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 delicatessen clerk in his 20s who spent some of his budget on energy drinks and Ubers.
Location: Toronto, Ont.
Occupation: Delicatessen Clerk
Age: 28
Salary: $46,248
Take-home pay (weekly): $725.32
Pronouns: He/they
Monthly Expenses:
Rent: $1,400, split with a roommate
Phone plan: $85
Internet: $80
Subscriptions: $65.18
Credit card debt: $7,500 (approximately)
Money available to spend: $200 to $300 (varies each week)
Day 1: I wake up at 6:30 AM and it’s payday, which begins with a routine round of due payments. I start by transferring $250 to my roommate for my weekly share of the rent and bills. Another $120 goes towards my credit card debt, which saw an additional $28 added in service charges and overdraft fees. $148 (rent is already included in the “Monthly Expenses” section)
Since it’s Halloween, I put on a pair of devil horns my roommate crocheted before skateboarding to work. I buy two energy drinks on the way — a two for $6 deal. $6.78
At work, Halloween is by far one of the busiest times of the year for the deli’s pizza section, so my manager moves me there to help handle the volume of orders. I treat myself to a small box of potato wedges and a can of soda for lunch. $6.50
Daily total: $161.28
Day 2: I made plans with friends in Oakville but before I head over, I go to the grocery store for cat food and milk. I’m slightly lactose intolerant, but the price and volume of regular 2 per cent milk wins me over. $22
Since my bag is too heavy to skateboard back home with, I order an Uber. I can’t risk falling and bursting a milk bag. $8.68
Later on in the day, I walk to the bus station and hop on a GO bus. I need to refill my Presto card before I can board. $20
I get off at the Oakville GO station and take a detour by going through the shop inside. All of the snacks are egregiously overpriced so I settle for an energy drink from a brand on sale. $5
I meet up with my friends at their apartment and after looking at the coupons they had laying around, we settle on some A&W. I choose a special for two Teen Burgers and a root beer. $16.93
Goodwill is nearby and one of my friends really wants to check it out. As per usual with thrift stores, I go in looking for one thing and come out with the exact opposite. Today, I go in looking for a cassette player and leave with two perfectly fitting pairs of pants that were on sale. Thrifting is a gamble one really can't lose. $12.48
On the walk back I spot a Circle K and force my friends to stop so I can grab a cheese taquito and an energy drink. I regret the impulse buy immediately when I bite into the lukewarm cream cheese tortilla. $8.34
On my way home I stop by a Starbucks to grab a latte and say hi to a friend. I could go for something fancy but I opt for a basic coffee with milk. $6.16
I see a Greek restaurant and decide to get dinner. I could cook something at home but it's late and I'd rather spend the rest of the night relaxing. I get gyro on fries to take home and finally settle in for the night. $11.13
Daily total: $110.72
Day 3: I wake up expecting a frugal day. The only thing I plan on buying today are the two energy drinks I need to start my workday. $6.78
My hope for a low-spend day vanishes as soon as I receive a message from my friend Dylan, who is organizing a house party tonight. I buy a six-pack of beer and a mix of deli meat and frozen food that will feed me for the rest of the week. I follow sales from my department and save a fair amount this way. The black forest ham is an especially attractive deal at the moment — it’s almost half-off its usual price. $86.10
My roommate decides to come to the party if we split the transit cost. He offers to pay for the Uber there if I pay the Uber back. I agree. We first go to a different friend’s house for pre-party socializing. I party the night away blissfully unaware of my current bank balance.
Daily total: $92.88
Day 4: Today begins just after midnight. My roommate wants to go home but he can’t afford the trip on his own. I also can’t afford the trip home but he offers to give me the $20 he has available right now and pay the rest of his share of the Uber later. I call his Uber and wish him a good night. I keep partying and at about 1:50 a.m., I order an Uber for myself. $67.22
After my eventful night, I sleep in — waking up to get ready for work at noon. After last night I've given up establishing a budget for this week. I get to work and grab my usual energy drinks and a lunch meal. $22.22
Before heading home I stop by the dollar store and buy a pair of cheap headphones to replace my broken ones. $8.48
After making it home, I find myself browsing my favorite band’s website. I add a bunch of merchandise to my cart for a future purchase, but after realizing my bank account balance is already in the negative — and incapable of resisting temptation — I order the merchandise through a bi-weekly financing plan through the service Sezzle. I've used this service a couple of times in the past and I've always appreciated the convenience. $36.83
Daily total: $114.75
Day 5 and Day 6: I am unable to spend any money these two days as my bank account has reached its negative balance threshold. I feed myself at home and make my own coffee.
Daily totals: $0
Day 7: My roommate sent the rest of the money they owed me by this point. I allow myself a singular energy drink. $4.28
I end up spending time on the Purrr app, which connects people to stray cat feeding stations around the world. I see a stray kitten sitting in front of an empty feeder and my heart breaks. I spend about a dollar for tokens used to activate the feeders. $1.46
Daily total: $5.74
WEEKLY TOTAL: $485.37
MONEY LEFT OVER: -$158.05
Interested in contributing to TorontoToday's Cost of City Living series? We're seeking submissions. Shoot us an email at [email protected].
