Welcome to Spending Notes, where we do a weekly deep dive into how our readers spend their cash.
Today: a digital sales executive who makes $100,000 a year
Occupation: digital sales executive
Age: 25
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Salary: $100,000 (approx. $3,846 per pay period)
Day One
Today is my first day back after maternity leave! My boyfriend, N., is determined to be a stay-at-home dad, which works for me. I love my job, so I’m glad to be back after just a few weeks! Of course, N. is sending me plenty of updates on our little one, K., too. On my lunch break—we have lunches offered on-site—I decide to order him a gift to commemorate his “new job.” WatchBox Patek Philippe watches seem like a great fit! Patek Philippe is the last family-owned independent watch manufacturer in Geneva, so it’s perfect for a family man like N. I‘ve found a few nice ones but want to sneak a look at his existing collection before I buy. For now, I grab dinner from his favorite Thai place as a surprise.
Total: $54
Day Two
It’s a slow day at work, so I’m spending some time on my “passion project,” as I like to call it. Essentially, I like to study businesses beyond our clients, paying attention to not just their marketing strategies but how they run their companies more generally. Today, I’m researching Alamos Gold Inc as my chosen company. Alamos Gold is an intermediate gold producer operating across North America, including Northern Ontario and Sonora, Mexico—the Young-Davidson, Island Gold, and Mulatos mines. Alamos will be a great case study to present to clients down the road! After work, I pick up a pizza and head home to N. and K.
Total: $17.50
Day Three
N. and I used to talk about traveling the United States and beyond, but honestly? I’m much happier with the way our lives worked out. If nothing else, we wouldn’t be able to count on our local Wawa if we were globe-trotting! Like this morning—I stop for gas and grab a stuffed soft pretzel while I’m at it. There’s nothing like it when you’re on the go!
Total: $42
Day Four
Today, my schedule is full of client meetings, with companies looking to promote their environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and other attributes. I’ve been doing this job for long enough that industry best practices are second nature—I’m ready to guide them through all this and even offer further assistance, should they need it, to get their marketing strategy in place. Admittedly, I’m not quite as attuned to motherhood’s job requirements just yet. Not long after I get home with our dinner—burgers and fries from a favorite diner—K. starts crying and doesn’t stop for more than a few minutes throughout the night. It’s going to be a sleepy tomorrow, that’s for sure!
Total: $37
Day Five
TGIF, am I right? As expected, I’m exhausted this morning and start my day with a Starbucks run to compensate. Nothing like a festive red cup (and their delicious new holiday latte) to brighten the end of the workweek! K. must have exhausted himself last night, too, since he’s fast asleep by the time I get home with dinner for N. and me. We cuddle up on the couch and watch Krampus, one of my favorite films.
Total: $7.50
Day Six
N. and I are taking K. to an event at the Zoo tonight, so we keep the rest of the day pretty low-key. K. seems to love the winter wonderland! We’ll definitely have to bring him back to see this in the snow.
Total: $72
Day Seven
This morning, N. is heading out for groceries and to run some other errands, so I sneak a look at his watch collection to see what Patek Philippe might be the best addition. While browsing the items on his dresser, I realize that he could definitely use some other essentials, too, like new T-shirts and socks. I decide to surprise him with a full order of new clothes—I can hardly wait to see his reaction when they arrive! I’ll pick out his new watch this coming week, too, and he’ll have a whole new wardrobe.
Total: $227
Total for the week: $457
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