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Friday, October 7, 2016

I live in New York City and make $80,000 a year - here's how I save 50% of my income

[7652557524_2957fcc8af_k]Jamie Olmo/Flickr Welcome to Money Diaries, where we're tackling what might be the last taboo facing modern working women: money. We're asking millennial women how they spend their hard-earned money during a seven-day period — and we're tracking every last dollar. (Thanks, New York mag, for the inspiration.) Today, a protein-conscious publisher falling into Netflix black holes. INDUSTRY: Publishing AGE: 27 LOCATION: New York, NY SALARY: $80,000 PAYCHECK AMOUNT (2X A MONTH): $1,590, after taxes # OF ROOMMATES: 3 MONTHLY EXPENSES RENT: $1,100 UTILITIES: $21.22 INTERNET: $11.24 CLASSPASS MEMBERSHIP: $130 TRANSPORTATION: $116 MetroCard DAY 1 Shutterstock 7:30 a.m. — Early morning BFX barre class before work. Covered under my ClassPass membership. I usually try to take around 25 classes per month, so the cost per class is low and I get to mix up my workouts. 10 a.m. — Breakfast is a hard-boiled egg. I usually make a batch at the beginning of the week to nosh on for the rest of the week. It’s the perfect little pop of protein. 11 a.m. — Ginger tea with honey. I always keep an assortment of tea in the office for a nice pick-me-up and to save on trips to the coffee shop. 12 p.m. — I make a quick trip to the office cafĂ© and grab a pack of Doritos Cooler Ranch chips — my guilty pleasure — and I enjoy every last crunchy bite of it. $1.25 3 p.m. — Lunch of tofu, quinoa, and bok choy, and Greek yogurt, blueberries, and honey. I usually cook bulk meals on Sundays and bring it to work on Mondays to last me most of the week. 5 p.m. — My company hosts a free movie screening for all employees. Bonus: Free popcorn. 7 p.m. — Post-movie barbecue dinner with friends. $9.96 10 p.m. —I’m in a Netflix black hole and get lost in _House of Cards _and cookie-butter ice cream at my boyfriend’s apartment. DAILY TOTAL: $11.21 DAY 2 Getty Images 9:30 a.m. — Breakfast is another hard-boiled egg and Irish soda bread a coworker made. 10:30 a.m. — A hot cup of peach tea to continue a relaxing morning. 12:30 p.m. — I remember it’s pay day and since it’s the second of the month, 100% goes into my savings account. I’m savings-minded, so I aim to save around 50% of my salary each month and max out my 401(k) and HSA. I don’t put hard limits on my spending, but take small steps to save money by cooking myself, price comparing, and buying stuff that’s on sale. 1 p.m. — Lunch of quinoa, bok choy, and tofu. 3 p.m. — A coworker and I trek to a lovely bakery for an afternoon snack. We both enjoy the best almond croissants New York has to offer. Worth the high price tag. $4 4 p.m. — I have a backpacking trip planned in a few weeks and buy some merino-wool leggings for the trip. They’ll wear well and are a steal at more than 75% off. $21.40 6 p.m. — Getting my workout in at Physique 57 barre. Covered under my ClassPass membership. 7:30 p.m. — My body is screaming for protein, so I quickly eat leftover roasted chicken from last night’s dinner and wolf down an apple courtesy of Physique 57. 8:30 p.m. — Spend the rest of the night at my friend’s, who is hosting a game night. She provides food and we indulge in cake and shakes. DAILY TOTAL: $25.40 DAY 3 Trong Nguyen/Shutterstock.com 9:30 a.m. — Purchase a Groupon deal for a $50 Target gift card for $40. Also get cash back via a deals site. I’m planning ahead a bit and will definitely be using this when I’m back home in the suburbs. $37 10 a.m. — Purchase new prescription glasses through Warby Parker for $95, insurance pays 100% of the cost. 10:30 a.m. — Finally get to breakfast after my morning shopping spree and eat a hard-boiled egg and clementines. Why are clementines so tiny and delicious? 12:30 p.m. — Lunch of quinoa, bok choy, and tofu, and two more clementines. Again, why so yummy? 1:30 p.m. — Quick cup of ginger tea with honey between meetings. 4 p.m. — I’m menu planning for next week and pick up some wheat berries from Whole Foods. The bulk section is a great go-to place to grab healthy and fairly priced grains. The total cost is $1.10 for a pound, but I don’t take a bag and get a discount. Win-win, helping myself and the environment. $1 5:30 p.m. — I end the workweek with a Pure Barre class. Covered under my ClassPass membership. 7 p.m. — Catch up with my best friend and boyfriend during a dinner at a new restaurant that just opened. We are all savings-minded, so fancier dinners occur maybe twice a month vs. weekly. $10.89 DAILY TOTAL: $48.89 SEE THE REST OF THE STORY AT BUSINESS INSIDER


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