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Welcome to Spending Notes, where we do a weekly deep dive into how our readers spend their cash.
This week, we’re checking out how a sales assistant who makes $65,000 in the coastal city of Melbourne spends her daily bread.
Occupation: Sales Assistant
Age: 33
Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Salary: $65,000 (approx. $2,500 per pay period)
Day One
I’m headed back home from a trip to New South Wales and almost got into a bad car accident—a biker crossed the avenue without waiting for his stoplight to change and ended up hitting my car. The biker wasn’t hurt, and lucky for me, I had the best car insurance NSW offers thanks to iSelect.
Before going on this two-month business trip, I got on iSelect and compared car insurance companies along with their insurance policies. iSelect made it easy for me to choose the right car insurance policy based on prices, coverage, and discounts. I’m stopping for gas and continue my trip home.
Total: $44.21
Day Two
Today, I’m helping my friend D. looking for divorce lawyers in Melbourne. She had already applied for a divorce at the Court to end the marriage and moved out of the home she shared with her soon-to-be ex-spouse. D. doesn’t have kids, but she does have shared property and debt that needs to be settled in court.
I found PCL Lawyers, and they have a lot of experience in this family law, so I’ll give them a phone call for a free consultation. I want to help D. build the best attorney-client relationship possible so finalizing her divorce can be as stress-free as possible. I’ll also ask for legal advice for D. once I finish eating this Persian Pilaf from Rumi, a middle eastern restaurant down on Lygon Street. I also got an order of Persian Fairy Floss for dessert.
Day Three
It’s Tuesday, and I’m headed to Royal Arcade for a small shopping spree. I’m buying their famous Babushka Russian dolls and Macarons to see what the buzz is all about. Walking around also helps me move after work so that I can kill two birds with one stone.
Total: $23.55
Day Four
Wednesdays are hiking days for me. So today, I went to the You Yangs Regional Park, where I can enjoy a brisk walk with a beautiful view of the city. I just finished my hour-long hike, so I deserve to stop at Founders & Co for a Thai Beef Salad. It comes with spicy beef and vegetables as well as sweet chili mayo. It’s so delicious that I could eat a second bowl.
Total: $26.88
Day Five
Friday’s are always a treat for me. First, I order my favorite Italian dish from The Hardware Club for lunch and head downtown for a night out with friends. Today, I’m ordering a plate of fresh pasta and pickled mussels. It’s now after work, and I’m heading out with D. and a couple of other friends to Hosier Lane to check out the street art and then to Queen Victoria Market for some more shopping and discounts.
Total: $65.10
Day Six
D.’s looking to buy a new car and asked me to compare insurance companies to get car insurance to meet her needs. She told me she had seen some auto insurance policies but wasn’t sure who might be the right insurer for her. So I texted her a website and headed out to the Winter Night Market for some delicious local eatery and live music. Unfortunately, it’s already packed, so I’m going to try and wrap it up and head home.
Total: $73.89
Day Seven
It’s Sunday, and I’m pretty tired from the week, so I’ll stay at home today and relax watching TV. I’m ordering a Banh Mi sandwich from Nhu’ Lan Bakery and a hot raspberry and plum jam doughnut from the American Doughnut Kitchen van. They’re always a treat when I’m feeling tired, like today.
Total: $37.66
Total for the week: $296.08
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