and veggies there which can cost around $35 a week, and then I go to Woolies to get the essentials and that might be another $30.
Transport: I fill up the car around once every five weeks, $55 roughly. I live in the heart of the city, so I only really need to drive when I’m visiting family, other than that I walk everywhere. I have been known to get a sneaky Uber pool here and there, but this would be less than $50 a month.
Subscriptions: Hayu (this reminds me that I need to unsubscribe) $6.99, Amazon Prime $6.99, Stan $14.00.
Internet: Wifi is $60 a month, split with housemate equally.
Insurance: Car – $43.31 monthly
Assets: Car (not a great one, but hey… it’s mine)
Current savings: $6000 (this was about $12,000 not too long ago, but I recently had a significant life change and there were a lot of things to purchase).
Debt: None.
Long-term planning: I’d love to visit family in the UK this year, and I really need to replace the previously mentioned car.
Watch: Mamamia Confessions – My debt is… Post continues below.
Monday – Day One
I went to pilates this morning, came home and had a protein shake, and then made myself a coffee. I like my coffee a certain way, which helps as I never purchase one when I’m out. I took some leftovers for lunch.
Top Comments
I can live quite comfortably on the old age pension, here in New Zealand. My savings should cover any big expenses.
"I really enjoy lying down when I exercise" lol!
I think there is a mistake in the headline - "What My Salary Gets Me: A 26-year-old producer on $62,000 who spends $2792 in a week." If that was true and the producer claims to not be in debt, the weekly spend equates to $145,184 (based on 52 weeks/year). This is a major blowout - how is this possible? Looking at the article and the itemized breakdown, makes much more sense and doable.