A Week in the Life of a $75k Marketing Manager: Spending Diary Reveals All!

Welcome to Money Diaries

In this series, we dive into the personal finances of everyday people to unveil the often-taboo topic of money management. Today, we explore the spending habits of a 29-year-old marketing communications manager earning $75,000 annually.

Profile Overview

• Occupation: Marketing Communications Manager
• Industry: Reproductive Health
• Location: Louisiana
• Salary: $75,000
• Assets: Roth IRA: $19,000; 401(k): $18,000
• Debt: ~$2,000
• Biweekly Paycheck: $2,100

Monthly Expenses

• Housing Costs: $650
• Credit Card Payment: $35
• Electricity: $120-$140
• Gym Membership: $11
• Apple Music: $11
• Local CSA Membership: $18/week
• Netflix: $7.99
• Adobe: $25
• Life Insurance: $215
• Car Insurance: $100

Daily Breakdown

Day One: Thursday

7:30 a.m. — Morning pages followed by dog care and breakfast.
8:30 a.m. — Spent $23 at the farmer's market for strawberries, iced coffee, and cabbage.
12 p.m. — Lunch from Chick-fil-A with a sweet tea for $2.50.
6 p.m. — Finished work and got ready for a networking event.
7 p.m. — Networking dinner provided for free, yay!
8:30 p.m. — Relaxing bath and bedtime routine.

Day Two: Friday

9 a.m. — Attended a friend's marketing event, indulging in breakfast for $11.
1:30 p.m. — Collected weekly CSA produce, supporting local.
6:30 p.m. — Free dinner at a friend's influencer event.

Day Three: Saturday

8 a.m. — Visited a local bakery, spending $5 on a pastry.
2 p.m. — Attended a parade, spent $13 on tacos.
6 p.m. — Made a big purchase of $975 on a new iPhone.

Day Four: Sunday

12 p.m. — Attended a local festival, spent $33 on food.
5:30 p.m. — Gym visit and groceries for $16.

Day Five: Monday

7 a.m. — Ran an errand for mom, got an energy drink for $7.50.
12 p.m. — Lunch made from mom's fridge.
4 p.m. — Taco Bell lunch for $4.

Day Six: Tuesday

7:30 a.m. — Morning routine and iced coffee for $5.
1 p.m. — Unexpected lunch with dad, paid for by him.

Day Seven: Wednesday

6 a.m. — Donut shop visit, spent $12.67.
3 p.m. — Gave $400 in gifts to friends and family.

The Breakdown

The weekly total was eye-opening, especially with the $975 phone purchase. Tracking expenses helps in understanding spending habits and preparing for a low-spend month ahead. The struggle with money perceptions from a lower-income background continues to influence financial decisions today.