What we spend: Inner-city couple who prioritise saving for holidays
By Jemima Skelley|
Money - it's one of those things that we're constantly thinking about, but don't always want to talk too much about. ?
With our What We Spend series, we're taking a look at the different ways Aussie ?couples and housemates spend their money each week.
This week we're taking a look at the spending habits of a young Sydney couple, Lucy and Max*.
Lucy: A 28-year-old writer earning $100,000.
Max: ?A 32-year-old government worker earning $95,000.
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What are your weekly bills/expenses? Any savings?
When we moved in together, it just made sense to join our finances. Though we still have separate accounts, we have joint savings and expenses accounts to make sure it's all split evenly down the middle.
Our weekly bills and expenses are pretty much identical. ?
Savings: $250 each + $100 per week goes into a 'holiday savings' account
Parking and petrol costs: $25
Internet: $17.50 (charged as $70 monthly)
Rent: $700 (split weekly between us)
Meal prep kit: $42 each
Pilates/Gym: $37.50
Netflix: $3.50
Groceries: Around $25 each (Our meal kit subscription helps lower this cost as we have it three nights per week.)
Utilities: Varies every quarter, but averages about $29 total per week.
Phone bill: $20 each
Public transport: $51 per week for ferries
Total weekly bills and expenses for each Lucy and Max: $862? ($1724 total)
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What are your thoughts on your spending habits? Do you spend much outside your weekly regular expenses??
We probably spend way too much money at the pub each week! I do save a lot on groceries thanks to Marley Spoon, which gives us three dinners per week plus leftovers sometimes.
I barely ever transfer out of my savings which I am proud of, but I also don't save too much each week, so I could be a lot more frugal.?
Here's a snapshot of Lucy's spending habits for the week - outside the regular expenses laid out above. ?
Monday
?Monday is a big bill day, so our account takes a hit จC the meal kit payment plus my Pilates membership, as well as our weekly transfer to our savings account. But those are all pre-planned expenses, thankfully, so don't really count toward our weekly spending tally.
?I also spent a whopping $18 on my lunch as I worked late and nothing else was open, plus $5.80 for a coffee as I went into work.
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Tuesday
On my lunch break I spent $10 at Coles for snacks and $6.50 for an iced coffee (oops). We have a coffee machine in the office but sometimes I just want a little treat, you know.
I went out to dinner with friends tonight, we split a few things and had some cocktails, which totalled $56. Our tolls fee came out today too, which was $20.
Wednesday
OK I had a bit of a splurge morning today. I spent $22 on breakfast after pilates, then I went to go get my nails done, which was $35.
I did bring my own lunch to work, so the other expenses were $6.60 on a card for my friend and $15 for a donation for a colleague who is leaving.
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Thursday
I got a ferry to work, which was $8.50. For real, why can't ferries be the same price as trains and buses??
While at work, I spent $5.80 on a large oat latte, $15 on lunch and $5 on a train to my friend's house after work.
Friday
Today we're driving to Bowral for a wedding! Because we live in the city, our normal petrol costs aren't too high thankfully! But we had to fill up the tank for this drive, which was $25 each.
We had lunch at home before driving, and then obviously all the food was covered at the wedding. We spent $100 each for the donation in the card.
The Airbnb was $270 for the night, but we paid for it six months ago when we booked it, so it kind of doesn't count? That's girl math. ?
Saturday
Of course, ?we had to go out for a post-wedding morning debrief breakfast with our mates before driving home. I spent $25 on food and coffee, then another $12 on some snacks and drinks at the petrol station before we hit the road.
We got home and chilled for the rest of the arvo, then split takeaway pizza for dinner, which was $20. ?
Sunday
Today I had to transfer $80 to my credit card to pay off the balance. It was a low-key day and we didn't spend much, but I did drop $10 on a pair of earrings while shopping, and then $18 at Woolies for dinner essentials.
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Final thoughts
This week was tough to save as we had a wedding จC spending that extra cash on getting nails done and putting money in the card was a lot.
I also spend A LOT on breakfasts at cafes, which I am trying to slow down on (it is one of my favourite things to do though!).
Subscribing to a meal kit service has been a real game-changer for our finances. Though at first it felt like a big expense, it's saved us a tonne when it comes to grocery shopping จC I'm definitely the kind of person who wanders the aisles aimlessly and ends up spending way too much.
*Names have been changed.?
If you would like to participate in 9Honey's What We Spend money diaries, please email jskelley@nine.com.au.
The information provided on this website is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice. The information has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information on this website you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs.
