What I Spent This Week as an Area Marketing Manager Making $34K

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): €2,300 ($2,668)

Do you share expenses with someone? No

What is your overall monthly budget?

• Rent: 30%
• Transport: 20%
• Groceries & Essentials: 20%
• Investment Contributions: 30%

Amount left each month after essentials (to spend, save or invest): €300 ($348)

Dependents (if any): None

My Relationship with Money

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

Not at all.

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

I had my first job six years ago, already in the wine industry. I was recruited as a Junior Product Manager for the French and European markets, as well as Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. I got it during my studies to validate my master's degree with an alternance (part-time job and part-time end of studies, which is very common in France), and then I stayed with the company for two years after the end of my studies on a permanent contract.

I was really happy to start this job and to capitalise on my alternance to gain more experience before going back on the market to find a better-paid job with more dynamic responsibilities.

Did you worry about money growing up?

Not really. It wasn't a topic at home, and I guess my parents were more focused on spending and enjoying the moment. However, they didn't save that much, and our grandparents were always there just in case. They weren't really the saving type, if I can say so.

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

I became financially responsible at 16, when I started my studies. I got a job to pay for them, my rent and my hobbies from the beginning. Nevertheless, it wasn't always easy to have enough to save.

Do you worry about money now?

Not really, because I have a permanent contract and many investments running quite well. I've reached a balance in my life between safety and recurring new investments, so I'm super happy about it, although it can be a little stressful sometimes.

What is your biggest money regret?

Not investing earlier, because it has only been three years since I started investing, and I could have done it before, I guess.

What financial goals are you working towards?

I would like to stop working intensely between 40 and 45 years old, so I'm trying to create a balanced investment portfolio between life insurance, different businesses, house investments, stock investments, etc.

My current most important project is to renovate part of an old farm in the southwest of France on my grandparents' property to have an Airbnb during the year and generate revenue. Step by step, the idea is to renovate the whole property thanks to the generated revenues.

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

My grandparents were my financial role models (they both died at the beginning of this year). They were really investment-focused and savings-oriented in their daily lives, so I learned a lot from them about investments.

Reflections on My Spending Habits:

This week I spent more than I regularly do because I'm on holiday and I'm doing a lot of things with my friends and family, but I guess it's super important to enjoy those moments that are so precious in life.

I also spent a lot on the house restoration project to diversify my investment portfolio, create a stronger balance in my daily life and, above everything, give life to a project that means a lot to me.

What I Spent in a Week

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Day 1: Monday - €113 ($131)

• €80 ($93) — Shopping for new clothes because we currently have major discounts in France

• €33 ($38) — Lunch at a restaurant with my sister; we split the bill 50/50‍

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Day 2: Tuesday - €1,570 ($1,821)

• €1,500 ($1,740) — Notary fee for the new split of the property, which is not that much to get a house under my name

• €70 ($81) — Food for the rest of the week‍

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Day 3: Wednesday - €0 ($0)

• €0 ($0) — No spending this day.

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Day 4: Thursday - €72.50 ($84)

• €35 ($41) — Dessert to bring when visiting friends in Bordeaux

• €15 ($17) — Bottle of wine

• €15 ($17) — Second bottle of wine

• €7.50 ($9) — Fast lane‍

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Day 5: Friday - €138.50 ($161)

• €88.50 ($103) — Gas for the car

• €50 ($58) — Birthday present for my best friend‍

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Day 6: Saturday - €0 ($0)

• €0 ($0) — No spending this day.‍

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Day 7: Sunday - €90 ($104)

• €30 ($35) — Fruit and vegetables at the market

• €25 ($29) — Flowers

• €35 ($41) — Crêpe and Coke at the beach near Arcachon with friends

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Total Weekly Spend: €1,984 ($2,301)

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