Welcome to Spending Notes, where we do a weekly deep dive into how our readers spend their cash.
Today: a registered nurse who makes $60,000 a year
Occupation: Registered Nurse
Age: 29
Location: Franklin, TN
Salary: $60,000 ($2,077.50 per pay period)
Day One
My day starts by rolling out of bed to help my kids get ready for school. When the kids are gone, I do a little online Christmas shopping with my wife before getting ready for work. I bought a dollhouse for my daughter and a toy car racetrack for my son. Once our Christmas shopping is finished, I get ready and leave for work.
After a few hours of work, I head out to grab a bite for lunch. I swing by a nearby Chinese restaurant for some black pepper chicken, a personal favorite. I then head back to the office to finish my shift.
Back home after work, my wife reminded me that we really need our house pressure washed and the gutters cleaned, so I looked up some professional exterior cleaning companies serving Franklin, TN. I found one that seemed promising and booked a consultation with Labor Panes.
Total: $253.45
Day Two
I start my usual routine and then head off to the office. Along the way, I stop to grab my lunch beforehand to eat without leaving the office, a sub sandwich from a local deli on my route. After a pretty average day at work, I drive home and pick up milk and eggs at the grocery store on my way. Once I’m home, I fix dinner with my wife, play with the kids for a while, and head to bed.
Total: $12.93
Day Three
I woke up a little late this morning, but the kids still had time to catch the bus and make it to school. I head to work, bringing a sandwich I prepared at home. I spend my lunch break browsing my phone for dartboards and darts to replace the set I lost when we moved into our new house several months ago. I found a beautiful board and set of darts from A-Z Darts. I head straight home after work. My wife and I fix dinner and play some games on my PlayStation before heading to bed.
Total: $221.99
Day Four
I brought my lunch from home again and spent an uneventful day working. I leave work and do my usual evening routine. After my wife goes to bed, I stay up to plan a special weekend surprise for our anniversary. I book a wine tasting at a local vineyard.
Total: $130.00
Day Five
It’s my last day of work for the week. I decided to hit up the nearby Chinese restaurant again for lunch. After work, I head home, stopping once to gas up the car. 10:00 P.M. sneaks up on me tonight, and I head to bed for a big day I have planned for tomorrow with my wife.
Total: $43.78
Day Six
I wake up early and inform my wife of our wine-tasting reservation. She’s thrilled with the surprise gift, and we prepare to leave. After dropping the kids off at my parents’ house, we make it to the vineyard. We enjoyed the tasting and bought one bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon 2018. Afterward, we pick the kids up and head home.
Total: $35.30
Day Seven
I get up early again and spend the day playing with my kids and enjoying some time with my wife. Then, finally, I finish the day by playing games on the PlayStation and head to bed to get ready for another week of work.
Total: $0.00
Weekly Total: $697.45
