Mamamia’s What My Salary Gets Me series 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 36-year-old who lost her job due to COVID-19 shares her money diary.
I'm a 36-year-old travel industry professional. For the first time in my life, I found myself unemployed and have been a JobSeeker for five months. Now, I am working for slightly over minimum wage, in a job I hate (thanks COVID). I also had to dip into my super ($10,000) to get through this year.
Age: 36
Job: Employment Services
Income: $792 per week (after tax. Gross $50000 per annum)
Watch: Learn how to budget with this simple demonstration. Post continues below.
Regular Expenses (monthly):
Rent: $1000 shared apartment (Most likely to increase by November)
Groceries (and wine): $550
Social: $600
Health Insurance: $90
Phone: $90
Internet and paid subscriptions: $78
Gym: $74
Pilates/Yoga: $100
Health Appointments: $140
Beauty: $50
Public Transport: $80
Utilities: $70
Debt: $200 (I have been very slowly trying to chip away at $10,000 debt which has been challenging)
Total: $3,122
Monday – Day One
I am usually pretty good at packing lunch and not eating out (kind of don't have a choice) so today is no different. After breakfast at home, I train it into work to start the day.
My coffee addiction can get the best of me at times and at $4.50 a pop, I should not have had two today.
At lunchtime, I went to the gym and then after work spent $60 on groceries. After a 6pm Tafe class from the comfort of my lounge and home-cooked salmon, I did a bit of online shopping and purchased a 10 pack reformer pilates package (which is a bargain really).