Money Diaries: An Administrative Assistant’s Week of Spending

Welcome to Money Diaries, a series where one of our readers shares a week inside the life of their bank account.

Inspired by the Money Diaries of Refinery29, we’ve introduced our own local version. These money diaries, submitted by our readers will track a week’s worth of expenses along with lessons, explanations and often money tips. They’re fun to read, giving you a fly on the wall feeling. But more so open a conversation on money, spending and our habits and relationships with what Yuval Noah Harari calls “the most universal and most efficient system of mutual trust ever devised.”

It’s the week after pay day. I’ve already prepared my budget, as I do every month on the 24^th – the day before pay day. This helps me stay on top of finances and to have enough time to compile a list of things I need based on the previous month’s spending.

I transfer funds from my cheque account to my credit card. I use my credit for most purchases as this gets me more eBucks. I buy meat, bananas and Portuguese egg tarts, which I’ve been obsessed with since i had them in Macau last year. This is my first treat of the week.

My automated savings go out.

Part of my savings are for car repairs (I like to be prepared).

I get my car washed outside for only R25. He’s not good with the windows which I discover when I get home and am facing the sun.

I get my hair washed and get an oil treatment for R150.

I’ve been needing a Handbag for months. I found one I like a week ago after some intentional searching. I also get a phone pouch and pick out some of the same hair bands my stylist used as elastic bands are bad for natural hair. I spend R557.99.

[While I’m at it], I go to Lovisa and buy a set of Clip-on earrings for R160. I resist the special of 2 for R240.

I go to Dischem after work. I have a list which I compiled last week to ensure I don’t forget anything. I’ve set a budget of R600 and only end up spending R 505.85. I’m happy with myself until I realise, I didn’t buy the magnetic eyelashes on my list and; I bought sanitary pads (which came with free feminine wipes) and wet wipes that were not on the list.

I make a mental note to be more thorough with my list making.

My Allan Gray Unit Trust debit order of R1500 goes off as scheduled.

I pay R200 for ice cream which seems expensive, but I bought three boxes with 30 pieces in each box. It’s for a party I’m planning, and I’m impressed with myself – it will be a welcome treat at the party with the heat.

I feel too tired to cook, so get in the car and head to Chicken Licken but traffic is a nightmare, so I end up at McDonalds and end up spending R149.30 for 3 meals putting me R49.30 over budget.

My sister and I buy groceries and split the bill. My share is R599.22 and I will have to buy anything missing on the list.

I spend R 300.01 for fuel. It used to get me close to a full tank, but now it’s a little over half a tank.

The Breakdown

To share your money diary email us at [email protected] with the subject line: Money Diary