Millennial Money Diary on Maternity Leave Making $26,000/yr for July 2024

I don’t know about you but I love CNBC’s Millennial Money and Refinery29’s Money Diaries.

Maybe it’s because I love to snoop but there’s something about learning how someone spends their money is interesting. Since I enjoy it so much, I’d share my monthly money diaries!

Without ado, here’s my July 2024 money diary.

Week of July 1 – 6

Etsy – $14.10
Starbucks – $5.57
Phone Bill – $33.60
Strata (basically HOA for condos) – $342.73

Total: $395.70

Week of July 7 – 13

Haircut – $30.00
Amazon – $18.79
Amazon – $25.19
Banana Republic – $81.88. Not for me! A little birthday gift for a friend.
Groceries – $17.40.
Eyebrows threading – $18.11
Groceries – $14.09
Lunch – $10.00
Value Village – $34.10
Terry Fox Foundation – $32.00. Seriously, go check out TFF to grab yourself a shirt and help support cancer research!
Dollarama – $43.00. The dollar store is a great place to get DIY stuff.

Total: $324.56

Week of July 14 – 20

E-transfer fee – $1.50
Naruto Sushi – $48.74
Snacks – $6.30
Snacks – $13.06

Total: $69.60

Week of July 21 – 27

Home Insurance – $23.54. I have a high deductible which is why my home insurance is cheap. Plus, they lower my rate every year!
Groceries – $40.00
Snacks – $4.60
Something for Theo, I can’t even remember – $13.64
Starbucks – $6.56
Value Village – $30.94
TransLink (public transport) – $10.00
Groceries – $19.98
Onsie for Theo – $4.20
Snacks – $2.37
Take-out for dinner – $42.53
Bay Pharmacy – $8.34. I forgot to pack my Gravel for a ferry ride so I had to buy another pack… I was so annoyed!
Groceries – $3.00
Amazon – $71.52

Total: $281.22

Week of 28 – 31

Value Village – $56.67
Nanaimo Bathtub Race Souvenir – $25.00
Toys for Theo – $16.77
Gas – $90.18
Starbucks – $6.04
Undergarments lol – $62.00
Shein (don’t judge lol) – 143.72

Total: $400.38

Reflections:

This month I actually attempted a no spend/no buy challenge! It’s my first time doing a financial challenge and I failed. I thought I did very well early on but as the month progressed, I fell off the wagon. Reflecting, I think I needed to define the rules around what is allowed and what is not in greater detail. I recognize that I shop when I get bored or stressed from the baby. Have you ever tried a no spend challenge?