This math teacher turned climate warrior earns $31,200. How does she spend it?
“I need a generous data package to post cute videos of plant-based restaurants and farmers’ markets”
Cassandra Della Mora is a 34-year-old coordinator and entrepreneur who, in 2024, abandoned her almost decade-long career as a high school math teacher to pursue her passion for sustainability. She now works 25 to 30 hours per week for the non-profit VegTO, where she makes $31,200. She’s also building up her own content and events business, Conscious Cass, on the side. In her years as a teacher, she saved roughly $1,750 a month, which she now draws on to make ends meet. She rents a one-bedroom apartment near Yonge and Davisville for $1,945 a month and spends her free time travelling and attending climate panels.
Regular Expenses
Rent: $1,945 a month. “My place is about 700 square feet, and it has a big balcony. I live alone but occasionally borrow my parents’ bichon poodle, Cooper, for company.”
Utilities: $53 a month. “Heat and water are included, but I pay for hydro.”
Phone: $75 a month with Virgin Mobile. “I need a large data package to post cute videos of plant-based restaurants and farmers’ markets.”
Groceries: $334 a month. “I shop primarily at Karma Co-op. I can buy most goods in bulk without plastic packaging—even tofu.”
More Toronto Budgets
Car: $253 a month. “Most of this is for insurance. But I drive an electric car, so I don’t need to pay for gas. Charging only costs about $30 a month.”
Dining out: $160 a month. “For a treat, I go to Caked Coffee in the west end for cake in a jar and an oat-milk flat white. Sometimes I get dinner at Bellona Kitchen on College.
Going out: $85 a month. “I often go to climate events. I don’t drink, so I try to support the venue by ordering a fruity mocktail.”
Beauty: $40 a month. “I use shampoo and conditioner bars from the Vancouver retailer Green Room.”
Fitness: $0 a month. “I practise Pilates and yoga at home with free YouTube series like Yoga With Adriene and Move With Nicole.”
Recent Splurges
Fifteen-day European trip: $7,500. “I went to London, Florence, Amsterdam and Ibiza. My room in London was only $55 via HomeStay. I opted for trains over flights whenever possible. But I did splurge on a $300 Calvin Harris ticket.”
Apple Watch: $130. “My original one quit on my trip, but I found a replacement on Facebook Marketplace.”
Lindsey King is a Toronto-based writer and editor whose work can be found in Toronto Life, Maclean’s, Canada’s 100 Best and more. She is interested in arts and culture, food and drink, architecture, design, and real estate stories
