Money diary: Manhattan

[tacom]

My food choices (and spending) get so much worse as the week goes on... I'll have to be more conscious of that. And I can actually publish this now since I gave notice at my job!!  <)

Total spent: $1,005.24
31% food, 1% to be reimbursed, 26% gifted travel, 4% household/beauty, 38% household employee 

Background: 2 adults, no kids, 2 dogs.



Set monthly costs:

• Rent $4,500 for a 1 bedroom
• Life insurance: $154
  
• Cell, internet, cable: $362
  
  Saturday 
  
  
  6:45am:  I'm up for a weekend shift at the hospital. My husband and I have homemade cold brew iced coffee and breakfast at home.
  
  
  
  9:30am my husband texts me he purchased movie tickets for Beauty and the Beast at the Battery Park theater. $34.70 value -- free with gift cards we had from Christmas. 
  
  
  
  12:30pm: I eat at the hospital cafeteria - I select the mahi mahi, green beans, and a medium coffee. $7.80 with my employee discount. My husband heads to the local market and gets chicken wings for $8.00. He also stops at CVS for beer and junk food: $26. 
  
  
  
  4:47: eat a quick dinner of leftovers, and enjoy a glass of wine at home before we walk to our movie with to go cups in hand.
  
  
  
  6:15pm. Showtime! My husband gets us popcorn, nachos, and a large Diet Coke while I stay to watch the previews. We are both impressed that the prices are no higher than Chicago. $20 
  
  
  
  9:00pm. Movie is over and we loved it. Once home, we cuddle the dogs and play a game of Settlers of Catan (which I win!) before turning in like the grannies we are.
  
  
  
  Day 1 Total spent: $61.80
  
  
  
  Sunday:
  
  
  7am: We pour our iced coffees and play with the dogs before going to the gym for leg day. We're done by 9:30am and prep a quick breakfast at home.
  
  
  
  10:00am we take the dogs to the dog park and spend some time by the east river. We are both ready for another coffee so we stop at Starbucks. I try the new nitro cold brew (grande) and my husband opts for a venti iced coffee with caramel. $3.45 after a star reward. 
  
  
  
  11:30  I place a grocery order on FoodKick and select the 2:30 delivery slot. We get our staples - cheeses, veggies, a few breads, PB, jam, coffee, hummus, sparkling water, and chicken. $99.20 plus $5 cash tip 
  
  12:00. We prep a quick lunch at home (leftover spaghetti squash with lemon/garlic and a dollop of goat cheese, Greek yogurt, and a handful of almonds for me). My H had pretzels and hummus because he apparently never gets hangry. 
  
  
  
  1pm:  we analyze our first quarter spending and realize we've cut $1k/m since last year (yay!). Biggest savings noted in food and clothing, but my husband warns me he'll need a work wardrobe refresh in the near future. We realize T-Mobile has been overcharging us for the past three months, so I send my husband to take care of it; I avoid customer service calls at any expense. My husband also funds his 2016 IRA at this time at my prompting, but I run into an error message on my account. Will have to call tomorrow. No money spent since we're just moving assets between accounts. 
  
  
  
  2:30pm: my sister is on break next month and wants to visit. She's a broke college student (who I miss dearly!), so I buy tickets for her and her bff. $527.76, though I expect to be reimbursed for half. 
   
  
  
  3:00pm we text a friend we had casual plans with to reschedule for next weekend.
  
   
  
  7:00pm I'm done working for the day. My husband makes us burgers and sweet potato fries and we sit down to binge watch Billions.
  
  
  
  Day 2 Total spent: $371.53 (plus additional $263.88 to be reimbursed) 
  
  
  
  Monday
  
  
  5:15am I am up for the day and start my week in the gym. I take the dogs out before jotting down a quick list for our dog walker/housekeeper. I make iced coffee and a breakfast taco to go.
  
  
  
  7:15-8:30am I pass the time commuting listening to the lady gang podcast. I have quite the hike for my second job, but luckily I'm only there 2-3 times per week. 
  
  
  
  
  12:26pm. Again eating in the hospital cafeteria – I get the daily special (stuffed peppers) with steamed squash and a bottle of water. I typically drink from the tap but the charge of a drink is included.$5.99. According to my CC, my husband opts for something at chopt for $10.62. 
  
  
  
  
  3:51pm I'm starving and scarf down a graham cracker from the nurse's station and finish my water while I document. Is it time for dinner yet? 
  
  
  
  
  4:30pm I'm done seeing patients but have 30 minutes before it's time to leave. I call vanguard and they inform me that my IRA contributions are restricted until my husband's work can provide a letter explaining my eligibility. I'm snippier than I want to be with the customer service rep because I'm nervous I won't make the 4/15 deadline for 2016 contributions. 
  
  
  
  
  6:20pm: after 80 minutes, 4 weird smells, 9 people invading my personal space, and 1 train transfer,  I'm finally home. I already have an exit plan, but I'm still not sure how long I can handle this commute. The dogs are going nuts (Mondays suck for everyone!) but at least I come home to cleaner place than I left. We used to pay the local dog walkers $28 for a 20 minute relief visit. At $56/hr, it was insane. I signed up for care.com ($85 one time fee) and found THE best household employee for $16/hr plus taxes. She takes the dogs out and spends the rest of her time helping around the house. Today she spent her two hours on laundry, dog baths, and a 30 min walk. I love love love her. 
  
  Dinner is a homemade bunless burger with veggies and chipotle sauce with a lagunitas ale. My husband will be home later and likely make a peanut butter and jelly. Dinners are light for him since he tends to get heavier lunches at work meetings.
  
  
  
  7:45pm: I've taken the dogs out and am face masking on the couch with a homemade cleanse (ice water, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar). One benefit of 8pm bedtime? Less time to spend money. 
  
  
  
  Day 3 total: $16.61
  
  
  
  Tuesday 
  
  
  5:20: I'm up for the day and complete a quick body weight and and band workout while catching up on YouTube. As my husband gets ready for his day, I catch him up on my vanguard issue and he assures me he will request the letter I need. I prep three days worth of breakfast tacos (a new habit I'm trying to establish) and make tea with a scoop of collagen protein. After taking the dogs out, I leave today's task list and pour an iced coffee to go before leaving for my train.
  
  
  
  9:38am. I snack on an apple at my desk
  
  
  
  11:30 I brew my second cup of coffee at my desk using a slow drip pot and get a splash of creamer from my coworker (she told me to help myself!) 
  
  
  
  12:35pm: remember that exit plan I mentioned? My job offer came in! I'm currently part time at two different hospitals and will be moving into a full time position. The timing feels right. While I'll take a $6,000 pay cut, I'm looking forward to the better work life balance (5 v. 6 days/week, shorter commute, more exciting cases, fewer weekend shifts). I text my husband the good news and then anxiously plan my resignation pitch. Then I celebrate with the $5.99 daily special from our cafeteria. Baked white fish, whole wheat pasta, and mixed vegetables with a bottle of water. 
  
  
  
  5:10pm. I pick up five apples, a pint of blueberries, and large haas avocado for $7.50. The prices are much better than in Manhattan. 
  
  
  
  6:30pm I'm home over 1.5 hours after I left. I feed the dogs and make the same dinner as last night. My husband is home by 7pm which is rare, so he takes the dogs out while I set up a board game and browse recordings on our DVR. We are both asleep by 9pm
  
  
  
  Day 4 total: $13.49
  
  
  
  Wednesday 
  
  6:00am. I slept in today and skipped my workout. Have another breakfast taco with iced coffee. I take the dogs out and set up a call with HR to discuss my transition. $0. 
  
  
  
  12:10pm. I head to the cafeteria and get salmon, sad mixed veggies, Brussels sprouts, and a medium coffee for $7.80.
  
  
  
  4:45pm. I pop into Barnes and noble after work searching for a new moleskin planner since my schedule and travel plans will be changing. I don't find anything I need and walk out empty handed. I walk through a farmer's market on my way home and consider buying some herbs until I remember how quickly I kill them.
  
  
  
  7:19pm: I find the exact planner I want on sale on jet.com. I recently started using them because I was fed up with amazon shipping me 10 huge boxes for a single order. I purchase the planner, siracha pretzel crisps, 100 cal mini pretzels, hot chocolate pouches, ground coffee, a 2 pack of my husband's deodorant, laundry powder, rose water spray, and a L'Oréal eyeshadow for $59.47 shipped. I already ate (chicken with leftover spaghetti squash and a side salad) and took the dogs out, so I'm in for the night and done spending.
  
  
  
  Day 5 total: $67.27
  
  
  
  Thursday
  
  5:20am: I'm up and start the day in the gym. My husband is working from home before a meeting today, so we actually have some time together! We take the dogs for a quick walk then play on the living room floor as we sip our coffee. I heat up my last premade breakfast taco and decide Day 3 soggy tortillas are no beuno.
  
  
  
  9:09 I finish up with my annual employee health screen with no time to spare. My boss tells me to catch a cab for my 9:30 treatment and she will petty cash me. It's raining and rush hour so the roads are quite congested. $10.55 but I'll be reimbursed later. 
  
  
  
  12:46pm. Today is my half day. It's still cold and rainy and I'm feeling too lazy to prep lunch at home. I stop at subway on my way home for the daily special (BMT). It may not be the most sophisticated culinary choice, but it's cheap and comforting. $3.81
  
  
  
  2:30pm: I groom the dogs (hair cuts and nail trim) at home. This saves us $100/dog/groom here in Manhattan, or approximately $1,800 a year. The dogs hated it at first but now I think they find it somewhat relaxing now. My sister’s friend also quick pays me the cost of her flight.
  
  
  
  4:06pm I'm on a IV drug for Crohn's that costs $414,000 year (not including fees related to IRS administration) and have been back and forth with the hospital to get the paperwork I need for partial reimbursement with the makers of the drug. It's my second phone conversation with a supervisor and we seem to have found the issue. I'll have to wait a week or so to be sure, but I'm optimistic. Afterwards, I need a drink so I place another foodkick order - 3 bottles of wine, hummus, and wasa crackers.  $45.02 including tip. 
  
  
  
  6:00pm dinner is a repeat from last night, plus lots of wine. 
  
  
  
  Day 6 total: $48.83 (plus $10.55 to be reimbursed)
  
  
  
  Friday
  
  6:50am: It's payday for our household assistant. I handle all payroll myself to save money. It's pretty simple now that I've set up the excel spreadsheets. I deposit $382.63 to her account ($200 of that is for a weekend away when she watched the dogs at her place) after withholding taxes, though we will obviously owe more in April. Breakfast is PB&J on toast with an iced coffee to go. $382.63 
  
  
  
  12:14pm: I am utterly exhausted today. I'm not in the mood to wait in the ridiculous line for the daily special, so I grab a slice of sausage pizza and a small fountain Diet Coke for the caffeine fix. $3.98. My coworker eats with me and shares her wheat thins.
  
  
  
  12:53pm: the Diet Coke didn't do it, so I head to the Starbucks downstairs and get a caramel frap with whip, which is the closest thing I can get to a milkshake. $4.40 
  
  
  
  6:43pm: it's Friday- time for bad food and bad tv. I send my husband to take the dogs for a walk as I order our dinner. $34.70 for lo mein, general tso's chicken, spring rolls, and crab cheese wontons, plus tip. We feast on takeout and the wine I purchased yesterday. 
  
  
  
  Day 7 total: $425.71  

[tacom]

Apr 11, 2017 23:12:06 GMT -5 farmvillelover said:

Going to come back to read more but wanted to at least say congrats on giving notice!! woo!! Did I miss a moving announcement or are you just going to take some time off?

No move!

I've been working PT at two different hospitals.

Job A has been an excellent fit from the beginning - exciting work, good commute, excellent team dynamic working with some of the brightest in the field. Job B I was originally super excited about because of the security - healthcare in retirement, 10% higher pay, pension and thought I could live with the cons (less interesting work, brutal commute, less clear role on the team).

After some soul searching, I've accepted a full time position at A. This will free up some weekends for travel/family visits, more time to do what I love (an extra 1.5 - 2 hr/day), and just generally makes me feel better about what I do. It's one of the first times in my life that I've compromised future security for current happiness. It feels good!

[followyourarrow]

Super interesting. Thanks for writing it all out. I'm surprised to see food costs very similar to where I am, although your rent gives me heart palpitations. Can you tell me how you make iced coffee? I need to quit buying it.

[raangoli]

Congrats on giving notice tacom! And you're so young - don't worry too much about having healthcare in retirement. I've learned that while it may be something they offer now, it may not always be the case as you age and get to the point where you need it yourself. Enjoy the time you'll get back from the commute to do things that you enjoy!

[daisypaloma]

Congrats on your new job!

[nicechicken]

I think it's interesting that you don't contract out your housekeeper. Do you pay for anything else for her? Like workmans comp/unemployment insurance?

Your rent makes me cry.

[insominac]

Yay for a Manhattan diary. I think my favorite part was walking to see Beauty and the Beast with to go wine cups...

I'd do one, but I am way too lazy. lol

[cajunmom]

Apr 12, 2017 11:34:22 GMT -5 insominac said:

Yay for a Manhattan diary. I think my favorite part was walking to see Beauty and the Beast with to go wine cups...

I'd do one, but I am way too lazy. lol

I'd do one, but I'm way too boring 

[tacom]

Apr 12, 2017 8:04:21 GMT -5 followyourarrow said:

Super interesting. Thanks for writing it all out. I'm surprised to see food costs very similar to where I am, although your rent gives me heart palpitations. Can you tell me how you make iced coffee? I need to quit buying it.

My rent gives me heart palpitations too. I don't anticipate staying in NYC forever for that reason.

Iced coffee is so easy! I use a stainless steel press. Fill with cold water, 1 cup medium coarse grounds, stir & then let sit in fridge overnight. In the am, press and pour. ☕️

[tacom]

Apr 12, 2017 10:31:34 GMT -5 nicechicken said:

I think it's interesting that you don't contract out your housekeeper. Do you pay for anything else for her? Like workmans comp/unemployment insurance?

Your rent makes me cry.

We do cover unemployment but then get a tax credit so it comes out fairly cheap.

[tacom]

Apr 12, 2017 11:34:22 GMT -5 insominac said:

Yay for a Manhattan diary. I think my favorite part was walking to see Beauty and the Beast with to go wine cups...

I'd do one, but I am way too lazy. lol

The visuals and soundtrack were amazing, ESP with a wine buzz. So much cheaper than the bar.

[tacom]

Apr 12, 2017 13:07:11 GMT -5 cajunmom said:

Apr 12, 2017 11:34:22 GMT -5 insominac said:

Yay for a Manhattan diary. I think my favorite part was walking to see Beauty and the Beast with to go wine cups...

I'd do one, but I am way too lazy. lol

I'd do one, but I'm way too boring 

I worked 6/7 days and watched a Disney remake. Low bar!

[cajunmom]

Apr 12, 2017 15:20:31 GMT -5 tacom said:

Apr 12, 2017 13:07:11 GMT -5 cajunmom said:

I'd do one, but I'm way too boring 

I worked 6/7 days and watched a Disney remake. Low bar!

I suppose you're right . I've been keeping track since Monday so I may as well finish out the weekend. 

[insominac]

I'd just be embarrassed to show how much we spend on food. Last weekend we ate a $84 brunch. It was amazing, but damn.

[tacom]

Apr 12, 2017 16:28:24 GMT -5 insominac said:

I'd just be embarrassed to show how much we spend on food. Last weekend we ate a $84 brunch. It was amazing, but damn.

No shame. We ended up spending $140 on what was supposed to be a "casual" lunch (burgers/beer for 3) the day after my diary ended.

[LoveTrains]

Apr 12, 2017 16:28:24 GMT -5 insominac said:

I'd just be embarrassed to show how much we spend on food. Last weekend we ate a $84 brunch. It was amazing, but damn.

That's typical for me - that's a two Bloody Mary brunch each. If we go to three each its over $100.