What I Spent This Week as a Foundation Project Manager Making $45K

Ever wondered how others really manage their money?

In the A Week in My Wallet series, we share it all, because talking about money shouldn't be off-limits.

Every week, an anonymous member shares a week of their spending: no names, no filters, just honest stories about life's everyday financial choices.

Ready to join the conversation and help make money talk less taboo? Share your own story via our form here.

Monthly Take-Home Pay (after tax): €2,500 ($2,875)

‍Do you share expenses with someone? No (I'm in a long-distance relationship, we share expenses only when we live together).

• Rent: €950 ($1,093)
• Bills, Subscriptions & Utilities: €150 ($173) (bills) + €50 ($58) (charities' recurrent donations) + €60 ($69) (gym) = €260 ($299)
• Transport: €22.80 ($26) (subway and bus) + €4.15 ($5) (public bike hire service) + €25 ($29) (occasional taxis, trains, etc.) = €51.95 ($60). I pay this mainly through the flexible salary scheme, which is tax-efficient as the amount is deducted from my salary and I don't pay income tax on it.
• Groceries & Essentials: €250 ($288) (groceries)
• Investment Contributions: For now, I automated only a monthly €30 ($35) contribution to the gold ETF. As for the other investments, I'm currently making one-time purchases, but I would like to go fully-automated (around €500 ($575)/month).
• Restaurants, cafés, etc.: €200 ($230). I love eating out, but it was taking too much of my income. So I took two measures to have more discipline: 1. Preparing as often as possible my own meals when I go to the office - which is also healthier! - and 2. Use the flexible salary benefit offered by my company: I pay through a specific platform, which is topped-up with €220 ($253)/month for restaurant expenses. Paying via this system gives me a limit that I don't exceed (unless there are special occasions, i.e. birthday, holidays, etc.) and also a tax discount (less income tax as this amount is deducted from my salary).
• Other expenses: €100 ($115). This is an average of what I spend for other things, such as flights to visit my family in Italy, clothes, accessories, gifts, books, concerts, etc.

To sum up: Needs: 60%, Wants: 12%, Saving/investment: 28% (8% for holiday budget or unexpected expenses + 20% for saving/investment)

‍Amount left each month after essentials (to spend, save or invest): €700 ($805)

‍Dependents (if any): No

My Relationship with Money

Growing up, did your parents or guardians educate you around money?

When I was a child, my parents had to work really hard to make ends meet. I had a happy childhood and loving parents, but I grew up being aware that there were many things we could not afford and that every expense had to be assessed carefully. In this sense, I was educated to be conscious with money, not to live beyond my means, and to avoid debt at all cost.

In this sense, I'm grateful because I don't have problems adapting my lifestyle to my income: when I earn more, I allow myself to spend more on "fun stuff", when I earn less I make the most of what I already have and look for cheaper hobbies/activities/etc. However, the education I received was focused on saving, as investing was perceived as risky and too difficult: although I understand where this fear comes from, this mindset also had a huge impact on me, and only 1.5 years ago I decided that I wanted to overcome this limiting belief and start investing.  

What was your first job and why did you get it?

When I was a teenager, I used to work casual jobs such as babysitting, tutoring classes to kids, flyer distribution, flower delivery, etc. so that I could cover some of my own expenses.  

Did you worry about money growing up?

I wasn't worried about covering the most basic needs, but I was worried about spending money carefully. Also, I've always been quite worried about becoming a financially independent woman (and even more when I moved from my home country, Italy), as I could see a number of women in my community trapped in unhealthy relationships because they couldn't afford living alone.  

At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself and do you have a financial safety net?

Unfortunately, I couldn't become fully financially responsible for myself until I was 25. My financial safety net is my family.  

Do you worry about money now?

Not exactly. I'm still cautious, and worried about the fact that I won't probably be able to buy my own flat, but I'm grateful for what I've built and the lifestyle I have the privilege to have. Also, my focus is on what I can do to take care of my wealth and to make it grow according to my vision and values.  

What is your biggest money regret?

Not having started investing earlier, for sure!  

What financial goals are you working towards?

Buying a flat and working part-time as soon as possible.  

Who is your financial role model (if any), and why?

It's not a single person, but rather my group of female friends that are in this journey of overcoming their beliefs about money and becoming empowered female investors!

Reflections on My Spending Habits:

I think I managed the budget quite well. It was an "easy week" (no rent, no bills, no unforeseen expenses) and, savings-wise, I was fully on track, so I decided to give myself some treats to enjoy life with my loved ones: inviting a friend for a drink, sharing a dinner out with my partner, and buying a guidebook for our next trip.

What I Spent In A Week

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Day 1: Monday - €57 ($66)

• €53.57 ($62) — Groceries

• €0.23 ($1) — Solidarity round-up donation at the supermarket

• €3.20 ($4) — Parking for my partner's car‍

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Day 2: Tuesday - €67.20 ($77)

• €7.20 ($8) — Cafeteria

• €10 ($12) — Clothing shop

• €50 ($58) — Annual public bike hire fee‍

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Day 3: Wednesday - €21 ($24)

• €21 ($24) — Dinner out with my partner

Day 4: Thursday - €19.96 ($23)

• €5.75 ($7) — Lunch at work

• €14.05 ($16) — Groceries

• €0.16 ($1) — Solidarity round-up donation‍

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Day 5: Friday - €62.50 ($72)

• €11.48 ($13) — Groceries

• €0.12 ($1) — Solidarity round-up donation

• €20 ($23) — Gift for a co-worker

• €30.90 ($36) — Bookshop‍

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Day 6: Saturday - €30.65 ($35)

• €14.65 ($17) — Groceries

• €16 ($18) — Drink with a friend‍

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Day 7: Sunday - €16.50 ($19)

• €12 ($14) — Tapas and drinks with friends

• €4.50 ($5) — Parking for my friend's car

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Total Weekly Spend: €274.81 ($316)

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