Money Diaries: Week In Melbourne As A Coord On $77,000

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Welcome to Money Diaries, where we tackle the ever-present taboo that is money. We ask real people how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we track every last dollar.

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Today, a volunteer workforce coordinator heads away to a caravan park, buys a yoga and Pilates class pack and stocks up on underwear.

Occupation: Volunteer Workforce Coordinator
Industry: Not for Profit
Age: 27
Location: Inner North, Melbourne (Naarm)
Pronouns: She/Her
Salary: $77,000
Net Worth: $43,000 in savings. I don’t own a property and haven’t invested yet.
Debt: $13,000 in HECS debt
Paycheque Amount (Fortnightly): $1,947

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Monthly Expenses

Rent: $795 in rent per month living in a share house with six other people, including sharing a room with my partner. We love living with friends, and it keeps our rent cheap.
Loan Payments: $0. However, it should be more; this prompted me to check my last pay slip, and I have realised my employer isn’t deducting my HECS debt.
Groceries: $160
Spotify: $16
Phone Bill: $25
Charity Donations: $10
Utilities: $50 approx
Savings Contributions: $900 approx

Did you participate in any form of higher education? If yes, how did you pay for it?

I studied a three-year undergrad, and I’m paying it off through HECS.

Growing up, what kind of conversations did you have about money? Did your parent(s)/guardian(s) educate you about finances?

We didn’t have a lot of direct conversations about money. However, I grew up as an only child with a single mum who worked full-time, so I was being role-modelled on how to make a living and spend wisely from a young age. We weren’t well off by any means, but we were also lucky that we could live comfortably and afford everything we needed. My mum is very balanced and progressive in her views, and this also comes through in her spending habits, which I feel like I’ve inherited. I spend on the things that fill my cup and make life good, but I don’t live above my means or spend a lot on clothes, beauty or other luxury/optional items. I could definitely cut back on spending if I wanted to, but I don’t want to — I like the way I live.

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What was your first job and why did you get it?

My first job was as a waitress at a local cafe and restaurant when I turned 14 and 9 months. I got the job because that’s what you did at my age in the area and community I grew up in. And of course, I wanted my own money to spend. I still remember using my first paycheque to buy a pair of Doc Martens. I was so happy, it felt so surreal that I had just bought such an expensive item with my own money.

Did you worry about money growing up?

No, I didn’t worry about money, I grew up with everything I needed. While I was in a privileged position to live this way, overseas holidays or big ticket items weren’t things I often thought about because they weren’t on the cards. However, I never felt like I was missing out because I was busy hanging out with friends, going to the beach, playing sports and doing other hobbies.

Do you worry about money now?

I don’t worry about money, but I’m definitely conscious of how I spend it and the increased cost of living. It frustrates me how much harder it is to save, although I’m also grateful to be in a position where I can still afford to do nice things.

At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself and do you have a financial safety net?

I became fully financially responsible for myself when I moved out of home at 19. I don’t have a formal safety net, although I’m very lucky to know that if I ever got stuck or into a tricky situation, my parents could support me (although hopefully that doesn’t happen!)

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Do you or have you ever received passive or inherited income? If yes, please explain.

No.

Day 1

10:32am – My partner and I roll out of bed and decide to hit up Hector's Deli for breakfast ($24) before we head down the coast. We get two sandwiches and a croissant to share, I get a coffee, and he gets a lemon spritz. $24

12:41pm – We drive down the coast and stop at IGA to buy ingredients for dinner, we get lamb chops for a bargain, salad ingredients, stuff for lunch, snacks and ice ($26.50). We arrive at the caravan park we’re staying at and settle in for a few rounds of cards, some frisbee and a cold ocean swim. $26.50

3:21pm – I go to the caravan store and buy firewood and a can of Sprite ($24). $24

Daily Total: $74.50

Day 2

1:34 pm – We leave the national park after a three-and-a-half-hour walk and head to a local town for lunch (we’re starving). We have some of the best fish and chips ($26.50) we’ve ever had. $26.50

3:40pm – My partner fills up his car on the way home and spends $84 on fuel, hopefully he doesn’t ask me to split this. $0

8:55pm – I get an email that my favourite underwear brand is having a sale, so I stock up on undies and bras ($97). $97

Daily Total: $123.50

Day 3

7:55am – I tap my Miki ($50), and it triggers my auto top-up. $50

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10:52am – I go downstairs and buy a coffee. There's only a 10c difference between the regular ($4.60) and small size, so I buy a regular. $4.60

4:47pm – I stop at Woolies on the way home and buy some extra groceries ($12.50) to make dinner. $12.50

Daily Total: $67.10

Day 4

10:01am – I go downstairs and buy my coffee ($4.60), it’s really hot and kind of weak, but I still drink it. $4.60

12:16pm – I meet a friend for lunch and a soda ($21) at a restaurant that employs refugees to cook food from their country or culture. $21

6:45pm – We can’t be bothered cooking tonight, so we opt for Vietnamese ($23) for dinner. $23

8:01pm – The yoga and Pilates studio I like has a sale on class packs so I buy a 10-class pack ($235). It stings, although I read an article recently that said people who spend money on their health are happier, so I feel less bad about the purchase. $235

Daily Total: $283.60