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

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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?

Enjoyed my money diary series? Check out more entries here!