Welcome to The Cost of City Living, a recurring TorontoToday column that aims to tackle the ever-looming topic of money. Each week, one Torontonian details a week of their spending habits to see just how much it costs to live in the city.
This week, we follow a communications assistant in her 20s who spent some of her budget on picture frame hangers and Google Drive storage.
Location: Toronto, ON
Occupation: Communications Assistant
Age: 25
Salary: $56,583.12
Take-home pay (bi-weekly): $1,748.56
Weekly allowance: $479.40
Pronouns: She/Her
Monthly expenses:
Rent: $1317
Rent insurance: $16.85
Utilities (electricity and gas): $50 (approximately)
Internet: $35.65
Subscriptions: $18.02
Student Loan Payment: $142
Day 1: Monday morning means I’m back in the office! I first hop on the GO Train and then the GO bus to make it from downtown Toronto to Brampton. Ideally a cheaper form of transit or something more direct could get me there but overall it’s not too bad! I get a lot of dedicated playlist building time while enjoying Metrolinx’s free wifi. $8.04
After work, I successfully avoid going to the cafe downstairs where the dreaded little treat awaits and begin on my journey home. A major benefit to my job is it’s fairly flexible, and since I had no meetings, I was able to leave a bit earlier on the direct train — which takes me right to my stop instead of having to transfer to a bus! It’s a bit more expensive but it saves me half an hour which is worth it at the end of the day. $8.67
I get off at my stop where the green gates of Freshco call to me. I’m eating at home more this week and trying to use up the produce, pantry staples and frozen food that I already have in my kitchen — but I still need to buy a few things. I picked up some bread, cheese, ketchup and a box of mac and cheese. Cheese is always expensive no matter where I go but at least everything else is affordable at Freshco. $21.14
Daily total: $37.85
Day 2: Back to the office I go! I used to work in the office three days a week but that changed about halfway through the summer. I’ve gained a lot of time back during the week since I typically have to leave so early in the morning. $8.04
Leaving for work during the early autumn mornings means there’s little to no sun and I am way more likely to sleep in. It's difficult to wake up in the dark. Because I slept in, I have to eat breakfast on the go. I grab a chai latte and a croissant to munch on while I ride the Go Train into the sunrise. $10.41
After a long day at work I go home on my normal route, taking both the bus and the train. It's cheaper than the express train but it does take me longer to arrive home. With today being my last day in the office for the week, it's not imperative I get home early. $7.03
It’s extremely dry in my new apartment and the weather certainly isn’t helping. I go to the money graveyard, Shoppers Drug Mart, to pick up a better chapstick. Hopefully Vaseline Lip Therapy helps quell my lip woes. $7.08
Daily total: $32.56
Day 3: My first day working from home this week resulted in no money spent! Work responsibilities and unpacking took up most of my day — plus a few exploratory walks in my new neighbourhood.
Daily total: $0.00
Day 4: Working from home keeps my “little treat" budget mostly in check, but I go to Tim Horton's mid afternoon for a tea and a bagel because I completely drank all the peppermint tea in my apartment $7.03
Shockingly, my halloween was not very frugal — but it was very fun! Tonight I invited my friends over to my apartment before we headed off to a Halloween Jazz Night at Lee’s Palace. The show starts fairly early so we meet up around dinner time and decide to order a couple of Domino's pizzas to share! Is it the best pizza? No. Are the coupons close to unbeatable? Yes. $47.50
With our bellies full of pizza and hearts yearning for nerd jazz, we all take the TTC and make our way downtown to the bar. $3.30
As much as we loved the jazz and had a great time, we ended up dipping early. Clubs are fun but we’re more of a relaxed bunch. We head off to Paupers Pub nearby to share some appetizers and drinks. We take a moment to appreciate everyone’s costumes. $22.28
I try to take transit to save money, but my overwhelming desire to not take the TTC home alone in the middle of the night wins the battle. We call our Ubers and part ways, making sure to share our locations, just in case. $11.89
Daily total: $92.00
Day 5: I reload my Presto card at the top of each month. Since I’m not able to use a TTC pass on the GO, this is my version of a pass. I don't want to pay for a monthly TTC pass and GO fare. Plus, this helps me avoid a million auto reload charges and I can keep track of how much I’m actually spending on transit. $50 per week
The first of the month also means I have to pay a good chunk of bills — namely my renters insurance. I have a pretty good deal on my insurance now that I’ve moved, which is delightful. $16.83
My monthly bills continue with my Google Drive storage payment. I use Google Drive for storing documents and photos — both for professional endeavours and my hobbies. Lots of half-cooked Dungeons & Dragons campaigns and sketches are saved there. I’m always looking to expand how much storage I have so I pay for the 200GB deal. $4.51
For lunch, I try out a new restaurant. I’ve never been to Sugo before but my best friend raves about it — we decide to have a quick lunch date. It’s usually so busy but we’re able to sneak in right as they open. I order the rigatoni and it’s enough food for two meals. I can safely say it's worth the hype. $26.19
Aat my new apartment we have a lot of pictures to mount and a total of zero hooks. Moving can definitely be a process. So I was off to Walmart to pick up some wall hooks and other miscellaneous groceries. Yogurt was on a super sale so I count this trip as a win. $41.24
Daily total: $138.77
Day 6: After the Halloween and Walmart shopping spree, a day with no spending is ideal … is what I would write if I didn't have to take the TTC to a massage therapy appointment. But benefits and a two-hour transfer keeps today’s price point to just the subway fare. $3.30
Daily total: $3.30
Day 7: Would you believe I needed only a few more tacks to hang up our pictures? On my walk to Dollarama to get nails, I got to enjoy the gorgeous fall weather. What a great way to start my Sunday! $1.70
Since I was already out and about, I popped next door to Shoppers Drug Mart to pick up more hair gel. I always feel a little bit grubby in the office having to wake up so early, so a slicked back style helps me feel a bit more professional. $2.98
Tim Hortons was right there and I had points to use up — and it would be a crime not to redeem them for free food — so I ordered a breakfast sandwich and a donut to fuel my day of hanging up pictures. $1.88
After a successful picture hanging session I put on the Leafs game and watch it with my roommates in our newly decorated living room. And all of a sudden I’m a sports person. I never used to care much about athletics but since moving to Toronto, I’ve found such a sense of community at games and an affinity for any place that will sell me a hot dog. With Leafs tickets being very far out of my budget, I coerce my friends into getting Toronto Marlies tickets with me. $14.50
Daily total: $21.06
WEEKLY TOTAL: $325.54
MONEY LEFT OVER: $153.86
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