What I Spent This Week as a Freelancer & Master's Student Making $31K a Year

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: 28‍

Location: Vienna, Austria

Current Salary: Depends on the month, but between €1,800–€2,700 ( $2,071– $3,107)

Occupation: Master's student and freelancer as well as a music school piano teacher. Lots of hats I‘m wearing!

Savings: €54,000 ($62,154) in a high-yield savings account – recently won on a quiz show! Still thinking about what to do with it.

Debt: None

Assets: Just started investing – currently at €7,500 ($8,633)

Monthly Income Overview: Irregular freelance income ‍

Dependents: None

Money Mindset & Financial Journey

Did your parents educate you around money?‍

Yes, my mom did.

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

I started teaching piano at 15. My teacher had such a long waitlist that she began sending beginners to me. That early experience is how I got interested in studying music even more.

Did you worry about money growing up?‍

I did. My mom was a single parent and had to pay my dad a lot of money after keeping the house so we had somewhere to live. We rarely took summer trips, and back then she was the only full-time working mom I knew.

At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself?‍

I still receive government money for students and alimony from my dad, but this will end in a few months when I finish my master’s. I‘m an only child on my mum‘s side, so she is my financial safety net.

Do you worry about money now?‍

I do, even though I know I could survive for at least a year without working thanks to my savings. It makes me work a ton alongside my studies.

What is your biggest money regret?‍

An online yoga teacher training. In hindsight, I would have chosen another yoga school to spend that much money on.

What financial goals are you working towards?‍

Financial freedom - being able to say no to jobs and things I don‘t want to do. Also I want to retire at 60–62 years old.

Who is your role model and why?‍

Simran Kaur :) and my mom, because paying off a house worth a million euros ($1,150,465) all on your own whilst raising a kid and still be able to give your child everything it needs - superwoman!

Reflections on My Spending

This week was special; I went out a lot which I normally don't do as much. However, I am saving on the opera tickets by buying them super cheap. I spent a lot of money on food which is shared between me and my roommate, and also a fancy dinner to celebrate a milestone in my career (got a new job in 2 months!). The flight tickets were expensive, but I will save by staying at my friend's place most of the time after doing a trip to a city nearby with her.

I am happy I finally am able to put aside money for investing. As my salary is so irregular, I don't have it automated yet; hopefully this will change when I finish my studies and work a full-time job. There were some big expenditures like the flight to Spain, the investments, and the physiotherapy. I am lucky to have my mom co-pay for my private insurance, which means I get all of the physiotherapy expenses back.

I started tracking my expenses this year with Female invest, and it has taught me so much. I used to buy snacks at the bakery all the time which really adds up - this definitely has improved.

What I Spent in a Week

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Day 1 – Monday: €22.50 ($25.88)

• Coffee beans at my favourite coffee shop: €18 ($20.72)
• Cappuccino while writing/working: €4.50 ($5.18)

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Day 2 – Tuesday: €142.90 ($164.45)

• Bread and croissant after morning run: €7.70 ($8.87)
• Physiotherapy session (will be reimbursed): €130 ( $149.63)
• Glass of wine at opera remission: €5.20 ($5.98)
• Free opera ticket through work: €0

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Day 3 – Wednesday: €346.30 ($398.71)

• Snack and cappuccino at a Sicilian café: €3.30 ($3.80)
• Flight tickets to visit my best friend in Spain: €344 ($396.54)

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Day 4 – Thursday: €28.00 ($32.23)

• Concert ticket to my favourite conductor (bought from a friend): €15 ($17.27)
• Aperol spritz for both of us: €13 ($14.96)

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Day 5 – Friday: €9.56 ($10.99)

• Last-minute groceries, including a fancy pineapple: €9.56 ($10.99)

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Day 6 – Saturday: €87.00 ($100.14)

• Farmers market (organic veggies, cheese, flowers): €20 ($23.02)
• Supermarket and organic shop: €50.70 ($58.33)
• Yarn and knitting needles: €9 ($10.36)
• Opera ticket: €15 ($17.27)
• Drink after the show: €3 ($3.45)

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Day 7 – Sunday: €848.00 ($975.65)

• Monthly dance studio membership: €95 ($109.35)
• Dinner with a friend: €28 ($32.23)
• Automated investment: €500 ($575.50)
• Hotel for Spain trip (3 nights): €225 ($259.00)

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Total Weekly Spend: €1,484.26 ($1,707.55)

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