COURTNEY’S FINANCIAL SITUATION

INVESTMENT AND SAVINGS: $ 350 $200 to RRSP. “Last year at tax time I put in $4,000.” This year, she tries to put in $200 a month.

$150 to TFSA, which comprises $70,000 in savings, $6,000 in ETFs and Canadian bank stocks. “I have only recently been learning about stocks.”

HOUSEHOLD AND TRANSPORTATION: $ 1,810

$1,500 on rent. “It’s a twobedroom in my friend’s house and includes utilities – it’s an older home. I’m trying to get an income property – in Kitchener the market has dropped but it hasn’t become affordable. Maybe I’ll rent for the rest of my life.”

$17 on renter’s insurance.

$33 on car repairs. “I have a 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid that I purchased last year in full and don’t have a lot of repairs or maintenance. My old car was literally smoking at the end – I bought it used.”

$200 on gas.

$60 on cellphone. $0 on Internet (included in her rent).

FOOD AND DRINK: $ 779 $350 on groceries. “I go to Zehrs, Walmart or Costco – I’ll look at the flyers and shop there. I make pastas, sandwiches, tacos – it’s not particularly hard to cook for one person.”

$400 on eating out. “This I do a lot and it has recently picked up. I enjoy going out for an actual dinner one to four times a month. I like banh mi, dumplings, Pita Pit.”

$21 on alcohol. “I like going out for a pint now and then and I have beers in my fridge.”

$8 at Starbucks. “I mostly make coffee at home.”

HEALTH AND FITNESS: $ 194

$69 on gym membership. “In the winter I get the most use out of it. I like the classes.”

$58 on haircuts.

$17 on medical procedures. “Everyone I know is getting Botox. I’ve done one round of it to treat migraines – it was $200.”

$50 on sports. “I play on recreational soccer teams. It’s an investment in my health.”

MISCELLANEOUS: $ 149

$125 on clothing. “I’m trying to buy a capsule wardrobe – I don’t like trendy stuff. I’ll buy one winter jacket and wear it forever. Or clothes in solid colours. I like Dynamite, The Bay or a consignment shop.”

$0 on books. “I go to the library.”

$12 on Netflix. “I’m watching Peaky Blinders, the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Virgin River.”

$12 on Apple Music.

TOTAL: $ 3,282 A MONTH

ANNUAL

$2,000 on vacations a year. “I went to Banff two weeks ago and stayed with a friend, I might go to B.C. for 10 days. PreCOVID, I would travel two to three times a year. I went to Vancouver, Asia and Europe. Then my rent went from $700 to $1,500. My ideal vacation budget would be $6,000.”