2/9/25
What I Spent This Week as a Project Assistant Making $37k
Ever wondered how others really manage their money?
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.
About Me
Age: 27
Location: Toulouse, France
Current Salary: €32,500 before tax ($37,778)
Monthly Take-Home Pay: €2,012 ($2,355)
Household Income: I live by myself, so it's my salary €2,012 ($2,355) + another small earning of €180 ($209). Total: €2,192 ($2,547)
Occupation: Project Assistant (full-time job)
Savings: €3,000 ($3,510) (emergency fund)
Debt: €185 ($216) (PayPal payments in 4x pending)
Assets: €1,500 ($1,755) (invested in short-term funds + shares)
Fixed Monthly Costs (my share only):
- Rent: €470 ($550)
- Bills & Utilities: €20 ($23)
- Transport: €60 ($70)
- Groceries & Essentials: €350 ($410)
- Investment Contributions: €0 (not automatized for the moment)
Amount left after essentials: €1,112 ($1,301)
In the first half of 2025, on average, I followed something close to a 45/30/25 budget (45% fixed expenses, 30% wants, 25% future me). My goal was (and still is!) to dedicate 30% or more to savings and investments. With a little bit of effort, I hope to reach this goal by the end of 2025. This is important as I want to prepare my finances for my 30s and the future responsibilities I might have.
Debt: €185 ($215) (PayPal payments in 4x pending)
Dependents: None
Money Mindset & Financial Journey
Did your parents educate you around money?
Not much, but my father always told me about being independent of any man or group of people that could push me to do things I don’t want to. To have the power to leave by my own means.
I’m originally from Latin America, where many women still expect to be financially dependent on men. For example, if you’re on a date, the man is expected to pay the bill - which I believe is the root of many relationship problems where men feel they have more authority than women.
What was your first job and why did you get it?
Executive Assistant in an NGO. I wanted to help my family with expenses.
Did you worry about money growing up?
Not really, I always stayed below my limits.
At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself?
At 24, I had a job that could pay all my expenses, but I had absolutely nothing left for savings.
Do you worry about money now?
Yes, I worry about the fact that I would like to marry and have kids in the future, but I don’t see how I could do that with the salary and savings I have - and the low possibilities of increasing them much in the years to come.
What is your biggest money regret?
It’s hard to think about money regrets. I moved to a new country three years ago, and I didn’t invest here until two months ago because I was not sure if I was going to stay long-term or if I would need all my money in a very short period of time.
Also, I bought a lot of unnecessary stuff when I moved, and I traveled a lot, driven by an imaginary urge to do everything in this new country/region (maybe it was all about FOMO).
Looking back, I would have loved to start learning how to invest in this country from day one. Now I feel I’m financially behind people my age, because I chose to travel instead of investing more.
What financial goals are you working towards?
Investing! My goal is to invest every month for my retirement.
Who is your financial role model and why?
I don’t have one yet, but I really enjoy following communities of women in finance.
Reflections on My Spending
I spend a lot on clothing and eating out, and I struggle to reduce this spending. Eating outside or just taking coffee is part of my social life. However, I've made improvements with clothing. For instance, I returned the clothes I bought on day 6 because I realized they were almost the same style and color as other garments I already have. Sometimes I just forget what I actually have in my wardrobe.
What I Spent in a Week
Day 1 – Monday: €18 ($21)
• Groceries: €18 ($21)
Day 2 – Tuesday: €4.50 ($5)
• Food outside: €4.50 ($5)
Day 3 – Wednesday: €52.80 ($62)
• Food: €12.80 ($15)
• Clothes: €40 ($47) - it was national summer sales in France and I couldn't help myself!
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Day 4 – Thursday: €10.90 ($13)
• Food: €10.90 ($13)
Day 5 – Friday: €10.90 ($13)
• Food: €10.90 ($13)
Day 6 – Saturday: €110.90 ($130)
• Clothes: €100 ($117) - those sales got me again
• Food: €10.90 ($13)
Day 7 – Sunday: €0 ($0)
• No-spend day
Total Weekly Spend: €207 ($242)
