Millennial Money Diary on Maternity Leave Making $26,000/yr for August 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 August 2024 money diary.

Introduction to my Money Diary

My income is $26,000 per year as I’m on maternity leave. This income is from my employment insurance from the government. I do not include any investments as part of my income because I don’t touch any of my dividends or compound interest. My money diary focuses on daily expenses; if there’s an interest in how much I invest, I can include that in future editions!

Fixed Expenses & Bills

• Mortgage – $175.38
• Strata (basically HOA for condos) – $342.73
• Phone Bill – $33.60
• American Express fee – $12.99
• Home insurace – $23.54
• Car insurance – $225.41
• Car payment – $533.58

Total: $1,347.23

Week of August 1 – 3

• Groceries – $45.98
• Lunch – $20.46
• Something for Theo – $9.03
• Snacks – $14.95
• Sugar free vanilla syrup – $49.95. We stock up on them when it goes on sale!
• Shein – $34.66. Don’t judge, haha. I shop when I’m bored!
• RMT session – $40.50

Total: $215.53

Week of August 4 – 10

• Instant Gaming – $43.92. I purchased the new Sims expansion pack, lol. Seriously, the only place I buy my Sims games since they’re so much cheaper than EA!
• Stuff for Theo from IKEA – $35.80
• IKEA snack – $3.68
• Baby proofing stuff – $55.97
• Sushi for dinner – $45.00
• Starbucks – $5.93
• SPCA thrift store – $23.00. Scored myself a designer sweater blazer!
• Kozak Ukrainian Eatery – $43.31. Tried a new bakery… wasn’t very good, to be honest!
• Something for Theo again – $6.29
• McDonald’s – $13.06
• Clothes hangers – $11.19
• Shein – $8.14
• Snacks – $14.89
• McDonald’s – $3.87
• Groceries – $26.53
• Sushi for lunch again – $16.36
• E-transfer fee – $1.50
• Acupuncture and cupping – $38.60
• Grow with Jo Home – $7.00. Been following Jo’s workout for a while and finally decided to subscribe to her website. Worth it!

Total: $404.04

Week of August 11 – 17

• Value Village – $28.84
• Hairbrush for Dan lol – $8.05
• McDonald’s – $7.61
• Undergarments – $46.00. Wireless bras are the best, and my seamless boxers for women don’t show panty lines under thin pants!
• Starbucks – $6.04. Treated myself after getting my notice that I was getting laid off.
• Sushi for lunch – $20.00. Treated myself after getting my notice that I was getting laid off.
• Groceries – $14.62
• Shein – $27.47
• Groceries – $23.38
• Shein – $28.90
• Etsy – $20.79. Ordered a customized pop socket of Theo’s face!
• Sushi for dinner – $30.58
• Deposit for daycare – $2,000.00
• Shein – $8.99
• DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo w/ 2 year warranty – $1,185.79. Check out my vlogs on my IG or newly created TikTok!
• Starbucks – $15.00
• Old Navy – $35.00. Pants for Dan!
• Old Navy – $58.34. Clothes and daycare stuff for Theo.
• Old Navy – $34.42. Nice ribbed sweater for me.
• Crocs – $66.58. Theo’s first pair of crocs! SO EXCITED!

Total: $3,666.40

Week of August 18 – 24

• Mobil gas – $57.62
• Toys for Theo and DJI accessories – $52.32
• DJI accessories – $54.05
• Togo Sushi for lunch – $15.48
• Public transit – $10.00
• Shein – $8.14
• Refurb.io – $79.52
• McDonald’s – $3.87
• Snacks – $1.56
• Canadian Tire – $31.77. First aid kit stuff for Theo’s daycare.
• Staples – $6.09. Because who owns a printer anymore???

Total: $321.42

Week of August 25 – 31

• McDonald’s – $10.18
• Starbucks – $13.02
• Photo prints – $2.20
• Sushi for lunch – $22.62
• Starbucks – $6.25
• Value Village – $21.82

Total: $76.09

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Reflections:

Ooof, what an expensive month mostly caused by Theo’s daycare deposit and splurging on a new vlog camera. I was honestly not anticipating paying for a daycare deposit because we were getting declined left and right until I saw a Facebook post from the agency advertising they got spots for a nearby center. Talk about luck!

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