Welcome to Cash Diaries the place we’re tackling the ever-present taboo that’s cash. We’re asking actual folks how they spend their hard-earned cash throughout a seven-day interval — and we’re monitoring each final greenback.
In the present day: a principal provider high quality engineer who makes $140,000 per yr and who spends a few of her cash this week on renting a film.
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Occupation: Principal provider high quality engineer
Trade: Medical gadgets
Age: 37
Location: Northeast Ohio
Wage: $140,000 (plus an annual bonus of ~12%). I additionally obtain $30,000 in rental revenue.
Property: I personal two houses: one in Michigan and one in Ohio. My residence in Michigan I lease out for $2,800 a month. Its Zestimate is $400,000, though I do know that isn’t tremendous correct. I additionally personal a townhome in Ohio which I stay in now (I simply moved a yr and a half in the past). I even have roughly $155,000 in my 401(ok), $10,000 in my HSA, and $7,000 in a Roth IRA. On the finish of the month, I must also obtain about $15,000 in firm match into my 401(ok). I solely have about $4,500 money proper now, however that’s as a result of my children and I went to Hawaii over Christmas break. I’ll obtain a bonus in March which is able to put me again to having about $20,000 money.
Debt: I owe about $215,000 on the Michigan property, and about $360,000 on the Ohio property.
Paycheck Quantity: $6,200 from my job (that is the full quantity; I receives a commission twice a month); $2,800 from my rental (month-to-month).
Pronouns: She/her
Month-to-month Bills
Housing Prices: $2,800 for my Ohio townhome.
Mortgage Funds: $1,500 for the Michigan property.
Utilities: $200
Streaming Providers: $30
Rental Administration Firm: $175
Townhome HOA: $125
Cellphone: $150
Cable: $60
Auto Insurance coverage: $60
Children’ 529s: $150 every.
Further Mortgage Cost: $100 per residence.
Different Bills
Farm Basket: $41 (weekly).
Skyzone Cross: $289 for each children (yearly).
Was there an expectation so that you can attend greater schooling? Did you take part in any type of greater schooling? If sure, how did you pay for it?
It was at all times assumed I’d go to varsity. I went to non-public college from preschool by highschool, and my dad and mom nonetheless managed to avoid wasting to assist me with faculty. In the long run, I graduated undergrad with about $25,000 in scholar loans; I lived at residence to pay them off as rapidly as I may. I bought my MBA a number of years after I completed paying them off — I did it slowly over 4 years so my employer would pay for it.
Rising up, what sort of conversations did you’ve got about cash? Did your mum or dad(s)/guardian(s) educate you about funds?
My dad and mom by no means talked to me about cash. I grew up privileged (as talked about, I went to non-public college my complete life), however I graduated fully in the dead of night on the way to handle cash. I married somebody who was financially abusive and ended up having to start out over once I turned 30 and bought a protracted overdue divorce. I began finding out Bogleheads and the monetary order of operations and buckled down. Even now, I don’t speak to my dad and mom about cash in any respect.
What was your first job and why did you get it?
After I was 16 I bought a job at an upscale native grocery retailer. I feel my Dad made me so I may “perceive the worth of cash”, however my dad and mom inform me I used to be so motivated to work, I needed the job. I do admire the expertise although — the shop was very targeted on customer support, which has served me nicely my complete life. It additionally instilled in me a love of high-quality meals, which I carry with me to at the present time.
Did you are concerned about cash rising up?
My dad and mom owned their very own enterprise and we lived in a very nice home and went on trip yearly. Like me, my brothers all went to non-public college. I by no means fearful about cash.
Do you are concerned about cash now?
I fear about cash on a regular basis. I’m a single mother and I’ve my children 50% of the time. I don’t obtain any little one help (nor ought to I, however even when I misplaced my job he wouldn’t pay it). My largest fear is that I really feel behind in my investments, and I’m working actually laborious to catch as much as save for retirement. My objective for 2025 is to max out my Roth IRA, my 401(ok) and my HSA.
At what age did you turn out to be financially answerable for your self and do you’ve got a monetary security internet?
I feel I’d say I used to be financially answerable for myself once I graduated faculty. My dad and mom have helped me by the years and would assist me once more if I wanted them to, however I actually would like by no means to make use of that security internet. In the present day, if I wanted a monetary security internet, I may promote my rental residence.
Do you or have you ever ever acquired passive or inherited revenue? If sure, please clarify.
After I was going by my divorce, my dad and mom helped me with $500 a month to maintain me afloat. In addition they gave me and my ex-husband $5,000 as a marriage current and paid for a great chunk of our wedding ceremony.
Day One: Monday
8 a.m. — I get up and begin the espresso maker, feed the canine, and get to work. I’m an engineer who works remotely, however my son has an ENT appointment at this time so I’m taking the afternoon off. Which means my morning is full of back-to-back conferences. I make myself a fast breakfast of complete fats plain yogurt (which I get from an area farm share, strawberries, granola, and honey).
11:45 a.m. — Time to get my son. His appointment is at 1:30 p.m., however I wish to seize him early to get lunch with him. We love making an attempt new meals collectively, so we exit for Indian at a extremely rated restaurant on the town. I order butter rooster, garlic naan, tandoori rooster, and a mango lassi for him to drink. I can’t consider how a lot meals comes out and sadly, he doesn’t find it irresistible. We pack up the leftovers and he begs me to seize him an eggroll on the Thai restaurant subsequent door as a result of he’s nonetheless hungry. In some way this fast lunch is costing me greater than $60! However I’m proud he tried one thing new and I don’t need him hungry all afternoon, so I cave. I’m a sucker. $64.90
4 p.m. — WOW, that appointment went lengthy. We race residence to get my daughter off the bus, and have a fast snack of apples and pears earlier than my son has a cooking class. My daughter is happy as a result of whereas he’s cooking, we’re going out for a mommy-daughter date. My daughter and I find yourself at an Italian restaurant and get a meatball appetizer, a Neapolitan pizza, a mousse dessert, and I deal with myself to a martini ($51.17). The cooking class is lengthy so after dinner we stroll round city collectively and store. I find yourself shopping for her a sweater at Francesca’s for her Valentine’s Day occasion in school ($38.43). Lastly, we cease on the grocery retailer to purchase some bananas, eggs, heavy cream, and yogurt ($18.66). We decide up my son who beloved his cooking class and head residence for the evening. I had a blast spending one-on-one time with every of my children at this time, however by the point we get residence at 9 p.m. I’m exhausted and able to collapse into mattress. $108.26
Every day Complete: $173.16
Day Two: Tuesday
8 a.m. — I get up to get the children out the door for college, and we now have eggs and do-it-yourself blueberry muffins for breakfast. Each my children have a tendency to purchase lunch in school, however should pack a snack, so that they each seize water and seaweed snacks and head to the bus. As soon as they’re gone, I feed the canine and get to work.
11:45 a.m. — I take a lunch break and stroll my canine. We usually do about 45 minutes to an hour but it surely’s actually chilly out, so it’s shorter than common. For lunch I eat leftover pizza and a few Tony’s Chocolonely. Within the afternoon, I run to Fedex to mail my grandma an outdated iPhone since her battery isn’t holding cost nicely. I do know she’ll provide to pay for it or reimburse me for the transport, however I’m not going to let her. I get plenty of pleasure in doing variety issues for others. $19.97
4 p.m. — My daughter comes residence and eats a fast dinner of the final of the leftover pizza earlier than basketball, and we depart about half-hour later to seize my son from math membership. Math membership ends at 5 p.m., and basketball and wrestling begin at 6, so we hand around in the parking zone in between. It’s not value it to drive forwards and backwards. I pack my son some leftover Chinese language for dinner, and after they depart for his or her sports activities I run residence and make myself eggs and skillet fried potatoes for dinner. I add salsa and bitter cream and luxuriate in about half-hour at residence alone earlier than I race again out to choose them up from their sports activities. They each come residence sweaty and comfortable, and so they bathe earlier than we get able to wind down for the evening. My son and I watch an episode of Ted Lasso earlier than mattress. My daughter typically watches with us, however tonight she desires to look at Dance Mothers, which I can’t stand.
Every day Complete: $19.97
Day Three: Wednesday
8 a.m. — The children have the time without work college, however will head to their dad’s early this morning. I don’t set an alarm, however nonetheless get up early naturally. I make do-it-yourself wholegrain pancakes with whipped cream and do-it-yourself raspberry jam and we activate Ted Lasso whereas I multitask and do some work. Their dad finally ends up coming round 10 a.m. to choose them up. I really feel actually fortunate in my profession: I’ve a ton of flexibility when the children are residence and luxuriate in limitless PTO. So long as I get all my work carried out, my supervisor by no means micromanages or questions me, and I’m fortunate sufficient to prioritize my household over my job. I do should journey fairly a bit for work, however I are inclined to schedule it for when the children are with their dad.
12 p.m. — I stroll my canine after which take a look at my fridge, which is working low on contemporary gadgets. I’m a Costco shopper for nonperishables, so I usually am nicely stocked for rice, noodles, ramen, beans, and lentils however I get my fruits, greens, and dairy at both an area farm share or an upscale grocery retailer. I run to the grocery retailer and purchase broccoli, carrots, lettuce, goat’s cheese, floor beef, hamburger buns, hummus, and berries. As I stroll by the sushi part, I see a vegetable wrap with avocado, lettuce, carrot, and a rice wrapper — it seems good, so I seize it to eat whereas I run my errands ($50.93). Subsequent I run to seize pet food ($53.75), and make one final cease at Costco to choose up a prescription ($37.45, paid out of my HSA although). After I get residence, I’ve conferences, and end out my workday. $104.68
6 p.m. — I finish my day calling my grandma and chatting for some time, then I watch the brand new episode of Under Deck Down Below. I’m actually excited in regards to the new season: Captain Jason is superior and I benefit from the drama. I make myself roasted carrots, broccoli, and candy potato over wild rice and high it with hummus and goat’s cheese.
Every day Complete: $104.68
Day 4: Thursday
5:30 a.m. — Despite the fact that my alarm is ready for 8 a.m., my telephone wakes me up at 5:30 a.m. to inform me the children have a snow day — which isn’t helpful data to me, since my children are with my ex-husband. Now I’m awake and might’t return to sleep, so I make my espresso and open my work laptop computer, simply so I’ve one thing to occupy the time. Round 8 a.m. I feed my canine and eat yogurt with granola and berries. Today goes to tug if I can’t nap.
11:30 a.m. — I take a fast break to eat. I microwave leftover roasted veggies and wild rice, and high them with a fried egg and siracha. That is my favourite lunch — simply the identical base with completely different flavors added so it by no means will get outdated. I attempt to nap however I’m not profitable. Tremendous irritating. Since I can’t nap, I drive to the nationwide park for a stroll, stopping on the way in which for Starbucks. I get a tall vanilla latte, and it retains me heat. After the stroll I sit again all the way down to work. $4.45
6 p.m. — After work I do some cleansing round the home and take out the trash. I make myself angel hair pasta with roasted broccoli and goat’s cheese and pour a glass of wine. I don’t drink loads, however perhaps a few times per week it simply feels applicable. After cleansing, I sit down to look at the brand new episode of the Actual Housewives of Salt Lake Metropolis. After that’s over, I watch Shrinking. It’s my new present to look at and I’m actually having fun with it! I go out round 10 p.m.
Every day Complete: $4.45
Day 5: Friday
8 a.m. — Despite the fact that the children aren’t right here, I’ve my alarm set for 7:30 a.m. as a result of I’m volunteering at my son’s college for swimming. I completely love this chance: I get to spend time with my son and his associates and occasionally they get stunned with a free swim, and I like to see their pure childhood pleasure of a noon swim with your pals. I make myself oatmeal and low for breakfast, and earlier than I head into the college I ship a message providing espresso to his two primary lecturers. They settle for, so I cease on my means in and seize two grande strawberry crème Frappuccinos. After I ship them, they inform me I made their mornings. Even higher, at this time is the final session of swimming in fifth grade, so that they play water polo. The children have a blast and it feels bittersweet as a result of I received’t have the ability to expertise this group of children on this setting once more. Nonetheless, my daughter’s class begins swim subsequent month, so I’m actually wanting ahead to that. $16.95
10 a.m. — After swimming, I cease at a buddy’s home and have brunch together with her. She’s a stay-at-home mother who lives near the college, so it’s handy. She makes me an omelet and a smoothie and we now have a very nice time laughing collectively and catching up on how our youngsters are doing. I head again to my home and again to work round 12 p.m.
4 p.m. — The children get off the bus and my son instantly asks if he can have his associates over. We don’t actually have something deliberate, so I agree. First I’ve to move to an area church to choose up my farm basket although. I pay $41 per week and get an assortment of native produce, plus I’ve a $200 annual credit score I can use for different native gadgets they promote. This week my basket incorporates pasta, tomato sauce, potatoes, mushrooms, carrots, and apple cider. I had positioned a pre-order with my credit as nicely and get pasteurized non-homogenized complete milk, yogurt, eggs, and English muffins. I head residence with my hoard and decide up the buddies on the way in which. After we get again I make burgers for the children.
8 p.m. — Whereas the boys play video video games, my daughter and I make popcorn and Shirley Temples and snuggle in mattress. We browse the choices and determine we wish to lease Depraved. I’ve seen it stay in theaters a number of instances, and we noticed it collectively round Christmas a number of years in the past, so I’m excited to see what she remembers. She says not loads, but it surely’s enjoyable to look at it collectively. $19.99
Every day Complete: $36.94
Day Six: Saturday
7 a.m. — It’s my weekend with the children! I get up to the great shock that my son is up already and has made me espresso. He says he needed to thank me for letting him have associates over yesterday. I ought to have been suspicious although, as a result of it doesn’t take lengthy to seek out out he’s scheming to see one other set of associates at this time. I inform him I’ll name his buddy’s mother (who will likely be internet hosting) to debate. My daughter wakes up a little bit later and we make our favourite breakfast: crepes with strawberries, bananas, Nutella, and do-it-yourself whipped cream. I stroll my canine and make a name to my son’s buddy’s mother and work out some particulars so he can hold with them whereas my daughter has basketball video games.
11 a.m. — My daughter’s basketball sport is at 1 p.m. and it’s a few 45-minute drive, so I make scrambled eggs for my daughter for some protein and he or she has a number of carrots with hummus earlier than we depart. We drop my son off on the buddy’s on the way in which. My daughter has two back-to-back basketball video games and he or she performs superior! I’m so pleased with her. On the way in which residence we cease at Ulta so she will be able to spend a few of her allowance on bubble face wash since she not too long ago completed a bottle.
4 p.m. — We get residence and my son and his associates swing by to choose my daughter as much as head to Skyzone. We now have an annual go, and so they have a youthful sister my daughter’s age, so that they head there for about an hour whereas I begin making dinner. I’m planning to make couscous with roasted rooster from the freezer, however whereas they’re leaping apparently they’re additionally planning and once they get residence they ask a few sleepover. I agree and rapidly change my dinner plans — now I’ve 5 children right here to feed, three of whom are 11-year-old footballers, so I would like extra meals, stat! Fortunately I’ve a number of containers of Velveeta mac and cheese and frozen rooster patties and buns within the freezer. I minimize up the final of my strawberries and broccoli and carrots and put out hummus. By the point the children are carried out consuming I really feel like a twister has come by. I wash the dishes and settle all the way down to learn my library guide How Not To Die and really feel very responsible over the processed dinner I simply fed these rising children.
9 p.m. — The children who’re sleeping over have a soccer sport at 9 a.m. tomorrow morning so I take some freezer bread and the leftover buns and dry them within the oven for a couple of minutes. I minimize them up after which combine eggs and milk to make bread pudding to bake within the morning, so that they have a great breakfast earlier than their sport. I discover some bacon from my farm share in my chest freezer and put it within the fridge to defrost in a single day. As soon as I’m carried out with that I inform the children to get me up in the event that they want something, however head to mattress. I really feel responsible making this for breakfast as a result of eggs are SO costly proper now, however I inform myself it’s a particular deal with and go to mattress solely regretting my selections a little bit bit.
Every day Complete: $0
Day Seven: Sunday
6 a.m. — I’ve to get up early to get the bread pudding and bacon within the oven and make the custard topping. I’ve it prepared by 7:15 a.m. so the children all have time to hang around and eat earlier than they depart. I textual content their mother and invite her to hitch and he or she accepts, so we sit and drink some espresso and catch up earlier than everybody leaves. As soon as all the children are gone, my children clear up after the sleepover whereas I stroll my canine and all of us watch an episode of Ted Lasso earlier than basketball.
11 a.m. — We have to depart for basketball quickly so I rapidly make the rooster and couscous I had supposed to prepare dinner the evening earlier than for lunch. My daughter informs me that she hates each rooster and couscous, so she makes herself ramen. The deal in my home is that in the event that they don’t like what I prepare dinner, they should prepare dinner and clear up their substitute. After lunch we head to basketball. It’s a few 30-minute drive once more.
1 p.m. — As we pull into the parking zone, my daughter tells me she feels nauseous and thinks she might throw up. I do know abdomen flu goes round, and he or she isn’t one to overlook a sport with out good motive, so I let her coach know we’re heading residence and we flip again round. I really feel responsible however we now have to cease for gasoline on the way in which residence. We get residence and sadly she does find yourself being sick. I’m very grateful she waited till she hit the toilet. $34.29
4 p.m. — I run to the grocery retailer for some Gatorade. This isn’t how I anticipated the day to go — I assumed we’d be going out for dinner with the staff after profitable a basketball match (I might have been proper if she hadn’t gotten sick!), so I don’t have a plan for dinner. I seize a pack of perogies and onion for my son and I. $12.87
6 p.m. — I provide my daughter buttered noodles for dinner and that sounds okay to her besides what she actually desires is applesauce. Small downside: I don’t have applesauce. I want she’d informed me she needed it earlier than I went to the shop. I search for a substitute, and discover the farm share apples and make some do-it-yourself. They aren’t technically the correct of apples, but it surely works for her and he or she appreciates the tasteless meals. My son and I eat the perogies for dinner with some farm share lettuce on the aspect. I add goat’s cheese and canned beets and pecans to mine. He eats his simply as lettuce. We share some Tony’s Chocolony for dessert.
8 p.m. — In my world, pudding is the most effective sick meals, so my son and I make my daughter vanilla pudding. She eats a number of bites, however my son and I eat nearly all of it. I am going to mattress hoping my daughter feels higher quickly, and my son and I don’t find yourself sick, too.
Every day Complete: $47.16
The Breakdown
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