PerthNow’s Money Confessions asks unusual West Australians what their earnings is and what they spend their cash on in per week.
A 38-year-old single mum working half time as a senior admin worker for a big useful resource firm shares her weekly cash diary.
Age: 38
Reside: Perth
Wage: 74k
Job: Half Time, Senior Administration position for a big useful resource firm. 2 days in workplace, someday WFH
Month-to-month bills
Cellphone: $18.00
Hire/Mortgage: $2200.00
Spotify: $12.00
Stan: $10.00
Web: $80.00
Insurances: $50 pet / $88 home contents / $51 automotive $250 medical insurance
Petrol: $80.00
Scholar debt: N/A
After pay: N/A
Automotive repayments: N/A
Faculty charges/childcare: $116
Health club memberships: N/A
Grocery field supply providers: N/A
Different ongoing bills
Child extracurricular actions: $150
Charity funds: $70
Pet treatment and particular meals: $100
Apple storage: $1.49
Belongings
Automotive: $11,000
Property: $800,000
Financial savings: $10,000 in financial savings account, $15,000 in day by day use account, $5,000 worth in shares.
I’m a 38 year-old single mom to an energetic five-year-old boy.
I separated from my husband awhile in the past after being collectively for over a decade.
We at all times stored separate financial institution accounts whereas we had been collectively and I’ve at all times labored, even when our little one was younger.
I’m glad I continued working as a result of it’s made separation a lot simpler and my tremendous has continued to develop.
I’m not divorced but and at the moment I pay all of the mortgage and payments for the home that we nonetheless collectively personal as we’ve got not accomplished our monetary settlement but.
I obtain approx $500 per week from little one help and household tax profit funds as effectively which is a large assist.
I do really feel I’m fortunate to be on this scenario as a result of I do know there are such a lot of folks struggling for the time being and I don’t actually really feel like I’m.
My spending model is “low-cost skate” and I want to purchase issues that aren’t full worth and are on sale eg. my normal make-up/toiletries typically go for 50 per cent off in order that’s often the one time I purchase them.
That is additionally simply grocery store/Priceline/chemist warehouse kind manufacturers, I’m not all in favour of paying extra for the rest that does the identical factor.
I don’t care concerning the newest fashions a lot and I typically will go to outlet outlets for discounted garments or look ahead to gross sales at Myer and DJs earlier than I purchase something.
Day 1
My time without work work – hooray I get to take pleasure in some “me time”.
I went to Highlight and located some European pillowcases within the clearance part (they had been really good ones, not ugly) and a frying pan at 60 per cent off.
I spent $47.50 however the receipt stated I saved $67.50 so I used to be fairly pleased about that.
I had a haircut booked however bought breakfast/lunch on the best way by way of the Krispy Kreme drive through. Two donuts and a milkshake was $11.40.
My hairdresser is extraordinarily cheap for a wash/lower/blow dry — I solely paid $50.00. I used to pay over $100 for a similar providers at common salons.
I ended into Aldi on the best way house to get some snack meals for the varsity lunchbox tomorrow, $87.50 later. I additionally purchased a screwdriver set and a brand new hairbrush for my pet.
Whole day by day spend: $196.40
Day 2
I labored from house so there was no have to spend a lot. An after college exercise for my son value $71.00 in enroll charges.
Whole day by day spend: $71.00
Day 3
I didn’t do something in the present day that value cash. One other college day and free time for me spent pottering round the home catching up on home tasks whereas listening to music and likewise spent a while studying a self assist ebook.
Whole day by day spend: $0
Day 4
I labored within the workplace in the present day. I introduced in my very own lunch — leftovers from dinner final night time. I resisted all of the cafes I’ve to stroll previous within the morning and used the free espresso machine at work. I take advantage of to despise that factor however have since grown to love it.
My office has fruit basket deliveries so I had a banana for breakfast. My office Lotto syndicate entry value $10.
Automotive parking value me $17.
Whole day by day spend: $27.00
Day 5
I used to be within the workplace once more in the present day. I introduced in my lunch from house however then ended up throwing it within the bin and acquired a hen roll as a substitute for $13.50.
I at all times do that pondering my lunch from house isn’t good sufficient then purchase one thing over-priced and equally common.
I felt a bit unhealthy for losing meals that was advantageous that I ought to’ve eaten.
I put gasoline in my automotive and it solely value $17.95 to refill because it wasn’t even empty however I ended to pump up my tyres and thought I’d as effectively.
I used to be too drained to prepare dinner dinner after work so we introduced takeaway for $16.00, only a children meal and I wasn’t very hungry so I solely had chips.
I purchased a flowery big cookie to separate with my son for dessert for $8.00.
Whole day by day spend: $72.45
Day 6
My son had sports activities within the morning and we introduced some gadgets from the grocery store for a play date at my house later this afternoon. $46.30.
I introduced a sleep complement for myself because it was on particular at my regular retailer for 20 per cent off. It got here to $75.92 with the low cost. I determine that I’m going to purchase it anyway so I’d as effectively get it cheaper now.
I unintentionally paid my web invoice in the present day as a substitute of establishing a future fee just a few days earlier than it was due. That value me $80.00.
Topped up my Lotto app and introduced some tickets for the week forward, which value $30.00
Whole day by day spend: $232.22
Day 7
My son had his good friend over for ages so we didn’t exit spending any cash once more within the morning and I bought to do some chores whereas they performed collectively.
After his good friend left within the afternoon we went and picked up a click on n acquire I introduced final week that I by no means bought round to amassing.
They had been going to refund me if I didn’t choose it up in the present day.
We prevented shopping for the rest within the store and browsed via one other with out shopping for something both.
My son went for a motorbike experience across the block and to the playground to burn off some extra of his vitality within the late afternoon.
Whole for the day: $0
Whole spend for the week $599.07
Reflections
After I was my month-to-month figures there looks like numerous issues I might lower your expenses on. It’s positively given me one thing to consider.
Giving to charity is a pleasant thought and I really feel like a great instance for my son, however would I reasonably have $800+ on the finish of the 12 months? Additionally Lotto tickets are an enormous waste of cash for my part so why do I hold shopping for them?
Part of me thinks I’m thrifty and never an enormous spender however then once I checked out this I assumed perhaps I’m spending an excessive amount of on issues I don’t even want? Perhaps a field of camomile sleepy tea for $5 would suffice over a $75 complement?
I additionally ought to do a mean of my month-to-month payments and arrange some auto funds for them so I don’t have to recollect.
Need to contribute your individual nameless cash diary? Electronic mail katie.hampson@wanews.com.au to become involved.
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