This Distillery District couple makes $120,000 a year. How do they spend it?
“I like fancy brunch and he likes dives—but all of it is expensive”
Who: Ryan Ruth, 28, and Marcos Mena Cruz, 25 What they do: Ryan is apprenticing to become an elevator mechanic; Marcos runs the art gallery Oleos and Canvas and works in sales for an online art marketplace What they make: $120,000 combined Where they live: A two-plus-one-bedroom condo in the Distillery District
Regular Expenses
Rent: $3,000 a month. “We used to pay $2,000 for a one-bedroom in a shared house in the Beaches, until we moved out last May.”
Phone and internet: $190 a month. “We have a small-business phone-and-internet bundle with Bell.”
Debt payments: $500 a month. “I’m putting all of our savings toward growing the art gallery, which is about $20,000 in debt. My mom started it 16 years ago, and I recently revived it. Our house is full of artwork.”
Student loans: $120 a month.
Transportation: $500 a month. “I spend $100 on the TTC. Ryan drives all over Ontario for work, which costs us $300 in gas and another $100 for insurance.”
Groceries: $400 a month, from FreshCo and the St. Lawrence Market.
Restaurants: $400 a month. “Going out to eat is our guilty pleasure. I like Lady Marmalade for fancy brunch, and Ryan is into dives and homey spots like Avenue Diner. But all of it is expensive. Going out with a friend for burgers and beers can cost us more than $100.”
Takeout: $300 a month. “Pizza Nova’s classic slice-and-pop combo for $10 is one of our staples.”
Date nights: $20 a month. “We love the Fox Theatre in the Beaches. Movies on Tuesdays are $7, and we usually get a snack.”
Subscriptions: $35 a month. “I use Apple Music, Ryan has Spotify and we share an Amazon Prime account.”
Sports: $60 a month. “I play in a football league that costs $120 for the year, and Ryan plays hockey, which came to $1,000 the first year when factoring in the gear. I’ll be playing hockey next year too.”
Painting classes: $100 a month. “It’s so I can better understand my industry.”
Recent Splurges
New frying pan: $300. “It’s a stainless steel braising pan—super strong.”
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